Carbin Reef and Suyac are islands situated in Sagay City. These are two of the popular island-hopping tours of Negros Occidental, and you can visit them on a day tour along with other reefs, sandbars, and islands that comprise the 32,000 hectares of the most successful marine sanctuary, which is in Sagay’s Marine Reserve.
Carbin Reef Island
Carbin Reef Island is roughly a 20-minute boat ride from the old Sagay port, and it is nothing more than a sandbar.
The only structure there is the watch-house that serves as a guard post, a wooden post with signboards of different places on it, and a few lines of cottages made of bamboo for the guests. Other than that, it’s bare and uninhabited.
For fees and more details, read my complete travel guide of Carbin Reef Island.
Carbin Reef Island: Travel Guide, How To Go, Cost, and Tips
The reef has a maximum capacity of 100 persons, 70 for reservation sand 30 for walk-ins, which is why it is highly recommended to book a reservation in advance.
For booking, you may contact Sagay City Information & Tourism Office, 034-488-0649 or email us them sagaycityinfo@yahoo.com.
Suyac Island
From Carbin Reef, you’d get on a 10-minute boat ride to reach Suyac Island, which is famous for its Mangrove Forest.
It is a community-based eco tourism place that is managed by its own residents and a members of attendants association in Suyac Island. This eco park is home to one of the oldest and largest mangrove forests on Negros Island.
The mangrove forest itself covers 500 hectares of various species of mangroves, black and soft corals, species of giant clams, marine turtles, giant fruit bats that you can see from the watchtower, and a lot more.
For fees and more details, read my complete travel guide of Suyac Island.
Suyac Island: Travel Guide of The Mangrove Eco-Park in Negros Occidental
How to Get to Carbin Reef and Suyac Island
These two beautiful attractions can be toured by boat so you need to go to the old Sagay Port first.
To get to old Sagay Port from Bacolod City
- Bus/Van Ride to Sagay City from Bacolod North Bus Terminal – 2.5 hours for Php150/person fare
- Tricycle Ride to Tourism Office – 15-minute for Php10.00 each, maximum of 5persons
One Day Sample Itinerary to Carbin Reef and Suyac Island
- 7:30 AM – Arrival at the Old Sagay Port
- 8:00 AM – Arrival at the Carbin Reef Island. 2 hours is enough to enjoy Carbin Reef. You can visit Panal and Maca reefs to maximize the tour. Take note of the additional expenses listed under the Fees and Expenses of Carbin Reef if you’d like to include them.
- 10:00 AM – Departed from Carbin Reef to Suyac Island
- 10:15 AM – Arrival at Suyac Island
- 12:00 NN – Seafood Fiesta Lunch
- 2:30 PM – Depart in Suyac to Old Sagay Port
Fees
- Bus fare from Bacolod to Sagay – ₱150 to ₱250
- Admission Fee (for non-residents) – ₱100.00
- Boat rental – ₱500 to ₱2,000 per boat (depending on the capacity and size of the boat)
- Additional passengers – ₱40.00 for every excess person.
- Panal Reef – ₱500.00 (optional)
- Maca Reef – ₱500.00 (optional)
- Suyac Island – ₱300.00
- Food and drinks – Optional or arranged in advance
We were able to rent a boat for ₱1,500 for Carbin Reef and Suyac Island for 5 persons. We didn’t include Maca and Panal reefs on our tour.
For specific fees on each island, here’s the complete travel guide for Carbin Reef and Suyac Island.
Travel Tips
- March to May are the best months to travel to experience this tour and to also explore other places of Negros Occidental.
- Mobile signal is available but weak on these islands. Better enjoy your time in nature while you’re there.
- Always book in advance on the island hopping tours and research details as much as possible before the trip.
- Bring cash with you to avoid hassle. Tourism office and local rides only accept cash.
- Secure your gadgets in a waterproof bag.
- Bring your own food and drinks.
- Take your trash with you, so you need to bring a garbage bag and dispose of it properly.
Such a breathtaking view! Thank you for sharing all of these!
Dipolog ka padin mamsh? Oy akoy di pa nakakapunta sainyo.
Yes! Idagdag mo na sa itinerary of province-to-visit yung Zamboanga del Norte 🙂 Samahan kita sa mga magagandang places dito hahaha char
Ay excited me huhu
The scenic view caught my attention, I never imagine that a place like this exist in Bacolod. I thought they are only known for Bacolod Chicken Inasal. I’ll put this on my travel list and hopefully I can write an article about this too. Maybe I should try exploring more parts of the Philippines to discover more of its beauty.
Will definitely add this to my bucketlist once the pandemic ends. Sobrang ganda ng lugar at ang linaw ng tubig. Thank you for this detailed guide, really useful
Whoa, it’s a long travel from Bacolod. But it is worth it to be in such a place. and you look good, too!
Thanks for sharing your adventure! Saving this destination for our future trip to the Philippines.
Never knew about this Suyac Island before until I reached this article. Your photo at the seashore wakes my wanderlust gene. Hoping for a Clark-Bacolod promo airfare in the future.
This is my first time to hear about Suyac Island but my goodness! The beauty of the place! I personally love to explore places that are not overrated or widely known. I hope when my vacation is longer, I can experience this paradise.
I’m taking notes on this. Hope I could be able to travel here soon and when everything’s already fine. This really is a precious island.
Mukang masaya po dyan. I remember my friends na super happy nung mag-island hopping sila. I’m not an outdoor person kasi, kaya di ako nahilig mag-travel. But lately, nung ma-stuck ako sa house na di nagwo-work because of my LO, parang gusto ko na mag-travel, ganda kasi ng mga nakikita ko online, hehe
Sobrang ganda dyan Ms.Khae. ?
Talaga namang worth it ang travel mo kapag dyan ang destination mo.
Ma rerelax talaga ang isipan mo dito. ?
Sobrang ganda dyan Ms.Khae. ?
Talaga namang worth it ang travel mo kapag dyan ang destination mo.
Ma rerelax talaga ang isipan mo dito. ?