Water adventure and fun in Tubigon, Bohol

Bohol is known for it’s tarsiers, chocolate hills and beaches but, unfortunately, these are concentrated only in specific areas, the usual tourist route. Now, Tubigon in western Bohol opens up to offer water fun and adventure in its many islets, sand bars, coral gardens and mangrove areas that only locals know.

Unknown to most tourists visiting Bohol, Tubigon is actually a first class municipality that is fast developing into a commercial hub due mainly to its proximity to Cebu, closest when compared to Tagbilaran. It is the northern gateway that offers alternative and shorter routes to Danao, the adventure capital of the province and to Sagbayan, a good stop that also has good views of the Chocolate Hills.

The first time I’ve been here was more than a decade ago, trying to find an alternative and shorter route to Cebu. The boats there have wooden hulls and competition was rife that at one point, tickets are being sold at just P10, down from the usual P50 that time. A typical trip to and from Cebu usually took two hours. That was then. Now, there are fastcraft boats servicing the route at just 1 hour tops.

There is, however, a secret that this municipality has been keeping and which the locals enjoy and have all to themselves: rich fishing grounds, thanks to its many fish sanctuaries and pristine coral gardens; a number of islets and extensive sandbars sprinkled off its coast with white sandy beaches; and mangrove areas tended and grown by the locals themselves.

Add to this, fresh seafoods that you can readily pick from the waters or purchase from the fishermen who just caught it a few minutes ago. Or if you want to have you’re own downtime, a hammock strung between two coconuts in one of the islands can be done.

Day tours are infact available. Tubigon Seahorse Express, a new company that is tapping and pushing the tourism potential of this municipality can ferry guests in its two large pumpboats that seats 20 – 30 people, ideal for teambuilding and clan activities around most of the islands. While guests can frolick in some isolated sandbar, the adventurous can ride the two jetskiis while barkadas can have the banana boat. Kayaking is also offered.