Surface Interval at Isla Verde in Batangas

I have been hearing a lot about Isla Verde (Verde Island) and its white sand beach and clear waters.  I tried to google it, but it seems that no one has written a comprehensive detail on how to get there.  Finally, with the help of an awesome friend (who is a local of the island and who happens to be the owner of one of the resorts there), my husband and I got the chance to see and experience Isla Verde for the first time. Lucky for us, we were taken into their resort – Verde Island’s Surface Interval.

How to get there

First, how to get there.  If you are commuting, our point of reference will be the Batangas City Grand Transport Terminal, as this is the stop point of all busses from Manila.  From the terminal, ride a jeepney going to the city proper (Balagtas Poblacion) and ask the driver to drop you at Bank of Commerce (formerly Traders Bank) where you can ride a jeep going to Tabangao.  Going to Tabangao, you will pass through an SM Mall (SM Batangas) and a refinery (owned by Shell) Ask the driver to drop you off at the Aplaya.  You need to walk some 15 meters to reach the port from the main road, which by the way may not be the most pleasing port in this country.  I really think that this port should be given priority by the local government.  Anyway, the bankeros are friendly and accommodating.  Be sure to be there by 8AM as there is only one boat trip going to the island on a particular day.  There will be four boats all going to Isla Verde at the same time.  Each of the boat is going to a different barangay in the island.  Find the boat that is going to Brgy. San Agapito.  A little trivia, Verde Island has a land area of 1,625.05 hectares comprises of 6 Villages with a total population of 7,482. It would take about one and a half hours to get to San Agapito.  Payment to the boat captain is made upon arrival. Fare is 100 pesos per person.  Surface Interval is just about 15 meters away (along the shore) from the port in San Agapito. 

The not so pleasing port in the Aplaya at Brgy. Tabangao, Batangas City

In going back, the public transfer boat will be available the next day at 4am.    The good thing about the Surface Interval is that they would soon have their own boat to get you in and out of to their island resort anytime you want. There are still no details on the pricing but it would be very convenient to travellers who want to experience the beauty and simplicity of island life.  Taking the public boat on the other hand, may not be as convenient as hiring a chartered boat, but the experience of having to mingle with the locals of the island will give you a glimpse of their lives, giving you a deeper perspective in life.

The Isla Verde, the environmentally sustainable island

According to Wikipedia, Verde Island lies south of Brgy. Ilijan, Batangas City and is separated from Luzon by the North Pass.

You might also see in your internet searches that there is a Dos Palmas Resort in Isla Verde or a big resort owned by the Pastor clan.  Yes there was a big resort.  I saw the hotel rooms from the boat, but that resort has NOT BEEN OPERATIONAL FOR MANY YEARS ALREADY, for reasons that I don’t know. 

Going back to the topic, Isla Verde have six barangays in it.  The locals’ source of electricity is through solar panels. However, electricity is only given by the barangay on limited time each day. There are no paved vehicle roads in the island, only paved walkways.  Walking into these walkways is something that I still need to experience.

            Buri weaving and pakaskas making is one of the livelihoods of the locals here.  Buri is like an anahaw tree, only bigger and taller.  The locals would weave the leaves of buri to make “banig”, “bayong” and hats.  Batanguenos would never be new to Pakaskas – a sweet stuff wrapped in buri leaves.  Aside from being eaten like a candy, pakaskas can be used to sweeten coffee and according to their barangay secretary, pakaskas is an alternative sweetener for diabetics.  I would also want to go to these places the next time I get to the island and see for myself how my favorite pakaskas is made.

the Pakaskas

            The Verde Island Passage (the sea between Luzon and Mindoro, and technically where Verde Island is) is home to a great number of fish species.  It was dubbed as the “Center of the Center of the marine bio- diversity in the world.” Divers from Puerto Galera would come around the waters surrounding this island for a dive.  This is basically the reason how the resort started.  Divers would come to the place to rest, in diving terms this rest time in between dives is called surface interval.  The owner built two huts for rent and it gradually grew to be the resort that it is now.  Well, just a few minutes away from Surface Interval is a snorkeling site known to the locals as Pulong Bato. Unfortunately for us, we did not have snorkeling gears. Tourism in this place is not yet fully developed so snorkeling equipment is not available here for rent.  Another thing to do when I go back.

The highest point in the island is called by the locals as Dagit-dagitan.  We were told that we would be given a 360 degree view of the island on that point.  A hike of two hours is estimated for you to reach that point by foot.  Fortunately, there are horses who can take us there or just trek – it’s a good exercise.

There are a lot of things that you can do in Isla Verde.  It is fortunate that the owner of Surface Interval sees these attractions as something that they could share to their guests and to the world without being invasive to nature and to the locals.  Surface Interval would soon be offering trips to these less-known places with the island locals as guide.  A perfect example of sustainable tourism! I really have to go back there soon!

that's me.  On the background is the clear water fronting Surface Interval

The Surface Interval

Nature, simple island living… this is basically what Surface Interval gave us. All the basic needs were given without putting too much pressure on nature.  The materials used in building the resort are all present in the island.  Most of these are bamboos and drift woods.  Since electricity is provided by solar energy, the resort and the whole island doesn’t contribute to the pollution caused by coal-powered electricity.  Even the fact that only one boat per day travels from the island going to Batangas City is a system on conservation. 

They have a net for a volley ball.  But please bring your own ball.

Guests are required to bring their own food, beverage (including water) and coolers.  However, with advance coordination, Surface Interval can provide you with stuff like drinking water or freshly caught fish upon request. The resort has facilities for cooking and grilling using firewood, which by the way, can be picked up at the beach or just nearby. While this might seem troublesome for some, you may ask the caretaker of the resort to cook food for you for only 500 pesos (that 500 goes directly to the caretaker and not to the resort by the way).  But remember, you are to provide all the ingredients.  And if you will cook your own food, bring the casseroles and pans with you. For plates and utensils, while some guests bring their own, those that don’t are given a more fun experience by eating in a banana leaf ala-boodle. 

The veranda on the rooms at the second level.  

Upon arrival, we were served with tinolang manok, (yung native).  Needless to say, all the ingredients on that meal are from that island.  Swimming in the beach, well just take a look at the pictures. 

Here are the rates for Surface Interval as of May 1, 2016

Amenities	Rate
Big Huts (good for 10-15 pax)	700
Small Huts (good for 4 to 6 pax)	400
Room with own CR and fan (good for two)	1500 for overnight stay

Additional persons in the rooms are charged 300 each.  While if you decided to have an overnight stay at the huts, a fee of 200 pesos per person will be charged.  The charges are due to the fact that the resort has to run a generator for the night. 

You may call or text Mr. Rommel Ebora, the resort’s coordinator (starting May 10, 2016) for reservations and inquiries.  His numbers are 0926 643-5848.