Side Trip: Bitania Islets

For our next side trip, let us hop over the panoramic islets of Britania in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur.

Reaching the municipality of San Agustin had taken me and my friends around four hours from the town of Hinatuan. As I understand it, one can ride a bus from Hinatuan up to the town of Barobo. From there, another bus, which passes through Brgy. Britania, can be taken. Along the highway, habal-habal motorcycle can be hired to fetch you to the resorts where boats are waiting.

It was near noon when we reached the shores and after ordering lunch and applying sun blocks on our skin, we walked through a foot bridge leading to the port of boats. Island hopping in the area costs P1,500.00.

The first island we visited was Hagonoy Island – the farthest among the group. From afar, the island is breath-taking. The moment we embarked, we could not help but jumped off into the water and ran around the area. The island is composed of fine, white- to light brown- colored sand. It was terribly hot, but despite the blazing sun, we explored the whole island. Thanks to the palm trees and shrubs which provided shade to us.

For the next trip, we dropped by the Naked Island. As its name suggest, the island is entirely bare. I guess it is actually a large C-shaped sand bar. Its sand is much finer and whiter than that of Hagonoy Island. It was like “polvoron”. The black rocks around the island created a beautiful contrast.

 

 

 

Next drop was at Buslon Island. I think the island looks like a mushroom head from afar. The carved grotto in the island was amazing and the little cave provided us relief from the heat. We took our lunch here and by mid-afternoon, we took a long dip on the warm waters. There were also islands around Buslon and we took liberty in naming them, such as Cupcake Island and Macaroon Island.

Last on our trip is the Hiyor-Hiyoran Island. The place gave me some creeps. It was heavily forested and some palm trees have already fallen down.

At the end of the day, after being baked under the sun, we cherished every memory we had with the scenic Britania Islets.