Once Islas Day Tour
Once Islas means “eleven islands” in Zamboanga’s Chavacano dialect, and it’s the kind of place most visitors only hear about after they’ve already done Pink Beach. Tucked along the Moro Gulf near Barangay Panubigan, this cluster of eleven islands is managed as an eco-cultural tourism site by the local Sama Banguingui community, with only a couple of the eleven actually open for visitors to step onto.
This tour takes you to two of them: Bisaya-Bisaya, where honeycombed rock formations lead to a natural tidal pool that refills itself with every high tide, and Baung-Baung, a quieter island with a short trek up to a viewpoint looking back over the water you just crossed.
Add in a fresh seafood lunch spread, roundtrip van and boat transfers, and a guide who knows these waters, and it’s a full day built for travelers who want to see a side of Zamboanga most people never find.
QUICK FACTS BOX
Here’s what to expect on the Once Islas day tour, from pickup to return.
| 🕐 Duration | Full day (around 8 to 9 hours door to door) |
| 🌅 Boat Schedule | Boats depart 8:00am, all guests return to the mainland by 2:00pm |
| 📍 Location | Once Islas, Barangay Panubigan, Zamboanga City (Bisaya-Bisaya and Baung-Baung islands) |
| 🚐 Pickup & Drop-off | Your hotel |
| ❄️ Transport | Air-conditioned van to Panubigan Port, roundtrip motorboat between islands |
| 🏝️ Islands Visited | 2 of the 11 (Bisaya-Bisaya and Baung-Baung); the rest are passed by boat and viewed from a distance |
| 🍽️ Lunch | Fresh seafood spread and snacks included |
| 🦺 Safety | Life vests and safety equipment provided |
| 👥 Group Type | Private and guided |
| ✅ Guide | Tour guide included |
WHY TRAVELERS LOVE ONCE ISLAS
- The Once Islas tour is the Zamboanga most people miss. Pink Beach gets all the attention. Once Islas is the quieter, less-photographed answer for travelers who want to feel like they found something themselves.
- The rock formations are genuinely unusual. Bisaya-Bisaya’s shoreline has been carved by the sea into honeycomb textures and shapes travelers compare to alligator scutes, not your typical smooth tropical beach.
- A tidal pool unlike anything else nearby. Ringed by rock on one side and the open sea on the other, it refills naturally with every high tide, making it one of the more photographed single spots on the whole Zamboanga Peninsula among travelers who’ve found it.
- Two islands, two different moods. Bisaya-Bisaya is active: trekking, swimming, and the tidal pool. Baung-Baung is the wind-down: lunch, a short hike to a viewpoint, and time to just sit by the water.
- A community-run destination. Once Islas is managed by the Sama Banguingui community as an eco-cultural tourism site, so your visit supports the same people who maintain and protect it.
- Everything is handled. Van transfers, boat transfers, life vests, entrance fees, and lunch are all arranged, so your only job is choosing which rock formation to photograph first.
YOUR DAY AT ONCE ISLAS, STEP BY STEP
Here’s exactly what to expect on the Once Islas day tour, from pickup to your return to the mainland.
1. Hotel pickup.
Your guide picks you up in an air-conditioned van for the roughly one-hour drive out to Barangay Panubigan.
2. Arrival at Panubigan Port.
You’ll get a short orientation before boarding your motorboat, standard practice at Once Islas to help protect the islands and the community that maintains them.
3. Boat crossing to Bisaya-Bisaya Island.
A short, scenic ride brings you to the first island. Inter-island crossings within Once Islas typically run 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Explore Bisaya-Bisaya.
Trek along the island’s honeycombed rock formations, swim off the beach, and make your way to the natural tidal pool tucked into the rocks on the far side, best seen at low tide.
5. Boat transfer to Baung-Baung Island.
Another short crossing brings you to Baung-Baung, a quieter island known for its own stretch of white sand.
6. Trek to the Baung-Baung viewpoint.
A short trail leads up to a lookout with a view back across the water to Bisaya-Bisaya, a nice way to see the shape of the island you just left.
7. Seafood lunch by the beach.
Sit down to a fresh seafood spread and snacks, served in a shaded cottage on the island.
8. Free time to swim or relax.
Use the time before the boats head back to swim, nap in the shade, or just enjoy having an island mostly to yourself.
9. Return to the mainland.
All boats head back to Panubigan Port by 2:00pm, then your guide drives you back to your hotel.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Island hop on the Once Islas day tour to Bisaya-Bisaya and Baung-Baung, two of the eleven islands that make up Once Islas
- Trek Bisaya-Bisaya’s honeycombed rock formations, carved by the sea into shapes travelers compare to alligator scutes
- Swim in a natural tidal pool that refills itself with the tide, tucked into Bisaya-Bisaya’s rocky shoreline
- Hike a short trail on Baung-Baung to a viewpoint looking back over Bisaya-Bisaya
- Enjoy a fresh seafood spread and snacks for lunch, served on the beach
- Travel with a private guide and roundtrip van and boat transfers the entire day
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Here’s everything covered on the Once Islas day tour:
- Pickup and drop-off from your hotel
- Roundtrip air-conditioned van transfers to Panubigan Port
- Roundtrip motorboat transfers between islands
- Life vest and safety equipment
- Entrance and environmental fees
- Shed rental for lunch
- Snacks and a seafood spread for lunch
- Services of a tour guide
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Other personal expenses
- Snorkeling gear, if you’d like your own set rather than what’s available
- Gratuities for guide and boat crew
- Personal travel or medical insurance
WHAT TO BRING
- Swimwear and a quick-dry change of clothes
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- A small towel
- Waterproof bag or pouch for your phone or camera
- Comfortable water shoes or sandals with grip, the rock formation trails can be sharp and slippery in places
- Cash for coconuts, small purchases, or tips
- A light cover-up, since Once Islas is managed by the Sama Banguingui community and modest dress is appreciated
PRICING
Once Islas tour rates are per person, in Philippine peso, and subject to change without prior notice.
| Pax | Rate/pax (₱) | Pax | Rate/pax (₱) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11,350 | 6 | 3,260 |
| 2 | 6,435 | 7 | 3,120 |
| 3 | 4,450 | 8 | 2,930 |
| 4 | 3,650 | 9 | 2,770 |
| 5 | 3,470 | 10 | 2,680 |
GOOD TO KNOW
- Best for: travelers who’ve already seen Pink Beach and want a second, quieter island day, nature and photography lovers, and anyone drawn to trekking and rock formations over a straightforward beach day, the Once Islas tour is built for that.
- Only 2 of the 11 islands are open to visit. Bisaya-Bisaya and Baung-Baung are the two stops on this tour. The rest of Once Islas is passed by boat and seen from a distance, kept off-limits to protect the wider island group.
- Tide matters. The Bisaya-Bisaya tidal pool is most accessible and most photogenic at low tide. Ask your guide about tide timing for your date if this is a must-see for you.
- Footing can be uneven. The rock formation trails are a genuine walk over natural, sometimes slippery rock, not a paved path. Take it slow, especially near the tidal pool’s edges.
- Respect the community. Once Islas is managed by the Sama Banguingui, a Moro ethnolinguistic community.
- Wondering how the Once Islas day tour stacks up against your other island option? Here’s how they compare:
| Pink Beach Sta. Cruz Island Tour | Once Islas Day Tour (this page) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from city | Short boat ride | About 1 hour by van, then boat |
| Known for | The famous pink sand beach | Rock formations, a natural tidal pool, trekking |
| Islands visited | Great and Small Sta. Cruz Island | Bisaya-Bisaya and Baung-Baung (2 of the 11 Once Islas) |
| Best for | First-time visitors, the classic Zamboanga photo | Repeat visitors, nature lovers, a quieter and more adventurous island day |
- Combine it: if you have more than one island day in your trip, pair this with Pink Beach Sta. Cruz Island Tour on a different day for the two very different sides of Zamboanga’s islands.
- Cancellation policy:
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between this and the Pink Beach Sta. Cruz Island Tour?
How many of the eleven islands do we actually visit?
On the Once Islas tour, you’ll visit two of the eleven islands: Bisaya-Bisaya and Baung-Baung. The rest of Once Islas is protected and not open to general visitors, though you’ll pass some of them by boat on the way.
Is this tour physically demanding?
Is swimming included?
Is lunch included?
Is this tour suitable for kids?
The Once Islas day tour can work for families, but the tidal pool’s edges and the rock formation trails involve some genuinely uneven, occasionally steep footing. Keep a closer eye on younger kids in those two spots specifically.
Is this a private tour?
What time do we need to be back?
Book your tour
- No online payment required. Pay via GCash or bank transfer after reserving.
- DOT-accredited tour partner
