CAMP SAWI to CAMP WAGI – Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden, Bantayan Island Cebu

CAMP SAWI AND CAMP WAGI AT OMAGIECA OBO-OB MANGROVE GARDEN

I admit! One of the reasons why I wanted to go to Bantayan Island is to visit the Camp Sawi filming locations, well, aside from of course the Island’s beautiful beaches. On top of my list are the “Camp Sawi” and “Camp Wagi” locations, and for us to reach them, we need to go to Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden. A pretty shallow reason for me to visit, but little did I know I will leave with the awareness of how important the place is.

Camp Sawi – OMAGIECA OBO-OB MANGROVE GARDEN

This eco-tourism park aims to let visitors know the importance of mangroves in the ecosystem. Mangroves protect shorelines from damaging storms, hurricane winds, waves, and floods. Mangroves also help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems. They maintain water quality and clarity, filtering pollutants and trapping sediments originating from land. It also provides essential habitat for thousands of species.

OMAGIECA is a community project located in Brgy. Obo-ob that aims to protect the mangroves in the area. It features 100 hectares of mangrove forest.

How much is the entrance fee to Omageica Obo-ob Mangrove Garden?

Entrance fee: P60 per adult; P20 per child
Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM daily
Open cottage: P150 (1^st 3 hrs) and P50/excess hour
Boating: P350/trip (5pax)
Kayaking: P150/head/hr
Personalized Mangrove Planting: P50

How to go to Omageica Obo-ob Mangrove Garden?

From Cebu City – Go to Cebu North Bus Terminal near SM City Cebu and ride on a bus bound for Hagnaya. The estimated travel time is 3.5-4 hours. Once in Hagnaya Port, you will ride on a barge bound for Santa Fe Port (travel time is approximately 1 hr). The Tourism Office in Santa Fe port will collect P30/person for all incoming guests to the Island as per ordinance approved by local and provincial councilors as an Environmental or Ecological Fee. Upon arriving at Bantayan Island, you can reach Ogtong Cave either by car, bike, motorcycle, or the most convenient way – if you are on a tour.

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Omagieca” in Bantayan Island. Parking space is available.

BY TRICYCLE: From Santa Fe Port, or Kota Beach, even at your accommodation, you will find tricycle drivers offering a land tour to Santa Fe Bantayan tourists spots that includes a trip to Omageica Obo-Ob Mangrove Garden for Php 600 per tricycle that can accommodate up to 3 pax.

BY BIKES/MOTORCYCLES or SCOOTERS: Most accommodations in Bantayan Island offers bikes for rent or scooters for rent. The bike rental fee is P100 to P150 per day while Motorcycle/Scooters Rental Fee is P300 to P350 per day with two helmets and P50 gas. The ride is about 20 minutes.

Contact 09302956221 for motorcycle rental or land tour.

What to expect?

We use the motorcycle we rented in going to this Margrove garden. We started the trip at 6 am because we wanted to beat the crowd. It is so easy to follow the path provided by Google Maps. On our way, we made a quick stop at this Palm Forest just 5 minutes before the Mangrove garden.

We arrived at 6:30 am and eat breakfast at one of the eateries in front of the entrance. It’s funny because we thought they are still close because the opening time we knew was 8 am. We were just waiting outside. Then, we were surprised to see a group of tourists exiting the Mangrove garden. Out of curiosity, we decided to go inside the entrance booth to ask. We were told that they are already open since 6 am since there are visitors already they said. Imagine, if we keep waiting until 8 am. We went inside by quarter to seven in the morning.

There’s a 60 pesos entrance fee before going inside. After paying, we started the walk along a bamboo path at the entrance. The first thing we noticed is the floating restaurant before we reached this part of a nice view of the lush mangrove forest.

It is a refreshing stroll on this greenery with good photo opportunities. You can also go kayaking or take a tour of the mangroves on a small boat.

Then the famous Camp Sawi signage. The mangrove shadows and soft sea breeze seem to embrace everyone who visits.

To Camp Wagi real quick. I love the view of the waters and the horizon view of the sea in the background.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Contact numbers: 09460069566/ 09072387668
Email address: N/A
Facebook Page: https://web.facebook.com/dtgomagieca

I highly recommend tourists who will visit Bantayan Island to drop by Omegieca Obo-Ob Mangrove Garden because by doing so we simply are supporting their community’s project to protect these mangroves.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO PACK IN BANTAYAN ISLAND

You might want to continue reading: Sandira Beach – A Paradise Beach in Bantayan Island, CEBU

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