Day trip to Isola de Francesco

Beloved island has many names

​Pungtod Island or now known as “Isola de Francesco” or Virgin Island, a seventeen thousand square meter privately owned island off the coast of Panglao. It's named after Francesco Forgione, widely known as Padre Pio. The island was conceived by the owners to serve the growing number of Padre Pio devotees in Bohol and promote devotion to the Italian Capuchin monk who is the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church. 

Isola de Francesco is a very small island

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How to get there

Just take one of the free yellow shuttle boats near the St. Agustin Catholic Church in Panglao.

At the end of the pier we got the free shuttle boat

This is the moment when you feel you need to keep the balance

Other expectant passengers

60 s video clip

Make sure you go with the yellow boats

After 20 min we were near the island

The kids were first on land...

Nice views everywhere

Highlights of Isola de Francesco 

​One of the higlights is of course the long sand reef where you can take a swim or just enjoy the white sand and the beauty of nature. You should also challenge your taste buds with fresh sea urchins directly from the sea. Season with vinegar to taste. Then maybe it's time to visit the comfort room. Don't hesitate, it's clearly one of the nicest comfort rooms I ever been to here in the Philippines. So try it out! 

The beautiful sand bar

Philippines nicest comfort room

There are kayaks to borrow

Everything is for free but small donations are welcomed

There are also kayaks you can borrow and explore the waters around the island. Or why not just grab a regular Filipino snack near the entrance and relax in the shadow, listen to the doves... there are for some reason many doves here. I guess they have found a quiet refuge here in this peaceful environment. And yes, everything is for free here... boat ride, sea urchins, kayaks and snacks but of course small donations are always welcomed.

Let your taste buds try the fresh sea urchins

The sand bar where you can sun bath and swim

Someone is enjoying the sun

There are no corals here, just white sand bottom

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