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2020 • 2 • 9

Abandoned places always captivate me. Being there or just seeing photos of those once glorious places heightens my senses and imagination; the breaths made, sighs released, and laughter shared in the past are magnified and revived by the solemnity of the place. Most of the time, I catch myself playing inside my head the hustle and bustle of what used to be busy places, making them livelier to me than ever.

Fortune Island gave me that feeling. When I finally arrived, it did not disappoint. The timing of my visit contributed a lot in enabling me to take in as much as I wanted from the trip – have quality time with friends, appreciate the ruins, enjoy the waves, and revel in the calm blue waters. It was a weekday, Thursday to be exact, and there were only us and two other small groups. At one point, we had the island to ourselves.

UNDERSTANDING FORTUNE ISLAND

Fortune Island is located Nasugbu in Batangas. It used to be a private island harboring an exclusive luxury resort. But it is difficult and costly to maintain a luxury resort without a ready source of fresh water. One cannot drink luxury. Consequently, it ceased its operations in 2006. One remarkable reminder of its grandeur stands atop the island’s limestone cliff overlooking the sea – an acropolis with Grecian pillars and statues.

Fortune Island. Photo by Glenn Ituriaga.

It was a rough yet thrilling boat ride. The waves were strong and unforgiving, but our boatmen managed to bring us to the island safely. Approaching the island, the Grecian ruins proudly greeted us. Our boat docked at the cliff diving area instead of the beach to prevent the boat from damaging the corals and vice versa. At Fortune Island, you have two options: shallow but rough water or calm but deep water. If you choose the former, head over to the beach and tumble with the waves. If you choose the latter, brave your way to the cliff diving point and plunge into the relaxing clear blue water. Or why choose when you can do both?


HOW TO GET TO FORTUNE ISLAND

By Public Transportation

  1. Take the bus from Manila to Nasugbu, Batangas.

    There are several bus companies with direct route to Nasugbu:
    DLTB (Buendia Taft Ave corner Sen. Gil Puyat)
    San Agustin Bus Line (Cubao)

    Travel time: around 4 hours (depending on the traffic)
    Fare: Around P200

    Tell the driver to drop you off Jollibee-Nasugbu.

  2. Ride a tricycle to Fortune Island Resort in Barangay Wawa.

    Fare: P10-P15 per person

  3. At Fortune Island Resort, pay entrance fee:

    Day Trip: P350/head
    Overnight/Camping: P500/head

  4. From Fortune Island Resort (mainland), rent a boat going to Fortune Island.

    Travel Time: 1 to 1.5 hour
    Day Trip: P4000 (1-4 pax) / P4500 (5-8 pax) / P5000 (9-12 pax) / P5500 (13-15 pax) / P6500 (16-20 pax)
    Overnight/Camping: P4500 (1-4 pax) / P5000 (5-8 pax) / P5500 (9-12 pax) / P6000 (13-15 pax) / P7000 (16-20 pax)

You can find boats for hire outside the resort at a cheaper rate but you still have to go to Fortune Island Resort to register and pay the entrance fee.


By Private Car

  • Via Cavitex: Head to Governor’s Road, and then continue onto Nasugbu -Ternate Highway until you reach Nasugbu. You will see Jollibee, and then make a right turn to C. Alvarez Street. Keep on driving straight until you reach Apacible Blvd, onto which you will make a right turn. Just stay on that road and you’ll reach Fortune Island Resort.
  • Via SLEX: Exit to Sta Rosa, and then turn right. Continue onto Tagaytay-Sta Rosa Road. From Tagaytay, continue onto Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway until you reach Palico. Make a right turn to Palico-Nasugbu Highway. At the end of Palico-Nasugbu Highway, make a right turn. Continue driving until you reach Nasugbu town proper. Make a right turn to C. Alvarez Street, and continue driving. Turn right to Apacible Blvd, and then continue driving until you find Fortune Island Resort.

FORTUNE ISLAND ENTRANCE FEES AND BOAT RATES

Entrance Fees

  • Day Trip: P350
  • Overnight/Camping: P500

Boat Rates

From Fortune Island Resort (mainland), here are the boat rates (roundtrip). Travel Time: 1 to 1.5 hour.

  • Day Trip: P4000 (1-6 pax) / P4500 (7-10 pax) / P5000 (11-15 pax) / P6500 (16-20 pax)
  • Overnight: P4500 (1-6 pax) / P5000 (7-10 pax) / P6000 (11-15 pax) / P7000 (16-20 pax)

Island Cottage Rates

The management constructed cottages on the island. Visitors may opt to rent one of these for a day or an overnight stay.

  • Day Trip: P1500/cottage
  • Overnight: P2000/cottage

Camping Rates

If you opt to pitch a tent and rough it out, here are the rates for the tent rental.

  • Day Trip: P300/tent
  • Overnight: P500/tent

You can also bring your own tent but you still need to pay for the placing charge. Here are the rates.

  • Day Trip: P100
  • Overnight: P200

WHERE TO STAY IN NASUGBU

Camping is the name of the game on Fortune Island. But if you want to spend the night in Nasugbu but you refuse to rough it out, Fortune Island Resort on the mainland also offers accommodations. Here are the rates:

  • South Wing Rooms: P1500 (Two Single Bed Room) / P1500 (One Double Bed Room)
  • North Wing Rooms: P1500 (One Double Bed Room) / P2000 (One Double Bed + One Single Bed Room) / P2500 (Two Double Bed + One Single Bed Room) / P500 (Extra Mattress)

Here are other resort options in the municipality.

Canyon Cove Hotel & Spa
Canyon Cove Hotel & Spa. Image provided by Agoda.

Search for more: Nasugbu Resorts


THINGS TO DO AT FORTUNE ISLAND

Aside from swimming and cliff diving, here are other activities that you can do to maximize your visit (meaning your time and money):

  • Chill. The place has its own charm. Find a spot and just relax with friends while enjoying the view. My friends and I brought drinks with us and chose the Grecian ruins as our spot, so we got this scenic setting while we were drinking and catching up with each other.
  • Strike a Pose. Take advantage of the Grecian ruins and the newly-built photo walls. Strike a “profile picture-worthy” pose, then press the click button to your heart’s content. You can do however you want it: selfie, groufie, or like a fashion magazine photoshoot.
  • Trek to the Lighthouse. It will take you around 30 minutes to get to the lighthouse.
  • Snorkeling. After exploring and walking around the island, take time to appreciate the beauty of the sea. It is best to bring your own gear.
  • Scuba Diving: Go further by plunging deeper into the sea and discover wonders underneath. These are what await you, according to DivePhil.com:
    The Blue Holes: an interesting underwater feature made up of three sinkholes leading into an open-topped cavern.
    The Wreck: located 65ft under the sea, not far from the beach, is the rear part of a Dutch freighter. A Volkswagen minibus can also be found near the freight.
    Fortune NW: found between the Blue Holes and the Wreck with coral formations and valleys dropping to over 120 ft.
  • Camping. If you want to stay on the island much longer and day trip seems not enough, you can bring and pitch your own tent.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Day Trip: Water!!! Extra clothes, swimwear, water activity gear (goggles, snorkel gear, etc), sunblock, headgear (cap, hats, etc), toiletries, towel, malong or sarong, medicine (allergy, asthma, etc), first aid kit, food and drinks, garbage bags, cameras, and power banks.
  • Camping: Day trip stuff mentioned above + tent, lamp, flashlight, portable stove (and fuel source) and/or grilling essentials, eating and cooking utensils and tools, ice chest, and lots of water.

Note: These are only suggested items and things to bring. You are free to bring whatever you think you need for this trip.


SAMPLE FORTUNE ISLAND ITINERARY

Here’s a sample Fortune Island itinerary. Please note that it assumes you’re a group of 5 people, splitting the costs of some items.

04:00 am – ETD Pasay/Buendia
07:00 am – ETA Nasugbu, P200
07:10 am – Tricycle to Fortune Island Resort, P15
07:25 am – Pay entrance fee, P350
07:40 am – Boat to Fortune Island, P800 (P4000/5pax)
08:40 am – Arrival in Fortune Island, swim
11:00 am – Lunch
12:00 nn – Leave island
01:00 pm – Shower, P15
02:00 pm – Trike to town proper, P15
02:30 pm – Ride bus for Manila, P200

If you follow this itinerary, prepare to shell out around P2095 (USD40, EUR36, SGD56).

If you’re a group of eight, the itinerary above will set you back P1900 (USD37, EUR33, SGD50).

There are ways to further reduce costs. If you bring your own food, you can remove the P500 meal allocation.


SUMMARY OF EXPENSES

If you’re a group of 5 and you’re driving:

Gas + Toll: P280/person
Resort Entrance: P350/person
Boat Rental: P4000/5 = P800
Meals and other provisions: P500/person
Mainland Bathroom Fee: P15/person
Total expense per person: P1945

If you’re taking public transportation:

Bus fare: P200/person (one-way)
Tricycle Fare: P15/person (one-way)
Resort Entrance: P350/person
Boat Rental: P4000/5 = P800
Meals and other provisions: P500/person
Mainland Bathroom Fee: P15/person
Total expense per person: P2095


MORE TIPS FOR THE POOR TRAVELER

  1. You have to rough it out. No fresh water source, and basic bathroom and toilet.
  2. Bring food and water. There are no meals sold on the island.
  3. Leave nothing but footprints. Take your trash with you. If you can, pick up other garbage left by other tourists on the island and dispose them properly when you get back to the mainland.
  4. Expect strong waves and rocky coastline.
  5. Go there early. For campers, especially during weekends and peak season, it’s better to be there early, so you can find a better spot to set your tents. For those going on a day trip, the boatmen will strongly advise and insist that you leave not later than 2PM. In our case, the boatmen wanted to leave the island by 12nn, but we managed to extend until 1pm. We tried bargaining for another extension, but they are very persistent to leave the island. Their reason: strong waves.
  6. If you are bringing your car, you can arrange and secure parking space with your contact person

Contact Information

Fortune Island Resort: 0917 893 6507 (Resort Manager)


2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ • 2️⃣ • 9️⃣ (updated)
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ • 5️⃣ • 2️⃣8️⃣ (first up)


More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️


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[…] Originally published here: Fortune Island Travel Guide […]

Sam

May i know the contact number of outside boat rental?

Jash Baladhay

informative. Thanks :)

trackback

[…] More detailed travel guide here: Fortune Island Travel Guide […]

LEO ANGELO RULL

Hi,

If we’re going to rent a boat good for 20 pax, how much is the price?

Yosh Dimen

Hi Leo. Not sure what the exact price is but somewhere between 5000 and 6000.

Karen

Hi.3000 rent sa boat balikan na po? magkano Kung 2 Lang kami? Thank you

Yosh Dimen

Yep, balikan na. Same price pa rin if dalawa kayo kasi ung rent ay per boat. Para makamura, team up with other travelers. :)

shy

pwde join sa inyo?

Jen

May parking po ba ?

Jayced

Can i bring my baby there 1yr old. With friends.? Safe po ba? Thanks

Yosh Dimen

Medyo mahirap kasi walang amenities ung island.

anthony

May i know the contact number of outside boat rental?

Loyda

Thanks for sharing your experience! Do they provide life vest during the boat ride?

Yosh Dimen

I just asked my teammate who wrote this guide, and she said yes. They provide life vests.

JM

Hi, we’re planning to go there, 15-20 pax.
-how much po rent ng boat?
-kung overnight po magkano?

Thank you

Jezza

meron po bang marerent na tent dun mismo sa island or sa mainland? thnx!

mahal

hi, I am from Malaysia. This information is so useful. I am planning for my next trip here.

Ritz

Hi any contact po ng boat rental outside the resort? Thank you

Yosh Dimen

Hi Ritz, wala po kaming contact. Sa resort po kami dumidiretso.

Rowie Delos Santos

Hi ang entrance fee po ba is per group or per person ?

Many thanks.

Yosh Dimen

Per person po

Mark

Is this the latest price of boat rental?

Robert

hello. I would like to ask paano kapag nag rent ng boat outside the resort. di na ba need mag bayad ng entrance nun? how’s the process pag ganyan?

Jamaica Marie Reyes

Okay lng po b mgwalk in kmi o need p muna mgpabook?

Yosh Dimen

Sa experience namin, pwede walk in.

rachelle basit

Hi THIS IS FROM FORTUNE ISLAND RESORT….PLS UPDATE THE INFORMATION ABOVE ENTRANCE FEE
DAYTOUR ; 350/head
OVERNIGTH; 500/HEAD

WE NOW HAVE
OPEN COTTAGE AT ISLAND
AND SOLAR LIGHTS FOR OVERNIGHT

Laine Ortega

Hi Rachel, can i have your contact number, my cient is planning to have their prenup photo shoot by end of Nov or 1st week of December.

Jeryll

Hi Rachel,

We’re planning to visit there on Oct 30, 15 pax.

Can we just walk in?

Thanks and hope to hear from you soon

sean downes

hi october may be ok but if habagat not finished you canot go to Island the waves are way too big and dangerous. you can ask at villa Faustina resort. Thats my wifes resort. i am not pushing our resort. You can always ask information on sea conditions.You can find on Facebook cheers Sean

Yosh Dimen

Thanks! Kaka-visit lang din namin last week. Updated na!

Horton

hi there I have question ?
for the day trip in forture Island
how much per person and what’s include please?

siau wei yong

may I know the boat contact for 2500p? Because we are only 2 pax..

Dubi

hi, we want to visit Fortune island at few day later, how can i get the boat contact, we have 4peoles

Jyhreous Ochenta

We are group of 5pax planning to visit Fortune Island (overhight)…
can i have contact for the boat and accomodation?
Thanks.

chester

can we have the right contact number from your office so we could contact you there

Cali

San napupunta yung 350/ 500 entrance fee? How come no water source or restroom sa area?

Don

anong oras po earliest and latest boat ride? Meron po ba doong bonfire? or if nagaallow sila magbonfire?

Yosh Dimen

Hi Don, naku, we haven’t returned po since the pandemic. Di na po namin alam sa ngayon.