Bohol's Virgin Island reopens to public on Feb. 2
If you’re planning a trip to Bohol soon, you’ll want to clear some space on your itinerary. Puntod Island or Virgin Island, one of the province’s most iconic gems, will reopen to the public on Feb. 2.
The local government of Bohol announced on Jan. 30 that the island, famous for its white sand and crystal clear, shallow waters, will be accepting guests this year under stricter rules.
"In order to guarantee sustainable tourism in the future, the reopening of Virgin Island is dependent upon the strict enforcement of the marine tourism guidelines, reinforced by safeguards and accountability," said Laudemir Salac, DENR VII Regional Director, during the forum on Jan. 30.
The sandbar will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Groups, a maximum of 250 persons, will be admitted one at a time, with a maximum stay of two hours.
He added that it will now follow the "one-entry, one-exit" scheme. Temporary floating pontoons were in place to regulate the flow of visitors in and out of the sandbar. Vendors will be on the mainland as they will no longer be allowed on the sandbar.
In terms of waste management, Salac said that operators will be held accountable for any trash left by their guests. Random inspections will be conducted to ensure waste-free operations. He added that there are plans to place trash bins in the area.
Diving will also be allowed on the island, with entrance fees set at P30 for locals and P100 for foreigners.
The newly added rules were introduced to ensure the island’s sustainable reopening. A one-week dry run will be conducted to finalize the guidelines.
This came almost two years after it was temporarily closed in September 2024 for rehabilitation following the viral video of a man vandalizing a coral reef, as captured in a vlog.
At the time, all water-based activities are prohibited except for gleaning boat passage to Balicasag Island, and Fishcage operations of Danao United Fishermen's Association operating within the Panglao Island Protected Seascape.
