Britania Islands, Surigao Del Sur | San Agustin’s Best-Kept Secret

November 17, 2022November 17, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 2022, ADVENTURE, BEACH, beaches, BLOG, BUDGET, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, TOURIST SPOTS, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

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Britania Islands, Surigao Del Sur: Clear turquoise waters, fine white sand, sand bars, fresh seafood – this group of islands in San Agustin has captivated us with its beauty. Another selling point? The island hopping experience here is remarkably more affordable compared to other destinations!

What was once a sleepy town in San Agustin has now become one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Caraga Region.

Find out why in this adventure!

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Table of Contents

Hagonoy Island

There are only a few places in the Philippines where you can find breathtaking islands that are not so far from each other – 10 to 15 minutes, tops! A unique rarity indeed, the popularity of this group of islands and islets with white sand beaches has grown over the years.

Nestled along Lianga Bay, the Britania Group of Islands faces the Pacific Ocean and had its fair share of challenges during the pandemic and the recent typhoon Odette that ravaged several parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

The first part of the ecotourism tour is at the tadpole-shaped Hagonoy Island. This is the farthest from the mainland but takes only 20 minutes by boat. This island is characterized by fine creamy sand and a bunch of coconut trees at the center that provide shade to visitors.

What I actually liked about this island is the presence of vendors selling Tuyom (Sea Urchin), Saang (Scorpion Conch), Lato (Sea Grapes), and a lot more at a very affordable price. (Tuyom is priced at 100php/ plate or approximately 10php/pc)

Naked Island

Naked Island is a tear-shaped island in the middle of the sea that comes and goes with the tide. There are months wherein the island is submerged underwater or inaccessible due to the waves. Moreover, there are no trees in this sandbar which is reminiscent of an island of the same name – the Naked Island in Siargao, or the White Island in Camiguin.

Probably one of the coolest from the bunch, I had this island all to myself for a while on this trip. Imagine being there and just doing nothing – just you and the lapping waves at the shore.

Boslon Island

Buslon or Boslon Island is probably the most crowded during the weekend because of the water activities that you can avail there. Also, this has the finest sand of the four islands and has a sandbar that connects to the two islets called the Panlangagan which one can reach on foot.

Britania Group of Islands is definitely worth the visit. In addition, the blending of the ocean’s colors was also remarkable – how the turquoise waters near the shore gradually transition into a deep blue color amongst the atoll-like shallow reefs and banks.

Hiyor-Hiyoran Island

Just five minutes away from Boslon is the calmer shores of Hiyor-Hiyoran Island which is a welcome respite from the crowd of Boslon. This island has tall coconut trees on its shores that provide shade while you enjoy your meal or bottles of beer. The sand here is as fine as with Boslon, but most of it has sea grass on the deeper parts.

For those who want to take the road less traveled, an adventure to the Britania Group of Islands is not as expensive as it seems. Consequently, there are resorts and homestays that are priced from 1500-2000 per night for a group of 4 people.

The experience here was worthwhile and I will definitely come back in the near future!

How to Get There

Britania Group of Islands is located in Brgy. Britania, San Agustin, Surigao Del Sur

From Bancasi Airport in Butuan City, there are two options:
- Via Bus
  - Outside the airport, there are multicabs that go directly to Langihan, ask the driver to drop you off at the bus terminal. (50php/head, 10-15 minutes travel time)
  - At Langihan Bus Terminal, take any buses bound for Barobo or Mangagoy/Bislig, then alight at Barobo. (3-4 hours, 250-300php/head)
  - At Barobo, transfer to another bus/van bound for Tandag, and tell the driver to drop you off at Salvacion Crossing in San Agustin. (100-150php/head, 45mins to 1 hour travel time)
  - At Salvacion Crossing, register (50php/head) and meet your contact

- Via Van
  - At the airport parking area, there are vans going directly to Tandag City, then ask to be dropped off at Salvacion Crossing in San Agustin. (400-450php/head)
  - At Salvacion Crossing, register (50php/head) and meet your contact

From Bislig or Hinatuan (for those travelers coming from Tinuy-an and Hinatuan River:
- Take any bus bound for Butuan and alight at Barobo Bus Terminal
- At Barobo, transfer to another bus/van bound for Tandag, and tell the driver to drop you off at Salvacion Crossing in San Agustin. (100-150php/head)
- At Salvacion Crossing, register (50php/head) and meet your contact

From Davao City:
- From Davao Ecoland Terminal, take any buses bound for Butuan and ask to be dropped off at San Francisco Bus Terminal
- Upon arrival at San Francisco, transfer to another bus/van bound for Tandag City, tell the driver to drop you off at Salvacion Crossing in San Agustin. (100-150php/head)
- At Salvacion Crossing, register (50php/head) and meet your contact

Fees at Britania Group of Islands are as follows (as of September 2022):
- Entrance/Conservation Fee – 50php/head
- Island Hopping Tour – 1800php/boat good for 10-15pax
Transit Pinas suggests availing of Kuya Edchie Robles services to maximize your trip in Surigao Del Sur. His day tour rate starts at 1500php per day for 1-2 pax aboard his tuktuk service with the following destinations on a 2D1N trip:
- DAY 01
  - Tinuy-an Falls
  - Enchanted River
  - Sibadan Fish Cage
  - I Love Bislig Signage
  - Doll House Museum
  - Sian Falls
- DAY 02
  - Britania Group of Islands (Hagonoy, Naked, Boslon, and Hiyor-Hiyoran)
  - Libuacan Cold Spings
  - Bogac Cold Springs
  - Wakat Cave
  - Bao-Bao Falls
- Contact Details:
  - Mobile: 0926 552 9636 / 0938 199 5953
  - Facebook: Edchie D Robles
Another contact is Micaella Mezo who is from Brgy. Britania.
- Contact Details:
  - Mobile: 0956 038 8361
  - Facebook: Mica Ella J. Mezo
- Island Hopping Rate: 1800php/boat
Signal and data reception is not available for Globe in Brgy. Britania, only for Smart/Sun
Stores selling meals and souvenirs are present in the area