As a beach lover living in the Philippines, there is always a beach I could go to all-year-round. This tropical country I call home boasts not only white sand beaches but also coasts with cream, brown, golden yellow, gray, black, and even pink beaches! Last year, I was lucky to finally set foot in Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City, the island known for its pink coralline sand.
Table of Contents
About Sta. Cruz Island
Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga is composed of 2 islands – Great and Small. Great Sta. Cruz Island is an inhabited island off the coast of Zamboanga City. With its breathtaking blue waters and fine sand beach with pink hue, it’s no wonder it was recognized by National Geographic as one of the 21 Best Beaches in the World in 2017.
Small Sta. Cruz Island, on the other hand, is not open to the public and is declared a strict protection zone.
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Sta. Cruz Island
Cruise Through the Mangroves
The first thing we did on our trip to Sta. Cruz Island was a morning cruise by the Yellow Boat Adventures. This tour led us to the dense mangrove forests of the island where a stingless jellyfish sanctuary can be found. I first encountered stingless jellyfish in Bucas Grande in Surigao del Norte. I was surprised that Zamboanga is home to these fascinating species as well.
Stingless Jellyfish are relatively resilient but it is still imperative to handle them with care. Our guide told us that it is recommended to wear only reef-safe sunscreen if you are to touch them. They can be touched as long as they are submerged because they can easily dry up when lifted off the water.
Our guides, the Sama Bangingi, were the beneficiaries of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation. This volunteer-driven foundation works to improve children’s access to education. Part of their program is to provide livelihood to the parents of the children thru the ecotourism program called the Yellow Boat Adventures.
Take a Selfie or Ride the Iconic Vinta of Zamboanga
Nothing says “I’ve been to Zamboanga” better than a selfie on a vinta. After cruising in the mangrove forest, we were surprised to see colorful vintas docked on the shore of Sta. Cruz Island. Some of us rode the vinta while others like me watched the sailing vinta from the shore. I took some amazing footage using my drone which I will share in my stories (check out my Instagram account).
Vinta is a traditional outrigger boat characterized by their colorful rectangular sails. They are predominantly used for fishing in Zamboanga, Basilan and other parts of Mindanao. During the annual celebration of Zamboanga City’s Fiesta Hermosa every October, one of the most anticipated events is Regatta de Zamboanga or racing of vintas.
Enjoy a Seafood Feast by the Beach
Zamboanga is a fascinating culinary treat for the palate. Upon arrival in Sta. Cruz Island, we got to try a local favorite called Satti. This is a barbecued chicken on skewers served with puso (steamed rice wrapped in coconut leaves) and sweet and spicy sauce. This is actually quite similar to Malaysian or Indonesian Satay. During our lunch, we got to try an array of delectable seafood specialties from steamed crabs, shrimp, grilled tuna and fried calamari. Of course, the feast won’t be complete without tropical fruits in season such as pineapple and watermelon.
Swimming and Snorkelling
Sta. Cruz Island is a great destination if you are looking for solitude. You can expect a quiet and relaxing beach day here. Although it easy to lose track of time simply frolicking in the pink sand beach, you can opt to go swimming and snorkelling as well.
Learn about the Sama Bangingi
Aside from playing on the famed pink sand beach and cruising the mangrove forest, Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City offers a great opportunity for tourists to learn about the Sama Bangingi community.
After our sumptuous seafood lunch, some members of the Sama Bangingi community performed a traditional dance of the Tausūg people called pangalay. According to our guide, dancing for the Sama Bangingi is a social activity of the community. This dance is a great testament to the rich cultural diversity of the people in Mindanao.
Sta. Cruz Island: Things To Know Before You Go
Is it safe in Zamboanga City?
If you Google this question, you will probably see travel advisories of possible terrorism due to several attacks that happened in the past. This can obviously discourage you on visiting Zamboanga City. However, safety and security have improved in the city.
It is generally safe for both local and foreign tourists to travel in Zamboanga City. Like other major cities in the Philippines, it’s best to remain vigilant because petty crimes like theft and pick pocketing do occur.
How to get to Sta. Cruz Island
There is only one way to get to Sta. Cruz Island – by motorized boat from Paseo del Mar in the bustling city of Zamboanga. Boat ride takes around 15-20 minutes.
Direct flights to Zamboanga City are available from main hubs in the Philippines like Manila, Cebu and Davao. One-way fare ranges from 1,000-4,000 pesos depending on season. Watch out for Piso Sale from Cebu Pacific and get roundtrip tickets for as low as 800-1,000 pesos!
Can I stay overnight Sta. Cruz Island?
Staying overnight in Great Sta. Cruz Island is not allowed. Day tours are open from 7AM to 2PM only.
Do I need to avail a tour?
Tours are strictly regulated in Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City. A maximum of 400 tourists a day are allowed to visit the Great Sta. Cruz Island. Therefore, I advise to get to Paseo del Mar as early 7 AM to guarantee your slot. Although walk-ins are allowed, it’s advisable to get advanced reservation during weekends or holidays. Boat rate is 1,000 pesos, which is good for up to 10 persons.
If you need assistance in Zamboanga City or the whole Zamboanga Peninsula, I highly recommend iTravel Tourist Lane, a Zamboanga-based travel agency. You may get in touch with them through Facebook (@ZamboangaiTravelTouristLane).
Also, check out the Facebook page of the Department of Tourism – Region 9 (@tourism9zampen). They are very active in promoting the best tourism destinations in the whole ZamPen region.
I think that’s all the information you need about traveling to Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga. I can’t wait to hear how your experience on the islands was. Enjoy!
