Olotayan - A romantic island destination

Olotayan island is a good place for snorkelling. You can also enjoy sailing, jet-skiing/flat boat riding, wind surfing, fishing and also seaweed harvesting.

Task about less explored or less discovered place within the city, comes an island barangay called Olotayan . Approximately an hour boat ride from Banica wharf at Roxas City, this barangay is blessed with serene shores with white sand mixing with corals washed ashore by strong waves, Olotayan beach offers a tranquil and relaxing “out of the city hassles” atmosphere. With clear waters and a rural setting, where sea waves and occasional laughter’s from kids playing at a distance, the place is fit for honeymooners or businessmen who wants to have “a get away” from it all.

Olotayan Island Local Tourist from Manila

With relatively few visitors and tourists visiting the area, the place remain as placid and native all through the years. Despite its short distance from the city, the place have maintained its rustic view, thus giving visitors an opportunity to be close to nature. With most native folks still adhering to rural way of life, the most sophisticated tourists will find ways to commune with Mother Nature and a chance to get back to the basic of living and witness for themselves the way it used to be with no cars or other usual city amenities available. The residents of the island consider it as a mini Boracay because of its crystal clear water and white sand.

45 minutes travel by boat from Roxas City to Olutayan Island

Olotayan, the only island barangay of Roxas City with estimated land area of 100 hectares, actually got its name from native word “olo” (head) and “Tyan” (stomach). A popular legend that have survived the passing of decades said that in the olden days a wicked giant lived in the land and has always brought havoc and sufferings to the inhabitants who turned to the “anitos” or “anitas” (gods or goddess) who dwells in the land for help. Their pleas were heard and a strong lightning hit the wicked giant which scattered his body to the sea. The islands of Roxas City where then named after the body parts of the giant. Thus, his head and stomach (Olo and Tyan) became the island of Olotayan. Other islands like “Mantalinga” came from the Mata (eyes) and Talinga (ears), Tuwad (Buttocks) and Sepatos (feet).

Olutayan Island is rich of coral reefs and good sight for scuba diving, sailing and jet-skiing

There is no electricity within the island. Drinking water supply was rationed every week from Roxas City by the Metro Roxas Water District. If you want to visit the island you can contact the Olotayan Beach Resort at 6211-058 which is owned by “Dos Hermanas: Dra. Evelyn Sicad and Mrs. Magallanes. There are cottages and beach house with 2 rooms and sleeps up to 4-6 people. A solar panel system generates electricity for the resort.

Other land within the island according to Roxas City hall record was owned by Olotayan Development Realty Corp., lawyer William Villareal, and the Sicad, Aninang and Arenajo families.

Sunset view at Olutayan Island overlooking Napti Island and Roxas City

Olotayan island is composed of four (4) different sitios: Puting Balas, Look, Sawang and Capaculan. Majority of the people in the island lives within Sawang and Capaculan. The most popular among this is Puting Balas, where Olotayan Beach Resort is located. It could be found in the south-western part of the island. Puting Balas 100 meters shoreline is made up of white corals, shells and white sand. This is an excellent beach for sunrise or a picnic lunch and a very scenic or picturesque beach location.

At present, the total population of the island is 959 more or less with 175 households. 80% of this are in the poverty threshold. Fishing is the major industry on the island. It produces blue crabs, squid and different variety of fish. Barter system or trade still exists in the island.

Illegal fishing using a trawl at the shoreline of Olotayan Island destructs and damaged the coral reef. The island has been declared as a fish sanctuary by the Roxas City government.

An islet in the western coastline called Magatalihan is ideal for diving. It was preserved to be a fish sanctuary of Roxas City. From this beach, you can see Napti Island and the lights from the “Peoples Park” in Baybay Beach at Roxas City during night time could be seen.

The best time to visit Olotayan Island is during summer (March-May). Seasonal conditions can also affect the beach itself. Strong currents and dangerous shorebreaks in the mouth of Punta Cogon River could be experience going to the island in the month of November and December due to typhoon season. You have to check and observed the surf condition at Baybay Beach before going to the island. Hire a bigger boat with life jackets available for the passengers at the Banica Wharf.

Olotayan island is a good place for swimming and snorkelling during calm surf. You can also enjoy sailing, jet-skiing/flat boat riding, wind surfing, skimboarding, fishing and also seaweed harvesting. Don’t forget to bring your googles, underwater camera, swimwear, first aid kits and foods in visiting the island.

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Boat trip to Olotayan and Napti Island is accessible at Brgy. Banica Wharf, or ask with any beach front hotels/resort in Roxas City to facilitate your trip.