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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Tablas
Spend 2–3 days on Tablas for beaches, snorkeling and relaxed island hopping; reach via Caticlan or Kalibo ferry.
Tablas Island, the largest in Romblon, offers pristine beaches, marine sanctuaries and low‑key villages. With limited transport and modest accommodation, two to three days let you see the main sites without rushing.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (rainy season, landslides)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱1,200–1,800 excl. bed · Mid ₱1,800–2,500 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- National emergency 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ferry Odiongan ↔ Caticlan (one‑way) | ₱900–2,500 |
| Looc Fish Sanctuary entry | ₱100 |
| Meal at local eatery | ₱120–250 |
| Motorbike rental (per day) | ₱800–1,200 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MPH · Caticlan Airport
- Nearest commercial airport; tricycle to jetty, then ferry to Tablas (≈3 h).
- KLO · Kalibo International Airport
- Cheaper flights; 1.5–2 h bus/van to Caticlan jetty, then ferry.
Typical fares
- Odiongan ↔ Caticlan ferry
- ≈ ₱900–2,500 one‑way, 3 h travel (check schedule)
- Motorbike rental per day
- ≈ ₱800–1,200
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Tricycles, motorbike taxis (single) and jeepneys serve villages; rent a motorbike for full island freedom.
See and do
Known for
- Looc Fish Sanctuary
- Blue Hole of Tablas
- Binucot Beach
- Tinagong Dagat (Hidden Sea)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Looc Fish Sanctuary | Boat from Looc Pier, ≈15 min | ≈30 min total |
| Blue Hole of Tablas | Motorbike to San Agustin, then dive/snorkel site (no formal transport) | ≈1 h |
| Binucot Beach | Motorbike from Ferrol, ≈20 min | ≈30 min |
| Tinagong Dagat | Motorboat from Calatrava Pier, ≈30 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Odiongan town area
- Closest to Odiongan Port; budget guesthouses, easy ferry access.
- Ferrol beachfront
- Mid‑range resorts near Binucot Beach.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pasensya napah-sen-sya na |
| Thank you | Salamatsa-la-mat |
| How much? | Magkano?mag-ka-no |
| Where is the bathroom? | Saan ang banyo?sa-an ang ban-yo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Rainy season (Jun–Nov) can trigger landslides and road closures; check conditions before travel.
- Coastal flooding may affect low‑lying beaches during heavy rains.
- Limited emergency services; bring a basic first‑aid kit and keep a charged phone.
Tablas is generally safe for tourists; watch for landslides and flooding in the rainy season and carry a basic first‑aid kit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tablas yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Looc Fish Sanctuary
- Blue Hole of Tablas
- Binucot Beach
- Tinagong Dagat (Hidden Sea)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Tablas Island: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Tablas, revision 5186493 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5186493
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Tablas
Puntahan po ito
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- National emergency911
US Consulate in Manila; check for local assistance.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/tablas). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.