8 Things To Do In Bulalacao: Island-Hopping, Sampling Seaweed Canton to Polvoron, & Bul-Shot Cocktails

Things to do in Bulalacao for adventure and foodies

When it comes to Mindoro, by default, most people think of Puerto Galera – located in the northernmost part of Oriental Mindoro – for island-hopping, beach resorts, and tourist attractions.

But in fact, there are other places you can visit such as Bulalacao – at the southernmost part – where you can island hop, trek, go on a food trip, and more. Here are 8 things to do in Bulalacao for a tropical adventure and trying out local delicacies.

1. Island & beach-hopping – from Buyayao Island to Aslom Island

Buyayao Island.
Image credit: Lakbay Oriental Mindoro 

Bulalacao has over 11 islands that you can visit apart from the other nearby islands and shores, such as Magayad Beach and Tulali Beach. To start off, you can go for Buyayao Island, where you can explore the 206-hectare forest that’s rich in vegetation and ornamental plants.

Suguicay Island.
Image credit: Lakbay Oriental Mindoro 

From there, you can transfer to another island such as Suguicay Island that has fine white sand and turquoise waters, inviting enough for you to relax and bathe under the sun.

Aslom Island.
Image credit: Lakbay Oriental Mindoro

Aslom Island is another interesting one. Named after the Cebuano term aslom (sour), the 500-meter crescent shaped islet has an abundance of trees that bear the sour fruit sampalok (tamarind).

Buyayao Island
Address: Buyayao, San Roque, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

Suguicay Island
Address: Suguicay, San Juan, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

Aslom Island
Address: Milagrosa, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

 2. Walk along Bangkal Staging Port’s 300m boardwalk

Image adapted from: Allan Sampot and @jellyjoyce04

If you’re going to Suguicay Island, Bangkal Staging Port may be worth a visit, too. The 300-meter long boardwalk is an attraction itself as it’s a bamboo bridge that stretches through a mangrove area, which is a great opportunity to take photos as you walk along.

From the start of the boardwalk on the mainland, it will take a 15-20 minute boat ride until you arrive on the island. Alternatively, you can try and challenge yourself to walk the 300 meters to reach Suguicay Island.

Address: Sitio Bangkal, Barangay San Juan, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

 3. Go snorkeling, kayaking, or scuba diving

Image credit: muhammad saptian

It’s only natural to enjoy a day of splashing and dipping in the crystal clear waters at islands and beaches such as Tambaron Island or Magayad Beach. Besides swimming leisurely, you can also engage in fun water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and even scuba diving to see a vast array of coral reefs and diverse marine life up close.

Image adapted from: Ahllan Christoffer Caragdag and Karen

Or if you want to paddle along the shore and watch from above, try kayaking either solo or with your friends and family. If the weather permits, you can even go parasailing for a fun and thrilling experience in the air.

 4. Sightseeing at Abintang – panoramic view of Buyayao and Suguicay Islands

Image credit: Lakbay Oriental Mindoro

If you’re up for a hike, tread uphill and visit the Abintang view deck. While it may be challenging for beginners, the hike will be worth it once you see the stunning panoramic view of both Buyayao and Suguicay Islands’ seascapes.

Image credit: Lakbay Oriental Mindoro

Also, if you look further, you’ll also be able to see a view of Semirara Island – located in Antique. What’s more, it’s another spot where you can take great photos with the landscape as your background.

Address: Abintang, Nasucob, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

 5. Trek & take a dip at Bagong Sikat Falls

Image credit: Lakbay Oriental Mindoro

Bagong Sikat Falls is an attraction that not many people know of. To reach it, it’ll take you a 45-minute to an hour-long trek and pass by rice fields, forested grounds, and streams.

Image credit: Lakbay Oriental Mindoro

As soon as you reach the falls, you’ll quickly see a body of clear water coming from the top, where you can climb and take a deep, refreshing dive to make up for the trek.

Address: Bagong Sikat, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

 6. Visit Alibatan Island – a.k.a the historical Target Island

Image credit: Lakbay Oriental Mindoro

Target Island is locally known as Alibatan Island. The historical island was dubbed with such as it became a target site for bombing during World War II.

Now, when you visit the island, you’ll be able to see a few lagoons that were believed to be formed from the bombings back in the day.

Address: Milagrosa, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro

 7. Take home seaweed-based products from Seaweed Canton to Seaweed Shingaling

Image adapted from: SamasaBalatasan Seaweed Products and SamasaBalatasan Seaweed Products

Seaweed farming is known to be a main economic activity in Bulalacao, hence, why they produce seaweed-based products that you can try and take home for your friends and family.

You can pick up some seaweed canton or seaweed shingaling (a Filipino snack made with dried thick egg noodles) if you want to try more savory products.

On the other hand, there are also seaweed-based sweets around town such as seaweed polvoron (shortbread cookie) and yema (sweet custard confectionery) with seaweed bits for dessert options to try out.

SamasaBalatasan Seaweed Products

Address: Balatasan, 5214 Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro
Opening hours: 6am–6pm, Daily
Telephone: 0908 710 8755
Email: [email protected]

SamasaBalatasan Seaweed Products’ Facebook

 8. Try out Bulalacao’s delicacies from Lamayo Pizza to the Bul-Shot Cocktail

Image adapted from: Karen and Betsy Negrense

Just like every town, Bulalacao has notable local delicacies that are worth trying when you visit. This includes lamayo (half-dried fish; a Bulalacao specialty) that’s put on top of pizza offered at By The Sea Hotels’ restaurant.

Image adapted from: KaRoca Tv Vlogs and Karen 

During your island-hopping escapade, you can find food spots that serves Pasyak, a spiral conch-looking shellfish stewed in coconut milk. Paired with rice, the way to eat the dish is through prying out the meat with a skewer, your fork, or through sipping it directly from the shell if served in a boodle fight.

While you’re at it, end your food trip with a bang by trying out the town’s signature Bul-Shot Cocktail. In contrast to Puerto Galera’s Mindoro Sling Cocktail – whose base is rum – the Bul-Shot’s base is gin combined with coconut juice, calamansi (Philippine lime), and blue curacao.

By The Sea Hotels

Address: Roro Port Area Sitio Kabangkalan Brgy. Poblacion 5214 Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro
Telephone: 0950 777 5938
Email: [email protected]

By The Sea Hotels’ Facebook | Instagram

Things to do in Bulalacao

So if you planning to go to Oriental Mindoro, head to Bulalacao and list down these eight things to do for a holiday full of adventure, food trips, and discovery of new places.

Safe travels!

Also check out:

• Things to do in Oriental Mindoro
• Infinity Resort & Spa in Puerto Galera
• Small islands in the Philippines

Cover image adapted from: Karen, Lakbay Oriental Mindoro, and @jellyjoyce04