According to legend, Olotayan Island in Roxas City was formed by the head and stomach of a wicked giant.

My second visit to Roxas City afforded a half-day visit to an off-the-beaten-track destination. The neighboring island of Olotayan – the only insular barangay of the city – harbors pristine beaches worth visiting. They’re strewn not with sand, but smooth pieces of coral that keep the waters crystal clear. Sure, it’s no powder-white Boracay; but there’s nothing as rewarding as enjoying a seaside getaway all to yourself.

Rarely visited by outsiders, there are no regular trips to Olotayan. As a matter of fact, the only way to get there is to arrange a private boat trip, or to hitch a ride on one of the bangkas (motorized canoes) heading back to the island from Banica Pier on the mainland. From the small port, the boat navigates through mangrove forests before going out to sea.

The rarely visited island harbors white coral beaches

olotayan roxas city