Last updated: 9 June 2024
Abandoned places always captivate me. Being there or just seeing photos of those once glorious places heightens my senses and imagination — the breaths made, sighs released, and laughter shared in the past are magnified and revived by the solemnity of the place. Most of the time, I catch myself playing inside my head the hustle and bustle of what used to be busy places, making them livelier to me than ever.
Fortune Island gave me that feeling. When I set foot on the island the first time, it did not disappoint. The timing of my visit contributed a lot in enabling me to take in as much as I wanted from the trip – have quality time with friends, appreciate the ruins, enjoy the waves, and revel in the calm blue waters. It was a weekday, Thursday to be exact, and there were only us and two other small groups. At one point, we had the island to ourselves.
I still felt the same way when I visited again, this time, with the team. The addition of open cottages along the southeastern shore didn’t diminish the charm that captivated me the first time. It was a Sunday, and people were already going about their day on the island — some were playing at the beach, while others were relaxing under the shade of trees. Most, if not all, were beach campers and had spent the night here.
Nevertheless, it still had fewer crowds compared to other popular beach camping destinations near Manila. Our team enjoyed our time here, reveling in the Greek-themed island escape about three hours south of the country’s capital.
Understanding Fortune Island
The 27-hectare Fortune Island is located in the municipality of Nasugbu in the province of Batangas. It used to be a private island harboring an exclusive luxury resort. But the previous management later on realized that one cannot drink luxury as it is difficult and costly to maintain a high-end resort without a ready source of fresh water. Consequently, it ceased its operations in 2006. One remarkable reminder of its grandeur stands atop the island’s limestone cliff overlooking the sea – an acropolis with Grecian pillars and statues.
The waves were strong and unforgiving, but our boatmen managed to bring us to the island safely. Approaching the island, the Grecian ruins proudly greeted us. The first time I went here, our boat docked at the cliff diving area instead of the beach to prevent the boat from damaging the corals and vice versa. But during our recent visit, the waves were much calmer, making it easier for our boatmen to dock at the beach.
At Fortune Island, you have two options: shallow but rough water or calm but deep water. If you choose the former, head over to the beach and tumble with the waves. If you choose the latter, brave your way to the cliff diving point and plunge into the relaxing clear blue water. Or why choose when you can do both?
How to Get to Fortune Island
Public Transportation
- Take the bus from Manila to Nasugbu, Batangas. There are several bus companies with direct route to Nasugbu: DLTB Buendia Terminal near LRT Gil Puyat Station, San Agustin Bus Line at Genesis Bus Terminal near MRT Taft Station, and St. Gabriel Bus at PITX.
Travel time: 3-4 hours (depending on the traffic)
Fare: P160 – P250 - Alight at Nasugbu downtown. Whatever bus company you take, you’ll most probably be dropped off at the Nasugbu town center.
- From the town center near Jollibee, ride a tricycle to Fortune Island Resort in Barangay Wawa. The resort manages Fortune Island’s tour operations; therefore, ALL VISITORS have to register at the information office located inside Fortune Island Resort. No registration at the port.
Tricycle Fare: P15-P20 per person
Resort Address: Apacible Boulevard, Barangay Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas - At Fortune Island Resort, register and pay entrance fee, boat fee, and other service fees. Refer to the next section for the rates.
- You will be assigned a boat, depending on the size of your group. If you are booking a boat at the resort, you just need to take a short walk to the beach where the boats are docked. You can find boats for hire outside the resort at a cheaper rate but you still have to go to Fortune Island Resort to register and pay the entrance fee.
Travel Time: Around one (1) hour. It might take you longer if the waves are strong.
Welcome to Fortune Island!
Private Car
- Via CAVITEX: Head to Governor’s Road, and then continue onto Nasugbu -Ternate Highway until you reach Nasugbu town center. You will see Jollibee, and then make a right turn to C. Alvarez Street. Keep on driving straight until you reach Apacible Boulevard, onto which you will make a right turn. Just stay on that road and you’ll reach Fortune Island Resort.
- Via SLEX: Take Mamplasan Exit, then enter CALAX right after the toll gate. Continue driving and take Aguinaldo Exit. From Tagaytay, continue onto Tagaytay – Nasugbu Highway until you reach Palico. Make a right turn to Palico – Nasugbu Highway. At the end of Palico – Nasugbu Highway, make a right turn. Continue driving until you reach Nasugbu town proper. Make a right turn to C. Alvarez Street, and continue driving. Turn right to Apacible Blvd, and then continue driving until you find Fortune Island Resort.
These days, it’s now easier to drive to our destination, thanks to navigation apps. Having said that, it’s best to turn on your Google Maps or Waze App to help you further with your navigation.
Day Tour from Manila
If you just want to fully relax and don’t want to go through the nitty-gritty of planning your trip, you can just book a day tour to Fortune Island from Manila (Quezon City, Mandaluyong, and Pasay). This tour is inclusive of the following:
- Roundtrip Transfers (w/ insurance and driver)
- Boat Fees for Island Hopping
- Fees (Entrance and Environmental Fee)
- English/Filipino-speaking Guide, Photographer, and Videographer
- Pinoy-style Buffet Lunch
- Open Cottage
- Personalized Ref Magnet Souvenir
- Free use of Go Pro
- Free Drone Coverage (subject to availability)
You can reserve your slot for this Day Tour to Fortune Island from Manila. Here’s the link for your convenience:
Fortune Island Entrance Fees, Boat Rates, and Other Fees
Island Entrance Fees
- Day Tour: P350/head
- Overnight/Camping: P500/head
NOTES:
- Children four (4) years old and below are FREE, while five (5) to seven (7) years old have 50% discount. Regular entrance fee is charged for guests eight (8) years old and above.
- Walk-in guests are welcome, but it’s recommended to do prior reservation to secure your slot, especially during peak season.
Boat Rates
From Fortune Island Resort (mainland), here are the roundtrip boat rates. Again, the travel time is 1 to 1.5 hour. Note also that the boat operation schedule to the island is 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM, while back to the resort is 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
DAY TOUR
- P4,000 (1-4 Pax)
- P4,500 (5-8 Pax)
- P5,000 (9-12 Pax)
- P5,500 (13-15 Pax)
OVERNIGHT
- P4,500 (1-4 Pax)
- P5,000 (5-8 Pax)
- P5,500 (9-12 Pax)
- P6,000 (13-15 Pax)
REMINDERS:
- Children eight (8) years old and above are counted as a regular passenger (1 pax).
- Depending on the weather and nautical conditions, the maximum capacity might be lesser to ensure the safety of the passengers.
Island Cottage Rates
The management constructed cottages on the island. Visitors may opt to rent one of these for a day or an overnight stay.
- Day Tour: P1,500/cottage
- Overnight: P2,000/cottage
Camping Rates
If you opt to pitch a tent and rough it out, here are the rates for the tent rental and pitching.
- Tent Rental P500/tent
- Day Tour Pitching: P100/tent
- Overnight Pitching: P200/tent
Other Fees
- Resort Shower Fee: P20/person
- Snorkeling Gear Rental: P100 – P150
- Municipal/Barangay Ecological Fee: P20/person
- Resort Parking Fee:
Day Tour – Car, P50; Motorcycle, P30
Overnight – Car, P100; Motorcycle, P60
Day Tour vs Overnight Stay
So, which is better? Well, the answer is…IT DEPENDS!
Overnight Stay
If you’re okay with a more rustic experience, consider staying overnight to make the most of your time and money. You’ll have the opportunity to thoroughly explore the island and witness both the sunset and sunrise. Another bonus is stargazing, so get your gear ready or simply appreciate the constellations with your naked eyes, provided it’s not a cloudy night. That being said, make sure to check the weather first before your trip.
Day Tour
If you’re not a big fan of camping or if you only have a day to spare, consider going on a day tour. To maximize your time on the island, it’s best to travel early. The earliest departure time for boats to the island is 6:00 AM, and you can stay there until 4:00 PM, which is the latest departure time for the boats back to the mainland.
If you want to explore more of Nasugbu but prefer to stay in a proper hotel on the mainland, you’ll find plenty of accommodations in town. For more suggestions, check out the next section.
Where to Stay in Nasugbu
Camping is the name of the game on Fortune Island. But if you want to spend the night in Nasugbu but you refuse to rough it out, Fortune Island Resort on the mainland also offers accommodations.
Fortune Island Resort Room Rates
Check-in time is from 2:00 PM and check-out is until 12:00 PM. Here are the rates:
- Room A
P3,000
Good for 2 Pax
Pet-friendly
Beachfront - Room B
P3,000 (2 Pax) | P3,500 (3 Pax)
Good for 2-3 Pax
Pet-friendly
Beachfront - Room C & D
P3,000 (2 Pax) | P3,500 (3 Pax)
Good for 2-3 Pax
Beachfront - Room #1
P6,000
Good for 7-8 Pax
Pet-friendly
With kitchen and stove
Beachfront - Room #2
P4,500
Good for 7 Pax
Pet-friendly
Beachfront - Room #3
P4,000
Good for 5 Pax
Pet-friendly
With veranda, table, and chairs
Beachfront
Here are the inclusions for the above-mentioned rooms: air-conditioning unit, hot and cold shower, free parking, free resort entrance, and no food corkage. Also, bringing or renting cooking utensils is possible.
Extra Mattress: P500
If you plan to book your accommodation here, reserve first, then you can pay upon your arrival. Free cancelation charge. For more information, you can message the management through its official Facebook page.
Top Resorts in Nasugbu
Here are other resort options to consider. These top-rated resorts are recommended by online users.
- Canyon Cove Hotel and Spa. Barangay Wawa. Check Rates & Availability.
- Pico Sands Hotel. Barangay Papaya. Check Rates & Availability.
- Club Punta Fuego. Barangay Balaytigue. Check Rates & Availability.
- Casitas de Victoria. Barangay Balaytigue. Check Rates & Availability.
- Calayo Green Terraces. Barangay Calayo. Inquire here.
Search for more: Nasugbu Resorts
Things to Do on Fortune Island
- Swimming. As mentioned before, the island features both shallow but rough water and calm but deep water. If you plan to swim, head over to the beach and brave the waves.
- Cliff Diving. Challenge yourself by jumping into the deep blue waters on the southwestern portion of the island. Please ask for assistance from the staff.
- Chill. The place has its own charm. Find a spot and just relax with friends while enjoying the view. You can also rent one of the open cottages lining the beach.
- Strike a Pose. Take advantage of the Grecian ruins and the island’s rugged charm. Strike a “profile picture-worthy” pose, then press the click button to your heart’s content. You can do however you want it: selfie, groufie, or like a fashion magazine photoshoot.
- Camping Overnight. If you want to stay on the island much longer and day trip seems not enough, you can bring and pitch your own tent. Watch the sunset, go stargazing, and wait for the sunrise!
- Snorkeling. After exploring and walking around the island, take time to appreciate the beauty of the sea. It is best to bring your own gear.
- Scuba Diving: Go further by plunging deeper into the sea and discover wonders underneath. These are what await you, according to DivePhil.com:
The Blue Holes: an interesting underwater feature made up of three sinkholes leading into an open-topped cavern.
The Wreck: located 65ft under the sea, not far from the beach, is the rear part of a Dutch freighter. A Volkswagen minibus can also be found near the freight.
Fortune NW: found between the Blue Holes and the Wreck with coral formations and valleys dropping to over 120 feet.
What to Bring
- Day Trip: Water!!! Extra clothes, swimwear, water activity gear (goggles, snorkel gear, etc), sunblock, headgear (cap, hats, etc), toiletries, towel, malong or sarong, medicine (allergy, asthma, etc), first aid kit, food and drinks, garbage bags, cameras, and power banks.
- Overnight/Camping: Day trip stuff mentioned above + tent, other camping gear, lamp, flashlight, portable stove (and fuel source) and/or grilling essentials, eating and cooking utensils and tools, ice chest, and lots of water.
NOTES:
- These are only suggested items and things to bring. You are free to bring whatever you think you need for this trip.
- No electricity/power source on the island.
Sample Fortune Island Itinerary
Here’s a sample Fortune Island itinerary. Please note that it assumes you’re a group of six (6) people, splitting the costs of some items.
04:00 AM – ETD Pasay/Buendia
07:00 AM – ETA Nasugbu, P240/head
07:15 AM – Tricycle to Fortune Island Resort, P20/head
07:30 AM – Pay entrance fee, P350/head
07:50 AM – Boat to Fortune Island, P750 (P4,500/6pax)
08:50 AM – ETA Fortune Island, explore
12:00 PM – Lunch, P150/person
02:00 PM – ETD Fortune Island
03:00 PM – Shower, P20
03:45 PM – Trike to town proper, P20/head
04:00 PM – Ride bus for Manila, P240/head
07:00 PM – ETA Manila
If you follow this itinerary, prepare to shell out around P2,000 (USD35, EUR32, SGD47). Note that this includes a little bit of allowance for any miscellaneous expenses along the way.
There are ways to further reduce costs like bringing your own food and inviting two (2) more friends to further lessen the boat fee cost per person.
Summary of Expenses
If you’re a group of six (6) and you’re driving:
Gas + Toll: P250/person
Resort Entrance: P350/person
Boat Rental: P4,500/6 = P750
Meals and other provisions: P500/person
Mainland Bathroom Fee: P20/person
Total expense per person: P1,870
If you’re taking public transportation:
Bus fare: P240/person (one-way), P480/person (roundtrip)
Tricycle Fare: P20/person (one-way), P40/person (roundtrip)
Resort Entrance: P350/person
Boat Rental: P4,500/6 = P750
Meals and other provisions: P500/person
Mainland Bathroom Fee: P20/person
Total expense per person: P2,140
More Tips for the Poor Traveler
- You have to rough it out. There’s no fresh water source on the island. Expect basic bathroom and toilet. Proper shower facility is available on the mainland.
- Bring food and water. There are no meals sold on the island.
- Expect strong waves and rocky coastline.
- Go there early. For campers, especially during weekends and peak season, it’s better to be there early, so you can find a better spot to set your tents. For those going on a day trip, the boatmen might strongly advise and insist that you leave not later than 2PM. On my first visit with friends, the boatmen wanted to leave the island by 12PM, but we managed to extend until 1PM. We tried bargaining for another extension, but they are very persistent to leave the island. Their reason: strong waves.
- Leave nothing but footprints. Take your trash with you. If you can, pick up other garbage left by other tourists on the island and dispose them properly when you get back to the mainland.
- If you are bringing your car, you can arrange and secure parking space with your contact person or at Fortune Island Resort.
Contact Information
- Fortune Island Information Office: 0930 230 8688 | 0935 788 9777
- Facebook Page: Fortune Island Resort
Updates Log
2024 5 30 – Updated
2020 2 9 – Updated
2017 5 28 – First up
More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️
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