Hermits Cove and How to get your way there! A journey to hidden paradise of Aloguinsan,Cebu.

Some destinations are well-hidden and remote that going to them makes it really worth it. One of the many isolate places in Cebu that your eyes truly catch the magnificence is Hermit’s Cove in Aloguinsan, a costal white beach just at the bottom of the western cliffs of the mountain side of the town.

Hermit’s Cove’s beautiful natural landscape has long been there but its popularity has increased only in the recent years. According to the locals, local government and tourism staff we have talk to, it was the local fishermen whose ancestors have been living there for generations who named the place Hermit’s Cove, literally a sanctuary of a recluse because of its remoteness. If you are planning to travel there and when you actually get there, you will understand why the place is called Hermit’s Cove.

How to travel from Cebu City to Hermit’s Cove, Aloguinsan:

1 . Go to Cebu City’s South Bus Terminal located at Natalio B. Bacalso Ave or commonly known as N. Bacalso Avenue.

Cebu South Bus Terminal – a portal for travelers
If you’re not from Cebu, you can ask anyone for the location of Cebu South Bus Terminal but because we want to give you more convenience and save time, here’s a map for you:

If it just a walking distance from Elizabeth Mall and take note that you don’t need to pay any entrance fees to get inside the terminal. Inside the terminal you will see a lot of signs which will tell you where the bus is heading to. Look for the one going to Aloguinsan. Once you get inside go straight and head to the left most part you will see the sign there.

Take the bus from Cebu City to Aloguinsan for PHP 80 fare. You will be traveling from Cebu City going to Carcar and from there turn right to Barili then head straight to Aloguinsan. The estimated time for travel is around 2 hours on average depending on traffic.

Travel Tip: If you can, travel early morning before sunrise or just pass 6:00 AM because most likely you will be riding a mini bus without air conditioner so it’s going to be hot and if you’re taking a mini bus, do sit on the right side because the sunlight will hit the left side of the bus and it can get really inconvenient.

The drop off point for passengers heading to Hermit’s Cove is at The Farmhouse in Aloguinsan

Across The Farmhouse you will see the habal-habal motorcycle drivers. They are the transportation services from the bus drop off point going to Hermit’s Cove or Bojo River cruise. They are waiting in queue for passengers. As soon as you embark from the bus these guys will approach you and talk to you. They will guide you and instruct you to get inside The Farmhouse to register first with the staff from the Department of Tourism.

You need to get inside the gate of The Farmhouse to register as a tourist for Hermit’s Cove or if you want to try the Bojo River cruise. Once you get inside you will pass by this vineyard which used to be covered walk but now roofless. Go straight and you will reach the registration booth.

Once you go straight you will reach the registration booth. The motorcycle services or we locals call it habal-habal drivers will accompany you inside as they are also required to register as your driver. It is a local tourism ordinance that all tourist and habal-habal drivers need to register first. You are required to pay PHP 100 as your registration which serves as an entrance fee.

Once you register, you have the option to go to the public market of Aloguinsan or go directly to Hermit’s Cove. The fare from The Farmhouse to Hermit’s Cove is PHP 70.00 per person. One motorcycle can carry up to two persons. Whether you go directly to Hermit’s Cove or have a stop at the public market, the fare is the same.

Travel Tip: If you prefer to travel light, we highly suggest you buy your food and drinks at the public market instead of bringing a lot of stuff from Cebu City. This can really save you a lot of inconvenience in the bus, you can avoid carrying a lot of heavy stuff. Take note that the bus going to Aloguinsan is most likely a mini bus without air conditioner which can be very crowded with very tight sitting spaces and hot. At the market, you can buy meat, fish and other sea food, condiments, vegetables, fruits, and basically almost anything you need. You will also find some local food stores there also known as carinderias in the Philippines.

Welcome to the Aloguinsan Public Market. Your habal-habal motorcycle driver will wait for you here. You can leave your bags and other stuff with them while you take your time to buy some food and drinks from the market. You may also eat at the carinderias there as you can see in the photo above. The good thing is that tourism is now regulated by the local government units in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and based on experience from the different towns we’ve been to the drivers are quite honest. You can leave your belongings with them. Just bring the most important stuff with you like your money and electronic devices while you take your time inside the market.

It’s time to go to Hermit’s Cove
The distance from The Farmhouse in Aloguinsan to the public market is approximately 850 meters away and from the public market to to Hermit’s Cove is approximately 6.1 km. away.
If you are bringing your own car, there’s a small parking space near the entrance of Hermit’s Cove.

First, you’ll pass by an asphalt concrete road.

Then, you’ll pass by a dirt road.

More dirt road…

You’ll pass by another dusty dirt road but fret no more, the sea is now within sight.

More dirt road but you’re getting closer to paradise…

After a long travel under the heat of the day… welcome to paradise…

At last you have arrived…
But first…

There’s a short orientation of the DO’s and DONT’s and house rules here.

You will have a short orientation of the rules and regulations of Hermit’s Cove which will be conducted by the representatives from the local government unit and the Department of Tourism.
To summarize, here are some things to remember:

•Videoke and other loud noise are not allowed
•Drinking of alcohol is strictly prohibited. This is to avoid erratic behavior of guests who are under the influence of alcohol.
•No smoking and no gambling.
•Overnight stay is also not allowed for security reasons.
•Use of cottages is free. First come first serve basis.
•There are grills and cooking stations provided. Usage is also free.
•If you want to go snorkeling, you need to be accompanied by a tour guide. This is for security purposes.
•The stairs from the entrance of Hermit’s Cove going to the shore have 87 steps. Be careful when walking down.
•Bathrooms are also available.
•There’s a small sari-sari store at the middle of the shore that sells food and drinks.
•Clean your mess. No loitering.
•No vandalism
• Do not harm or disturb the wildlife or touch the corals.
Now enjoy the magnificent sight of Hermit’s Cove!


Check out that coral reef, the water is shallow and suddenly it’s deep as can be seen by the dark blue color of the water.

This is the start of your walk…

The view half way down stairs..

You’re getting there…

View from the terrace…

Just a few steps more…

White sand beach… all for you!
View from the middle of the shore. This is serenity.


You can actually rent this paddle boats. We call these boats “bangka” in our local dialect.

This is one of the spots where you can cook. They have a grill inside. Usage is free. It’s already covered when you paid for the entrance fee way back at The Farmhouse.

Just bring your own cooking utensils and charcoal. The grill is provided.

This is the sari-sari store at the middle of Hermit’s Cove. If you want to buy some snacks, food and drinks, this is the place. Support the locals’ humble business.

Breakdown of Expenses:

Bus fare from Cebu South Bus Terminal to The Farmhouse/bus stop at Aloguinsan = PHP 80.00 per person
Registration Fee at The Farmhouse = PHP 100.00 per person
Habal-Habal Motorcyle fare from The Farmhouse to Aloguinsan Public Market to Hermit’s Cove = PHP 70.00 per person
Habal-Habal Motorcyle fare from Hermit’s Cove to The Farmhouse (going home) = PHP 70.00 per person
or
Pump boat fare from Hermit’s Cove to Hidden Beach Resort PHP 70.00 per person

Contact Information:

Hermit’s Cove
Barangay Kantabogon, Aloguinsan, Cebu
Kantabogon Eco-Tourism Association (KEA)
Mobile No.: +63-923-504-2066

The Farmhouse – Aloguinsan Municipal Tourism Office
Telephone No: 469-9312
Mobile No.: +63-997-371-5698 (TM) / +63-933-120-9480 (Sun)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.aloguinsan.gov.ph

Sources: http://www.cebuwanderlust.com/travel/aloguinsan/hermits-cove-hidden-coastal-paradise/