Patrik Lord Travel Blog

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Beloved island has many names

​Pungtod Island or now known as “Isola de Francesco” or Virgin Island, a seventeen thousand square meter privately owned island off the coast of Panglao. It's named after Francesco Forgione, widely known as Padre Pio. The island was conceived by the owners to serve the growing number of Padre Pio devotees in Bohol and promote devotion to the Italian Capuchin monk who is the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church. 
Virgin Island Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Isola de Francesco is a very small island

How to get there

Just take one of the free yellow shuttle boats near the St. Agustin Catholic Church in Panglao.
Isola de Francesco, The pier, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

At the end of the pier we got the free shuttle boat

Isola de Francesco, The pier, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

This is the moment when you feel you need to keep the balance

Isola de Francesco, Going there, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Other expectant passengers

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Make sure you go with the yellow boats

Isola de Francesco, Arrival, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

After 20 min we were near the island

Isola de Francesco, The pier, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The kids were first on land...

Isola de Francesco, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Nice views everywhere

Highlights of Isola de Francesco 

​One of the higlights is of course the long sand reef where you can take a swim or just enjoy the white sand and the beauty of nature. You should also challenge your taste buds with fresh sea urchins directly from the sea. Season with vinegar to taste. Then maybe it's time to visit the comfort room. Don't hesitate, it's clearly one of the nicest comfort rooms I ever been to here in the Philippines. So try it out! 
Virgin Island Sand Reef Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The beautiful sand bar

Virgin Island comfort room outside Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Philippines nicest comfort room

Virgin Island kayaks Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

There are kayaks to borrow

Everything is for free but small donations are welcomed

There are also kayaks you can borrow and explore the waters around the island. Or why not just grab a regular Filipino snack near the entrance and relax in the shadow, listen to the doves... there are for some reason many doves here. I guess they have found a quiet refuge here in this peaceful environment. And yes, everything is for free here... boat ride, sea urchins, kayaks and snacks but of course small donations are always welcomed.
Isola de Francesco, Sea Urchins, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Let your taste buds try the fresh sea urchins

Isola de Francesco, The sand bar, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

The sand bar where you can sun bath and swim

Isola de Francesco, The sand bar, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

Someone is enjoying the sun

Isola de Francesco, Under water, Panglao Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog

There are no corals here, just white sand bottom

1 Comments
Tessie Wilms - 8 years ago
may I correct this statement:who is the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church. It was St Francis of Assisi who got the first stigma. Check this link:http://catholicism.org/the-stigmata-of-saint-francis-of-assisi-1224.html