Grande Santa Cruz Island — Local services in Zamboanga City

We booked our trip to the Great Santa Cruz Island via Zamboanga Itravel Tourist Lane. You can contact them via FB. We got the excursion package where the main highlight of the trip is here at the pink sand beach. The beach is clean. There is a public restroom. There is no fresh water in the island. Since this is a pre-arranged trip, our food has been planned and prepared ahead of time by our tour agency. We did not see any vendors offering their fresh catch nor were we approached by anyone as opposed to some of the blogs that I read that suggested you can buy food here. At the same time, we weren’t actively looking for one. We were advised though that you can ask the locals to cook for you for a fee. We also did not see any store where we could buy drinking water or cold refreshments. Our agency prepared this for us too in a blue refillable container. There are several ladies offering souvenir items though and that is easily located in front of the island. At the time of our visit, the weather was lovely but the visibility is poor due to tide. We brought items for snorkeling but we weren’t able to use it. Goggles would be useful for swimming. There is a sudden drop in depth so watch out for beginner swimmers and those not confident in their swimming. Some parts of the beach have sand fleas which bite you when you stand or sit on the beach for too long. The cottage use is also included in our package. This is where you can eat comfortable under the sun. However, there is no need place to rest because of the bamboo partition they placed on the wooden bench. It would have been better if there are hammocks placed since there are several trees that can support it. Everyone is encouraged to leave the island by 2pm. The travel time from the Panubigan mini pier (jump off point) to Grande Sta. Cruz island is about 30-45 min depending on tide and...

If you visit Zamboanga City, you NEED to schedule a trip to this Island. The boat ride is about 5-7 minutes from the tourism building. Before you get to go to the island, you need to call the local tourism office to book your trip. I would recommend that you visit early morning at 6-7 am since there will be an orientation before you leave for the Island. Please do not bring plastic bags as they are not allowed in the Island. You can bring your own food and you can cook there, since there are designated cooking areas. You can also buy souvenirs in the Island, there are cheap cultured pearls available for purchase and some locally wild caught south sea pearls that are a bit pricy at 3 thousand pesos each. The boat that took you to the island will fetch you at 2pm same day, since the island closes at that same time. There are areas where you can sit alone and meditate. Overall it was a great time and would want to visit again...

Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga is a beautiful and well-organized destination! From the moment we boarded the boat, the tourism team was very efficient and gave us a thorough orientation. The boat ride to the island only takes about 15 minutes, making it a quick and easy trip. Once we arrived, our guide immediately assigned us to our cottages, ensuring everything ran smoothly. The island is clean and peaceful, and the locals offer fresh seafood like blue crabs and chupa kulo, which were delicious! There are also many vendors selling unique souvenirs like pearls and earrings. The only thing I wish was different is the time limit for staying on the island—guests are required to leave by 12-12:30 pm, which I understand due to the waves and the small boats. Overall, it's a must-visit, and I definitely plan to come back to enjoy more of this...