Lazing around Lakawon Island

Off the northern coast of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental lies this slice of paradise which is becoming a part of the bucket list of many weekend warriors searching for something secluded yet spectacular, a summery sanctuary offering the right dose of reclusion, relaxation, and recreation that’s guaranteed to delight even the most discriminating pleasure seekers–the surreal hideaway called Lakawon Island.

A glimpse of Lakawon Island

Dubbed as the “Boracay of Negros”, Lakawon, a 16-hectare, banana-shaped island found in the northern portion of the province, is fast becoming one of Negros Occidental's tourist magnets because of its pristine white sand that calls to mind that of Aklan’s world-famous island.

Technically, Lakawon, whose name means “to walk” in the vernacular, is more of a sandbar whose white-sand beach faces Negros Occidental, billed as the "Sugar Bowl of the Philippines”, while its rugged and undeveloped side faces the deep blue waters of the Visayan Sea. 

Time was when the hidden sanctuary was frequented by locals seeking serenity over the weekend. Although it’s also been explored by seasoned weekend warriors, Lakawon has remained one of the province’s precious secrets, especially among beach bums who want to keep the unspoiled hideaway all to themselves—until recently.

Roughly 48 km away from Bacolod City, Lakawon can be reached by land via a one-and-a-half hour trip aboard any of the buses bound for Cadiz. Upon reaching the Martesan Bus Terminal in the village of Burgos, guests should disembark and hail a tricycle to take them to the port at Cadiz Viejo, the jump-off point for a 20-minute boat ride to the island.

From what I gathered, Lakawon today is a far cry from what it used to be years ago. There were only a few cottages there and reaching the place was quite difficult. In 2013, it was almost wiped out into nothingness when Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit it as well as many parts of the Philippines. Months later, a new resort developer took over the island’s management, transforming it into a world-class destination now known as the Lakawon Island Resort and Spa (LIRS).

The pristine white sand of Lakawon

Still a work in progress, this plush island resort offers guests the much-needed respite from the rat race and rampage of the quotidian life by exposing them to the perks and pleasures of island life. It also boasts of having TawHai, a floating bar that’s touted to be Asia’s biggest.

Before going to the City of Smiles for an official event, I was bent on conquering Lakawon Island over the long weekend. It was my first time to go there and the thought of doing it on my own gave me restless nights. To my delight, Jim and Minnie, two of my Bacolod-based friends, offered to fete me with an escapade in the island after learning I was in town.

Jim, however, couldn't make it on the day we were supposed to go to Lakawon due to some urgent concern. So, Minnie, along with rest of her fambam, picked me up at Planta Centro Hotel in Bacolod and took me to the island. We got stuck several times along the way though. Blame the traffic going northward out of the city, which has become horrendous what with all the road widening projects here and there!

Almost two hours down the road, we finally reached the port of Cadiz Viejo. The resort has a small booking/ticketing office and lounge there for visitors where Minnie made reservations and foot the bill herself—she said it was her way of welcoming me back to Bacolod!

After she paid, we waited for the resort’s motor boat to ferry us to the island. I walked towards the port to while away time. A day tour in Lakawon Island would cost about Php280 per person, broken down as follows: entrance fee, Php110 per person; two-way boat ride, Php150; and terminal fee, Php20.

A glimpse of the island from the port at Cadiz Viejo

From where I stood, I caught a rather hazy view of the island which I captured on my phone’s cam. Moments later, the boat arrived. We were soon aboard the vessel and began sailing towards the island. The tide was low that time so the waters were generally calm and smooth. We reached the island faster than I had imagined. From the shore, we were ushered in by the staff into an umbrella cottage near the beach which could accommodate six people.

We rented one of these umbrella cottages

For those who want to stay in any of the resort’s cottages, LIRS charges the following: umbrella hut (Php600 good for six persons); family cottage (Php1,200 good for up to 10 persons); small-sized canopy tent (Php600 maximum of six persons); medium-sized canopy tent (Php800 maximum of eight persons); and large canopy tent (Php1,000 maximum of ten persons). Additional fee of Php100 will be charged for every person exceeding the allowable number for each type of cottage.

Weekend wanderers who opt to spend the night can also choose from a variety of well-appointed suites and rooms that the resort offers. The choices include the following: premier suite (Php8,950 per night good for four persons); junior suite (Php4,500 per night good for two persons); pearl’s place (Php3,500 per night good for four persons); and bamboo huts (Php2,500 per night good for four persons).

Additional fees will be charged in excess of the allowable number of guests per type of accommodation. For more about accommodations and rates, you may visit their website at https://lakawon.com.ph.

Wasting no time, we ordered lunch at the restaurant while the rest of our companions, except for Minnie and her driver, changed into their swimwear and took a dip. While waiting for our food, we spent the next several minutes catching up on each other’s goings-on.

As we bantered, I kept throwing occasional glances at the emerald waters. Geez, they looked so inviting! Too bad, I forgot to bring along extra clothing—and my flipflops as well! To my chagrin, I ended up like some wallflower lost in a crowd of beach bums who were having fun with the sun, sea and sand!

Perhaps noticing my frustration, Minnie suggested that I explore the resort and take some snaps of anything that caught my fancy while she finished some of the work she brought along. I didn’t tell my friend though about the one thing that had fueled my desire to see Lakawon—what else but the chance to laze around TawHai floating bar! Juju, our mutual friend, once said it’s a must-try when you’re there.

I kept looking for TawHai. To my dismay, I found out from the resort’s staff that the floating bar has been grounded for maintenance work! Hmmm, bad luck for me? Nah, I didn’t think about it that way. For me, it meant one thing—that a second coming to the island is in the offing! It’s just a question of when.

Summer may have been long over but these days when climate in these parts has become changeable than ever—imagine dark clouds and drizzles suddenly ruining what you thought would be a sunny weekend faster than the blink of an eye!—still brings a craving for crazy and lazy moments at the beach, with or without the sun, featuring sea breezes and soothing reclining seats.

A floating cottage

Good for those who live near the beach. Sometimes, however, you need to go far if only to stake out your place in the sand where you can laze around to your heart’s content. Just like what I did. Lakawon Island is definitely one hideaway you’d never mind going the extra mile if only to experience what it offers. Short as it was, my sweet escape in the island was well worth the hassles of the travel.

So, weekend warrior, what are you waiting for? Start planning a quick escapade to this new tourist magnet in Cadiz City before everyone else gets there ahead of you. Relax, unwind, take a plunge and find time to enjoy the beauty of the seascape and the grandeur of beach life that this fast-rising hideaway offers to those yearning for the life aquatic. 🤣🤣🤣