San Remigio, Cebu: Cebu's Longest Shoreline, the Gateway to Bantayan and a Town on the Mend

San Remigio is a municipality in the northwest of Cebu Island, about 108 km from Cebu City. It has 27 barangays and a population of about 67,850 (2024 census). It is bordered by Medellin to the north, Bogo City and Tabogon to the east, Tabuelan to the south, and the Tañon Strait to the west, with Bantayan Island across the water.

The area used to be a barrio of Bogo and was called Kanghagas, after a tree that once grew abundantly there. San Juan Nepomuceno Parish was founded in 1864. The town's fiesta falls on May 15 and 16, in honor of San Isidro Labrador and San Juan Nepomuceno, and is known for the Lapyahan Festival.

The September 30, 2025 earthquake damaged homes, churches and tourism businesses in San Remigio and other northern towns. The Department of Tourism in Central Visayas reported that more than 4,000 tourism workers across 11 northern Cebu towns were affected, including 562 in San Remigio, and that power was fully restored in all affected localities. Several beach resorts and church buildings in the town reported damage, and the DOT said it was working with heritage agencies and the Archdiocese of Cebu on restoring damaged churches and historical structures.

The Cebu Provincial Board lifted the province's state of calamity on May 4, 2026, and the DOT has repeatedly encouraged travelers not to cancel trips to Cebu, noting that main tourism gateways are operating while localized recovery continues. Because some resorts, churches and attractions may still be closed or partly open, please call ahead before booking, and consider staying and eating locally to support the families rebuilding their livelihoods.

• Bus from Cebu City: Ceres Liner buses run from the Cebu North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Port in San Remigio roughly every 20 minutes during the day, starting around 4:00 AM. The trip takes about 3 hours, depending on traffic. Fares in current route planners range from roughly ₱200 to ₱300, while a 2017 blog listed ₱150 to ₱175, so expect to pay in that range depending on the bus type.
• Private car or taxi: about two hours of driving from Cebu City without heavy traffic.
• Local transport: jeepneys connect San Remigio with Bogo City and Tabuelan, and tricycles get you along the coast.

If you are coming from the airport, get to the Cebu North Bus Terminal first by taxi or Grab.

Hagnaya is the usual mainland port for Santa Fe on Bantayan Island, which is the entry point for the whole island. The route is served by Super Shuttle Ferry and Island Shipping, and the Hagnaya–Santa Fe route also appears in the Maritime Industry Authority's March 2026 listing of routes.

• Crossing time: roughly 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the vessel and sea conditions.
• Frequency: several crossings a day. One published Super Shuttle schedule lists departures from Hagnaya starting at 2:00 AM and running through the afternoon (last around 4:30 PM), with return trips from Santa Fe starting at 4:00 AM and ending in the evening. Different sources list slightly different times, so confirm on the day.
• Fare: a regular passenger fare of around ₱180 has been reported, while other listings show roughly ₱330 or more, and online booking can cost more than buying at the port. Ferry operators reduced Bantayan fares by about 10 percent in May 2026, so older figures may be out of date. Plan for roughly ₱180 to ₱360 and add a small terminal fee.

If your plan is Bantayan, aim to arrive at Hagnaya early. Lines can be long on weekends and holidays.

San Remigio's biggest draw is its coastline. The town has public beaches with long stretches of white sand as well as several beach resorts along its shore, including areas in Bancasan, Victoria, Hagnaya and Tambongon. The town has also been promoted as a swimming and diving destination.

• Walk or swim at one of the public beach stretches.
• Book a beach resort or day-use stay, after calling to check it is operating.
• Try dive and snorkel operators along the coast if you hold the right certification or join a guided trip.
• Attend the fiesta in mid-May if your schedule allows.

Check the municipal government's official channels for the latest on beach access, resort openings and events.

• Call or message resorts, restaurants and dive operators ahead of time to confirm they are open.
• Bring cash. Smaller businesses may not accept cards.
• Weather and sea conditions can delay ferry trips, so leave buffer time before flights or other connections.
• Hagnaya Port is for Bantayan Island (Santa Fe). If you are going to Malapascua, you need Maya Port in Daanbantayan instead.

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• Tourist Attractions North of Cebu: Things You Must Experience in San Remigio
• Toledo City, Cebu: A Visitor's Guide to the Copper City and Its Ferry to Negros