Take a Ceres bus or van from Cebu North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Pier (San Remigio) — this is the standard land link north to the Bantayan ferries. Expect scenic countryside and a few stops.
Board the RORO/fast ferry to Santa Fe port on Bantayan Island; local ferries run multiple times daily — choose the cheapest scheduled ferry for students to save money.
Dinner at a seaside grill or local eatery; order grilled fish or seafood with rice — many places open until about 9:00–10:00pm and are student-budget friendly.
Catch a colorful sunrise from Santa Fe beach then eat a simple breakfast (puso/boiled eggs, coffee) from a market stall — early markets/stalls open by 6:00–7:00am.
Join a group island-hopping tour to nearby sandbars and small islands (usually departs 8:00–9:00am); good for snorkeling-in-shallow-waters and budget-friendly when costs are split.
Visit Ogtong Cave Resort’s swimming cave or the nearby Kota Beach area — cave visits usually open 8:00am–5:00pm and offer unique cliffside swim spots and photo ops.
Board a Ceres bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Oslob (Tan-awan) — buses run frequently and are the most budget-friendly option for southbound travel.
Register early at the Tan-awan desk for whale shark interaction (activities typically start around 5:30am–9:00am); this is a popular but regulated activity — arrive early to avoid crowds.
Take a shared boat from Oslob to Sumilon (boats run morning to early afternoon); Sumilon is known for its sandbar, clear water and snorkeling — boats typically operate 7:00am–3:00pm depending on tide.
Explore the famous sandbar and snorkel the house reef; Sumilon is a protected area with a small conservation/entrance fee and inexpensive snorkel rentals.
Take the afternoon boat back to Oslob, then board a Ceres bus back to Cebu City (buses run into the evening; check last bus times if returning same day).
Arrive back in Cebu City, have a budget dinner at a food court or night carinderia, and settle travel receipts — mission accomplished for a student-budget trip.