Your Ad Here

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Small Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City

Last September 23, 2007, I had the chance to visit the small Sta. Cruz Island. Although I was still sick during that time, I woke up at 6:00 AM to go to Ateneo de Zamboanga University where the group will be meeting. I was invited by my students who were taking up swimming as their PE subject. I chose not to miss the opportunity because it would be my first time to go to the small island.

Sta Cruz Island is 15 to 20- minute boat ride from Lantaka Hotel. The rate of the round trip boat ride is around P150 to P200, depending on the number of people. We were all excited when we were on the boat. It was the first time for some of the students to ride on a boat. You cannot see on their face any worry but instead they were eager
to get to the island.

We were all in awe when we see the clear waters when we disembark from the boat. Aside from the clear water, the island also boast of its pinkish sand. The pinkish sand is due to the mixture of white sand and the fragments of red corals which are washed out from the sea.

There is also an extensive and varied underwater life of coral heads and rocks in the island which is conducive for snorkeling and scuba diving. I was lucky that day because Mr. Cuaresma, the PE instructor of my students brought with him snorkeling gadgets and equipment. Gener Cerna and Ritcher Vecina who are members of a diving club in Zamboanga were there to assist us.

Near the small Sta. Cruz Island is the big Sta. Cruz Island. It is quite amazing to see that from the small island, there is a sand bar that is protruding towards the big island. During low tide, the sand bar can be seen and you can actually walk on it. Though, in my opinion, no one should go to the tip of the sand bar because the water is very unpredictable. You'll never know that the water has already risen.

At 1:00 PM, we were already heading back to the Zamboanga's mainland.

I'm planning to go back to Sta. Cruz Island during the semestral break. :)

For more pictures, please visit my Multiply gallery.

8 comments:

girlfromdipolog said...

Any idea where we can arrange a boat ride to that pink island? If possible please post contact person and number. I go to ZC for business trips and I always wanna go there.

fafarrahzzi said...

whoa--great pics! i'm from zc but i've never even seen the coastline of sta. cruz island. i never knew the island could be so picturesque.

is lantaka hotel the only jump-off point for sta. cruz? and how much would the cost for snorkeling and diving be? that would be so cool. i'm pretty excited already.

Ryann said...

sorry for the late reply. you can also depart from the navy base in calarian, but the lantaka route is i think the best option. i asked my officemate about snorkeling and diving and he said that to just keep in touch with celine who is from another department here in ADZU. the last time that they opened a diving workshop, they collected PhP800 per participant. Email me if you have a definite plan on going to sta. cruz.

ME BUDDHA BANANA said...

I wanna do the same thing. Should I contact DOT or PTA? I've never been to Sta. Cruz Island and for someome who's family's from the city, its a total shame haha

Ryann said...

a trip to sta. cruz island should be coordinated to the local DOT. Here is my post on how to contact them. :) Sasamahan ka namin if you want. Gusto ko bumalik doon.

Ryann said...

eto pala ang post http://holafilipinas.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-do-you-arrange-trip-to-sta-cruz.html

ME BUDDHA BANANA said...

great! Thanks. yeah sure, I'll be in zamboanga on the 19th of December till the 4th of January...16 days of provincial life...I've to totally take advantage of that haha

Anonymous said...

Hi! You mentioned about a diving club in Zamboanga city and I was wondering if you could provide me more info about this club. I'm interested in getting my diving license in Zamboanga since I'll be visiting the city for 2 weeks but I can't find any info on any diving agencies in Zamboanga city. Do you know of one? Could you pls email me at neko_0623@yahoo.com. Thanks!