Pujada Island: Island Hopping in Pujada Bay
Pujada Island is the picnic stop in Pujada Bay, the stretch of water beside Mati City that has been named one of the most beautiful bays in the world. White sand, shallow turquoise water, and easy snorkelling, reached by a short boat ride from Sitio Batiano in Tamisan. Here is what to expect and how the island hopping works.
Why Pujada Bay Matters
Pujada Bay curves along the edge of Mati City and opens into the Pacific. It is protected as the Pujada Bay Protected Landscape and Seascape, with coral reefs, mangrove lined shores, and islands that stay refreshingly uncrowded. In recognition of all that, the Paris based club Les Plus Belles Baies du Monde, which is supported by UNESCO, named it one of the most beautiful bays in the world, one of only two in the Philippines.
Pujada Island is the bay's best known stop. It has powdery white sand, calm turquoise water, and shallow reef close to shore that makes snorkelling easy for beginners. Most visitors arrive by boat from Sitio Batiano in Tamisan as part of a three island hopping trip.
A Protected Seascape
Reefs, seagrass, and mangroves are all part of the reserve. Do not stand on coral or take anything from the reef.
The Pujada Bay Route
Almost every trip runs the same three stops from the Tamisan jump off point. Pujada is the main beach stop; the other two add sandbars and reef.
Pujada Island
The white sand beach and snorkelling stop, with a small entrance fee and room for a picnic. Calm, shallow, and easy to enjoy.
Waniban Island
A tiny white sand island and sandbar, good for short swims and photos. It disappears fast as the tide rises.
Oak Island
The reef stop, best for snorkelling and diving. Sea travel can get rough in the afternoon, so the boat usually goes here earlier.
Start early. The water is calmest in the morning. Afternoon winds can make the crossing to Oak Island choppy, so most boatmen head there first. Bring your own snorkel or freediving gear if you plan to get in the water.
What Pujada Costs
The main cost is the boat, which is shared across the group. Treat these as 2026 reference prices and confirm with the boatman or your accommodation.
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boat charter | About ₱4,000.00About $63.63 / €55.50 / £47.63 | Per boat, good for up to about 10 people. Splits cheaply across a group. |
| Pujada Island entrance | About ₱75.00About $1.19 / €1.04 / £0.89 | Per person, collected on the island. |
| Tricycle to the jump off | About ₱150.00 to ₱200.00About $2.39 to $3.18 / €2.08 to €2.78 / £1.79 to £2.38 | To Sitio Batiano in Tamisan, about 15 to 20 minutes from Mati. |
| Snorkel or freedive gear | Bring your ownRental is limited locally | If you want to dive or freedive the bay, arrange gear in advance. |
Currency conversions are approximate and shown for reference. The site header currency switcher converts live at the current rate.
Getting to Pujada Island
The jump off point is Sitio Batiano in Barangay Tamisan, a short ride south of Mati City. From there it is a boat ride into the bay.
1. Reach Mati
From Davao City, a bus or van takes about 3 to 5 hours for roughly ₱250.00 to ₱500.00.
2. Ride to Tamisan
A tricycle or habal habal to Sitio Batiano takes about 15 to 20 minutes, roughly ₱150.00 to ₱200.00.
3. Boat into the bay
Arrange the boat charter at the jump off. The trip visits Pujada, Waniban, and Oak Island, and lasts most of a day.
What to Add Around the Bay
Pujada is a half day in itself. These are the stops that round out a Mati trip.
Dahican Beach
Mati's surf and skim beach and turtle sanctuary, on the other side of the city.
View the guideSleeping Dinosaur
The free ridgeline viewpoint over the very bay you just sailed, on the road into Mati.
View the guideSubangan Museum
The provincial museum and its whale skeleton, a good rainy day or first stop in Mati.
View the guideMati Baywalk
The city's waterfront promenade, facing the bay, for a sunset walk and street food.
View the guideMatching Shirts for Your Island Group
RB Advertising prints custom sublimated shirts and group apparel for island hopping barkadas and company outings across Davao Region and beyond.
Pujada Island FAQs
The questions visitors ask most about the bay.
How much does Pujada Bay island hopping cost?
Where do the boats leave from?
Is Pujada Island good for snorkelling?
What is the best time to visit Pujada Bay?
Is Pujada Bay really one of the most beautiful bays in the world?
What else is near Pujada Bay?
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For custom sublimation shirts and group trip apparel, reach our sales desk through any of these channels.