What is the perfect paradise? For me, it’s an island with everything you need within arm’s reach. A place where you don’t have to travel far and sacrifice your comfort. A remote and beautiful destination with all the modern amenities that you’ll ever need.
Say hello to Lakawon Island Resort & Spa (also called Llacaon), a 13-hectare banana-shaped island off the coast of Cadiz in Negros Occidental.
It’s a world-class beach resort famous for its pristine white sand, crystal clear waters, and the famous TawHai–Asia’s largest floating bar.
LAKAWON ISLAND RESORTS & SPA
Lakawon, Cadiz Viejo, Negros Occidental
Website: www.lakawon.com.ph/
Facebook: @lakawonisland
Instagram: @lakawon
Email: reservations@lakawon.ph
Contact: +63 917 555 6979
Bacolod Series in Our Awesome Planet:
• BACOLOD FOOD TRIP: Eat Like a Local in Bacolod!
• MASSKARA: Our Awesome Guide to Bacolod’s MassKara Festival!
• SILAY FOOD GUIDE: What to Eat in Silay & KAON TA! Food Festival?
• LAKAWON: Negros’ Secret Paradise Retreat & TawHai Floating Bar!
• 10 Awesome Places to Visit Around Bacolod!
• White Hotel vs. Hometown: The Old and New Backpacker Hotels in Bacolod City!
• BACOLOD PASALUBONG: What to Bring Back Home from Bacolod?
WATCH OUR VIDEO
HOW TO GET THERE
Getting to Lakawon is easy. You don’t have to travel far and long just to reach this magnificent island paradise.
If you’re driving from Bacolod-Silay airport, then Cadiz Port is just an hour away by car. You can also hop on a bus bound for Cadiz from the Ceres North terminal in Bacolod.
Once at Brgy. Cadiz, you can then ride a 15-minute habal-habal to Cadiz Port. If you’re staying overnight, you can park your car at the guarded carpark for only P100 a night.
Certain fees will have to be paid at the terminal upon your arrival, such as the P100 entrance fee for the island, P20 terminal fee, and P150 for a 2-way boat ride to Lakawon.
The first boat leaves at 7 am, and the last boat trip from the island leaves at 5 pm. Do note that if you miss the last boat, you will need to pay the overnight fee.
The boat ride takes roughly 15-20 minutes tops, depending on the weather and sea conditions. It was windy when we went there, so we had to brave through the rough waves.
Upon reaching the island, the first thing you’ll notice is the long walkway to the docking area, which is often reserved for bigger boats.
Our small boat docked directly at the beach, and the first thing we did was to take pictures on this lovely wooden walkway.
Every corner of the whole island is picturesque (most especially from above). You can tell by the careful planning and development that went into designing the place.
In fact, this family-run resort is still mostly under construction when we arrived, in preparation for the yearly Masskara festival. In the future, the island will also be aimed towards the international market with its world-class facilities.
We then proceed to the main reception area to claim our room keys for the night. I highly suggest staying overnight to truly enjoy and experience the island of Lakawon.
Tent pitching is FREE! You just need to pay the overnight fee.
Welcome to Lakawon–the Boracay of Negros!
LAKAWON ISLAND RESORT
The island only has one high-rise building that houses most of the premium rooms.
We stayed at one of the resort’s premium suites, which are perfect for a group of friends or a family of 5-6 people. Prices start at P2,500 up to P5,850 with free breakfast for 2.
The view from our room! Imagine waking up to this.
They also have a bunch of “Kubo” style rooms at the other side of the resort, perfect for barkada day trips and overnights.
The cottage costs P2500 for those who wish to stay overnight, or P1500 for a full day of use, and is big enough for four (P300 per additional head). Each cottage has its private shower and restroom in a separate hut outside.
But if you wish to enjoy the beach view, guests can opt to stay at one of the 28 beachfront open cottages. These are perfect for day trips, celebration, and parties. P600 for the small and P1,200 for the big cabins.
There is also another cottage floating out at sea (open to everyone). I’m just not sure if you want to stay there overnight when the tide hits.
There are many things you can do on the island! You can rent water sports gear such as kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkels.
They also offer some of the typical extreme water sports like banana boat, flying fish, and UFO…all for P2000 per activity.
Or you can just choose to relax and enjoy the beach and its sandy shore.
Some who have been here even say that the clear waters and the white sand beach are on par with that of Boracay island.
The only difference is the simplicity of life on this island. A perfect place for a retreat.
TAWHAI
(Photo courtesty of Lakawon Island Resorts & Spa)
Another thing that the island is known for is the widely popular TawHai floating bar, which is believed to be the biggest of its kind in Asia.
(Photo courtesty of Lakawon Island Resorts & Spa)
“Tawhai” is a word in the local dialect that means “relaxed.” It surely lives up to its name.
(Photo courtesty of Lakawon Island Resorts & Spa)
For P250, inclusive of unlimited boat transfers, you can relax (or party) aboard the floating bar. Here, you can enjoy a sip of margarita or chug beers while partying ’til sunset.
(Photo courtesty of Lakawon Island Resorts & Spa)
TawHai offers you a spectacular view of the beach while you bask in the sun. You can even jump overboard, but at your own risk.
Come sundown the whole island evokes a serene and tranquil feeling in those who chose to stay overnight.
And at night time you can only hear the waves breaking on the sandy shores, giving you that relaxing feeling.
Good thing there’s no shortage of food on the island too! You can order your favorite meal at the Sunset Bar while enjoying the gorgeous view of the beach.
The Sunset Bar is the only restaurant on the island.
They even have an extensive selection of desserts for your midnight cravings. Sunset Bar opens at 6am and closes at 12mn.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We loved our stay in Lakawon Island Resorts and we highly recommended that you stay overnight to fully enjoy this island paradise.
Another thing I like about Lakawon is that you get to experience two different sides of the island. You can relax by the beach in the morning and party or jump from the TawHai during sunset! The island is the perfect definition of relaxation and fun.
I never thought I’d say this but staying and traveling to Lakawon is probably one of the most relaxing trips I have ever had. The hassle-free travel and boat ride, not to mention the excellent resort, simply made it a very memorable trip and possibly the best way to end our visit to Negros Occidental!
I will definitely come back and bring more friends to Lakawon and TawHai!
LAKAWON ISLAND RESORTS & SPA
Lakawon, Cadiz Viejo, Negros Occidental
Website: www.lakawon.com.ph/
Facebook: @lakawonisland
Instagram: @lakawon
Email: reservations@lakawon.ph
Contact: +63 917 555 6979
Bacolod Series in Our Awesome Planet:
• BACOLOD FOOD TRIP: Eat Like a Local in Bacolod!
• MASSKARA: Our Awesome Guide to Bacolod’s MassKara Festival!
• SILAY FOOD GUIDE: What to Eat in Silay & KAON TA! Food Festival?
• LAKAWON: Negros’ Secret Paradise Retreat & TawHai Floating Bar!
• 10 Awesome Places to Visit Around Bacolod!
• White Hotel vs. Hometown: The Old and New Backpacker Hotels in Bacolod City!
• BACOLOD PASALUBONG: What to Bring Back Home from Bacolod?
Live an Awesome Life,
NICO of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our stay in Lakawon was courtesy of Lakawon Island Resorts & Spa. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Make sure to include at trip to Lakawon if you’re going to the Masskara festival this October.
Gonna visit this beautiful island soon. So excited to go home in Negros and to experience Lakawon.
Very nice! What month was it exactly when you visited this island?
We visited in November last year and around summer this year