Located off the coast of the town of Mauban, Quezon Province, Cagbalete Island is another island paradise in the province surrounded with cream sand and crystal clear water.
The island can be reached via boat from Mauban port. The boat ride is about 40-50 minutes. You need to register at the tourist port and pay Php50 environmental fee. The public boat ride is Php100 per head as of this writing.Also, you need to have a room reservation before they allow you to take the boat. If you did not make an online booking, several representatives of resorts in the island are in the tourist port area and you can choose a resort.
The boat I was in left at 1030am and reached the island at around 1120am. A representative from Dona Choleng fetched me and we rode a motorbike to the resort.
The resort was nice, clean and the room I got came in with a toilet. Other rooms do not have a toilet inside but rather outside which was walking distance.
There is a small restaurant where you can order food in case you did not bring. Prices are reasonable at Php150 for grilled liempo with rice and Php187 for grilled squid with rice.
Heading to the beach, pine trees abound and sea grass littered the shore. But it's ok. Sand is cream white and the waters are clear.
Tips
- Electricity on the island and resort is from 6PM to 6AM.
- Boat ride from Mauban to Cagbalete Island can be rough at times and generally rough during the ‘ber’ months up to February; waterproof your belongings especially your gadgets
- Mobile signal is available in the island especially on the beach front but wifi is weak
- Estimated overnight room accommodation in Cagbalete P1,500 – P2,000
Jac Liner is the only bus line that offers daily direct trips bound for Mauban.
Bus fare from Buendia terminal is PHP 269 as of Sept 2018
Travel time: Approx. 5 hours
Or you take Lucena bound bus, alight at SM Lucena, ride the van/shuttle to Mauban.
Upon arrival at Mauban terminal, flag a tricycle to take you to Cagbalete Island Tourist Port.
Tricycle fare: PHP 10/ pax
Upon registration, pay for the environmental fee Php50
If you did not make online reservation for your accommodation, you need to get one from the representatives of the resorts before they allow you to take the boat.
There are 2 ways to reach Cagbalete Island, either you charter a private boat or ride a passenger boat. Public boat transfers from Mauban Port to Cagbalete Port and vice versa at P100 one way
Check out their website to for the daily trip schedules.
Travel time: Approx. 45 minutes
Private boat at Php1500 one way will take you directly to the resort.
Note that during low tide, the private boat will dock 600meters away from the shore and you have to walk and carry your stuff all the way to the beach. Water is shallow though.
Next
Island Hopping in Cagbalete
No comments:
Post a Comment