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Cagbalete Travel Guide: Mauban’s Island Escapade

Welcome to Cagbalete Island

Cagbalete Island is one of the jewels of Quezon Province. Located off the coast of the town of Mauban, it is a small island paradise in the province surrounded with cream sand that exposes significantly during low tide.

The 1,640-hectare privately owned island is home to a diverse ecosystem. With unique variety of birds, rich marine life, and the abundance of unique species of plants, the island is a complete paradise for adventurers and nature lovers. Similar to Jomalig Island in Northern Quezon, a part of the Cagbalete’s beach is dotted with Agoho trees, a family of pine tree.

Four hours away from the Philippine capital, Cagbalete Island promises an unforgettable and picture perfect island getaway you will truly remember.

How to Get to Cagbalete Island

Manila to lucena grand central  terminal.

Cagbalete Island is under the jurisdiction of the town of Mauban, Quezon. To go there, catch a Lucena bound bus in Kamias, Cubao, Alabang or Buendia. Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner and Ceres Transport have buses bound to Lucena Grand Central  Terminal. Buses leave almost every hour every day for approximately three hours bus ride from Buendia, fare is as low as P230.

You can book your ferry tickets from Manila to Lucena and vice versa below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM MANILA TO LUCENA

Lucena Grand Central  Terminal to Mauban

From Lucena Grand Central Terminal, catch a van or local bus to Mauban for almost two hours travel time, fare starts at P100 with last trip is at around 6PM. Alternatively, vans and air-con buses to Mauban are located in SM City Lucena for at least P100, with trip up to 9PM, travel time is faster at around an hour.

Mauban to Cagbalete

Upon getting off the bus in Mauban, it is only a short walk to the port where passenger boats to Cagbalete Island are stationed. Trips are scheduled at  10AM and 4PM daily, for at least P120 per person. The boats can ferry around 50-60 people. They usually drop off passengers at “Sabang”  although they sometimes drop off their passengers directly to the south eastern part of the island where the resorts Villa Cleofas and MVT Sto. Nino are located. You may also arrange a private boat through your resort, rate starts at P5,000 two-way (Mauban-Cagbalete-Mauban) and can ferry up to 25 people.

If you are going to the Pansacola, Villa Cleofas or MVT Sto. Niño from Sabang, you can hire a small banca there for around P500.00 one way or you can take the 1.5 KM walk .

Where to Stay in Cagbalete Island

Tourists usually stay on the south eastern part of the island. There are three known resorts in the area – the Villa Cleofas, Pansacola Beach Resort and MVT Sto. Niño Beach Resort.

Villa Cleofas

Villa Cleofas has various cottages and rooms for rent ranging from P900 (for an open cottage that is good for eight people) to P4000 (big cottage with rooms that can accommodate up to 25 persons).

• Big cottage (35 people capacity) – P10,000/night
• Big cottage (20 people capacity) – P5,500/overnight
• Big cottage (15 people capacity) – P4,500/night
• Medium cottage (12 people capacity) – P3,500/night
• Small cottage (8 people capacity) – P3,000/night
• Duplex cottage (5 people capacity ) – P2,000/night

Air-con Rooms

• Studio Type (2 people capacity) -P2,500/night
• Studio Type (4 people capacity) -P3,500/night

They have good facilities and offers different activities like beach volleyball, table tennis, karaoke, horse back riding, boat rental. They also allow camping along the beach for as low as P250 per tent plus entrance fee of P50. They also offer tent rental for as low as P400/tent. For more information, visit their website at www.cagbalete.com or contact:

Contact Info: +63919-2205000/ [email protected] (Ed Jacob); +639178395852/+639178143475/ [email protected] (Tonet Reyeg / Tess Reyeg)

MVT Sto. Niño Resort

MVT Sto. Niño Resort is located beside Villa Cleofas. They have rooms and cottages and offer a more quiet atmosphere. Small cottages along the beach costs for as low as P1,000 good for up to four (4) persons; Standard fan room starts at P1500/night good for two (2) persons; Deluxe room with air-con is at P2000/night good for two (2) persons. Camping is also allowed, you may rent their tent for as low as P350/night good for two (2) plus entrance fee of P150/person.

Contact No: +63917-6787080

Pansacola Beach Resort Cagbalate

Pansacola Beach Resort offers great beachfront be it high tide or low tide. They have private cottages but for those in  a budget, you may opt to camp for P250/head. They have tents which can be rented at P300/night good for 2-3 people, you may also bring your own tent.

Contact No:   +63917-5465901

Activities in Cagbalete Island

• Swimming and Beach Hopping
• Island Hopping: Yang-in Sandbar, Fish Sanctuary and Ilog Bukana
• Snorkeling/Scuba Diving (bring your own equipments)
• Fishing/Camping/Picnic
• Bird watching
• Horseback riding
• Beach Volleyball/Frisbee
• Walk to the nearby Bonsai Island and see the century old bonsai plants
• Visit the neighboring Baliscar Island and its lighthouse
• Surfing/Skim boarding (Oct to Feb – bring your own board)
• Watch the sunrise
• Explore the attractions of mainland Mauban: Chasing Waterfalls in Mauban: Dahoyhoy Falls, Hagdan-Hagdan Falls, Alitap Falls, etc.

Sample Cagbalete Weekend Itinerary

Day 1: travel to cagbalete island.

0230H: Assembly at Buendia 0300H: Bus from Buendia to Lucena Grand Central Terminal 0600H: Arrival in Lucena Grand Central Terminal / Breakfast 0700H: Van or Bus from Lucena Grand Central Terminal to Mauban 0800H: Arrival in Mauban / Register at Tourism Office / Shop for supplies 0900H: Boat from Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island 1000H: Arrival in Cagbalete Island / Proceed to resort / set-up camp / rest / prepare lunch 1130H: Lunch 1300H: Island Hopping: Yang-in Sandbar, Fish Sanctuary, Ilog Bukana & Snorkeling 1800H: Back at resort / wash-up / fix-up 1900H onwards: Dinner / Socials / Lights out

Day 2: More of Cagbalete Island, Side Trip and Return

0530H: Call time / Sunrise / Breakfast 0700H: Free time / swimming 0900H: Wash-up / break-camp / proceed to port 1000H: Boat from Cagbalete to Mauban 1100H: Arrival in Mauban / Proceed to Dahoyhoy Falls 1300H: Back to Mauban Proper / Lunch 1430H: Van or Bus from Mauban to Lucena Grand Central Terminal 1600H: Arrival in Lucena Grand Central Terminal 1630H: Bus from Lucena Grand Central Terminal to Buendia 2000H: Arrival in Buendia / Dinner

Logistics / Expenses

• No electricity in the island but resort offers generator 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, so prepare to be wet.
• Entrance fee at Villa Cleofas is P50, P100 for MVT Sto. Niño and P250 for Pansacola. If you are staying in Villa Cleofas, you can arrange them to prepare meals for you or you can use their kitchen, dining hall and their facilities for cooking and dining, usage is on first-come-first-served basis and you have to clean the area and wash all utilities you used.
• Mobile signal is available in the island
• Estimated budget for overnight in Cagbalete: P1,500 – P2,000

Originally  Published: 27-Jun-2011 | Updates: 21-May-2014; 05-Dec-2017; 10-Aug-2018; 12-Feb-2020

Hi, good day..! Is it safe if we will travel to Cagbalete during holy week? May I know the port’s situation during this season? We are planning to visit this March 30, 2018.

Expect the port and the island to be crowded during this time of the year 🙂

agricultural land for sale @ cagbalete 1.

how many square meters and how much

[…] Read this for directions to Cagbalete Island. As for accommodations that offer snorkeling services, check out the Pansacola Beach Resort. […]

Such a nice paradise and you don’t have to spend so much. Plus, it’s very near. Such a nice read. Sharing mine here, too: http://www.hellosheena.blogspot.com/2015/06/eternal-sandbar-at-cagbalete-island.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Travel-Me/1691590204408723

Cagbalete is quite far considering i am from central luzon but the place is really beautiful..we had a NICE overnight stay at Donya Choleng’s resort last may 13-14. resort staff were kind and accommodating.

Malaput po ba yung pagtutulugan sa mismong beach ng cagbalete??

I’m excited to see the beautiful island. I hope we will not encounter complaints stated here. We are coming on May 17-18. Good luck to us. 🙂

Stay away from Dona Cholengs during peak season!

We were here for 4 days and 3 nights. Stayed in their nipa hut for 3 days and since i’m prepping my daughter for our Pulag climb next year, brought my tent and availed their tent accommodation on our last day, I’m not sure how this resort is handled but by the looks of it, either their staff are under paid or they don’t know what customer service is all about. I travel occasionally, approx. 4 times a year and had some shares of bad customer service but just kept it to myself. It takes a lot for me to vent out online so this means that’s how horrible their service is, in my honest opinion. I have high regards with the hospitality of people from Quezon (and Batangas) amongst their Luzon counterparts but this ALMOST changed it.

Things you need to watch out for: – Security is almost nonexistent. There are shifting roving guards (as I observe, 1 per shift) but they took it literally, yes, just roving. Swimming clothes left to dry and towels were stolen outside of our hut, which they claimed they ran after but wasn’t able to catch up. To think our hut is right infront of their restaurant where the roving guards usually stay. Later we found out that there’s another guest complaining of the same reason. The culprit was an apparent Cagbalete resident who they know but the resort did not take action about it and heck, did not even apologize for being incompetent securing their place. – Water smells funny and is intermittent. It takes approximately 10-15mins for them to restore water, so good luck to you when water runs out while taking a bath. For the funny smell, it resembles the smell of a septic tank (for lack of better comparison) but tolerable. – Restrooms are not maintained well. Few faucets are defective, clogged sink, leaking sink pipes, trash on trash bins are rarely disposed, some ventilation panel on the doors are missing / damaged leaving a hint on what you are up to to those people on queue, there were also cockroaches sharing the same bathroom with you. These are just to name a few. – Restaurant rates are way off mark compare to the prices they have in the port/palenke area. This I can tolerate if food quality is better than the ones in the port/palenke area. They don’t have service water which for is must when you run a restaurant. – In-house restaurant can’t accomodate much and not systematic during peak hours. One example is giving your orders to others in line (right away) when you are called while you stepped out real quick. – Lack of coordination with local authorities when it comes to cancellation of boat trips going out of Cagbalete due to inclement weather. Their typical answer to guests is, “baka payagan kayo dahil maganda ang panahon”, giving you false hopes. You need to go to the port area which is around 1km usually by foot from the resort for you to validate their claims. Well, that’s because they’re done with their business with you. – Unkept shoreline. I read a blog saying it’s futile for them to clean seaweeds on their shores during off peak season and usually does it during peak season but I did not see any part of the shoreline without seaweeds. Was wondering if they dont consider holy week a peak season. In addition, we saw few trash and driftwood floating but not all their fault since they share their shoreline with other resorts which I heard is also owned by their relatives. – And the last but not the least, after going thru these all, don’t expect to get an ice cold beer or even ice! But it’s ironic to see a halo-halo stall set up inside their resort. I have a small generator at home which runs 1 liter of gas an hour that can power up a mid size fridge during outages so I am not sure how they can’t do the same especially that they mark up their goods higher than the ones at the port area.

how disappointing. good thing u didnt hold back.

I cannot recommend this place. People in this place are tend to take advantage of the tourist they tend to overprice almost everything. From a overpriced private boat worth 3000 php two way and 2500 for 1 way for small group (4-6 person) and the price increase as your group member increase (for instance 12 person for 5500 on way trip) imagine!!!!!!. To a very simple favor you might ask to the local…. almost everything has a price……. One thing more some people in this place trickster in nature even a kid….. But to be fare the view of this island are great…… But it is enough that I see this Islands once I will not go back anymore…….

I had bad experience also during my visit 3 years ago. I thought there will be improvements already but apparently they are still charging high on the boat rides.

Beautiful! I can’t wait to see it… 😉

If you are planning to go to a beach and you are from Manila, I cannot recommend this place. I suggest to go to Laiya Batangas or Calatagan Batagas instead of this far away place.

And you’re missing the very essence of this article. The adventure.

I really admire lahat ng mga destination. ^_^ super detailed and informative para sa mga first timer bakasyonista on that particular place. I’m a fan, and hopefully and I wish that mapuntahan ko lahat ng nafeature nyu. Sobrang nakakaexcite puntahan and very inviting. ^_^ goodluck, keep it up and God bless ^_^

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Things to do in Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Philippines with DIY Itinerary

Have a weekend free or a day off and looking for beach and sand near Metro Manila? Then off you go to the town of Mauban in Quezon province where a gorgeous island is located. With beautiful white sand and sand bars, abundant trees, and a peaceful ambiance, you won’t regret relaxing here. Check out our things to do in Cagbalete Island .

Cagbalete island was bought from the Spanish government by the Pansacola family in 1859. Now, the island and most resorts are owned and named after the descendants of the owners. This island is a great place to spend time on the sea and under the sun in the CALABARZON area.

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Things to do in Cagbalete Island

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by @photos_of_63 on May 9, 2020 at 11:12am PDT

1. Island Hop

Hop on a boat and tour the other parts of Cagbalete Island. You can go out to see the gorgeous Yang-In Sandbar or cruise in the mangrove river. Near the Cagbalete Island is the Baliscar Islet. It’s a rocky island that offers you fantastic views and an old lighthouse. There is also Bonsai Island with bonsai plants thriving on it. You can also stop and try to snorkel to see gorgeous fishes on crystal clear waters.

2. Look for Birds!

With many trees and fewer tourists, this 1640-hectare island is also home to various types of birds. You might see wild ducks, kingfishers, or Tabon scrubfowls. It will be a wonderful sight to see!

3. Have fun at the beach

Enjoy the island life and set up a camp on the beach! You can play games with your family or friends, share stories, or stargaze. There are not many people, so you can feel that the whole place is exclusive to you.

4. See the sunrise or sunset

Wake up early morning and catch the sunrise and greet you towards a brand new day. You could also wait in the afternoon and witness the glorious color it offers when it’s off to set. You’ll surely be amazed and feel relaxed when you see such beauty!

5. Swim and Snorkel

You have unlimited clean waters and blue sea right in front of you, so don’t dare waste it. Swim in the waters with all your heart. Try renting a snorkel or bring your own so you could see the marine life Cagbalete Island offers.

Here are the expenses you might incur during your trip to Cagbalete Island:

Entrance Fee

In the tourism office, you will register and pay the following fees:

• Environmental Fee – PHP 50
• Eco-bottles for your trash – PHP 100 (refundable)

There are various resorts on the island, here are some options for you:

Villa Cleofas

• Entrance fee of PHP 50 per head

Pansacola Beach Resort

• Entrance fee of PHP 200 per head for a day trip
• Corkage fee of PHP 50
• Meal Package – PHP 1,100 per person (3 meals + snack)

Nilandingan Cove

• Meal Package – PHP 800 – 1,100 per person for 3 meals and snack, price depends on how many you are

• Most Resorts offer package meals, so you can avail of this especially if you don’t want to hassle yourself with cooking or preparing your food (PHP 800 – 1,100 – good for three meals)
• There’s only limited electricity on the island and not many shops near the resort, you can buy items at the mainland

Tours and Recreational Activities

• Island Hopping – PHP 1,000 – 2,000 per boat
• Snorkeling Gear – PHP 100 per person
• Kayaks – PHP 200 – 300 per hour
• Paddleboards – PHP 200 per hour

How to get to Cagbalete Island

Public transportation

Direct to Mauban

• LRT Terminal trips to Mauban at 4:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM
• Kamias Terminal trips to Mauban at 4:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM
• Costs PHP 280 per head with about 3-4 hours of travel time
• Go to JAC Liner, Jam Liner or Lucena Lines Stations in Manila and ride to Lucena (PHP 200 per head), with 3 hours travel time, the first trip it is at 2:00 AM
• From Lucena City Grand Terminal or Lucena SM Mall, ride a van to Mauban (PHP 70 per head), with 1 hour travel time

Private Car or Van

Via SLEX Sto. Tomas, Batangas Exit

• From SLEX, exit at Sto, Tomas, go straight until you reach Sariaya
• Turn towards Tayabas until you reach Mauban

Via SLEX Calamba Exit

• Use the SLEX and exit at Calamba, and you’ll pass by Los Baños go to Lucban, however, don’t enter the main town
• Turn to Sampaloc until you arrive at Mauban

Via Antipolo

• From Antipolo, drive until you reach Pahsanjan to the Lusiana
• When you arrive in Lucban, don’t enter the town and turn to Sampaloc until you reach Mauban

To Cagbalete Island

When you are in Mauban, you will need to ride a boat to Cagbalete Island. There are public and private passenger boats. Travel time is 45 minutes to an hour.

Public Boats

• PHP 100 per person
• The schedule is 10:00 and 3:00 PM from the mainland, it’s 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM to return to the mainland
• It can only carry about 50-60 passengers a day

Private Boats

• PHP 1,500 – PHP 5,000 depending on number of persons
• Payment is for two-way trips

Travel Guide Tips to Cagbalete Island

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kyle Jennermann (@becomingfilipino) on Apr 20, 2019 at 4:46pm PDT

• You’ll need to reserve or book accommodation before going to Cagbalete Island as they have a “NO booking, NO sailing” policy
• Please be responsible with your trash
• There are no disposable items in the area
• Electricity is limited, there are generators in some resort, and they are on from 6/10 PM – 5:30/6 AM
• Some resorts allow you to grill; however, you can’t bring rice cookers
• There are no public markets on the island; only in the mainland, resorts have package meals and small sari-sari stores
• Bring also mineral water for consumption to save money from buying at the resort
• There’s no wifi in most resorts, but there is still signal

Sample Itinerary to Cagbalete Island

Day 1 in cagbalete island.

4:00 AM   – Travel from Manila to Mauban 8:00 AM   – Arrive at Mauban and register at the port 8:30 AM   – Go to the marketplace to buy food 10:00 AM – Trip to Cagbalete Island 11:00 AM – Arrival at the Island 12:00 PM – Lunch 1:00 PM   – Island Hopping / Swimming / Snorkeling 5:00 PM   – Wash Up & Enjoy the beach 7:00 PM   – Dinner / Stargaze / Sleep

Day 2 in Cagbalete Island

5:30 AM   – Wake up and watch the sunrise 6:00 AM   – Breakfast / Swimming / Free time 12:00 PM – Wash Up / Check out 1:00 PM   – Trip to Mainland 2:00 PM   – Travel from Mauban to Manila

I hope these things to do in Cagbalete island is helpful for your vacation to this part of Quezon. It’s not that far away, so you can enjoy a weekend trip here with your family or friends. Enjoy relaxing here and relish its beauty!

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About the Writer

Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my  Instagram .

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CAGBALETE ISLAND AT P2500 (ALL-IN): Budget Travel Guide To A Chill Beach Weekend

Cagbalete Island for many years was plagued with massive destruction of its surrounding waters and marine biodiversity. The once locals dubbed as the “Promise Land” due to the richness of its seas teeming with colors and life underwater is now down to pensive remnants of lifeless coral reefs trying to endure after the catastrophe caused by human negligence, greed and ignorance. Relentless dynamite fishing in the past has caused a major turn to the lives of the locals who were supposed to reap the abundance of this little paradise lying northeast of the country’s coastal waters. Instead, they are close to having nothing.

Fishing should be their primary means to live but fishes and other sea produce are even more costly than a liter of gas. Life should have been easy given the endless resources which they could simply utilize for their survival but it has long vanished into the misty air of regret. Many of the families here have mourned the loss of loved ones from voyages launched to the seas of Palawan for the promise of a bountiful catch only to be trapped helplessly in a storm. This island have suffered long enough and still is far from returning to its former glory but a brand new hope has slowly shed light on the pitch-black darkness that has overshadowed its beauty for quite a long time.

In recent years, countless articles were written about this unexploited paradise of seemingly endless shores of white sugary sands bound by aqua blue waters at the far corner of the horizon. Little by little, Cagbalete Island has made its presence known to the local travel community drawing at one time a handful of thrill-seekers until there was an influx. After many years of slumber, the locals have awoken to something delightful, a new source of income. Another means to feed those empty stomachs. While this is in general beneficial to the locales, let us be forewarned that this badly battered island is still recuperating and our interference and own negligence may it be deliberate or not can more often than not, do them harm than good..

HOW TO GET THERE?

• Commute – From Kamias or Buendia Stations, ride a Jac Liner Bus bound for Lucena. Alight in Lucena Grand Terminal and ride a bus or a van to Mauban. From Mauban Terminal, the tourist port for Cagbalete Island is just a few walks away. Signages are provided to point to the location of the port. Trips start at 1AM daily except for Fridays to Sundays where trips are available for 24 hours, with buses departing on an hourly basis or whenever it’s filled to the brink. The total travel time to Mauban is 5-6 hours. Another option is to take the bus bound directly to Mauban with trips once daily that depart at 4AM.
• First is through SLEX taking Calamba Exit, continuing to the National Hwy driving thru Calamba, Los Baños, Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan to Luisiana all the way to Sampaloc then continue driving along the Sampaloc-Mauban Rd to reach Mauban then turn to Maharlika Hwy then to Quezon Avenue taking the right turn to R. Pansacola St. then left to Gardiner Street then the final right to Mabini Street until you reach the narrow path to the port.
• The second option is more favorable for those coming from the North which is driving from Quezon City via Visayas Avenue turning left to C5 via Congressional Avenue then left to Aurora Blvd. From Aurora Blvd drive along Marilaque Hwy tracing it all the way to Tanay then to Sta. Maria continuing to Mabitac. Take the Paete-Famy  Diversion Rd and  R5 to Pagsanjan-Cavinti Rd then trace the National Hwy driving all the way to Sampaloc. Follow remaining directions in option 1.

WHERE TO STAY WHILE IN THE ISLAND?

The surge of tourists hoping to get a respite from the hustle of the busy city life caused several resorts to emerge in Cagbalete Island. These resorts may seem to be in competition with one another but know that most of them is owned by people from the same clan,  The Llamas, who were considered to be the rightful owners of this paradise. So no matter whichever one you choose, expect to get the same kind of warmth and hospitality during your stay.

Our group chose to stay in Nilandingan Cove, the farthest resort and the most historical spot in the island. It was said that in the cove’s very shores was where the Guerilla and American warplanes safely landed in preparation to overthrow the Japanese soldiers who have occupied Mauban. Hence its name, Nilandingan. While we were aware of the extra P700 that we need to shell out to get to the resort, we’ve taken more into consideration the peace and quiet which this isolated cove can afford us. Little did we expect to find that many tourists taking shelter in huge tents and native cottages upon getting to the resort. Despite that, we still had a wonderful time. In addition to that is the warm welcome the staff gave us and the hearty conversation we had with the resort owner, Sir Ted.

If those photos above convinced you in staying in this resort, here is some helpful info for you.

• Nilandingan is the farthest resort. You can either trek for 45 minutes to get to the resort or ride a boat in Sabang Port which is priced at P700/way.
• The entrance fee is P200. Tent space is free.
• They have tents for rent as well as pillows and mattresses.
• Open cottages/picnic huts can be rented for P500/day.
• There are plenty of shower and toilet rooms within the resort and they are well-maintained.
• Utensils and other cooking wares can be rented from the resort. They also have a store where some essentials can be bought for a price a little higher than usual..
• They have food service which bigger groups would find real value from

>>For more info about Nilandigan cove, try visiting their website at  www.cagbaleteisland.com.ph   or contact Tita Lyn thru mobile no.  0918 465 8924.

OTHER RESORTS IN CAGBALETE ISLAND

• Villa Noe Beach Phone:+63 915 703 2334
• Pansacola Beach Resort Phone:+63 42 784 0158
• Dona Choleng Camping Resort Phone:+63 998 352 0544
• Villa Cleofas Phone:+63 917 814 0496
• Cagbalete Joven’s Blue Sea Beach Resort Phone:+63 917 984 8505
• Villa Pilarosa Phone:+63 999 366 3884 | +63 908 730 0411

ANYTHING FUN TO DO?

• Wake up in the early morning to gaze at the sunrise or don’t go on too much beer drinking just yet just so you could gaze at the beautiful sunset.
• Go on an island hopping to see the infinite bar of white powdery sands.
• Explore the secluded mangrove forest
• Paddle your way through a canoe or kayak
• Snorkel and see the surviving ecosystem of the world underwater.
• Chill with a bottle of beer with friends over some overdue catch up conversation or jam session.

SOMETHING USEFUL YOU  MIGHT  NE ED  TO KNOW?

• Public boat transfer from Mauban to Cagbalete Island and vice versa starts at 7AM until 3PM but last boat bound for Mauban from the island may only be up until 1PM in some days. Fare is P70 per way per person.
• Private boats are also available. Small boats for a group of 3-4 is priced at P2000. Big boats with a capacity of 5-10 people P3000. Bigger boats which can hold to about 20 people may cost as much as P4000. Note that prices are for roundtrip transfer.
• Registration/Environmental Fee per person is P50.
• There is a public market situated near the tourist port where you can do some last minute shop of goods you might need while in the island.
• Be mindful of the number given to you and your group upon registration. That should serve as your cue when to board the passenger boat.
• Beware of local boatmen offering overpriced transfer.
• There are parking spaces near the tourist port which are offered by some locals for a fee for those bringing their cars.
• Island hopping is usually offered for P1800 but it can be haggled down to P1500 for groups no greater than 6 people. P300 per person is charged for bigger groups.
• Bring cookset, untensils and other cooking essentials as renting it from the resort can be a bit costly.
• To save you from the tedious task of cooking and preparing your food, you can bring canned and other no cook goodies.
• Bring trash bag. As courtesy, clean your camp space before leaving.

ANY USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS?

• To avoid the hassle of painstakingly waiting in bus terminals, you may book your bus tickets through Biyaheroes . Their booking service is just incredible.
• Renting the tents from the resort is a bit pricey. You can bring your own tents instead for bigger savings. If you don’t own a tent, you can rent high quality tents from Tent Rentals .

HOW IS SPENDING ONLY P2500 FOR EVERTHING POSSIBLE?

P2500 in my opinion is already A LOT for 2 full days spent in Cagbalete Island. In fact one can manage to spend less than a P1000 for this trip. Our group of 4 however chose not to scrimp on anything especially on food, beers and most of all, the experience. So here is what’s included in the P2500 budget.

If you don’t feel like spending P2500 just like what we did, don’t fret. You can easily squeeze this trip into a P1000 budget. Here’s how.

• RT Bus Fare Buendia-Lucena – P436
• RT Fare Van Lucena-Mauban – P120
• RT Fare Passenger Boat – P140
• Environmental Fee – P50
• Bring your own food! Meaning your backpack must be 75% food and water. You can do whatever you want with the remaining 25%. You don’t need to rush to the grocery store either. Just bring whatever you can find inside your fridge, Just make sure to tell your mom about it.
• Tent Space – P200
• Everything free for fun? Lie on the beach. Swim all day. Stroll by the shores. Anything!

See cheapskate, it ain’t that bad. 🙂

SAMPLE ITINERARY

2400 Meet Up Jac Liner Kamias Station 0100 ETD Lucena Grand Terminal 0500 ETA Lucena Grand Terminal 0600 ETA Mauban. Register. Breakfast 0700 ETD Sabang Port 0800 ETA Sabang Port 0900 Resort. Check In 1000 Prep/Cook Lunch 1200 LUNCH 1300 Freet Time. Swim. Snorkel 1800 Sunset Viewing 1900 Dinner. Drinks. Socials 2200 Lights Out

0500  Wake Up. Sunrise Viewing 0600 Breakfast 0700  Free Time. Swim. Stroll by the beach. Photo Ops 1000 Pack up 1200  Sabang Port 1300  Mauban Port 1400  Grand Terminal 1800 Home

There you go. Just so you know, I waited for years to make this Cagbalete Island escapade a reality and now that I’ve finally made this long time dream come true, I am most certainly able to say “It was all worth the wait.” Although I hope someday, Cagbalete’s beauty will be more than what meets the eye but something that goes deeply beyond what the eyes can see. Hoping to see more life under its waters. Soon.

Until next time folks. Ciao. 🙂

P.S. I made a video of this trip. This vid is pretty amateur-ish but I hope it could somehow give you a glimpse of the beauty of Cagbalete Island. Ayt. So long folks. Please bother watching and leave me a feedback on the comments box below.

Cagbalete Island Chill Summer Weekend from Keza Marie Enriquez on Vimeo .

LA VIRGINIA HOTEL & RESORT: A Saturdate With Mom In One Of Batangas Hidden Resorts

Fortune island: a taste of both greek elegance and filipino tropical paradise in one historical island, related posts, fekung bula: budget travel guide + everything else you need to know, pangadilan falls: budget travel guide + everything you need to know, my favorite co-working spaces on siargao island, 10 comments.

Will be here next week. Article is very helpful. 🙂

Thank you so much. This is very helpful.

Hi can I ask if you have contact details for boat rental ma’am? This is for our guests (Private) Hope you can help us out thanks

Hi. Sorry po. Hinde po namen nakuha number nung boat rental namen. 🙁

Your blog is always helpful. Thanks for sharing your experiences in a detailed way. I like it because you include sample itenerary, list of expenses and a lot of helpful tips. Keep it up! 😉

Thanks Eunice. 😊

Hello, thanks for the post! Wondering about the boat ride, since there will be two of us and I’m reading lots of horror stories saying waves are huge and the boat ride is traumatic. Is this true? Thanks.

Boat ride is okay. Maybe in some days waves really are huge so better to choose the time to go. Sea water facing the pacific tend to be calmer during the months of May to October except in times when there is typhoon.

very helpful… thanks for sharing…

We’re planning to go there nxt weekend and your blog is really helpful. Thanks a lot

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Cagbalete Island Travel Guide: Itinerary, Places to Stay, Things to do and More

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2020 Ultimate Travel Guide to Cagbalete Island 

Table of Contents

M auban, Quezon, Philippines — People are into traveling, specifically backpacking nowadays. One major reason for this leisure is that it brings them a sense of escape and freedom from the constant stresses in life without breaking the bank. If you are about to embark on this kind of activity, we suggest you go solo or tag your friends along and enjoy an escapade like no other.

Here’s one backpacking destination you should visit with your friends – Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon Province.

Where is Cagbalete?

Cagbalete Island is a secluded and tranquil place surrounded by white sand beaches and is famous for its sandbar. Cagbalete is an island in Southern Luzon, the Philippines, on Lamon Bay. It is administered by the municipality of Mauban in Quezon Province.

This island, 3 – 4 hours away from Metro Manila, is somehow compared to Boracay’s white shores . The 1,640-hectare property also features rich biodiversity, which makes it a must-see paradise.

In this Cagbalete Island Travel Guide, we have rounded up some amazing things to see and do, recommended places to stay, best restaurants, and a sample itinerary to make your Cagbalete Island trip a memorable one.

Best time to visit Cagbalete Island

First of all, if you plan to visit Cagbalete Island, the best time would be during summer. You can go camping with your friends and chill with your friends on the beach.

How to Get There (from Manila)

By private car.

If you are commuting via private vehicle, take the Calamba Exit in SLEX and go straight to Los Banos. From Los Banos, you need to pass through Pila, Santa Cruz, Pagsanjan, and Luisiana, then turn to Mauban Port.

By Public Bus

If you are commuting via public transportation, there’s a JAC Liner bus terminal in Buendia and Cubao. Ride a bus bound to Lucena; travel time will take about 3 to 4 hours.

When you arrive from the Lucena Grand Central Bus Terminal, ride a mini-bus going to Mauban Port. Travel time from Lucena to Mauban Port is around 1 to 2 hours.

Once you arrive at the Mauban Port, the first thing you need to do is register in the tourism office and pay for the environmental fee of 50 pesos per person. From there, a passenger boat will take you to Cagbalete Island.

Getting around

Basically, when you arrive at the Lucena Grand Central Terminal, there are buses bound for Mauban. There are also vans and air-con buses there. You can go to the Tourism Building via tricycle.

Places to Stay: Cagbalete Island Resorts

There are plenty of recommended places to stay on Cagbalete Island. Check out some below:

Pansacola Beach Resort

Contact Number: 0917 546 5901 Facebook Page This is probably one of the famous budget resorts in Cagbalete. This is also where the famous Cagbalete sandbar is located. If you and your friends are into sports, the wide beach is perfect for beach volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and skimboarding.

Dona Choleng’s Camping Resort

Contact Number: Mobile 0910 882 3346 Facebook Page

Make the most out of your Cagbalete adventures by staying here at Dona Choleng’s. Its location is surrounded by a lush setting and has types of rooms depending on its number. Room ranges from their Bali Jewelm Casa Mikhail, Casa Maybel, Glass House, Bali Bobby, Bali Nicolas, Casa Gaettha, and Casa Marisyl.

Villa Cleofas

Visit their: Facebook Page

Here at Villa Cleofas, you’ll get to enjoy the white beachfront of Cagbalete Island. It is one of the most affordable places to stay on the island. Imagine paying Php 6,000 for a room that fits up to 20 people. They also provide pillows and mattresses, too, in their cottages. Plus, you can choose whether to stay in a fan or airconditioned room.

Nilandingan Cove

Telephone Number : 0915 211 7037 Visit their Facebook Page

Here at Nilandingan Cover, there are villas, cottages, and tents, in which they also provide mattresses, beddings, and pillows. One of the most famous spots in this place is the Magic Tree, which is said to be enchanted. There’s also Nature’s Jacuzzi, which looks like a cluster of pools, where you can bask in the sun and just chill.

Best Places to Eat in Quezon Province

Here are some restaurants you should go and try if you are on your way to Quezon Province.

Buddy’s Restaurant

If there’s one go-to restaurant when searching for the best pancit, that would probably be Buddy’s Restaurant. You’ll be able to taste its mouthwatering signature dishes from pancit, bihon, palabok, sizzlers and steaks, barbeque, and grills, to name a few.

This dining place in Quezon Province is famous for its experimental and Instagram-worthy dishes. Mug Café is located at the Pacific Mall in Lucena City. An example of their wide array of pasta and experimental dishes include sizzling balut and alcohol-based drinks.

Such bestsellers you should try to include Seafood Chowder, Mug fried chicken, and Quezon sausage pasta.

Kinabuhayan Café

The Kinabuhayan Café is a must-visit restaurant in Dolores, Quezon. It is owned by a movie production designer, Jay Herrera.

The set meal in this café costs less than Php 1000, making it a perfect restaurant for those traveling in big groups. Bestsellers you should order include risotto al Funghi, rolled lasagna, salad, and chicken finger with osso buco pasta.

Catalino’s Restaurant

Telephone: (042) 710 5753 Facebook Page

If you are into lutong Bahay, especially seafood specialties, then head over to Catalino’s Restaurant in Lucena City. They are also famous for their signature chocolate drink and Filipino-inspired pasta and sandwiches. Other bestsellers you should try is their tulingan, adobo, and laing.

Things to do and See in Cagbalete Island

Cruise in the mangrove river.

Immerse in the rich settings of Cagbalete Island and cruise along the Mangrove River.

Explore Sitio Buntis

This particular place in Cagbalente features amazing rock formations. Fortunately, if it’s low tide, you’d be able to see the formation. You can also make a side trip to the Butas-butas Beach where you can also see natural rock-forming arches, thus the name “Butas-butas.”

Because of Cagbalete’s pristine and calm waters, a topmost activity mostly done here is snorkeling. You can rent some snorkeling gears for Php 150 to Php 200.

Stroll Around the Sandbar

Put on your best summer wear and have your pictures taken at the famous Cagbalete Sandbar.

Tour the Famous Baliscar Island Lighthouse

Tourists who usually visit Cagbalete Island include touring the famous Baliscar Island Lighthouse as part of their itinerary.

WiFi and Internet Access

Getting connected with your friends and family via online will always be a requirement when you travel. But here in Cagbalete Island, it’s best if you bring a portable wifi device, so you can update your social media pages or check out your email wherever you go.

Or better yet, before you head over the island, drop by at the Pacific Mall or SM in Lucena City, and buy some WiFi and sim cards for internet connection.

Best Places to Shop in Quezon Province

Mauban public market.

Drop off point before you go to the island would be the Mauban Public Market. From there, you can buy various eats, from snacks, cooking supplies, and basic necessities as well.

Lucena Public Market

If you are thinking about where to buy and haul some pasalubongs, drop by at the two-story Lucena Public Market before you go home.

SM City Lucena

Buy everything you need before and after your trip here at SM City Lucena. You can either buy some pocket wifi, sim card, or anything you need for your Cagbalete trip only here at SM City Lucena.

Money-Saving Tips

One of the most challenging parts before and during traveling is taking control of your budget. Yes, you already have your travel budget with you and ready for the Cagbalete Island getaway, but the question is, how would you save money while on vacation.

• Plan your Cagbalete Island getaway in groups. In that way, you’ll be able to share the expenses and transportation costs with your friends.
• Book some tour packages for Cagbalete, so you can assess and take control of what to only pay when you get there.
• Don’t splurge on an expensive meal while on your way to the island. It’s best to eat some locals delicacies instead, plus you get to save some money on your next days on the island.
• It is best to withdraw the right amount of cash before heading to the island. Some even left their ATM cards behind to avoid overspending.
• Choose a budget-friendly accommodation. Visiting Cagbelete Island is more of being with nature and less on the luxury side.

Sample Cagbalete Island Itinerary and Budget

Check out this sample 3 days and 2 nights itinerary for the Cagbalete Island getaway.

• 5 AM- Leave Manila going to Lucena Terminal (Php 200 one way)
• 9 AM- Arrival from the Terminal, then ride a mini-bus going to Mauban Port (Php 60 to Php 70)
• 11 AM – Travel time to Cagbalete Island
• 12 NN- Arrival at the Island and lunch at your chosen resort (Php 6,000 for a huge room). There are kiosks and stores on the island where you can buy some snacks and drinks.
• 1 PM – Beach Volleyball and free time
• 6 AM- Breakfast
• 7 AM – Island hopping (Php 350 each for a private boat)
• 11 AM – River Cruising in Mangrove River
• 12 NN- Lunch
• 1 PM – Tour at the lighthouse and free time
• 6AM – Breakfast
• 8 AM – return to Mauban Port

Have you been to Cagbalete Island in Quezon Province? Help us improve this 2020 Travel Guide to Cagbalete Blog by sharing your personal travel tips and recommendations.

Want more updates about new package tours and Best Beaches in Quezon Province ? Follow  #TeamOutofTown,  on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Instagram , Bloglovin, and  Pinterest  for more travel ideas.

• Top 7 Uncrowded Beaches Near Metro And How To Get There
• Ultimate List Of The Best Beach Resorts In Quezon Province

Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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Cagbalete Island – Mauban, Quezon (Travel Guide + Tips)

Travel blog contents:.

Story & Photos

Travel Guide

CAGBALATE ISLAND

Cagbalete Island is an island located in the province of Quezon . It has become one of the most visited islands in the Philippines for its white sand and clear waters.

For our anniversary, my girlfriend and I planned to go to the beach. I’ve searched for beaches that are beautiful, not crowded, and don’t cost that much to stay at. One of the most suggested places is Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon Province. It boasts its white sand beaches and clear waters.

GOING THERE

We rode a JAC Liner bus in EDSA near Kamias. There are 2 trips going straight to Mauban. One at 4:30 A.M. and one at 12:00 NN. If you’ve missed these trips, you can take a bus going to Lucena Grand Terminal and ride another bus to Mauban. The trip to the town of Mauban is around 5 hours.

We arrived at the terminal in Mauban around 9:30 AM. Boat rides are scheduled at 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. We rushed ourselves to load the boat in time. Tricycles are available and waiting on the side. We took one and told the driver to bring us to the port. He told us that he would bring us to the market and the Environmental office first before going there. We bought ice and water in the market. You can buy all you need on the island, from fresh foods to toiletries. We’ve bought ice and water since we have food already. We proceeded to the Tourism office located near the port. You will register your names and addresses. The environmental fee costs ₱50.

RAINY MAUBAN

The rain started to pour strongly. Luckily, we reached the port and the boat was still there. We thought that the ride would be canceled due to the weather, but the locals told us that it would be fine, as rains are common there (talking about positivity :P). We stayed in the waiting shed but still got wet because of the strong winds. The boat fare is ₱50/head.

We left the port despite the bad weather. Waves are as high as the boats we’re into. Fortunately, the boat is covered by plastic sheets which help a lot, blocking the water from coming in. One funny moment, I tried to peek outside the sheets to grasp some air but as soon as I took out my head, the wave splashed onto my face (Waves: In yoooour face! XD). The ride took an hour before arriving at Sabang Port, Cagbalete.

We arrived in one piece, but the rain continued to pour. We don’t have reservations for any resort. There were guides who offered us the resorts that they belonged to. We’ve decided to stay at Villa Cleofas Resort. It is located at the far end, opposite the port. There is no road going straight to the resort, so we’ve walked through mud and sometimes big puddles that will reach up to your knee. We only have one umbrella and I let my girlfriend use it. So, I stayed wet… very wet in the wild. 😛 The trek felt cold and challenging, but it was still fun. Felt like an adventure! 😀 If you have a reservation and don’t want to walk, you can ask the resort to pick you up by a carabao cart.

VILLA CLEOFAS

After 30 minutes of walking, we arrived at the resort. Fortunately, the rain also stopped. We paid the entrance fee of 50 pesos per head. We brought our own tent, so we just paid a pitching fee of 250 pesos per night. There are cottages, studio-type rooms, and huts available at the resort if you want a more comfortable place to stay.

Before we pitched our tent, we ate our packed lunch. Cold Chicken Adobo! 😀 We were very hungry and tired because of the challenges we’d been through. We took a rest at the resort’s canteen. We brought our own foods to cut costs. If you didn’t bring any, you can buy them there. The caretakers are nice and very accommodating. They offered us to pitch our tent inside the resort if ever the rain and the wind got strong.

We pitched our tent facing the sea. It was relaxing. The wind was rushing to our faces as we looked at the beach’s white sand. A few meters away from the beach, you can see Bonsai Island. You can access it during low tide since a walkway will surface.

Since it’s still low tide, it’s picture time! 😛

As the tide was rising, we took the time to swim before it got dark. For dinner, we were planning to have a bonfire and cook our food (Hotdogs) there, but the wind was very strong. Instead, we borrowed grills and bought coals from the caretakers.

We decided to sleep early. The rain started to pour again. We can hear the droplets of rain as they hit the top of the tent and the wind shook our side. Luckily, our tent is designed to sustain strong winds. Despite the weather, it’s still a good thing, because it feels cold. More comfortable to sleep.

Day 1 was full of challenges. We got drenched. Dog incident. No bonfire. This is what happens when you travel in a rainy season. But, we’re still hoping for that summer feeling.

We woke up at 5:00 in the morning. The color outside was promising. The sky cleared and the sun rose. Day 2 was the day!!

We didn’t waste time, ate our breakfast, and started exploring the beach and swim.

 There are no rocks and corals present on the right side of the resort, just pure sand.

We stood there, in the middle of the sea. Touched the seawater, felt the wind, and stared at the horizon. It felt like a dream. The place was amazing!

In addition to our day 2 experience, we bought a delicacy of the island for lunch. Crabs with banana blossoms. One of the staff of the resort, Melvin, will cook this for you.

We left the resort around 12 P.M. to ride the boat and bus in time. We road the carabao cart going back to Sabang. The fee is 30 pesos per head. The weather is now sunny so it makes our trip home a lot easier.

You don’t need to stay in an expensive resort or eat in a fine dining restaurant. Just stay in a tent and experience the simplest things in life. Have an adventure together, as relationships are adventures as well. You will experience trials, work it out, and continue moving forward together.

Our anniversary date on the island felt very special. We endured and enjoyed a lot together.  We will treasure the lessons and views we’ve experienced there. Cagbalete Island will be in our memories forever. We told ourselves to do island adventures again soon. El Nido , Calaguas or Magalawa? 😀

IF YOU WANT TO VISIT MORE ISLANDS, CHECK MY PALAWAN GUIDES !

Travel guide & tips.

• Mauban, Quezon , Philippines

HOW TO GET THERE:

• Ride a bus (JAC Liner) from EDSA-Kamias, Cubao, or Buendia going to Mauban (Fare = ₱270/person, Travel time = 5 Hours)
• If you’ve missed the bus going straight to Mauban, you can drop off at Lucena Grand Terminal and take an ordinary bus going to Mauban.
• From the Mauban Terminal, charter a trike going to the market and port. (Fare = ₱75, Travel Time = 30 Minutes)
• Ride a boat going to Sabang Port, Cagbalete Island. You can charter a boat going straight to your resort or walk from Sabang Port to your resort. (Fare = ₱50/person, Travel time = 45 Minutes to 1 Hour)
• Registration/Environmental Fee for Cagbalete: ₱50/person
• Carabao Cart: ₱30/person
• Entrance Fee: ₱50/person
• Pitching Fee: ₱250

ACCOMMODATIONS:

• ACCOMMODATIONS NEAR LUCBAN, QUEZON

POWER PACK:

• First Aid Kits

CHECK OUT THESE DISCOUNTED/PROMO RATES FROM KLOOK: Klook.com (function(d,sc,u){var s=d.createElement(sc),p=d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];s.type="text/javascript";s.async=!0;s.src=u;p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p)})(document,"script","https://affiliate.klook.com/widget/fetch-iframe-init.js")

• Remember that chicken adobo? No one was near our tent, so the stray dog in the resort ate it. Bad Doggy! XD  Cover or hide your food if no one’s checking it.
• Bring umbrellas and raincoats if you’re going in a rainy season as it is one of the paths storms usually pass.
• Boats going back to Mauban Port leaves at 1:00 PM and the bus going back to Manila leaves at 2:00 PM.
• Other activities offered in Villa Cleofas are snorkeling, frisbee, volleyball, kayaking, and island hopping.

4 Comments . Leave new

Maraming salamat po sa page mo… very cool. I am planning to go to Cagbalate also with my girlfriend to celebrate our yearly survivals, so it is good to read you had the same idea and to learn from your information! Thanks! Ingat jan sa adventures mo ha!

Wow! Good to hear that it helped. Your welcome! ? Salamat din po sa pagbisita! Ganda po dun, ingat din kayo! ?

I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.

Awesome article.

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YOW! I’M JASE BERINGUELA

Traveling is a learning experience for me and I aim for it to be a path that I want to pursue and live. I like to chase mountains, waterfalls, and islands. Aside from traveling, I do photography, create videos and play the guitar.

I started this blog to release my thoughts, a place where I combine my interests in travel, photography, and story-telling.

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Travel guide: how to get to cagbalete island in mauban quezon (with breakdown of expenses and where to stay).

How to Get to Cagbalete Island in Mauban Quezon

• Take a bus bound for Lucena Grand Terminal . Bus terminals (Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner and Ceres Transport) can be found in Kamias, Cubao, Alabang or Buendia. Travel time is about 3-4 hours and fare is around 200 pesos.
• From Lucena Grand Terminal, take a non-aircon bus to Mauban . Travel time is about 2 hours and fare is around 60.00 pesos. For faster travel, there are vans bound for Mauban for 100.00 pesos per passenger and travel time is about 1-1.5 hours.
• Alternatively, you may take a direct bus from Manila to Mauban via Jac Liner. Travel time is about 5 hours and fare is around 220-230 pesos. Below are the schedule of Jac Liner's daily trips to Mauban.
• Cubao-Mauban | 5:00 AM and 12:00 Noon
• Buendia-Mauban | 12:00 Noon

We're now bound for #Cagbalete #Island! #Mauban #Quezon 😊 A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Aug 3, 2015 at 7:11pm PDT

• Upon reaching Mauban, go to the tourism office to purchase boat ticket (50.00 pesos) and to pay the environmental fee (50.00 pesos). As of January 2015, boat tickets and environmental fees should be paid at the Tourism Office of Mauban.
• After paying at the tourism office, you may choose to walk or take a tricycle to Mauban Port . Fare is about 20.00 pesos for 2 passengers.
• In Mauban Port, look for the boats that transfers passenger to Cagbalete Island . Trips are scheduled at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily. Travel time is about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Hello #Cagbalete #Island! 😊 #Mauban #Quezon ❤️ A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Aug 3, 2015 at 10:09pm PDT

• Upon reaching Sabang Port on Cagbalete Island , you may take a boat (about 400 pesos per way) or walk to your resort for about 1.5 kilometers. In our case, we were fetched by the service of Doña Choleng Camping Resort.

Where to Stay in Cagbalete Island

Doña choleng camping resort.

"Get outside. Watch the sunrise. Watch the sunset. How does that make you feel? Does it make you feel big or tiny? Because there's something good about feeling both." -Amy Grant ❤️❤️❤️ I just love today's #sunset! 😊😊😊 A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Aug 4, 2015 at 3:59am PDT

Breakdown of Expenses

Just enjoying the #beach with my pocket #blanket from @onefortheroadph ❤️ #Cagbalete #Island #Mauban #Quezon A photo posted by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) (@pinoyadventurista) on Aug 4, 2015 at 5:53pm PDT

Hotels and Resorts in Quezon

[ click here to see the list of hotels in mauban, quezon ], enjoy an awesome escape on cagbalete island, follow my adventures on youtube @pinoyadventurista, 23 comments :.

yung boat fare po ba fix na 50 pesos?

sir pano po kapag via private vehicle pupunta sa Mauban, may mapaparadahan/mapapagiwanan po ba ng sasakyan?

ang alam ko po mayroon sa may port area ng mauban.

Mayroon po yata malapit sa port area ng mauban P50 ang fee.

may contact number po ba kayo for private boat?

sa boatride po ba may lifesaver jacket for kids? thanks po

parang iisang size lang ung nakita ko nung sumakay kami...adult size ung mga un... but probably you can try to request for life vest for kiddos...

Hello everyone! Yung boat sched po ba same padin? 10AM and 3PM? Thank you!

Sir, may oras din ba yung boat trip from Cagbalete to Mauban Port?

Ilan kasya sa boat? May mahabang pila ba?

Sure po ba yung boat travel from 10am and 3pm ? So may boat travel back to sabang port ng 3pm? Sure po ba to? Thanks

Okay po ba na mag punta this coming october???

may panahon na low tide and avoid that season kasi di mo masyado maeenjoy. ang layo na ng narating mo hanggang tuhod pa din ang tubig. not sure kung kelan ung medyo mataas ang tubig

Hi! Would you know if there are ATMs around the Lucena Grand Terminal?

Hello po. Can you please advise kung ok po ba pumunta dun by month of August. May mga accommodation na po ba dun and magkano po yung rate per person per night? your kind reply will be greatly appreciated.

tagal ng byahe pa lang ubos na bakasyon mo

ang dami tanong dito ni hindi man lang sumasagot yung admin.

Meron din po bang private boats don na pede marent any time?

my rooms po ba sa resort?ang how much?

May common ground po ba dun pra mg tyo ng tent at hndi k sisingilin ng corcage at may cr ba dun cottage n m rent salamat at pogi or maganda ka pg sinagot mo tnx gid bless

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Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon (Travel Guide 2018 + Updated Prices)

Cagbalete Island can be located 30-45mins away from the town of Mauban in Quezon. The island is accessible via boats, may it be private or a public passenger one. Since this is an island, the primary source of living is fishing. There also are people who are using their tourism to make a living out of the island life.

Table of Contents

What to expect in Cagbalete Island?

This island boasts of fine white sands and turquoise-blue waters. Not as fine and as white as Boracay but definitely is comparable to the other islands with white sand beaches in the Philippines. Water is defined as crystal-clear especially when out in the sun, and when the very fine white sands on the shore are exposed to the ray of sunlight. Turquoise-blue on the shallow waters and navy blue to the deepest sea.

You will notice that most of the corals and coral reefs are a distance away from its shore. That’s because Cagbalete Island has 1-2km range when low-tide and still only up until toe to neck deep. Further, its deep blue waters will come your way while corals and marine life will start to show. During high tide, it’s already neck deep on the first 6-10 meters away from the shore.

Can I spend quiet time here?

Since not all people know about the island yet, you surely will have your most quiet staycation in its resorts. Resorts are starting to show up. The island started to open itself to visitors in 2013. Since then, a few articles, photos of visits, few people who have been there, have used social media to promote the place. Why should we not? The place boasts a great opportunity for tourism and since it’s also a quiet place to go in, you would want to spend your quiet time here, reflect on yourself, sing a song with just all by yourself, stare at a distant far away from the shore, cry like there’s no one to see, hear just the waves of the ocean, or just simply have fun with yourself and friends.

Are accommodations already available?

Few resorts are already on the record as of writing. Pansacola Beach Resort, Doña Choleng Beach Resort, Villa Noe Beach Resort, Aguho Playa, Joven’s Blue Water Resort, Villa Cleofas, MVT Sto. Niño Beach Resort, and Nilandingan Cove. Recently, there’s a newly established resort nearby Sabang Port that can only be booked via prior reservation. Yes, it has its own pool too. I think it has the name Aquazul.

From Nipa Huts to Air-conditioned rooms, they have that. You may also opt to pitch a tent if you have one for a little price of using the land. Tents are my option, for me, it’s more fun when camping especially with friends or if you are alone and you get to use up the limited space you have. Camping also is known to be the billion-star accommodation as you will be sleeping under the roof of the sky with brightly-shining billions of stars above you. It’s just a very wonderful view. Additional is, tents are cheap.

How to get there from Manila?

First, you have to know how to get to Mauban, Quezon.

Option 1: There is a terminal available that directly caters passengers to Mauban. Located in JAC Liner, Cubao Terminal. There only are 2 buses for the day. First trip departs at 4 am and the last trip is at 1 pm . The bus will leave if the bus is full even though it’s not yet time for departure, so be early. It’s a 5-hour journey from Cubao so ready your kidneys and stomach. The cost is 277 per person and minus 20% for students, senior citizens and people with challenged capabilities.

Option 2: If your schedule could not cater the 4 am and 1 pm bus schedule . Do not worry, there are other ways to go to Mauban. Go to terminals with buses bound for Lucena. This will cost about 240 Php. They will drop you off at Lucena Grand Terminal. Walk further away from the dining hall (across the pasalubong center) and you will see NCR Lines buses bound for Mauban and Unisan. Obviously, line up for the bus bound to Mauban. This is the cheaper option. Only costs about 20-40 Php (I am not quite sure about the price but is definitely cheaper than the van).

If you happen to miss the NCR Lines bus for Mauban, do not worry. You still have the van service for that. This will cost you about 70 Php per person.

Now, you may want to know how to get to the Island.

After being dropped off by the bus, take a tricycle to the registration office. This will cost you 10 Php per person.

At the registration office, prepare 50 Php for the environmental fee. They will also tell the schedule of the next passenger boat’s departure and private boatmen are also available there for service.

You will also need another 10 Php for the tricycle from Registration Office to Mauban Port.

Cheaper Option to the Island:

Passenger boats are available and are definitely cheaper than hiring private ones but they aren’t available 24 hours a day. These boats are also known as cargo vessels, but definitely, are not used for fishing activities. As of writing, there are 3 available boats going to the island.

From Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island, Sabang Port:

The first boat departs at 9am. The second boat departs at 11am. The third boat departs at 1pm. The first and second boats are only 50 Php per passenger whilst the third one is 100 Php per passenger.

Upon arrival at the port, there will be guides who will accompany you to the resort of your choice. Of course, they are not for free, just give them 20 or 50 Php and they are happy.

If you happen to miss the passenger boats, you have the option to hire a private boat going directly to your resort of choice for a fixed price. You could either hire a one-way or a round-trip ride. Do not forget to get their contact information or ask if they have contact cards. They could cater you from morning up until 6 or 7pm only if permitted by the coast guard.

How can we go back from Cagbalete Island to Manila?

Alright, calm down.

From Cagbalete Island, Sabang Port to Mauban Port:

The first boat departs at 7am. The second boat departs at 1pm. The third boat departs at 4pm. The first and second boats are only 50 Php per passenger whilst the third one is 100 Php per passenger.

Upon arrival to Mauban Port, hire a tricycle to van terminals bound for Lucena, 10 Php.

Van to Lucena from Mauban will cost you about 60 or 70 (depende sa kapal ng mukha ng driver). They will mostly incur 70 Php but there are some 60 Php ones.

Arrival at the Lucena Grand Terminal:

There are lots of options to choose from. Buses either bound for Pasay or Cubao or Buendia. Also, van service to other provinces are available and they are located beside the dining hall.

Expenses for the cheaper option coming from Manila/Makati to Cagbalete Island (per person):

Bus from Cubao Terminal to Mauban: 277 (Student/PWD/Senior minus 20%)

Tricycle from Mauban bus drops off to Registration office: 10

Registration Fee: 50

Tricycle from Registration Office to Mauban Port: 10

Passenger boat from Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island Sabang Port: 50 (Remember: 50 Php for the first two boats)

Total Cost: 397 Php

For the other expenses, you would want to compute it yourself. If you happen to get the cheaper option, congratulations! You had your island getaway for less than 1,000 Php!

If you have questions, feel free to comment below or send me a message!

Looking for other summer destinations? Read more!

Daytour: Shercon Resort and Ecology Park in Batangas Selah Garden Hotel: Relaxation and Adventure All in One Place Going to Boracay via 2GO Travel from Batangas Port Your 4D3N South Cebu Itinerary and Travel Guide!

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Cagbalete Island Travel Guide

Cagbalete island travel guide – about the island.

Cagbalete Island sits off the coast of Mauban, a municipality in the province of Quezon, on the eastern Pacific side of the Philippines. Mauban is some 150 kilometers southeast of Manila. Here’s our Cagbalete Island travel guide and tips to help you plan your Cagbalete Island itinerary and budget .

Getting to Cagbalete Island

A. from metro manila to mauban, 1. from metro manila direct to mauban (1 ride).

JAC Liner has two trips daily from its Quezon City terminal (Kamias Road cor EDSA) direct to Mauban town. The bus departs at 5:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There are no reservations, therefore seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis. It’s best to arrive at the terminal by 4:00 AM or earlier to stake out your seats. Once the bus is full it may leave earlier than 5:00 AM. Travel time varies between 4-5 hours and the fare is around Php 280.00. Our bus left Manila at 4:33 AM and arrived in Mauban at 9:38 AM. The bus offloads passengers at the outskirts of the town, so after you get off, take a 10-minute tricycle ride to the port or “pantalan” at Barangay Daungan for Php 50.00.

2. From Metro Manila to Lucena City to Mauban (2 rides)

JAC Liner, JAM Liner and Lucena Lines have hourly trips to Lucena City from their terminals in Quezon City (Kamias Road corner EDSA) and in Pasay City (Buendia Avenue corner Taft Avenue).  Travel time varies between 3-4 hours. All buses will unload Lucena-bound passengers at the Lucena City Grand Terminal. From here, there are non-airconditioned mini-buses run by NCR Bus Lines that leaves for Mauban on an hourly interval, with the first trip at 5:00 AM and the last trip at 6:00 PM. Travel time is roughly 1.5 hours and the fare is Php 60.00.

If you would like to take the Lucena-Mauban leg of the trip in cooler comfort, then you may take a 15-seater air-conditioned van. From the Grand Terminal, take a jeepney to the SM Lucena Mall or Pacific Mall. There you’ll find the GT Express vans bound for Mauban. Fare is Php 70.00. Since the van has a smaller capacity, there are fewer stops, therefore you can cut travel time by about 30 minutes.

If you’re bringing your own vehicle, then your travel time to Mauban is cut down to 2.5 hours as there’s no need to dogleg through Lucena City. Park your vehicle at the church compound in Mauban town and take a tricycle to the port at Barangay Daungan. There’s also the Antipolo route, via Rizal Province, which makes for a very scenic drive.

B. From Mauban to Cagbalete Island

At the Barangay Daungan port, proceed to the Tourism Information and Ticketing Booth. Pay the Php 40.00 terminal fee and the Php 30.00 environmental fee.

There are two scheduled public commuter banca trips from Mauban port to Cagbalete Sabang port daily, one at 10:30 AM and another at 4:00 PM. From Cagbalete Sabang port, the scheduled trips back to Mauban are at 7:30 AM and 1:00 PM. You’ll be taking either the M/B Neneng or M/B Anthony. M/B stands for Motorized Banca. These bancas have a passenger capacity of 40 persons each. We enjoyed the ride with chickens, concrete hollow blocks and cartons of peanut butter. The Php 50.00 ferry ride takes about 45 minutes.

If the tide is low at the time of your approach to Cagbalete Sabang port, you’ll be transferred from the banca to shore by a flat-hulled boat. This is moment you’ll be thankful you brought a drybag or waterproofed your bags with large trashbags. From there, it’s about a 10-20 minute trek to your resort of choice. Sabang is in a small fishing village, so expect a lot of kids and a handful of adults to come up to you offering porterage and guide services. Turn the kids down down if it’s school hours and get an adult instead. We got a kid named Marco, since we went during the summer vacation and we were his for the duration.

Alternatively, if you want to avoid the 1.5 kilometer trek or so, there are small bancas for rent at Sabang that can bring you to your resort. Rates depend on the resort’s location, on the average it’s like Php 50.00 per person.

Just in case you miss the public commuter banca trips, no worries – there are private motorized bancas for hire and the good thing is the community standardized the rates:

• 1-5 passenger capacity banca – Php 1000 one-way / Php 1500 two-way
• 6-8 passenger capacity banca – Php 1500 one-way / Php 2000 two-way
• 9-12 passenger capacity banca – Php 2000 one-way / Php 2500 two-way
• 13-16 passenger capacity banca – Php 2500 one-way / Php 3000 two-way
• 17-20 passenger capacity banca – Php 3000 one-way / Php 4000 two-way

Packing tip: Bring a large drybag to keep your important gear dry while in in the banca. In a pinch, trash bags will waterproof your larger bags. Bring purified drinking water by the gallon and mosquito repellant.

UPDATE: According to a reader’s recent visit to Cagbalete Is;and, the banca rates indicated above have doubled as of January 2015. Please see the comments section below.

At maxed out capacity, the price per head is at least twice the commuter rate, but hey – you’re on vacation! Two things make a private hire convenient: 1. The banca will drop you off in front of your resort (not at Sabang) and 2. It’s up to you to decide when you want to be picked up to leave the island.

Our first visit to Cagbalete was in April, 2014, which is the middle of summer in the Philippines. Blue skies, calm waters and sunny all around.

On our next visit, there were four of us, in January 2015, which is usually a cold but dry month. But we got hit with slate gray skies, rain and strong gusts of wind when we arrived in Mauban. The waves  at Barangay Daungan Port were crashing against the pier which is most probably why all the bancas were tied down on the pier or were ashore when we got there.

Oh well – it looked like we were going to be stuck for the day in Mauban. A young couple was hanging around inside the port’s passenger terminal. They were also headed to Cagbalete Island but couldn’t find a boatman willing to brave the seas. We all made fast friends and explored the town of Mauban in search of brunch.

The weather hadn’t changed when we returned to the passenger terminal around noon. But there was a large family there waiting too. The father approached us inquiring if we were going to Cagbalete too and if we had a boat already. When we replied that we were and we didn’t, he offered that he was able to convince a (crazy) boatman to head out to sea and take them to Cagbalete. The private banca that they had chartered had extra seats for all of us and that we were welcome to join.

So we paid our share and waited to get aboard. I think the boat ride was the scariest 2 hours for all of us. The waves were about 3 feet high, tossing and pitching the banca with the bow nose-diving into the water. With the outriggers flapping and crashing, it was a small miracle they didn’t break off. It would have capsized us if they had. Anyway, we arrived in Cagbalete all drenched after that harrowing ride. Thankfully the rest of our days there had good weather. Moral of the story – exercise good judgment.

The Amihan wind was prevailing during our second visit which washed ashore a lot of dead seaweeds on the southeastern part of Cagbalete Island.

Update: This episode has generated concern from several readers interested in going to Cagbalete Island, asking if the boat trip to Cagbalete is safe. So to allay your fears, the answer is yes, as long as the weather’s good. Same way it would or should be if, let’s say if we’re taking a boat from Batangas City to Puerto Galera or Vinzons to the Calaguas Islands.

Where to Stay – Hotels and Beach Resorts in Cagbalete Island

First off, there are no “hotels”. There are 5 beach resorts but if you are looking for luxury, you will not find it in any of them. I listed them in the order they appear on the map below. We stayed a night each at Villa Noe and Joven’s. We found out the same clan owns the string of properties on the eastern side. There is no electricity on the island. Resort power is provided by private generator sets running from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Remarkably, we never heard the generators running at all while we were at Villa Noe’s and Joven’s.

Food choices at the resorts are sparse and a bit pricey as you can deduce from the food packages below. If you want to cut down on costs, bring a cookset and burner and cook your own food, or go to the barangay/Centro and eat at any of the carinderias there. Most resorts also have outdoor grills that guests may use for free. But you have to bring/buy your charcoal briquettes.

Most accommodations do not have en suite showers and toilets. Some are outhouses that you’ll be sharing them with other guests. Make sure you confirm that with the resort when you make your booking.

Pansacola Beach Resort

• Website: www.facebook.com/pansacolabeachresort
• Phone: +63 42 7840158 Phone: +63 928 5058633
• Phone: +63 917 5465901

Accommodations

• Main House w/T&B (20 pax) Php 5,000.00 per night
• Buho House w/T&B w/Kitchen (20 pax) Php 4,500.00 per night
• Agoho House w/T&B (14 pax) Php 4,000.00 per night
• Sasag House 1 w/T&B (10 pax) Php 3,000.00 per night
• Sasag House 2 w/T&B (12 pax) Php 3,500.00 per night
• Sasag House 3 w/T&B (12 pax) Php 3,500.00 per night
• Nipa Hut 1 (10 pax) Php 2,200.00 per night
• Nipa Hut 2 (10 pax) Php 2,200.00 per night
• Nipa Hut 3 (10 pax) Php 2,200.00 per night
• Sawali House w/Kitchen (10 pax) Php 2,500.00 per night
• Tree House (6 pax) Php 2,500.00 per night
• Open Beach Hut/Kubo 1 (4 pax) Php 1,200.00 per night
• Open Beach Hut/Kubo 2 (4 pax) Php 1,200.00 per night

Food packages – includes 3 meals and 2 meriendas (snacks)

• 2-3pax Php 1,000.00/pax 4-6pax Php 950.00/pax
• 7-9pax Php 900.00/pax 10pax+ Php 850.00/pax

Doña Choleng Camping Resort

• Website: www.cagbaletedonacholeng.com/
• Website: www.facebook.com/dona.choleng
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +63 910 8823346
• Phone: +63 910 5244370
• Phone: +63 916 4270487
• Phone: +63 926 6549958
• Phone: +63 927 9680690
• Phone: +63 928 2569919
• Phone: +63 932 8525489
• Phone: +63 998 3520544
• Tent (2-3 pax) Php 400.00 – Php500.00  per night
• Open Bali Hut Php 1000.00 per night
• Bali Hut (with Electric Fan, 4-6 pax) Php 2000.00 per night
• Room with aircon (6-8 pax) Php 4500.00 per night
• Room with aircon (18-20 pax) Php 8000.00 per night

Villa Noe Resort

• Website: www.villanoe.com
• Website: www.facebook.com/VillaNoeBeach
• Phone: +63 929 217 6971
• Phone: +63 905 519 3847
• Phone: +63 909 524 1773
• Phone: +63 910 416 2536
• Cottage 10-12 pax Php 4,000.00 per night
• Cottage 8-10 pax Php 3,500.00 per night
• Cottage 6-8 pax Php 3,000.00 per night
• Cottage 4-6 pax Php 2,500.00 per night
• Cottage 2-4 pax Php 1,500.00 – PHP 2,000.00 per night
• Cottage 2 pax Php 1,000.00 per night
• Picnic Huts Php 500.00 – PHP 800.00 per day (for daytrippers)
• Tent Php 300.00 – Php 600.00 per night depending on tent capacity
• Pitching Fee Php 200.00 per night (if you’re bringing your own tent)
• Cooking/grilling area is available for free if you wish to cook your own food.
• Food package (3 meals and 1 meryenda) – Php 750.00/pax/day
• Cooking Fee (Paluto) – Php 150.00 (If you want the resort’s kitchen to cook food that you brought along)

Joven’s Blue Sea Beach Resort

• Website: www.cagbaletejovenresort.co.nr
• Website: www.facebook.com/jovenresort
• Phone: +63 939 2899752
• Phone: +63 917 9848505
• Phone: +63 907 1739016
• Kubo 2 pax Php 1500.00 per night
• Yellow/Lilac Cabana 2 pax Php 1500.00 per night
• Yellow/Lilac Cabana 3-5 pax Php 2000.00 per night
• Red Cabana 2 pax Php 2000.00 per night
• Red Cabana 3-5 pax Php 3000.00 per night
• Orange Cabana 6 pax & up Php 3500.00 per night

Villa Cleofas Resort

• Website: www.cagbalete.net
• Website: cagbalete.webs.com/
• Website: www.facebook.com/pages/Discover-Villa-Cleofas-in-Cagbalete-Island/135844236476318
• Phone: +63 917 8395852
• Phone: +63 917 8143475
• Big cottage (25 pax) Php 5,500.00 per night
• Medium cottage (12 pax) Php 3,000.00 per night
• Small cottage (8 pax) Php 2,500.00 per night
• Studio-type rooms w/T&B (3 pax) Php 2,000.00 per night
• Bamboo Hut (6 pax) Php 1,500.00 per night
• Tents (3 pax) Php 400.00 per night
• Tents (own) Php 250.00 per night

MVT Sto. Niño Resort

• Website: www.mvtstoninoresort.net
• Website: www.facebook.com/pages/MVT-Sto-Nino-Beach-Resort-Cagbalete-Island/102078703219513
• Phone: +63 921 7275398
• Phone: +63 927 7774828
• Tent Php 250.00 per night
• Cottage Small Php 500.00 per night
• Cottage Big Php 1000.00 per night
• Bahay Kubo (2-4 pax) Php 1000.00 per night
• Fan Room (4 pax) Php 1500.00 per night
• Room with A/C (2 pax) Php 2000.00 per night
• Room with A/C (4 pax) Php 2500.00 per night

Nilandingan Cove

I haven’t been there yet, but Nilandingan Cove has been mentioned by several readers. See the comments below. It appears to be on the other side of the island – a new area to explore!?

• Website: nilandingancoveph.weebly.com
• Cottage (4-5 pax) max Php 3000.00 per night
• Tent (2 pax) Php 500.00 per night
• Tent (4 pax) Php 1000.00 per night

Sights To See & Things To Do In Cagbalete

Try out these activities during your Cagbalete Island adventure!

• Walk the sandbar to Bonsai Island right in front of Villa Cleofas
• Frolic at Ilog Bukana near MVT Sto. Niño resort
• Rent a banca and island hop to Baliscar Island and go snorkeling
• Get a massage right on the beach
• Rent a kayak and paddle out
• Go birdwatching
• Explore the inland trails riding a pony
• Bring your bicycle and explore the inland trails
• Rent a banca and chug around Cagbalete Island or head to Baliscar Island.
• Play beach volleyball or ultimate frisbee
• Videoke – PHP 5 per song or PHP 500 for 4 hours of non-stop singing
• Visit Barangay Uno/Centro, mingle with the locals and try out the local eateries

Sights To See & Things To Do In Mauban

Check out these attractions before going to, or after leaving, Cagbalete Island.

• Take a bath at the Spanish-era public bath built in 1725
• Clamber up Rizal Hill Park and see the Rizal monument built in 1925
• Take a walk around town and see the old ancestral houses of prominent (and once-prominent?) Mauban families
• Stroll along the Mauban sea wall where the statue of Gat Uban is located. According to a signboard, this was the entry point of the Japanese Army in World War II.
• Visit the Saint Bonaventure Parish Church
• Take in some history at the Museo ng Mauban
• Slurp up some pancit habhab drenched with vinegar

How was your visit to Cagbalete Island? Did you find anything new?

enjoyed reading about your cagbalete trip, and thanks for the very detailed information you provided, will help us a lot in planning our trip!

Thanks, you’ll surely enjoy Cagbalete as much as we did!

of all the other blogsites i’ve read this is the most detailed and helpful so far… good job and thank you so much!!!

Hello travelers! I just came from my solo backpacking in the beautiful place of Pagudpud, and Im so lucky to have Kuya Levi Jim as my tour guide. You’ll see how well he takes care of his tricycle and passengers. I guarantee your safety and he will not overcharge you (he even gave me huge discount).

ps.Ive been to different places and im not used in making efforts on posting such info, but kuya Levi deserves this. :))

Kuya Levi – 0910-7415291 Enjoy and Happy trip!!!

Glad to have been of help SimoneDavis! 🙂

Very handy ang guide – andito na lahat ng hinahanap ko..tapos ang nga photos, very inviting…salamat sa pag-share!

Yehey! I’m going back as well… Alone this time 🙂

this is helpful for our upcoming trip! i have posted a link on my blog amazingmimi.blogspot.com

very helpful. salamat 🙂

what are the nice beaches there?

there’s basically one stretch of sand from the northeastern side down south 🙂

Aus! Planning already for this summer! Super thanks! ganda ng island and pasok sa banga ang budget!

anyone here who is planning to visit this island on February 2015? I am planning to go there, wanna join my company? please let me know 🙂

I wanna tag along.. kindly send me a message.. 1st or 2nd week of Feb.. 🙂

My friends and I will be organizing a trip there.. You guys might wanna join 😉

your blog is really helpful. thank you!

thanks for dropping by & glad to be of help!

Just curious. Is if forever low tide? Like you need to walk at least 200m so you can swim? What time is the low tide? Thank!

The tide still goes up and down, but since the slope’s so gentle, you need to walk out like you said when the tide’s low.

Thanks for replying. I’m torn between Calaguas & Cagbalete. Looking at your pics, different blogs, IG, Google images, etc. It looks like Calaguas has more to offer in terms of water activities. I hate asking this question but I have to just to make the decision process easier: which island do you prefer and why (pros & cons). Thanks for your patience and kind understanding on this matter ��

Both offer that laid-back, camp-vibe, away-from-it-all experience so you have to do both! 🙂 Coming from Metro Manila, land and sea travel to Calaguas takes much longer. I’d say do Cagbalete first, then Calaguas next! 🙂

Hi. Just wanna ask if there’s a boat from Cagbalete to Mauban at 4PM? We’re planning a day tour instead of overnight.:-) Thank you in advance.

Very nice blog…awesome pics and great info! Hope to see Cagbalete someday.

Very informative!!! Nice One!

Hi just want to ask kung how big the boat is? Natatakot ako sumakay sa maliit na bangka lang eh. Di ako marunong mag-swimming HAHAHA.

not sure:) but the commuter boats have a 40-person capacity, you can have your pick for the private ones. at the very least, insist on a well-kept flotation vest. the waves can get choppy!

Thanks for the reply. Very nice detailed review BTW! 🙂

Hi there! i really want to visit cagbalete but i do have a 7 year old kid. is this trip safe or suited for kids? hope for your response. thank you! 🙂

yup, you can bring along your kid! 🙂

I cannot recommend this place. People in this place are tend to take advantage of the tourist they tend to overprice almost everything. From a overpriced private boat worth 3000 php two way and 2500 for 1 way for small group (4-6 person) and the price increase as your group member increase (for instance 12 person for 5500 on way trip) imagine!!!!!!. To a very simple favor you might ask to the local…. almost everything has a price……. One thing more some people in this place trickster in nature even a kid….. But to be fare the view of this island are great…… But it is enough that I see this Islands once I will not go back anymore…….

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Thanks for you feedback . I was planning to go there this Lenten season but because of you feed back i think twice -_-

The price you paid for the boat is indeed higher than the standardized rates posted at the port when we last visited. Unless there’s been an increase since then. Could you let us know? That is an unfortunate experience with the local you encountered. I myself wouldn’t condone duplicity. However generally, I wouldn’t mind a reasonable payment/tip for a simple service. glad you enjoyed the view!

You might wanna go to Nilandingan Cove. My family and I went there just this February. What I love about our stay is their warm welcome. We’ve felt that we’re part of their family. They have lots of free activities that I must say, one of the highlights of our trip. The Magic Tree is beyond amazing. You all have to see it.

Thanks for the tip! Is it on the other side of the island? We’ll check it out for sure on our next visit!

Hi thank you for your blog it’s so helpful.. 🙂 but can I ask when it comes to food, malayo ba ung prng sabi mong barangay central? coz I donthave plan of cooking sna dun kya I wanted to know yung mga option s food aside dun s resort kc pricey sila.. thank you dear 🙂

Hi, Brgy Centro from Villa Noe is a brisk 15 minute walk via the interior trails. Bring an umbrella!

Hi Sir, you mention you can bring your bike to Cagbalete? Is it possible to do mountain biking there? Thanks!

I think you could, not sure how much the banca would charge for it though. There’s a network of foot trails that you can explore on your bike all the way to the other side of the island. Let us know how it goes! 🙂

Hello Sir, Id like to update you about the Boat prices, we were there Mar 22-23. yes it definitely went up, double compared to what you posted. This is bec the boats are now registered to Marina, yup its government charges. Im good in haggling but did not succeed bec the boatmen is obliged to pay Marina for permits etc. The public boat is still P50 per head. We were a group of 7 and the rate was 3500, roundtrip no sidetrips included. If you want to go to the mangroves its P1000 then to the other side another P1000. hope this helps. The rates just recently changed January 2015 according to the tourism office.

Thank you, that update’s very helpful! I hope you guys had a good vacation in Cagbalete!

HI! I just want to clarify the boat charges. You said the fee for the public ferry still costs Php 50.00/head and you were a group of 7 so the fee was suppose to be Php350.00. or did u try the private ferry? I hope you can still reply anytime this week as we are planning this trip after holy week. thanks!

Hi, i think she meant that they hired a private boat at 3500(roundtrip). the rate for the commuter banca is 50.00 per head. Thanks

Hi. Im planning a trip to cagbalete for two coming from sta.rosa laguna. Do you think 5,000 pesos at least would be enough for a 3days 2nights stay? Planning to go for tents

And do you think it would still be sunny and enjoyable at the last week of may?

Stay away from Dona Choleng’s Resort during peak season.

We were here for 4 days and 3 nights. Stayed in their nipa hut for 3 days and since i’m prepping my daughter for our Pulag climb next year, brought my tent and availed their tent accommodation on our last day, I’m not sure how this resort is handled but by the looks of it, either their staff are under paid or they don’t know what customer service is all about. I travel occasionally, approx. 4 times a year and had some shares of bad customer service but just kept it to myself. It takes a lot for me to vent out online so this means that’s how horrible their service is, in my honest opinion. I have high regards with the hospitality of people from Quezon (and Batangas) amongst their Luzon counterparts but this ALMOST changed it.

Things you need to watch out for: – Security is almost nonexistent. There are shifting roving guards (as I observe, 1 per shift) but they took it literally, yes, just roving. Swimming clothes left to dry and towels were stolen outside of our hut, which they claimed they ran after but wasn’t able to catch up. To think our hut is right infront of their restaurant where the roving guards usually stay. Later we found out that there’s another guest complaining of the same reason. The culprit was an apparent Cagbalete resident who they know but the resort did not take action about it and heck, did not even apologize for being incompetent securing their place. – Water smells funny and is intermittent. It takes approximately 10-15mins for them to restore water, so good luck to you when water runs out while taking a bath. For the funny smell, it resembles the smell of a septic tank (for lack of better comparison) but tolerable. – Restrooms are not maintained well. Few faucets are defective, clogged sink, leaking sink pipes, trash on trash bins are rarely disposed, some ventilation panel on the doors are missing / damaged leaving a hint on what you are up to to those people on queue, there were also cockroaches sharing the same bathroom with you. These are just to name a few. – Restaurant rates are way off mark compare to the prices they have in the port/palenke area. This I can tolerate if food quality is better than the ones in the port/palenke area. They don’t have service water which for is must when you run a restaurant. – In-house restaurant can’t accomodate much and not systematic during peak hours. One example is giving your orders to others in line (right away) when you are called while you stepped out real quick. – Lack of coordination with local authorities when it comes to cancellation of boat trips going out of Cagbalete due to inclement weather. Their typical answer to guests is, “baka payagan kayo dahil maganda ang panahon”, giving you false hopes. You need to go to the port area which is around 1km usually by foot from the resort for you to validate their claims. Well, that’s because they’re done with their business with you. – Unkept shoreline. I read a blog saying it’s futile for them to clean seaweeds on their shores during off peak season and usually does it during peak season but I did not see any part of the shoreline without seaweeds. Was wondering if they dont consider holy week a peak season. In addition, we saw few trash and driftwood floating but not all their fault since they share their shoreline with other resorts which I heard is also owned by their relatives. – And the last but not the least, after going thru these all, don’t expect to get an ice cold beer or even ice! But it’s ironic to see a halo-halo stall set up inside their resort. I have a small generator at home which runs 1 liter of gas an hour that can power up a mid size fridge during outages so I am not sure how they can’t do the same especially that they mark up their goods higher than the ones at the port area.

Thanks Pau. this helps me to ensure that we pick the right resort, that is within our budget but still with quality customer service and without the fear of losing our things and not getting diarrhea drinking non-bottled water

hi! thank you so much for the detail you included here. Very helpful!

You mentioned about a church compound where we can park and leave our vehicles in Mauban… do you have the exact address or a landmark? Do you know of any other secured place where we can leave our vehicles near the port area in Mauban? Do you have any idea how much it is per night? Thanks in advance!

Hi, it’s St. Bonaventure Church, in the town proper. Not sure about the address, but since Mauban is a small town, I’m sure a friendly local can easily direct you to it. I haven’t tried it, but you could check out the 7-11 store and see if it’s a good spot for overnight parking. Thanks for reading!

Thanks for the detailed review, would like to ask some ques. What resort in cagbalete would you suggest for a family trip? as in 40+ pax. and which one of those resorts you will best choose/suggest? in terms of accomodation, near the beach best view? etc. please help me decide in organizing or family trip there. Thanks so much in Advance.

Hi! As long as they have the rooms/cottages to spare, all can accommodate 40+ pax. So it’s best to take care of reservations way in advance. However, my pick would be Villa Cleofas because of their spacious grounds. Bonsai Island’s right in front of it too! Enjoy your trip!

Hi sir, Ask ko lang, if we are going 2 leave the car sa port? Do u think is it safe? Thank u so much hoping for ur response..

Hi, I think not as the port is in a somewhat hard-up area. Thanks for reading!

This blog entice me to go to cagbalete! Yay! But first, i would love to visit there during the weekdays to avoid the crowd and i plan to go alone. Do you think my 5k budget will be enough for an overnight stay? I hope you can help me on this one, thanks!

Thank you! A weekday visit would be a good idea this summer. 5K should do it for a solo trip. Enjoy Cagbalete!

Where is the best place to stay on the island? Someone told me Pansacola is the best area to stay at, is this true? If not pls recommend a place where sand and view is beautiful. We prefer to stay in a room.

Kindly include if it’s easy to get there.

Thank you! 🙂

The beaches fronting all the resorts in Cagbalete are equally beautiful. However the seasons may affect what you find when you get there. For example, we visited last January and Pansacola’s beachfront was full of seaweeds that washed ashore (and we had a very choppy boat ride). On a previous visit, their beachfront was pristine. My personal preference is Joven’s.

Hi! Thank you for the detailed review. May i ask the ff question? Thanks in advance.

1. How about going back to manila by bus? do they have also terminal on maubang? 2. In sabang, It is ok to buy our supplies or much better in maubang?

Same fare prices pa rin po ba until now yung nakaelaborate po?thankyou..

I suggest, you might wanna go to NILANDINGAN COVE, My wife and I went there just a couple of days back… and stayed there for 3 days…Superb… as if nature is talking you… plus… the very warm welcome from the owner herself (Dona Lyn Del Banco) .. Thank you Tita Lyn and Tito Teody! wala po kaming masabi… As if ka pamilya & kapuso ka nila! Likewise, the resort staff….ito ang masasabi kong, Customer Service at it’s best…

Nilandingan Cove is the 2015 Best Recreational Beach Resort in Quezon, awarded by the prestigious Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business Excellence last (April 11) at the Centennial Ballroom of the Manila Hotel.

Hi Author! Thank you for this informative blog. 🙂 May Plan po pala kami pumunta ng Cagbalete Island pero balak naming magdala ng Tent or mag-camp. May mga konting katanungan lang po.

1. San po ang suggested resort for pitching tent? and magkano po ang fees? 2. If ever po na ang accommodation mo ay sa isang specific resort pwede ka po bang maglakad sa ibang resort? or seashore?

Thank you! P.S Everyone who have been there can answer/suggest. Thanks!

My family with some family friends are going to Cagbalete Island this May 2015. Your site surely did make me so excited for our trip.

We are planning a trip to go here, would you recommend this as a trip for a family with toddlers (18mos, 2 y/o)? Thank you!

Yes Sir/Ma’am – you can tag along your toddlers 🙂

Hi 🙂 Your blog really caught my attention 🙂 i was just wondering if you have some tips regarding my plan on celebrating my girlfriend and I’s 2nd year anniversary 🙂 so far my running budget is still 8k, would that be enough? 🙂 From may 3rd to 5th, and i noticed that nilandingan resort is brought up multiple times, and i was wondering if it’s really that good 🙂 thanks, looking forward on your reply 🙂 still looking up on activities for the itinerary 🙂

@ Nilandinga cove – experience 257 treatment (Kapamilya, Kapuso at Kapatid) 🙂

Hi! 🙂 just a reply to the author, thanks by the way 🙂 but right now choosing between mvt sto nino or nilandingan for our may 3-5 trip 🙂

Hi! Is it better to bring food for us to cook instead of just buying there? Thank you

Hey there! Resort food will set you back php 150.00 php 200.00 per meal.If you bring your own to cook, they’ll most likely charge you for using their LPG stove, unless you plan on bringing your own burner. Most resorts have outdoor grills for guests to use, but you’d have to buy your own charcoal. It’s pretty hard to light up when it’s windy, but it’s fun messing up your grilling with friends! So, cost-wise, they’d even up. Time-wise, resort food wins. Enjoy Cagbalete!

Hi sir Jay, May I ask another question? We are thinking of bringing a car and leaving it in the port. Do you have any idea if there’s an available and safe parking space there?

Thank you very much for your quick response

Hello author! I would like to know more about the bangka ride. Medyo takot kasi ko sa alon, safe po ba ung travel? I mean maalon po ba or calm lang un dagat? Thanks!

Hi, on a good day, sunny and all, the waters are calm. It’s just one time last January when it way rainy and windy that we experienced that very choppy banca ride. But to always be safe, ask for a well maintained life vest. Happy travels!

Hi 🙂 just wanted to know if aside from nilandingan, what would be the best resort to go to if you have your own tent? 🙂

Hi there, Villa Cleofas has expansive grounds, it’d be a good idea to pitch your tent there.

Hello ! i really want to visit the place but i have a 4 year old daughter. Safe naman po ba? ilang oras byahe sa bangka? Thank you so much. Please advise.

Hi there, yes Cagbalete’s safe for kids and they’ll enjoy it! Bring your 4-year old her own life jacket, as those provided by the boats are usually adult-sized. Travel time depends on the banca’s engine, usually ranging from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Happy travels!

Hi, is there any place where we can buy Ice in Cagbalete Island?

Hi, try to check at the Barangay, but don’t be surprised if they don’t have any at the time you check. Maybe you can arrange that too with your resort.

Hello there, I am planning to go to Cagbalete this June 11 and I’m afraid that it is already a typhoon season. Is travelling to Cagbalete feasible with the said month? Also, among the resorts you’ve provided, can you give me which is the best in terms of price and convenience. Thanks much!

Hi there, I’d be chancing it myself if I were to visit Cagbalete this June. What I’d probably do is check the weather forecast 5 days before I plan to go. In terms of amenities and prices, all the resorts I’ve been to there are comparable. No resort really stands out. However, I prefer staying at Joven’s 🙂

Went to Cagbalete just this May 2015, and the rate for 1-5 banca is Php 2000 already. Haggling included 🙂

http://www.hellosheena.blogspot.com

hi.. is it wiser to have a resort booking in advance? or can we just find a resort in the island? we are planning to visit by june 12 since its a long weekend. hope to hear form you guys. thanks

Hey there, June 12’s the tail end of summer, I’d recommend on booking in advance, otherwise you might find all accommodations taken.

i just came from Cagbalete it is indeed beautiful but food is pricey and not that good.. You have to bring your own food at least. The different resorts are owned by the same family so it is monopolized, even hot water comes for a price. at the Mauban Port it is just sad how the deal there, if you are traveling solo you get the brunt of it. 1500 for rtp boat trip for 2 people but if there are 4 of you it is 3500.if there are more than 6 people it just gets higher, if you see other people and share a boat they know what to do with you and will still price the boats higher, which is crazy. And the tricycle is just 9-10 pesos even from JAC liner terminal but some shady tricycle driver will charge you much more especially if you are a tourist, which is just sad. They need to get some seminar on sustainability. Even the tourist center is offering the same thing. They will even tell you different times of when the public banca arrives so you will get confuse and just go with private boats. people there needs to be educated of sustaining tourism through friendly and HONEST service. But there are concerned honest residents who will tell you or forewarn you you but what if you never get the chance to get warned? always know about where you are going and go to blogsites like this so you know what to do..

Hi, when will your nexT trip to this paradise be? Can I tag along?

Hello there! My friends and I are planning to go here (Cagbalete) on the first week of November. My questions, is it alright to got there on the month of November? Does anyone visited the place on that month? Thanks in advance!

Hi there i really want to visit the place but i have a 1 and 1/2 year old son.can i bring him with me?is it safe to travel there with a toddler?we also have a private car naman .thanks in advance

Such Great Blog! Thanks for all the infos. Be safe:)

Thank you Jay Zee for sharing your story and itinerary in Cagbalete Island. Just wanna know if its okay to bring our own tent para ma lessen yung expenses namin instead of renting a cottage?

Definitely the most comprehensive of the travel reviews of this place, great job and thanks for posting this!

Maraming salamat po!

Your blog sure is helpful if it were updated. This island and its people in the port area really do not know a thing about sustainable tourism. We are definitely not going back to this forsaken island. All rates mentioned above are not what the resorts and port people charged our group. Food is too pricey for its fame or infamy and it’s bland. Cottages are pricey as well. And entrance fees are highway robbery as they know you don’t have a choice as you’re there already.

And most important of all that you forgot to mention. If it’s low tide, which pretty much happens most of the time at noon, there is no beach to swim in anymore and you’ll be stuck in your cottage for the rest of the day regretting going there in the first place. There are also portions of the beach that are murky. As in ‘amoy sukal’ or with ‘putik’. White sand on top and dark whatever underneath that smells of sewerage. You’ll feel it once you step on that portion of the beach. ‘Malagkit sa paa’ to describe in tagalog.

Overall, this island is not worth your time, money, effort, and resources. It’s only good in pictures.

Note: our group numbered 20pax including children

the place has wifi connection? since their means of communication is thru cellphones?

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How to go to cagbalete island from manila [mauban quezon travel guide 2021].

Cagbalete Island, Mauban Quezon, Philippines - This island in Quezon Province is known for its pristine beaches and powder-white sandbars. It is famous for its turqouise waters, white sand beaches, and breathtaking sandbars. Cagbalete Island is located about 40 minutes away by boat from Mauban town, which lies 140 km south of Metro Manila.

By Private Car

If you are commuting via private vehicle, take the Calamba Exit in SLEX and go straight to Los Banos. From Los Banos, you need to pass through Pila, Santa Cruz, Pagsanjan, and Luisiana, then turn to Mauban Port.

By Public Bus

MANILA TO LUCENA GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL

To go there, catch a Lucena bound bus in Kamias, Cubao, Alabang or Buendia. Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner and Ceres Transport have buses bound to Lucena Grand Central  Terminal. Buses leave almost every hour every day for approximately three hours bus ride from Buendia, fare is as low as P210.00.

LUCENA GRAND TERMINAL TO MAUBAN

From Lucena Grand Central Terminal, catch a van or local bus to Mauban for almost two hours travel time, fare is around P60-70 with last trip is at around 6PM. Alternatively, vans and air-con buses to Mauban are located in SM City Lucena for P80-90, with trip up to 9PM, travel time is faster at around an hour.

MAUBAN TO CAGBALETE ISLAND

Upon getting off the bus in Mauban, it is only a short walk to the port where passenger boats to Cagbalete Island are stationed. Trips are scheduled at  10AM and 4PM daily, for P100 per person. The boats can ferry around 50-60 people.

They usually drop off passengers at “Sabang”  although they sometimes drop off their passengers directly to the south eastern part of the island where the resorts Villa Cleofas and MVT Sto. Nino are located. You may also arrange a private boat through your resort, rate starts at P4,000 two-way (Mauban-Cagbalete-Mauban) and can ferry up to 25 people.

If you are going to the Pansacola, Villa Cleofas or MVT Sto. Niño from Sabang, you can hire a small banca there for around P400.00 one way or you can take the 1.5 KM walk.

What to do in Cagbalete Island

• Swimming and Beach Hopping
• Island Hopping: Yang-in Sandbar, Fish Sanctuary and Ilog Bukana
• Snorkeling/Scuba Diving (bring your own equipments)
• Fishing/Camping/Picnic
• Bird watching
• Horseback riding
• Beach Volleyball/Frisbee
• Walk to the nearby Bonsai Island and see the century old bonsai plants
• Visit the neighboring Baliscar Island and its lighthouse
• Surfing/Skim boarding (Oct to Feb – bring your own board)
• Watch the sunrise
• Explore the attractions of mainland Mauban: Chasing Waterfalls in Mauban: Dahoyhoy Falls, Hagdan-Hagdan Falls, Alitap Falls, etc.

Cagbalete Island Sample Itinerary 

Day 1 

12:00am - Departure (Jac Liner Buendia)

03:00am - Arrival at Lucena Grand Terminal

04:30am - Departure (NCR-Rienton Lines)

05:40am - Arrival at Mauban Port

06:00am - Breakfast near Mauban Port

06:30am - Picture taking/ Nap/ Rest/ Tourism Registration (Environmental Fee)

07:20am - Departure from Mauban Port (Private Boat) - (Drop-off and Pick-up) - Your own preferred time

08:00am - Arrival at Cagbalete Island

08:30am - Checked-in at Resort

12:00pm - Lunch

01:00pm - 03:00pm - Free Time - Photo Ops

03:00pm - 08:00pm - Sleep/Free Time

08:30pm - Dinner

09:00pm - 11:00pm - Social Time/Free Time

11:30pm - Sleep

Day 2 

05:00am - Wake up time

05:30am to 07:00am - Sunrise watching, Picture Taking

07:00am - Breakfast

08:00am - Island Tour / Snorkeling 

11:00am - Lunch at Sabang Port

12:30pm - Arrival at Villa Noe Beach

12:30pm - 2:30pm - Free Time/Wash-up

03:00pm - Departure from Villa Noe Beach (Private Boat)

04:00pm - Arrival at Mauban Port

04:30pm - Departure from Mauban (NCR-Rienton Lines) 

06:20pm - Arrival at Lucena Grand Terminal

06:30pm - Departure from Lucena (Jac Liner to Buendia) 

Mauban Arts Culture and Tourism (M-ACT) Office ONLINE BOOKING & RESERVATION

CAGBALETE ISLAND, TATANGGAP NA MULI NG DOMESTIC TOURISTS! Ang Cagbalete Island ng Mauban, Quezon ay tatanggap na muli ng domestic tourists simula PEBRERO 05, 2021. Upang makasiguro ng ligtas at mahusay na sistema at masubaybayan ang pagpasok at paglabas ng mga turista ay ipapatupad ang "CASHLESS PAYMENTS/COLLECTION OF FEES " mula sa mga turistang patungo sa Cagbalete Island. Ipatutupad din ang "EARLY BOOKING". Para sa detalye at pagkuha ng booking ay buksan ang maubantourism.smartpay.ph portal. Para sa iba pang katanungan, maaring tumawag sa mga numerong nasa ibaba, 8:00am to 5:00pm. (042) 788-1292 09100716099 09100716109 09100716125 09100716109 09100716107 09154092287 Maari ring magpadala ng mensahe sa mga sumusunod: Email: [email protected] FB Page: Mauban Tourism

To ensure hygienic and efficient system and to monitor tourist entry and exit logs, Mauban tourism shall impose cashless payments (collection of fees) from tourist and shall require early booking through this page ( maubantourism.smartpay.ph ) at least 3 days prior to visit.

There will be limits on the allowed number of tourist per day, reservation will be on a first come first serve basis, as such, upon booking and reservation tourist are given 24 hours to settle the fees through the available payment channels.

Mauban tourists (ages 15 to 65) with confirmed booking will be issued “bracelets” upon arrival at Pantalan Port. Tourist must arrive on time and shall bring Valid ID for validation and Negative Result RT- PCT Test Result ( Real Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) Test result, taken within 72 Hours before visit.

Tourist are also reminded of the following:

1. Accommodation/Resort reservations are only allowed to those resorts and hotels with DOT permits.

(You may check details of reservation with the DOT accredited resort at Cagbalete Island before booking. DOT set protocols are strictly implemented.)

2. Tourist are only allowed to stay within the compound and beach of the resort they are booked.

3. Small boat trip to Yang-in Sandbar and San Jose River is allowed with early booking

4. No island hopping

5. No visiting at residential areas

6. No communication with other people in the island or outside the resort EXCEPT with the on-duty resort personnel

7. Permission must be acquired in case of extension of stay to the LGU (M-ACT Office)

8. No roaming around Mauban Poblacion

9. Tourist are advised to wear face mask and face shield and bring alcohol during their stay in Mauban

For questions and clarifications you may call Mauban Tourism office at (042) 788 1292 or Contact Mauban Tourism on Messenger: www.facebook.com/maubantourism

Email: [email protected]

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Cagbalete Island: The Jewel of Mauban Quezon

How about Cagbalete Island in Quezon?

I know you’re also looking for an island weekend getaway. And being older and smarter like we are :), we’re done with crowd and beach parties, right? We just want to be in a laidback and calm beach, enjoy and relax.

Well, you don’t need to go to Batangas for the Nth time for a fantastic experience near Metro Manila, because there is a hidden jewel in Mauban, Quezon – the beautiful Cagbalete Island.

This 1,640-hectare island is home of pristine beach and sandbar with a diverse ecosystem. Before the summer ends, the awesome friends we’ve met in Calaguas invited us to another beach escapade, and this time there were more new friends for us! 🙂

How to get to Cagbalete Island

From Manila, one bus company will take you directly to Mauban, Quezon, and that is Jac Liner Bus! The first trip is as early as 4 AM, so you need to be there for the boarding time, which is 3 AM. Fare is about Php 277. If you missed the first trip, another trip to Mauban will be at 11 AM.

If that happens, and you need to be in Mauban early in the morning, just ride the bus going to Lucena Bus Terminal (Php 210), and there you’ll find buses going to Mauban for Php 50. The drop off point is the Mauban Public Market.

If you take the direct route, the last stop is the Jac Liner terminal in Mauban, and you’ll need to ride another tricycle (Php 10) going to Mauban Market.

The port is near the market, just a few meters walk. All travelers are required to pay Php 50 environmental fee and register. It was also a chance for us to rest after the 5-hour trip.

At the Tourism Office of Mauban. Relaxin’ with friends. Credit: Joey Dionisio

But we need to hurry up. The public boat going to Cagbalete was scheduled to depart that morning at about 10 AM, depending on how fast it will be full. Instead of walking, we rode a tricycle (Php 10) going to the port. Luckily, we made it! The boat was huge, able to accommodate quite a lot of passengers.

If you miss this morning trip, there are private boats that you can rent and bring you directly to your resort, just coordinate with the Local Tourism Office of Mauban. The fare depends on the number of passengers. A small boat for four people is about Php 2,000, while the bigger boats cost Php 4,000.

The boat. Thanks for the photo, Chachan Rose! 🙂

Another option: Via Private Car

Pass through SLEX until reaching the Calamba Exit, then follow the road that leads to Los Banos, Laguna. Just follow the National Highway passing through Pila, Santa Cruz, and Luisiana.

Before you reach Lucban, you will encounter two separate roads, one is bound to Lucban town proper, and the other one is going to Mauban. Of course, take the way going to Mauban. The port of Mauban is just another 30-minute ride. Just ask around the local, in case you need assistance.

One Reminder when you arrive in Cagbalete

After about a 45-minute boat ride, we’ve finally reached Cagbalete Island. The port is called Sabang Port.

And since it was low tide, the boat was unable to dock near the beach, so a few meters from the port, a raft (like a mini-boat) will fetch the passengers and bring them near the port . That should be the case, but before the raft could even reach us, several “ bangkeros” with their motorboats flocked to us and offered a ride directly to our resort, Dona Choleng.

They told us that the resort was a long tiring walk from the port that it was better to ride the boat. We were caught by surprise! Everyone was talking and offering, even the people from the public boat were telling us to decide fast because they need to unload the boat fast. To cut it short, we were pressured. LOL! And we didn’t know what was going on; it was like chaos, so we gave in for Php 550 fare for eleven of us. That’s Php 50 each.

Almost all the passengers, mostly tourists, were also convinced. Not to mention, we all endured the balancing act as we transferred to another boat. We were okay, but this can be terrifying to some.

The boat transfer.

Another boat ride.

It was another bumpy boat ride passing through the longshore of Cagbalete until we reached Dona Choleng Resort.

Again, since it was low tide, the boat could only bring us at a particular part of the sea. Yes, it was like we were in the middle of the sea, like a hundred meters more from the shore. We all had no choice but to walk going to the beach.

At first, we were excited, but as we went on, we then realized it was tiring LOL!

The good part about it was to experience the abundant marine life of the sea. But Nah! I didn’t entertain the idea of sea creatures and organisms there as we wade into the water. It wasn’t fun anymore. LOL!

Let’s start walking. LOL!

Picture Picture!  – Thanks, Joey Dionisio, for the photo.

Lovers in Cagbalete 🙂 –  Thanks Chachan Rose for the photo!

Bert and Rose. Till our next travel!

At the resort, the staff was surprised to know that we arrived from the sea. LOL! They told us that the resort was just a few meters walk from the port, and they even have a shuttle to transport us.

We were all like… “ WHAT?!” LOL!

We took a deep breath, remained calm, and said, “ Where is the lunch?!” LOL! We availed the package meals from Dona Choleng Resort . Food was served after a few minutes. We ate, and then we were okay. LOL! Charged to experience. 🙂

So if you’re going to travel to Cagbalete, you know what to do – go for the raft to bring you to the port and walk your way to the resort, better and more convenient.

But then again, despite the little inconvenience, Cagbalete is beautiful. No questions.

It is peaceful, laidback, an experience you need if you want to escape from the hustle of the city, especially the stress of the traffic.

That afternoon, we hired the same boatmen (yes, we forgive and forget fast!) for an island-hopping experience. The first stop, the famous sandbars of Cagbalete. This beauty is only visible during low tide at around 12 noon to 4 PM.

CHECK RESORTS IN THE ISLAND HERE

Pictorial to. The sandbar is beautiful.

Cagbalete in the afternoon. – Credit: Omie Tamayo

READ THE BLOG POST: 15 Best QUEZON TOURIST SPOTS (Beaches, Churches & More)

Part of the island hopping tour is the snorkeling. At that time, there was a low-pressure area (LPA) coming, so the weather wasn’t cooperative. But still, we tried it, and to cap it off, the snorkeling was a failure. Because of the big waves, the snorkeling activity seemed like a rescue operation. LOL! of people who tried to snorkel but couldn’t take the huge waves.

We were like, “we’re trying our best to get close to the boat, but we ain’t movin’.” LOL!

Snorkeling.  – Credit: Omie Tamayo

Snorkeling pa more?! – Photo Credit: Omie Tamayo

The best of Cagbalete can be experienced in the morning. People can swim because it’s not low tide, but for us (Eloi and I), it was a chance just to have some good laughs and take some pictures.

Beautiful morning of Cagbalete.

Moments… Thank you to the stranger who took our photo.

Look at that smile.

Are you looking for a hotel on your next trip? Check this out!

Feeling survivor. LOL!

Read the blog post: 15 Best Beaches in Quezon

Where to Stay in Cagbalete Island?

We stayed at Dona Choleng resort ( Check Rooms and Availability ). One of the best in Cagbalete in terms of rooms and amenities. I will create a blog review soon. You may check the room rates and book here (Dona Choleng)

We availed a room for a big group like us. It was a pleasant stay, comfortable and perfect for families and group of friends. When you avail of the accommodation from Dona Choleng, you have the option to choose from below types of rooms.

Camping Tents – You may rent tents from them for a price of Php 400 (for two persons) and Php 500 for tents for three persons.

Huts – These are huge accommodations made of nipa huts or Kubo style of accommodation. This is good for groups—price range from Php 1,000 for Open Huts to 4,500 for the Island Huts.

Rooms – These have good modern designs perfect for couples or groups. Price ranges from Php 2,500 to Php 5,500.

Aside from Dona Choleng, Here are some of the hotels, resorts, and accommodation to check out if you plan to experience Cagbalete.

Villa Cleofas – Contact: 09178395852 / 09178143475 – Contact Person: Tess Reyes – Email:  [email protected]

Pansacola Beach Resort –  09175465901 /09285058633 – www.facebook.com/pansacolabeachresort

MVT Sto. Nino Resort – 09175621106 – Contact Person: Theresa Virrey / Website: mvtstoninoresort.net

Villa Noe Beach Resort – 9292176971 /09052054348 /09095241773  – Website: www.villanoe.com

Cagbalete Island Itinerary

Of course, you can be flexible in planning your trip. But this is just a suggested itinerary, especially if you’re taking the 4 AM first bus trip to Mauban.

Day 1 3:00 AM – Call time at Jac Liner Cubao (near GMA) 4:00 AM – Departure to Mauban 9:00 AM – ETA at Mauban Port 9:30 AM – Boat Ride to Cagbalete 10:30 AM – Arrival in Cagbalete 11:00 AM – Arrival in Resort 12:00 Noon – Lunchtime 1:00 PM – Rest 2:00 PM – Start of island hopping 5:00 PM – Back to the resort 5:00 PM – free time and freshen up 8:00 PM – Dinner 10:00 PM – Sleep

Day 2 6:00 AM – Wake Up 7:00 AM – Breakfast 8:00 AM – Freetime 10:00 AM – Prepare 12:30  – ETD Departure of the boat back to Mauban 1:30 PM – ETA in Mauban 2:30 PM – Jac Liner Bus. If you’ll be unable to catch this bus you have to go via Lucena.

Cagbalete Island Budget and Expenses

Below is your estimated budget and expenses for a two days one night trip to Cagbalete Island for one person.

The bus ride from Cubao to Mauban (Round Trip) – 554 Tricycle from Mauban Bus Terminal to Port  (Round Trip)– Php 20 Environmental Fee – Php 50 Boat Fare to Cagbalete (Round Trip) – Php 100 Accommodation – Lowest of Php 500 for tent and  highest is Php 5,500 for a huge room Boat Rental from Mauban to Cagbalte, in case you’re unable to catch the public boat – Php 2,000 to Php4,000

Base on this budget, you can explore Cagbalete Island on a budget for Php 1,500 per person, or you can go for extra lavish to Php 3,000 per person.

Things to do in Cagbalete Island

• Swimming – this is best during the morning when there’s enough water on the beach and not low tide. You better wake up early to enjoy this, so get enough sleep okay and avoid drinking too much. Hahaha! Low tide in Cagbalete can be extreme like even you’re too far from the shore, the water level is still like below your knees. Plus, the beach in Cagablete is so rich in marine life that a considerable part of it is filled with seagrass and aquatic organism. If you’re a biologist, you’ll enjoy it. If you’re not, better avoid entertaining the idea that there might be some organisms that could lure beside or on your feet.
• Beach bumming – Cagbalete has spectacular views and relaxing island vide. You can just sit at the main beach and enjoy the view, or when you rent a boat, take advantage of the beauty of the sandbars.
• Snorkeling – there are parts of the island that’s good for snorkeling. The boatmen know this spot, and they will take you there probably after exploring the sandbar. You can bring your snorkeling gear, or you can rent it with the bangkeros for a minimal fee like 100 pesos.
• Bird watching – During low tide, there are lots of birds searching for food at some parts of the beach.
• Beach Volleyball – You can find a volleyball net at the beach. If you’re a sports enthusiast, it’s something worthwhile to do. You’ll enjoy it, and it’s also good exercise.
• Frisbee – If you want to be like “Derek Ramsey” for a day, you can play frisbee at the long shores of Cagbalete
• Visit sandbars – This is a must when you’re in Cagbalete. Its sandbars in the afternoon are just impressive.
• Visit Bonsai Island – There’s a lot of small trees in Cagbalete. It took time for me to realize that those are Bonsai.
• Visit the lighthouse in Baliscar Island – This is part of the itinerary when you hire a boat to explore the Cagbalete and nearby islands.

Cagbalete Island Travel Tips

• Bring lots of water, especially during the summer! When you avail of the meal package at Dona Choleng, they’ll just give you a small bottle of soft drinks or bottled water during the meal. Sadly, during our time, they’re not offering unli-water. I suggest you can walk further near the area where locals live, and you can buy bottled water there. Of course, it’s a bit expensive.
• Electricity on the entire island is only available from 6 AM to 6 PM. For some resorts, they use generators to extend power until midnight.
• If you’re on a budget, resorts are offering tents for rent for Php 400 to Php 500 per night. Better avail this during summer. If you go there during the rainy season, you know what to do, get a room. 🙂
• Swimming time is best enjoyed early in the morning while it’s high tide (or late in the afternoon)
• There’s no loud party or sound system during the night on the entire island.
• Be mindful of the boat schedule in Cagbalete and also the bus schedules of Jac Liner (4 AM and 2 PM) in Mauban.
• You have the option to bring your food and cook there, but resorts are also offering package meals. Just contact them ahead of time.
• There are a lot of adventures and activities to do in Cagbalete Island – like swimming, island hopping, snorkeling, camping, playing frisbee or volleyball, watching the sunrise and sunset, and even bird watching.
• It is better to do it the DIY way. But there are also some options for tour packages. Just search online.
• It’s better to experience Cagbalete on the weekend, 2D1N. Not that fun if you want to do it for a day tour.

Going Back to Manila

  From Cagbalete Island, two scheduled public boats are going to Mauban at around 7 AM and 1 PM. We were able to catch the 1 PM schedule. At last, we were able to experience the raft or mini-boat that took us to the big motorboat going to mainland Quezon province.

Once you get to Mauban, be sure to catch the Jac Liner buses going to Manila, the schedule is 4 AM and 2 PM.

The highlight of our trip.

Verdict for Cagbalete

The best thing about traveling is its spontaneity, no matter how you plan it, there are still some problems that may arise along the way. But what’s important is we learn from it, we grow.

And all in all, Cagbalete is peaceful and beautiful. This is perfect for those who want just to enjoy and relax, not minding about work and the stress of the city.

Batangas or Zambales? I know you’ve explored them enough. Do something different. Go to Cagbalete. Make your weekend more memorable.

Cagbalete Weather

For more details about the latest weather condition on the island, check Accuweather here.

Cagbalete Island Map

Note: First published on August 21, 2015 Updated on May 4, 2018 / Updated 2020

More Quezon Blog Posts:

• Burdeos and Polillo Island Hopping
• Jomalig Island in Quezon
• Alibijaban Island in San Andres, Quezon 
• Where to stay in Jomalig Island 
• How to get to Jomalig Island

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18 comments.

Adrenaline Romance

What a beautiful island! The sandbar seems really pure! Thank you for these tips. We’re definitely putting Cagbalete Island in our bucket list.

jontotheworld

Thanks for dropping by. Been reading your blog na for a while kaya natuwa ako nung nakita ko comment mo dito. hehe Yes, Cagbalete’s sandbars are beautiful. Also planning to backpack to Visayas in the future. Planning my leaves na. See you on the road bro!

Regards, Jon

Would love to visit this in the future. I have a friend who lives in Pagbilao and her family knows of the place.

Yes, take time to visit Cagbalete. Thank you for your comment!

Yes Dona Choleng has a shuttle. Your experience was funny LOL

Oo nakakatawa talaga. Buti nalang marunong nako magchilax ngayon, kaya hinanap ko nalang ang pagkain hahaha

Thanks for dropping by!

I was in Cagbalete two weeks ago, and the sandbars also appear at midnight. So cool. 😀

Wow that must be beautiful at midnight! Nagtent kayo? astig yan. Thanks Gabby sa pagbisita sa blog.

Hi! May I ask if how much po ang rent for boat for snorkelling and island hopping? 2 lang po kami. Thank you 🙂 and if ever, do you have their contact number? Thanks a lot.

Hi, so meaning only Doña Choleng part has the sandbar? 🙂

No, it’s another quick boat ride going to the sandbar. It’s on the other side of the island.

Hi.. Ask ko lang if may signal ba (Globe/Smart) sa Cagbalete Island?

Hi Madz, yes meron naman signal sa pagkakatanda ko hehe

Hi! How much po ang fee sa boat? thank you!

Kamille Joy Engada Canlas

Any idea how much tourists per year ang pumupunta sa Cagbalete?

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The Kapampangan Traveller

Stories, tips, techniques and bit of travel hacks in exploring the philippines, one province at a time.

MAUBAN, Quezon Province – Let’s explore its Rocky Eastern Fringes

Serving as an integral port town, linking the eastern island groups of the province of Quezon, this strategic municipality hides its tourism potential under its verdant hem, awaiting you to unveil and experience the vast yet ultra-picturesque sheer rocky cliffs towering over and against the Lamon Bay and the mighty Pacific.

Hailing from the sandy beaches of Cagbalete, we roared our white tourist pump boat over the surprisingly gentle and calm Lamon Bay and Pacific waters, smooching the dark rocky coastline and that gentle ocean breeze that maintains a cosy temperature around us and against the brunt of the mid-day sun above us. It was a smooth sail as we passed interesting nooks and corners that define the grand landscape and seascape of East Mauban, the towering undulating natural skyline that jutes out high and mighty as if piercing the clear blue sky shrouded with thick forest zones and occasional mists. Shades of brown sandy beaches alternatively unveil as every rocky cranny passed our moving views. It is indeed a unique sightseeing cruise potential as the mountainous skyline proves a daunting yet gentle mesmerizing sight.

Piapi Cave of Sitio Piapi in Cagsiay III unveils itself as a characteristic ultra-solid undulating rock formation carved by millennia worth of sheer wave strength and uncalled typhoon winds. Added interesting features are the layered details that defined its ancient history and formation. Moving further northwards would be a mammoth natural rock wall veiled by the thick flora but an identifiable thin wispy cascade of about 200 feet sheer height defines the tallest waterfall in Mauban – the Bulalacaw Falls .

Since of time constraints, we marvelled at its grandeur while afloat on our tourist boat and momentarily gazed at its prima ballerina performance of a smooth and thundering main cascade of apparently cold mountain spring water. Naturally facing the Pacific coastline, this spot is worth trekking.

The Bisibis Falls located at the same portion of Piapi Caves would make its seemingly grand entrance as you inch parallelly northward of the shore and a moderately wide cascade glistening against the earth-tone rocks would unveil. It was a brief encounter with its majestic cascade and we need to move forward.

Moving to our next destination, its nomenclature is derived from the local term akin to the sound of waves literally slapping the rocky walls – Uugak Falls majestically thunders down from its moderate height source. It is located on a wide mountain crevice that features moderate multi-cascade natural waterfalls intertwined with the thick existing natural flora. It is one of the spots I loved to photograph. The colossal vertical amphitheatre made of rocks that generally concaves a small patch of mountain slope would be one of your epic natural backdrop during cruise tour here in Mauban.

The Sitio Dakil portion holds one of the greatest legends you can listen to. It is believed from the sheer tall rock wall which they call “ Tinalunan” – that directly translates to “where they jumped from” – where a mythical lover, a tribesman and a Tagalog maiden jumped to their death to escape their families’ wrath against their relationship. After the fall, two identical rock formations are believed to magically and mystically appear on the sea symbolizing the two fallen lovers. This is the Magasawang Bato Rock Formation . During extreme low tides, a natural land bridge would be exposed to waters at about knee height average, thus, visiting this would not require a boat. Be mindful though of the returning tides for about half an hour in advance as leeway for walking back to the mainland.

The Natasak Falls would be your next destination en route to this circuit. Docking on a pebble beach of a certain gargantuan scale, and trodding on proves a challenge. Waves after wave and crumbling of pebble stacks of about 15-30 degrees incline could throw you outbalance, so extreme care is warranted in every shifting of your body weight. It is around a 10-15 minute walk along the road, in which, we made a stopover on an existing local Dumagat community. Before visiting the falls, we have our sumptuous Lunch-by-Sea setup by the tourism office. Dined over banana leaves with salted egg, large shrimp, slices of tomato, snails with coconut milk, their version of Laing and garlicky fried eggplant. It was the natural ambience that made this meal a blast! The Natasak Falls is located within a private property where you can encounter their security guard and could ask your reason of visit. The Natasak Falls is about a hundred feet of thin cascade falling gracefully from a vertical forest. We are unable to get to its catchbasin since the main cascade is located on the other side of the river below us. It was another brief encounter with a great destination.

The mountainous portion of Mauban that ends in Lamon Bay creates a perfect concoction of elements that would produce endless possibilities of tourism potential. Hundreds of waterfalls, trekking sites, natural formations and viewpoints are waiting for adventurous souls to discover its realm. Truly, nature never ceases to surprise us, greater discoveries as we venture deeper into its core.

HISTORY WALK

The ancestral house of the dela costa.

Famed by Mauban’s pride, one of the greatest historians in our land, Horacio De La Costa – their ancestral house features a facade of Spanish Architectural Influence and a hall with artworks, books and artefacts that defined his commendable contributions. Prior to ingress, we collected ourselves on their open-air veranda, and in small groups entered the historic halls of their house. The house also has a front yard with towering trees and curated ornamental plants.

Gat-Uban Park

A seafront park was built in honour of the Mauban’s hero – Gat Uban. Known also as Gat Pagil, he belonged to the Dumagat tribe and was believed to be the leader that protected the locals from the merciless attacks of the Moros.

Saint Bonaventure Parish Church

The original church building was rebuilt during the 1880s after a strong earthquake rocked its foundations and crumbled down to sheer ruins. It was the year 1647 when the first church and convent is erected. After demolition, rebuilt during the year of 1773, but another earthquake recorded in the year 1830 tore down again the building and rebuilt again between 1836 and 1945. This narrative explains the resilience of the Catholics in rebuilding their shrine of faith.

My heartfelt thanks to Tourism Promotions Board, through Sir Gadia, and to Mauban Tourism, through Ms. Annie Calleja, for this epic experience of Mauban!

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Published by KapampanganTraveller

I travel and promote local tourism through my amateur photography and meager resources. Hopefully, I would be able to set foot all the 81 provinces of our blessed country, Philippines. A Solo Traveler at times. View all posts by KapampanganTraveller

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A travel & adventure blog by Kara Santos

Ride to Mauban and Cagbalete Island

Cagbalete Island is a quiet island getaway that has been rising in popularity among backpackers and budget travelers. Located just off the coast of Mauban town proper in Quezon just a few hours from Manila, this island offers beautiful beachfront campsites and a wide white-sand beach.

It’s not a place for partygoers, but more for nature tripping. Don’t expect five-star resorts or lots of dining options. Despite its proximity to Manila, Cagbalete Island still feels laid-back and remote. There’s still no electricity here, which makes it great for communing with nature and beach camping.

To celebrate Valentine’s weekend, Outside Slacker and I decided to take a chill road trip by riding our motorcycles to Mauban and staying overnight in Cagbalete. I really enjoyed the serene and peaceful vibe of the island. Except for another group of campers, we had the beach mostly to ourselves. Aside from appealing to couples, I think Cagbalete would make a pretty good destination for solo riders/travelers looking for a quiet beach spot.

It helped that we stayed on a weekday during the lean season, which lasts from November to February. I heard that it gets way more crowded during weekends and summer months starting March onwards.

Table of Contents

Where exactly is Cagbalete?

Cagbalete Island is located just off the east coast of Luzon. The jump-off point is the town of Mauban in the province of Quezon, roughly 3-5 hours drive from Manila depending on where you’re coming from and the traffic. By public passenger boat, the island is just 45 mins to 1 hour away from the Mauban port, making it relatively accessible to visit from the mainland.

Why it’s great for riders

The road leading to Mauban offers a scenic drive for those who like road tripping. It’s a relatively chill road trip with fun mountain twisties. Coming from the East, the distance (176 km or 4 hours / one way) is very doable for a weekend ride. There’s not much traffic except for a few chokepoints in major town intersections.

You get to pass rural provincial scenery and can make stops in other towns and points of interest along the way. While you can drive straight to Mauban without any stops, Pagsanjan makes a good halfway point for meals and fuel coming from the East. There are lots of historic restaurants & dining options to choose from here compared to the other towns. If you’re coming from the South, Lucban would be the major pit stop before the last stretch.

How to get to Mauban

Private transportation, 1. via slex sto. tomas, batangas exit.

• Route: Sto Tomas – San Pablo – Tiaong – Candelaria – Sariaya – Tayabas – Mauban
• Total road distance is about 168 km
• Travel very early morning to take you only 3 hours

2. via SLEX Calamba exit

• Route: Los Banos – Sta. Cruz – Pagsanjan – Cavinti – Lusiana – Lucban (do not enter main town) – Sampaloc – Mauban
• Route is shorter if you are coming from Rizal – Sta. Cruz and you can pass via Sampaloc then Mauban
• Takes only about 3 hours if you leave Manila very early in the morning

3. via Antipolo

• Route: Teresa – Morong – Fami – Siniloan – Paete – Luban – Pagsanjan – Cavinti – Lusiana – Lucban (do not enter main town) – Sampaloc – Mauban
• Most ideal to avoid traffic in SLEX and Los Banos (i.e. holidays)
• Nice view of majestic windmills and mountains and zigzag roads of Mabitac town
• No toll fees (best for small displacement bikes)
• Around 3.5 hours from Manila

Public transportation / commute to Mauban

Bus to lucena + van to mauban.

• Take JAC Liner/JAM Liner/Lucena Lines Station in Kamias, Cubao or Buendia-Taft LRT Bus to Lucena, then transfer to van to Mauban
• Hourly bus trips cost around P200/head (2:00 am first trip) to Lucena (3 hrs travel time)
• Take aircon van at Lucena City Grand Terminal costing around P70/head bound for Mauban (1.0 hour travel time). Van will travel anytime when van is full (24 hours )
• There are air-conditioned vans stationed in Lucena SM Mall going to Mauban for P70/head and first and last trip for aircon vans is 9am and 9pm respectively (1 hour travel time)

JAC Liner Bus direct MAUBAN trip

• LRT TERMINAL – 4:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM
• KAMIAS TERMINAL – 4:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM

Route map for Road Trip (small displacement bikes)

Day 1: QC to Mauban

You can get to Mauban via two main routes: via SLEX or going East through Antipolo. Coming from Quezon City, we always prefer to pass the East route and usually take a longer detour through Marilaque just to skip the Antipolo and Teresa traffic. We started our ride at around 10 am, passing the towns of Tanay, Baras, Pililla, Famy, Lumban, Pagsanjan and Luisiana.

Before reaching the town proper in Lucban, there’s an intersection and gas station where you need to turn left towards Sampaloc and Mauban. Total travel time was about 4 hours with minimal stops. We got to Mauban by 2 pm in time to register at the tourist part area, buy supplies at the market, park vehicles and ride the 3:30 pm boat crossing.

Tourist Registration Process

The tourist port is fairly large and well-organized in a gym, with a large waiting area. All visits to Cagbalete Island have a strict no booking, no sailing policy. If you didn’t make any reservations at a resort, you will need to do so at the tourist port. Tables have been set up showing the different lodging or camping options.

• Resort Booking / Package Tour
• Environmental Fee Payments – P50 per pax
• Tourist Boat Reservation / Passenger Boats – P100 per pax (pay in the boat)

To reduce trash on the island because of the influx of visitors, the tourist port issues Eco-Bottles (they’ll ask for a refundable deposit of P100) where tourists are supposed to put all their non-biodegradable waste and plastic.

Where to Park in Mauban

Secure parking areas are available near the tourist port, so riders can park and leave their vehicles without any worries before taking the boat. Parking slots are limited during the peak season, so locals advise reserving slots beforehand, especially for those doing group rides. Tourists can not just leave their vehicles parked along the streets or Boulevard or near the port as streets are narrow and these could impede the flow of traffic.

We parked in Ambon Pay Parking, which charged us P75/motorcycle per day. For those bringing cars, the fee is P160/day. They have a restroom where you can change into beachwear before the ride. The owners secured our helmets for us. Ambon Pay Parking. Contact: Joy – 0921-7373221

Passenger Boat Schedule (as of February 2020)

The public passenger/cargo boats from Mauban to Cagbalete departs only twice a day, ferrying 50-60 passengers each. Fare is P100 per passenger. Travel time by boat is 45 mins to 1 hour.

• Mauban to Cagbalete Island: 10:30 am and 3:30 pm
• Cagbalete Island to Mauban: 7:00 am and 1:00 pm

If you miss the passenger boat, you can always charter a private boat to take you to the island, but it’s more expensive if you’re not in a group. The price range for private boats for the two-way trip (Mauban-Cagbalete-Mauban) is around P1,500 for 1 to 2 persons; P3,500 for 9 to 11 persons; and P5,000 for 18 to 20 persons.

Once you get to the port on Cagbalete Island, there’ll be a bunch of habal -habal drivers offering to take you to your resort. The island is pretty small, and technically you could just walk the 1.5 km from the port to most of the resorts, but if you’re carrying a lot of stuff, the habal-habal ride is faster, costs just P50 each, and gives locals extra income.

NOTE: While portions of the road are paved, some parts are still dirt roads that get muddy with deep puddles. I was wondering why the drivers were barefoot until we had to go through knee-deep waters and one of the motorcycles died halfway through. Be prepared to walk and wade in mud.

Where to Stay in Cagbalete: Villa Cleofas

Villa Cleofas is a pleasant beachfront resort on the East side of the island, with a wide and shallow 300-meter wide beach, and grassy area under trees where people can enjoy beachfront camping and hammocking.

There are common public restrooms for campers, which are clean and well-maintained. The resort also offers various cottages, including aircon rooms, fan rooms and family rooms for those who want more privacy.

The resort has a dining hall, kitchen, small store and bar facilities where people can cook and prepare food, eat and buy drinks. They do not have a restaurant but they do offer basic value meals (Corned beef, Tuna, Sardines with rice and egg for P150 each).

It’s best to just prepare your own food and bring your own ingredients. I was really glad we got bought fresh seafood from the market for our V-Day dinner. Kitchen utensils are for rent for a minimal fee (ex. pots, pans, pitcher, etc.) but use of the grill is free.

It was low tide when we got there, and the water was really shallow, but there was something romantic about the patterns left on the shore. The water gets high and is best for photography around mid-morning to noon.

Rates (effective January 2020)

• If Room A only (20 people capacity)  – P6,000/night  + P50/head entrance fee (with private CR/bath inside)
• If Room B only (15 people capacity) – P5,000/night + P50/head entrance fee, (with private CR/bath inside)
• Medium Cottages (FAN Rooms only) – 12 people capacity (with private CR/bath detached at the back) – P3,800/night (P100/head in excess of 12 people) + P50/head entrance fee
• Small Cottages (FAN Rooms only) – 8 people capacity (with private CR/bath detached at the back) – P3,300/night (P100/head in excess of 8 people) + P50/head entrance fee
• 2 person capacity @ P2,700/night (with aircon) + P50/head entrance fee
• 4 person capacity @ P3,700/night (with aircon) + P50/head entrance fee
• Duplex1  AIRCON Cottages – 6 person capacity @ P4,500/night (with aircon) + P50/head entrance fee
• Duplex2  AIRCON Cottages – 6 person capacity @ P5,500/night (with aircon) + P50/head entrance fee
• Beach Cottages (FAN Rooms only), common CR/bath – 4-5 people capacity at P2,200/night (P100/head in excess of 5) + P50/head entrance fee
• Resort Tents for Rent (common CR/bath): 1-3 pax capacity at P500/night + P50/head entrance fee
• P300/night (1 – 3 people capacity) + P50/head entrance fee
• P550/night (4 – 6 people capacity) + P50/head entrance fee

• Address: Villa Cleofas, Cagbalete Island Camping Resort, Inc., Cagbalete, Mauban, Quezon
• Contact: 0917-8395852, 0917-8143475, 0919-2205000
• Facebook : Villa Cleofas
• Website: www.cagbalete.net

Other resorts in Cagbalete

Aquazul Resort and Hotel 09237428390; 09237426208; 09237428368

Casa Verde Beach Resort 09178212796

Doña Choleng Camping Resort 09266549958; 09108823346; 09201551552; 09279680690

Joven’s Blue Sea Beach Resort 09392899752; 09179848505

MVT Sto. Niño 09176787080

Nilandingan Cove 09152117037 or via facebook.com/nilandingancove

Pansacola Beach Resort 09175465901; 09285058633

Villa Cleofas 09178395852; 09178143475; 09192205000

Villa Noe Beach Resort 0921-784-9062; 0906-519-7126

Day 2: Mauban to QC

Villa Cleofas offers a few beach activities and island-hopping tours. However, we were content to just hang out in a hammock, walk along the beach, go sunbathing and basically do nothing the whole morning before catching the passenger boat that departs at noon.

Things to do in Cagbalete Island

• Go kayaking
• Beach Volleyball
• Beach soccer
• Horseback riding
• Fishing Tour
• Go island-hopping
• Chill on a hammock
• Go to Bonsai Island
• Take Kiteboarding lessons

Where to eat in Mauban & beyond

It was really hot by the time we got back to Mauban, so we decided to cool down in one of the restos in town. There’s a small heritage town vibe here, comparable to Pagsanjan and Taal. Interesting restaurants include Tia Leonings and Wild Wings Buffalo Wings set in heritage houses along the main highway and Kamayan sa Tabing Ilog, a riverside resto.

We also made a stop in Pagsanjan at Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo , which has been serving their signature dessert in Pagsanjan since 1933. The restaurant is very popular for road-trippers, so it was pretty crowded.

During the ride back, we made a few brief stops at key landmarks, but mostly just enjoyed the ride. The view of the windmills in Pililla and overlooking view of Laguna Lake during sunset was a nice way to cap this chill beach ride.

Ride Itinerary & Budget

Our itinerary was pretty relaxed and didn’t include any other side trips in Laguna or Quezon. You can change this depending on your sked, route and which boat you want to catch. To catch the 10:30 am passenger boat, you’d probably have to leave by 5:30 am or earlier to be safe.

• 10:00 am – Leave QC
• 2:00 pm – Arrive in Mauban
• 2:30 pm – Register at port, buy food from market, park vehicles
• 3:30 pm – Boat to Cagbalete
• 4:30 pm – Arrival in port; habal-habal to resort
• 4:45 pm – Check-in or pitch tent
• 7:00 pm – Dinner, R & R

• Morning – R & R, brunch
• 12:00 nn – Check out of resort/decamp, proceed to port
• 12:30 nn – Boat to Mauban
• 1:30 pm – Get motorcycles, snack in Mauban town
• 2:00 pm – Start drive home / sightseeing & photo ops along the way
• 4:00 pm – Snack / stopover in Pagsanjan
• 7:00 pm – Home sweet home

• Environmental Fee – P50 per head
• Eco-bottle – P100 (refundable)
• Overnight Parking Fee – P75 per motorcycle
• Boat fare – P100 per person
• Habal-habal to resort – P50 per person
• Tent pitching fee – P300 / tent for 2
• Entrance fee at resort – P50 per head

This excludes the cost of gas, food and beer for the trip. Beer costs P50 per bottle at Villa Cleofas.

Travel tips & useful info

• Change into beachwear before crossing to Cagbalete island & leave your jackets, jeans, closed shoes, and helmets behind. Wear slippers because you may have to wade through water during low tide.
• As of our visit in February 2020, the island currently has NO electricity, though we were told that it’s in the works. Resorts have generators that are turned on from 6 pm to 6 am only.
• Meralco is installing a Solar System to electrify the island (target date March 2020). 
• Bring powerbanks and charge your gadgets beforehand.
• Buy food from the public market before going to Cagbalete. Food is limited and more expensive on the island. Some resorts charge a cooking fee or you can just prepare it yourselves using their grills.
• We bought ingredients and food from the market before leaving. Look out for stalls selling freshly cooked laing, pinangat, sinantol etc.
• Bring reusable food containers, utensils and water bottles to minimize trash. Bring enough drinking water.
• For campers, keep food stored away properly from stray dogs and cats.
• Bring your own toiletries, towels, blankets, etc.
• For those doing day tours on private boats, the best time to leave the town proper is 7 am-9 am. Register early & call the tourism office for any inquiries you may have before going there.
• Use the trash bins and segregate garbage to help preserve the beauty of the island.
• Tourists usually flock to Cagbalete Island from March to May. Expect fully booked resorts during these months, especially during the weekend.
• If you want to enjoy quiet time and the island’s remote feel, visit on a weekday during the lean season. Feb and June are good months to visit.
• Double-check boat schedules beforehand.
• Mauban Hotline numbers: MSRRMO: 09399166123 / Coast Guard: 0938-4632950 / Tourism Office: 0909-8535159, 09460676, 09971373432

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Take the Travel

"Life is a journey, so travel more and enjoy the ride."

• Cagbalete Island – How to Get There by Public Transportation

by Iza Sanchez ·

Cagbalete is a dreamy, windswept island located about 14 kilometers off the coast of Mauban Town in Quezon Province. Delightfully affordable, the island is a favorite destination of budget travelers. However, getting there isn’t simple, it involves a series of transfers from cab to bus to van to boat, and finally to motorcycle or to another mini boat. To prepare for this epic journey, below are some useful tips.

The first leg of the journey is a 4.5-hour bus ride from Buendia, Taft Avenue to Lucena City in Quezon Province. Many bus lines offer this route, Jac Liner is a good option. They offer hourly trips to Lucena Grand Terminal, but if you want to arrive in Cagbalete before noon, take the 4 a.m. bus.

The second leg of the journey is a 1.5-hour trip by van from Lucena Grand Terminal to Mauban Port. When you get to Lucena Terminal, take a short walk to the van terminal on the other side of the compound, then, get on a van bound for Mauban Port.

Once you and other passengers are settled in the van like sardines in a can, you’ll soon realize that this is going to be the most uncomfortable leg of the journey. Overloading is the norm here and don’t be surprised if they can manage to fit 20 passengers into a 15-seater van. Unfortunately, if you’re commuting, there’s practically no other alternative because the mini-buses that supposedly ply this route are very rare. Fortunately, despite the discomfort, the landscapes along the way are pleasant.

There are no set schedules and the vans leave as soon as they’re suffocatingly full. When you arrive at Mauban, the driver will drop you off at a street corner a few steps away from the port. 

The third leg of the journey is a one-hour boat trip from Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island. Rustic and humble, the outrigger boats here, just like in other small coastal towns don’t offer the comforts of climate controlled cabins with cushioned seats, but after a formidable road trip, the open-air boat ride will be refreshing. If you get motion sickness make a metal note to pack some Bonamine because the sea can be quite turbulent even in fair weather.

Also, before hopping on the boat you’ll need to register at the tourist desk at Mauban Port and pay an environmental fee. On peak days there are many trips to the island. However, on off-peak days like weekdays, there are only two trips, one in the morning at 10:30 a.m. and another in the afternoon at 3:30 p.m, so if you go on a off-peak day, be at the port by 9:30-10 a.m. to catch the morning trip.

Public Boats Schedule:

Weekdays — 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Weekends and Holidays — 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.

The fourth and final leg of the journey is a short trip from the island’s main port to your resort. Travelers can either go by boat or by habal-habal (motorcycle). Habal-habals are the cheaper option but are not for the faint of heart. Many parts of the island remain undeveloped and for some travelers, the bumpy and infinitely rugged terrain habal-habals take en route to the resorts may be too much to handle. Fortunately, the trip only takes about eight to ten minutes depending on the location of your resort. Larger groups usually hire a boat since they can share the cost.

Habal-habal Fare P50 per person

Boat Fare – See photo below

Altogether, the journey to Cagbalete from Manila could take seven to eight hours depending on stopovers and queues. Much like the Amazing Race, there will be pitiful stops and rigorous challenges. Nonetheless, if your heart is set on traveling to Cagbalete, take note of the tips above and find inspiration in the promise of sun-dappled beaches, immaculate sandbars, and glorious sunsets that await on the island.

If you found this article useful, please pass it on

Check out these travel guides for more info on Cagbalete island and other top beaches to visit in Quezon province

A busy day at Cagbalete Port

An equally busy day at Mauban Port

By mid-afternoon the tide goes out and reveals picture-perfect sandbars. However, by this time there won’t be much ocean left to swim in, so it’s best to swim to your heart’s content in the morning.

Low tide in Cagbalete Island

Tags: Philippine Beaches

Iza Sanchez

Iza Sanchez is a freelance ESL Teacher, adventurer, and moderator of Take The Travel. She writes about solo-backpacking, travel saving tips and other awesome travel resources.

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how much pamasahe from cubao to lucena to mauban port?

What year po kayo nagpunta sa cagbalete? Updated po kaya yang rates po ng boat?

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• Tour Package

CAGBALETE ISLAND TOUR PACKAGE

2 Days & 1 Night

CONTACT US! Mobile       : (SUN) 09428206515 / (SMART) 09988696338 / (GLOBE) 09778154707 / (GLOBE) 09162561122 Email         : [email protected] Facebook  : https://www.facebook.com/Primerosetravels

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• For those who like to join with other groups and tour schedules are set every Saturday and Sunday for 2 days and 1 night and every Friday to Sunday for 3 days and 2 nights.

Private or Exclusive Tour

• Private or Exclusive Tour(s) with a minimum passenger of twelve (12) persons per van can be set anytime as preferred. • For additional and special discounts kindly send us the final headcount and we will send you the revised quotation

Please send us your inquiry at our FB page at www.facebook.com/italianatravels or email us at [email protected].

Kindly indicate your name, destinations, number of person joining, preferred travel dates and contact number.

Package Inclusions:

• Round Trip Van transfer (Manila-Mauban-Manila)
• Boat transfer (Mauban – Cagbalete – Mauban)
• Boat transfer (Cagbalete Port to Accommodation)
• 2 days & 1 night Accommodation (all rooms are bamboo rooms with mattress, pillow and sleeping blanket)
• Tent (4 persons per tent)
• Entrance fees
• Environmental fees
• Boat fees – Island Hopping to Yang In Sand Bar & Bonsai Island

Package Exclusions:

• Island Hopping Activities on personal account
• All other expenses not mentioned in the inclusions

Sites to Visit:

• Yang In Sand Bar
• Bonsai island

OPTIONAL – Additional cost of Php900.00 per person will be charged if you avail tour package with FOOD. (Day 1 Lunch, Snacks & Dinner & Day 2 Breakfast & Snacks)

We have coordinated with the friendliest, reliable and accommodating people to make sure that your visit to CAGBALETE ISLAND will be safe, relaxing and a memorable experience for your family and friends. We are the first and only travel agency to include this in tour packages.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Please take note that the itinerary will depend on the time management and cooperation of the group..

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7 Best Beaches in Quezon Province [And How To Get There]

• Post author: escapemanila
• Post comments: 1 Comment
• Post last modified: June 12, 2023

Summer is just around the corner, so why not take a vacation from the hustle and bustle and visit a beach? These ones are nearby getaways with a lot of sun and sand. Here are some of the best beaches in Quezon Province! [Check out our list of top tourist spots in Quezon Province ]

Best Beaches in Quezon Province

The beaches listed below are gorgeous! These are must-visit beaches near Manila!

Borawan Beach

One of the most famous beaches in Barangay Lipata, Borawan shows a magical view of the Sibuyan Sea. Backed by rocky cliffs and dotted by huge rocks, the beach offers a lot of nooks and crannies to explore, plus a lot of good vistas for sightseeing. Make sure to take a dip in the sapphire waters, too!

How to get to Borawan Beach

• Take a Lucena City-bound bus from either Buendia, Cubao or Kamuning. The fare is around Php200 Php260. Travel time is around 3-4 hours depending on the traffic situation.
• Alight at Lucena Grand Terminal.
• From Lucena Grand Terminal take a bus or van to Unisan. Travel time is 1 hour. The fare is around Php 35 to 40.
• Get off at QCRB Bank in Padre Burgos. You can buy supplies in the market before hiring a tricycle that will take you to the small fishing port in Barangay Basaio.
• Outrigger boats dock in the port will take you to Borawan Island, Puting Buhangin, and Dampalitan Island for Php 1,700 to 2,000. Good for 10 people.

Dampalitan Beach

Dampalitan is among the country’s many underdeveloped beaches — which, in this day and age is actually a good thing. Its brown sand is lined with pine trees, and you can also see a few tents from overnight campers. For those who want more traditional lodgings, there are 10 spartan cottages, all without electricity. Talk of a great way to detox! The beach also sports a mangrove area, which is worth a look-see. Check out our Dampalitan DIY Travel Guide .

How to get to Dampalitan Beach

• Get off at QCRB Bank in Padre Burgos. You can buy supplies in the market before hiring a tricycle that will take you to the small fishing port in Barangay Basaio .

Cagbalete Island

Not just “another island paradise”, Cagbalete Island is surrounded by a wide patch of cream-colored sand (especially during low tide). Aside from simply lounging around, nature lovers can appreciate the wide biodiversity of Cagbalete, with various flora and fauna (the latter mostly birds and marine species). As a plus, it’s also so easy to reach from Manila! This is definitely one of the best beaches in Quezon Province. Check out our Cagbalete Island DIY Travel Guide .

How to get to Cagbalete Island

• From Lucena Grand Terminal take a bus or van to Mauban. Travel time is around 2 hours. The fare is around Php 60 to 70.
• The port is a port walk from the bus station in Mauban.
• Upon arrival in Mauban port, visit the tourism office and pay Php 50 per persons for the environmental fee. Also there a Php 30 is collected for the terminal fee. There are passenger boats that will take you to Cagbalete Island. Travel time is around 45 minutes to 1 hour. The boat departs at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

MV Neneng Boat Schedule between Mauban Port and Cagbalete Port

Mauban Port to Cagbalete: 11:00 AM / Fare: Php100 Cagbalete to Mauban Port: 7:00 AM / Fare: Php100

Alibijaban Island

Pronounced “Alibihaban”, this one’s located in the municipality of San Andres Quezon. San Andres is a tourist attraction in its own right, but the golden triple sandbars is a sight to behold! The whole beach is a treasure in terms of its simplicity and raw beauty. A good plus is the genuine hospitality shown by the people of San Andres.

How to get to Alibijaban Island

• From Lucena Grand Terminal take a bus or van to San Andres, Quezon.
• If you are okay with non-airconditioned bus, you can take a direct trip to San Andres, Quezon from StarMall Alabang. The trip schedule are: 4:00 AM, 5:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 1:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 8:30 PM and 10:00 PM
• When you arrive in San Andres, you can rent a boat to Alibijaban Island.

Jomalig Island

Jomalig island is well known among weekend trippers from Manila, as a place where you’d go if you want to isolate yourself from the world. The island (whose name is pronounced “ Humalig ”) is populated by a very friendly group of people, whose smiles shine brighter than the golden sands and the teal waters. There’s only one thing to feel here: serenity!

Puting Buhangin Beach

The name of the beach says it all. Also called Lukang Beach after its owner, the beach is among the offerings of Pagbilao. The tropical features you’re looking for in a beach are all here, from the fine sand and clear water to the short palm trees and the lush island interior!

How to get to Puting Buhangin Beach

Minasawa island.

Minasawa is among Polillo’s wonders, and aside from being a great pebbled beach, it is also an active bird sanctuary with various species roaming around freely. The food here is also great, so if you’re looking for other activities aside from simply taking a dip, then this is a good alternative. If you want to go day tripping, you can also check out the various islets around that comprise some of Polillo’s other offerings.

These are just some of the best beaches in Quezon Province, all easily reachable from the country’s center. What’s stopping you from taking time off and taking a dip?

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @escapemanila

escapemanila

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sorry this year to visit, try in 2022,, we are nine beautiful people to visit your beautiful beaches, see beautiful people, Manolo

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Papua New Guinea Travel Advisory

Travel advisory january 17, 2024, papua new guinea - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Reconsider travel to Papua New Guinea due to crime, civil unrest, and piracy . Exercise increased caution due to kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, inconsistent availability of healthcare services, and potential for natural disasters. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

• Central Bougainville, particularly areas near the Panguna mine, due to  civil unrest .
• The Highlands region, other than the towns of Mt. Hagen and Goroka, due to civil unrest .

Country Summary: Violent crime , including sexual assault, carjackings, home invasions, and armed robberies, is common. There have been reports of criminals attacking resorts popular with foreign tourists to steal goods and money. Tensions between communal or tribal groups may lead to civil unrest involving violence and can occur without warning. Police presence is limited outside of the capital, Port Moresby, and police may be unable to assist due to limited resources. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Port Moresby due to limited transportation infrastructure. U.S. government employees must obtain authorization before traveling to areas of concern, including the central part of Bougainville and the provinces of Southern Highlands, Western Highlands (excluding Mt. Hagen), Eastern Highlands (excluding Goroka), Hela, Enga, Jiwaka, and other areas of Papua New Guinea where one is unable to fly directly.

Piracy is active in the waters surrounding Papua New Guinea. Travelers by boat should reconsider travel to the Bismarck and Solomon Seas along Papua New Guinea's north and eastern coasts. In 2021 and 2022, the Embassy was aware of at least three occasions in which sailboats operated by or carrying U.S. citizens were boarded by criminals. The criminals, who have been known to use physical violence, robbed the boats, and in one incident, severely injured the captain when he attempted to fight back.

Visit our website on International Maritime Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea .

Kidnapping for ransom or political influence occurs in Papua New Guinea, though foreign nationals are not frequently targeted. In February 2023, a foreign citizen was kidnapped. In late 2022, foreign citizens employed by an international company were kidnapped and held for several days.  

Travelers should exercise increased caution when traveling in remote areas of Papua New Guinea due to the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remaining from World War II. UXO is discovered infrequently throughout the country, often on smaller islands.

Papua New Guinea has inconsistent availability of healthcare services which may be difficult to obtain outside of Port Moresby. Pharmaceuticals may be scarce or unavailable.

Papua New Guinea is subject to periodic seismic activity and is home to several active volcanoes. The country does experience regular volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. U.S. citizens are advised to familiarize themselves with volcano updates , earthquake tracking , and tsunami warnings in Papua New Guinea. U.S. citizens should develop contingency plans in the event of an eruption or major earthquake.  

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Papua New Guinea.

If you decide to travel to Papua New Guinea:

• Do not use local taxis or buses, known as public motor vehicles or PMVs.
• Travel with guides from a reputable tour company, particularly if you plan to hike.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Avoid areas in the vicinity of active volcanoes.
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• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance.
• Bring a sufficient supply of over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
• Avoid sailing around the waters of Papua New Guinea and review the Live Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau.
• If sailing, have functioning communication and emergency equipment, such as a satellite phone, VHF radio, and emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB).
• Review Travel.State.Gov’s Crisis Abroad: be ready page.
• Review volcano updates , earthquake tracking , and tsunami warnings .
• Review the CDC’s suggestions on preparing for natural disasters .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to assist you in an emergency.  
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow Embassy Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for the Papua New Guinea.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Areas Near the Panguna Mine on the island of Bougainville – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has designated areas near the Panguna mine as “no go zones" due to the risk of violence from civil unrest. Bougainville police lack the resources to respond to emergency calls.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

The Highlands Region (excluding Mt. Hagen and Goroka) – Level 4: Do Not Travel

There is a heightened risk of civil unrest from tribal violence throughout the region, including the provinces of Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Hela, Enga, and Jiwaka. The towns of Mt. Hagen (Western Highlands) and Goroka (Eastern Highlands) generally have a more stable police presence than other towns and villages across the Highlands provinces.

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