If you want to have a quick getaway and looking for a place to chill away from the city, have a great scenic view, take a dip, enjoy a dose of vitamin sea, and is very affordable (you can get here at less than 1500 Php in your pocket)... then Cagbalete Island is so perfect for you.
We've been here twice, first is 2015, we have experienced the not-so-crowded Cagbalete then, very serene and very relaxing. I am not sure if it was not widely known that time or we just went there during October (almost rainy season but we had the sunny sun with us that time! lucky!). Second time was in 2016, went team building here during summer, quite crowded but the beauty of the sea, sand, and everything in between were still there.
Experience the beauty of endless sand ripples and sand bars that you may see during low tide (mostly in the morning). High tide is in the afternoon that will make it tempting to swim in the clear waters of this island (personally, I can compare it to how clear the water it is in Boracay).
This island is not your typical island that will give you night life and food feast. This one is kind of laid back .
ITINERARY
Day 1
4:00 AM ETD JAC Liner Cubao to Mauban Quezon
9:00 AM ETA to Mauban Quezon Terminal
10:00 AM ETD Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island via Passenger Boat
11:00 AM ETA at Cagbalete Island
11:15 AM ETA To Villa Noe Resort (walk from Cagbalete port to the resort)
12:00 PM Free time to chill, relax, and enjoy the beach until dawn
Day 2
12:00 PM ETD Cagbalete port to Mauban port via Passenger Boat
1:00 PM ETD Mauban port to Lucena Van Terminal via tricycle
1:10 PM ETA to Lucena Van Terminal to Lucena Grand Terminal
2:30 PM ETD Lucena Grand Terminal to Cubao via bus
7:00 PM ETA Cubao
Tips and Expenses :
- The Jac Liner Bus bound to Mauban has only two trips in a day, one is 4AM (and it leaves the terminal as soon as their bus is full, best to book in advance!) and one is 11 AM. Cubao to Mauban fare is ranging from 270Php to 290 Php.
- If you missed the schedule of the bus directly to Mauban, you can take a bus bound to Lucena instead for 218Php one way. You will be alighted at Lucena Grand Terminal where you can ride an ordinary mini bus to Mauban (I forgot how much is the fare for the bus, it will take you 45 mins to and hour). Alternatively, if you're after comfortable ride, from Lucena Grand Terminal, you can ride a tricycle to bring you to SM Lucena (5 mins away at 10Php each person) and there are FX's bound to Mauban there (from 80 to 100 Php each person I guess)
- In Mauban Port, if you were after saving up money, you should try having the passenger boat from Mauban port to Cagbalete for just 50Php, its just that it has only two schedule of departure, one is 10AM and another is 4pm from Mauban Port. Another alternative if you missed the schedule of passenger boat is to hire a private boat, rent price starts at 2000 Php depending on how many you are in a group.
- Both of my trips here we chose to stay at Villa Noe (09292176971/09052054348), because of 3 reasons, 1.) Cheap accomodation 2.) Cozy-iest resort by far 3.) Cheap, delicious food package (4 Meals for 1000 Php). They do not have airconditioned rooms but who cares anyway, you can only enjoy the electricity during evening as the island still having electricity from generator.
- You can also bring your own tent and pay the resort 200 Php for staying overnight or even your own food to cook to save on packaged meals.
- Don't forget your mosquito repellent when going here, there are nights that mosquitoes are very annoying here.
- Other resorts to choose from are Pansacola Resort, Villa Cleofas, Dona Choleng (they have airconditioned rooms and recommended for big groups), Joven's Resort, or MVT Sto Nino (this resort however is the farthers among all)
- This island is best for chilling, soul searching, and enjoying the simple life in the province so make the best out of it! You'll never regret it.
