Over the past few weeks, Manila had succumbed to the mind numbing heat brought about by the summer season. So what can a good ol' Manileña like me can do? What else but to retreat to nearby provinces to relax and unwind, of course!
The beautiful Cagbalete Sandbar ;)
For the past few weeks, bordering to months, Jem and I had been planning on going on a weekend getaway for the upcoming holidays. Of course we didn't want to visit tourist destinations during the holy week because we want to enjoy the place when it's not overcrowded, yet, and because our families also has plans for that special week. So instead of doing it the traditional way, we planned on going the weekend before the holy week itself.
We've been scouring the internet for nearby beaches we can visit via public transportation and most of our searches resulted to Masasa, Crystal Beach, Potipot, Calatagan (again), and Cagbalete. Actually, we've already decided on going to Crystal Beach Resort but when we called in, we were informed that they could no longer accommodate us (curse you!!!) so we had to make a new plan from scratch. After calling different resorts, we have finally reached our final-est decision, we were going to Cagbalete Island at Mauban, Quezon.
A portion of the beautiful and tranquil island of Cagbalete
Since we were informed that going to Cagbalete would require you to ride a strictly scheduled passenger boat, we didn't want to risk the idea of being late. So on the night of April 7, Friday, we agreed to meet up at Jac Liner Kamias Terminal to travel to Quezon Province.
GOING THERE
Going to Cagbalete Island is quite easy. But before that, you'll have to travel by land and get to Mauban port in Quezon Province. Mauban is a first class municipality in the province of Quezon. It's 157 km from Manila and 52 km from Lucena City.
Port of Mauban, Quezon
Jac Liner offers daily trip which will take you straight to Mauban, however they only have 2 scheduled trips a day. One at 4AM and the next one by the afternoon (not sure exactly what time but when I asked their foreman, he said it will probably be around 1PM). But since 4AM is already quite late for a 5-6 hours of travel time, we opted to take the other route.
Jac Liner Kamias Terminal (photo grabbed from here)
The other way of getting to Mauban is by riding a bus bound to Lucena Grand Terminal and transferring to an ordinary bus bound to Mauban. The fair for each ride is PHP 218 and PHP 54, respectively. Don't worry you won't get lost since you'll be getting down at the last stop of each ride.
Travel time from Manila to Grand Terminal is roughly 3-4 hours. We started our travel at 12 AM and arrived at the terminal at around 3 AM something. From there, you just have to walk along the line of food stalls until you reach the bus stop for further travel south. There are numerous guides which will point you where the bus to Mauban is, so don't be afraid to ask around! We were lucky to have caught up with a seemingly overloaded ordinary Mauban bound bus so we simply waited for not more than 15 minutes before we were once again travelling the paved road.
Lucena Grand Terminal (photo grabbed from here)
From the Grand Terminal, it will take you another 1 hour and 10 minutes (exact words from the konduktor HAHA) to get to Mauban. You'll be getting down at their terminal which is beside 7Eleven (PRO TIP: Once you get down, there will be numerous tricycle drivers offering a ride to the port for PHP 10 each, if you have a tight budget, politely refuse then just simply walk to the port; IT IS VERY NEAR).
Buy all your essentials here because the prices at Cagbalete is quite higher (i.e., a box of ice would cost you 100/half and 150/whole while ice from stores at Mauban proper is just 5/piece).
One of the private boats for hire at Mauban Port
From the port, you'll be walking to their covered court-slash-ticketing area(?) to pay environmental fee which costs PHP 50. All other information about Cagbalete Island can also be found here i.e. activities, resorts, travel time, schedule of passenger boat, fares, etc. Reminder! They will not allow you to board the passenger boat if you have not yet booked a reservation at one of the resorts on the island, so better have an advanced booking or set-up one with resort representatives present at the court.
Also, they follow a strict, emphasis on the strict, schedule so plan your trip ahead!!!
Updated schedule and fare of Mauban Port-Cagbalete Island
Since we got all our information about going to Cagbalete Island when we called Doña Choleng Camping Resort, we decided to stay there as well :) I explained our arrangement of our stay with their representative and paid a reservation fee of PHP 350 (this is their tent pitching fee for overnight stay, more on their rates later hehe). After that, I proceeded to register our names and paid for the environmental fee.
We were given a receipt and was advised that we will be boarding MB Salvatore. We waited at the port and approached one of their kagawads (I assumed). He informed us that the receipt we were issued with were numbered and that boarding of the passenger boat will be numerical. Luckily, we got 17 so were able to board the first boat to arrive :D
One of the three passenger boats which travels to and from Cagbalete Island
PRO TIP: Some of the resorts are far from the the main port of Cagbalete Island so there are additional charges if you want to be dropped off in front of your chosen resort. Talk with their representative since some of them have their own shuttle. Like with Doña Choleng, the port at Mauban will ask an additional PHP 500 so they'll drop you in front of the resort but we were informed that they have their own shuttle for only PHP 15!
Cagbalete Island's Port
From the port of Cagbalete, there are boat men for each resort who will guide you to your chosen destination. For us, we were greeted by Kuya Diony and he proceeded on taking us to where the shuttle to our resort picks up its passengers. The boat men who'll guide you from the start of your stay will also be your designated tour guide :) so if you're planning on doing some island hopping or whatnot, simply set an arrangement with them. They're all very friendly and it can also be a way of immersing yourself with their culture.
On the other hand, if you want to get to the resort earlier, you can try riding a habal-habal or a single motorcycle. The cost is PHP 50 per head.
THE RESORT
Doña Choleng's Camping Resort beach front
The ride to the resort was rough, literally. It's like you're riding a 15-seater ATV! Anyway, it was still quite fun since it adds a little bit more of adventure to your trip hehe
You'll be dropped off just in front of the entrance and the boatmen who approached you at the docks will magically reappear to carry some of your stuff :)) but srsly though, I was quite surprised that he got there before us. I didn't see him ride his motorcycle!
The resort's reception area
Anyway, you'll be ushered to the front desk where you'll be presenting your reservation slip. They'll be computing how much you'll be paying for your stay manually so you don't have to worry since you'll be able to check it yourself after. For our stay, we elected to do a 3 days 2 nights. Since we brought along our own tent (which is a 4 Person Sundome Coleman Tent HAHA sorry it's an inside joke), we were charged PHP 350/night for the space of our tent. Their tent pitching is 350 per night, per tent as long as it's for 3-4 person. They also charged a PHP 100/head entrance fee which is for one time payment only. Aside from that, the shuttle fare was also computed which is PHP 15/head.
For our stay, we spent about:
Tent Pitching Fee: PHP 350 x 2 nightsBut since we already paid a down payment of PHP 350 on Mauban port, we were only left to settle a total of PHP 580. Not bad!
Entrance Fee: PHP 100 (x 2 since there are two of us)
Shuttle Ride: PHP 15 (x 2)
Aside from camping, the resort also has rooms for couples and big groups. This ranges from bali huts, pavilions, and the likes.
They also have their own store and restaurant, though like I said, the prices are a bit higher.
Going back, we were led to the pitching grounds and Kuya Diony helped us on setting up our tent (lucky, I didn't have to do anything!). After that, he and Jem talked for some time while I unpacked our stuff. Jem did help me after their little man-on-man talk.
Since it was still quite sunny and we didn't really have any proper rest, we decided to sleep in until late afternoon (since Jem is a son of a dermatologist, he is very sensitive with issues about skin hehe).
Doing some unpacking, as you can see I am very helpful HAHA
Finally settled in!!!
At around 3 PM, when the sun was already setting, we decided to change to our swimming attire and play around. And of course, did some kodakan HAHA.
We decided to settle for the night when it was already getting dark. We washed and changed to our sleeping clothes and decided to lie down inside our tent. Some time later, EDM songs started blasting off of some speakers somewhere in the resort. We decided to head out to check out what was happening.
Too bad we didn't get to ready our cameras since apparently there was a fire dance show! They conduct it every time there are a number of guests checked in! Lucky us!!! Still, we were able to take some last photo ops when the performers invited the audience for some picture taking sesh.
Before calling it a night, Jem and I sat down along the shore and shared a bottle of empi. We also walked along the water-ridden shores before heading back to our tent. PRO TIP: I know it's a beach and you're expecting the blazing heat of the sun, BUT bring a jacket! And if you'll be camping during your stay, bring a blanket with you cause it's really cold at night.
We woke up the following morning at around 5:30AM to watch the sun rise :)
Since there really isn't anything to do at the resort, unless you're willing to shell out some money for jet ski, kayak, banana boat rides, flying fish, and the typical water activities, your only other option is doing island hopping.
Because Jem and I wanted to save as much money as we can, we befriended another couple who was situated next to our tent. We suggested that we share the island hopping fee since it would cost us PHP 1,500, which is too much if only the two of us paid. Luckily, they agreed! After eating our breakfast, our designated boatman, Kuya Dany along with his companion, fetched us from the camping grounds.
I feel so extra :))
Our first stop was to do some snorkeling! Jem and I brought our own gears (the same ones from Calatagan from this post) but if you don't have any, the boatmen has plenty of extra which they can lend you for free!
New found friends!
Kuya Dany brought along a piece of bread so we can feed the fishes. The moment he threw a piece to the ocean, there was a school of fishes fighting for the bread! There were a lot of Gill (from Finding Nemo hehe) and he was one of the feisty ones! The corals at the area we were dropped off were pretty well maintained as well.
Of course, we could't let the moment pass so we asked Kuya Dany to take some of our photos hehe
After our long snorkeling session, we were led to the famous Cagbalete Sandbar!!!
The sandbar was absolutely stunning! Thankfully, Kuya Dany suggested that we leave our shoes on the boat so we can feel the fineness of the sand! When we got there, there was still an ankle deep water but after 15 minutes or so, it immediately dried down and exposed the long stretch of sand.
On one side of the sandbar, you can see a mangrove which is still currently being developed. There's also this stunning tree which is ways a bit from the mangrove and is wonderful to look at.
We were called back by Kuya Dany since the tide was getting too low. He informed us that they wouldn't be able to take us back to the resort because of the low tide so they just took us to Cagbalete's main port. From there, we rode a habal-habal for PHP 50 each to get back to our resort.
We ate our early lunch and decided to bum for the rest of the afternoon. We moved two beach chairs lying along the shores near our tent and decided to chill.
By late afternoon, we then again head out to the ocean to do some swimming! We also walked along the shores away from the resort. We discovered this IG worthy tree where a couple were doing some photo sessions. We passed by them and continued walking until we reached Cagbalete Island's cemetery. It was creepy but still, we trudged on... until we saw a guy sitting along the shore all alone... Creepier than the cemetery, we decided to immediately head back HAHA.
We decided to wash up at the resort's public wash room and settle for our last night. We got lucky for the second time when we heard the familiar booming sound of EDM playing inside the resort! We got our cameras ready this time around and looked for the perfect spot. There were noticeably fewer guests on our second night but nonetheless, the crowd was very lively!
Because it was already our final night at Cagbalete, we decided to end the night late. We talked about random things till everyone else on the campsite were asleep. We decided to call it a night when the mosquitoes came and started biting us HAHA.
We then woke up pretty early to watch and take some shots of the early morning sky. The night sky really is the most beautiful during ungodly hours. We headed back to sleep and set another alarm to catch another sun rise :)
We toured the resort one last time before finally travelling home. Here are some of their amenities and services you can look forward to should you plan on visiting this wonderful haven ;)
Massage hut which you can request for PHP 100/hour
Resort's mini playgound and beach volleyball court overlooking their restaurant
Activities which you arrange with the resort personnel
The resort's public toilet and bathroom
Doña Choleng's arched walk way
One other thing! The electricity at the resort is only for a limited time. It will be from 6PM up to 6AM so better bring your trusted powerbanks just in case!
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Going back to the port, you only need to ask their receptionist to include you on the next shuttle ride. If you're lucky you can travel with other guests and pay the minimum fee of PHP 15 each (as long as it meets the quota of 15 passengers), but if not, you may opt to request a special trip which may cost you PHP 200.
From there, you'll be riding the boat back to Mauban port. Remember that they follow a very strict schedule so better time your departure or you'll be stuck for another day at Cagbalete!
You'll be dropped off to whichever part of Mauban port is open. If you'd been unfortunate, like us, you'll be dropped off further from the main town and you'll be required to ride a tricycle to take you to the bus terminal. Fare is PHP 10 each. Simply tell the driver that you'll be getting down at the bus terminal which travels to Lucena Grand Terminal. From there, you'll simply be travelling the same way you got to Mauban :D
For the breakdown of expenses, here's ours for our 3 days and 2 nights stay at Cagbalete Island.
- Bus to/from Lucena Grand Terminal: PHP 218
- Bus to/from Mauban: PHP 54
- Environmental Fee (Mauban Port): PHP 50
- Passenger Boat to/from Cagbalete Island: PHP 100
- Food Expenses: PHP 600, divided by 2: PHP 300
- Shuttle to/from Resort: PHP 15
- Resort Entrance Fee: PHP 100
- Tent Pitching for 2 Nights: PHP 700, divided by 2: PHP 350
- Island Hopping - PHP 1,500, divided by 4 (MAKE FRIENDS hehe): PHP 375
- Habal habal back to resort: PHP 50
- Tricycle to Mauban Bus Terminal: PHP 10
If you're interested on staying at Doña Choleng, you can check out their website here or call at one of their numbers at:
0910-882-3346Should you wish to contact our boatmen, you can call them at these numbers:
0998-352-0544
0932-852-5489
Kuya Dionisio "Diony" Tadoy:
0948-272-2114Kuya Dany Ocampo:
0907-163-8845
0930-244-9782If you want, you can also call Kuya Diony since he's offering his house if you're looking for a cheaper accommodation. They also own a carinderia and a sari-sari store so food supplies wouldn't be a problem.
I hope reading this post didn't tire your eyes! HAHA I made it as short as possible but also wanted it to intrigue and invite you to come and visit this wonderful place so I hope that message came through! Thanks for dropping by ;)
Cool!!!
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