Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon (Travel Guide)

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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

 

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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Off to Sabang

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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Small Boats that will pick you up from your boat and drop you at Sabang

 

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

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Villa Cleofas

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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

 

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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Croaky
Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Bonsai Island

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

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

 

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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
TJ Hotdogs! Kids can tell. 😛

 

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.

DAY 2

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!!

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

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

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

 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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Crabs with banana blossoms

 

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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon
Back at Mauban Port

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.

Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

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

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 

Cagbalete Island Itinerary
DAY 2
Cagbalete Island Itinerary 2

EXPENSES:

Cagbalete Island Expenses

LOCATION:

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)

FEES:

  • Registration/Environmental Fee for Cagbalete: ₱50/person
  • Carabao Cart: ₱30/person
  • Entrance Fee: ₱50/person
  • Pitching Fee: ₱250

ACCOMMODATIONS:

POWER PACK:

CHECK OUT THESE DISCOUNTED/PROMO RATES FROM KLOOK:
Klook.com

NOTES:

  • 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.

 

©CHASEJASE

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