Cagbalete Island: A Perfect Summer Getaway

It's officially summer time in our dear archipelago! For some, summer is synonymous with vacation. It is the time of the year perfect for lazying around, getting a tan or visiting places without worrying for turbulent seas or erratic weather. It is the ultimate time for bonding and relaxation. In short, summer is fun.

Our country is composed of around 7,100 islands, all beautiful and uniquely mesmerizing so we will never run out of new places to spend our vacation with. I recently had a chance to visit one with my friends, the lovely Cagbalete Island. I'm sure this island is already known to a lot of people. Surprisingly, when we were there, the side of the island where we stayed was so deserted that it felt like we own the island.

Cagbalete Island is in Mauban Quezon, a getaway that can be reached in about 6 hours total travel time from Manila. It is an island surrounded with rich water, a combination of fine and grainy cream sand, and a home to disciplined people as seen by how clean the shores (and even Sabang port) are.

Getting There

There are a number of ways in getting to the island but I will be more specific on my own experience traveling to the island.

JAC Liner, JAM Liner and Lucena Lines have bus terminals in the Cubao area. We chose JAC Liner. Their station is in Kamias, can be found on your right when traveling Northbound in EDSA. JAM Liner's terminal can be found opposite to their station. Lucena buses on the other hand are located inside Araneta Center in Cubao. We planned on taking JAC's direct buses to Mauban Quezon but their website isn't updated so what's written there as an hourly trip starting from 5 AM to 2 PM is not accurate. They only have 2 trips, 5 AM and 12 NN. Because of that, we rode their bus headed to Lucena City (Quezon province's capital City). The ride took about 4 hours and 30 mins. Fare was Php218. Then we alighted in SM Lucena.

From SM Lucena, we rode a van going to Mauban. Fare was Php65. It was a fast 45 minute ride considering I was expecting an hour and 30minute travel time. Last trip of vans headed to Mauban is 9PM and from Mauban to SM Lucena is 5PM. Buses are also available in Grand Central Terminal in Lucena City (not in SM) for a cheaper fare but I'm sure will definitely be a longer ride. (Fare as of April 23, 2013 is Php54).

From Mauban Market where the van dropped us, we walked our way to Pantalan (Mauban Port) to board the ferry going to Sabang Port (Mauban Island) It is a short walk. We registered and paid a Php100 fee to Frances, the lady manning the Tourism Booth. The Php100 fee is a total for environmental fee - Php40, Terminal Fee - Php30 and take note, a Porter fee of Php30. So if the porters try and help you carry your luggage, don't be alarmed or shy - they are just doing their job and won't ask you for any tip or additional fee.

We paid the Php40 ferry fare directly to conductor of the ferry. Frances told me that they used to collect the fare in the tourism booth too but since they would be increasing the ferry fares soon and are just waiting for the tickets with the printing of the new fares to arrive, they just let the conductor collect it on their end. So expect a fare hike in your future visit. (Update: My sister in law traveled to the island on April 23 2013 and paid Php50. She and her companions weren't charged a porter fee though.) We arrived in Sabang Port in 45 minutes. There are only 2 trips going to and from Cagbalete, 10AM and 4PM to the island and 7AM and 1PM back to Mauban. It is advisable to be there earlier because they leave as soon as the ferries are full.

The Island

Our ferry, Neneng can't dock near the shore since the water is low. We transferred to a smaller boat with a flat bottom. From there we we're guided by Kuya Wilmer in our 20 minute trek to the resort since it was located on the other side of the island. It was an easy trail. Sometimes though, the trail becomes really muddy in some parts and there are a few fork trails so it's advisable to have a guide the first time you're trekking.

The resort is a picture of serenity. It’s almost deserted except for four other campers who left the following day and proved to be pigs. I’m sorry for the term, but the day they left, they also left their pile of snack wrappers, cigarette butts, paper plates and glasses scattered on the seashore just beside the tents they rented.  This literally caused my blood pressure to rise. How could people be so irresponsible leaving their trash for other people to clean it up for them?

For accommodation options, please check Accommodations in Cagbalete.

We stayed in the Eastern side of the island. Photo enthusiasts would be glad to stay here to capture the beautiful sunrise. It is a perfect spot to lounge in the hammocks hanging under the umbrella trees. The wind seems to always invite me to sleep but I didn't give in, afterall, we just stayed for two nights in the island and time is better spent exploring the place. It was high tide when we arrived the first day but come night time, the water recedes very far leaving the almost white sand shimmering under the full moon.

The following day, we explored Bonsai Island, an island directly located in front of Villa Cleofas Resort. It is an island with a panoramic view of flat bed rocks and some bonsai looking plants in the middle of the island, thus the name Bonsai Island. The whole island is submerged in water during high tide and can only be accessed during low tide. I would say, it is another haven for photography enthusiasts. Shortly after we arrived, we noticed the water slowly creeping in, a sign that it soon will be high tide gain. High tide is more frequent in the island during full moon, as what the caretaker told us. If you think about it, it makes sense.

After that, we decided to explore the Northern part of the island where MVT Sto. Nino Resort is.  The shore is significantly shorter in that side of the island compared to the beachfront of Villa Cleofas. There are several driftwood with interesting shapes and the sand is surprisingly finer in that part of the island. The water is higher too so we waded our way to the water and joyously swam to our hearts content. The water is cold and warm at the same time. Warm on top and cold in the bottom. It is near a creek or maybe a river so I thought it maybe a brackish water (a combination of salt and fresh water) causing for the interesting difference in the water temperature.

The following morning, it was high tide still and we decided to kayak, going to the Southern part of the island. The water is so clear in this part, I could see the bottom even in the deep part of the beach. We passed by two new resorts. It was a good one hour of kayaking when we decided to go back before we get burned by the scorching sun. It was a perfect decision since by the time we got back in the shore, it was almost low tide. The famous sand ripples came into sight and another photo ops with a lot of jump shots started.

There are several activities you can do in the Cagbalete Island, except nightlife. It is a peaceful haven for people looking for solitude. It is a place to retreat and bond with special people or just a place to lounge and feel the caress of nature. I really loved my stay here. It was truly relaxing and fun. Sometimes, your travel companions would make a lot of difference with how you would perceive your experience with a specific place and this time, I am just so thankful that everything was great. :)