Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon Province is a perfect long weekend getaway down the Southern part of the Philippines. First, it's very cheap to go there. Only doled out Php 1,500+ including food in a 3D2N adventure. This spending isn't yet conservative as we splurged on some meals and the boat ride. Second, though it took about 4.5-5 hours to get there, it's still relatively near. And third, no plane ride needed.
After all, the long ride was all worth it. Though the island does not boast of a super powdery white sand, it offers the ff graciously:
- Blue waters, blue sky, not a minute to feel blue.
- Eternal and endless sandbar! Meters and meters of it from the shore and in the longest time possible.
- Nature to bask and be thankful for.
- Peace and bliss. Even on Labor day.
- Simple life-- even just for a weekend.
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| Eternal & endless sandbar :) |
It's not a glamorous place to be but whoah! How it enriches the soul just to be there sleeping under the starry sky, waiting for the water to ebb away, feeling the fine sand on foot or by the hair, walking along the beach like having the best day yet...
HOW TO GET THERE
Backpacker mode, we set off early at 2:30 AM to catch a non-air con bus (at Php147) in Alabang to Lucena Grand Central Terminal.
At 6:00 AM in Lucena, rode straight to Mabuan via an ordinary bus (at Php 54). The somehow zigzaggy ride took an hour. At the drop-off point past 7:00 AM to the Tourism Office in Mauban Port, we chose just to walk to the office which took about 15-20 minutes. We paid an environmental fee of Php 50 each and hired a private banca straight to Villa Cleofas, our resort.
We preferred a private banca (2-way for Php 2,000) instead of a public ride to Sabang Port at Php 50 per head. First, due to safety as they aren't strict yet in implementing the proper capacity and second, public banca trips are scheduled and we can't wait to dip in the beach! Plus, public rides go straight to Sabang Port which will entail a long walk to the resort. (Though admitted, it's an adventure too)
Public banca schedule:
- Going to Cagbalete Sabang Port: 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
- From Cagbalete Sabang port: 7:30 AM and 1:00 PM.
Tadaaah! After hours of waiting, we're early in Cagbalete at just past 9:00 AM and the tide was super low! In fact, our boat can't go near anymore the shore. We were forced to walk our way to the resort. Scary at first but it was fun along the way.
The slow walk (with our bags and food) took us about 10-15 minutes and due to lack of shade, we got our first sunburn. Haha
BEACH LIFE FOR 3 DAYS
In Villa Cleofas, we opted to pitch our tent because per day, it's only Php 250 while the entrance fee on the first day was Php 50. Cagbalete is such a small island one can go around it full circle in just a few hours, I believe. Too bad we didn't have the courage to, but here's what took our time in the island:
- Pitching tent- before anything else we pitched in our tent. It was frustrating yet fun in the end. This was our home for 3 days and 2 nights.
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| Teamwork! |
- Midsummer day dream- especially on the first day where we had so little sleep yet too many time. It was breezy even when under the sun. Just the matting and bag as pillow, it's like not having slept for ages. And when I woke up...
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| Heavenly! |
- Eternal and endless sandbar- The signature of Cagbalete. It was a sight to behold. Imagine that just a few hours ago it was deep under the sea. Then we just sit down to be half submerged, eat Cheetos and chocnut, lay there and bask in the sun, in the middle of the sea. And most of the time, it's a vast sandbar...superb!
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| Digging what? The sea? |
- Bonsai Island- when the tide is low, Bonsai island is just a few meters away from the shores of Villa Cleofas. It provides a picturesque view of the place. Good for picture taking.
- Rocky formation- beside Bonsai Island is this rocky formation. Where are we?
- Sunrise and shine- watched the sun rise, accidentally because it rained 4:30AM and we were soaking wet because our tent is not waterproof. Blessing in disguise? Indeed.
- Cotton candy clouds- Just before the sun rise. Cotton candy goodness!
- High and low- watched the tide go high and low
- Watched bonfire- but we didn't dare go near as it burns the eye
- Played card games to burn the midnight oil- after dinner, we played card games. Then I learned how to play Tong-its. Yemen!
- Swimming- went as far but sometimes just near the shore where it's enough to dip neck down while in squat or Indian-sit position.
- A sky full of stars- and at night before we rest, just looking at the sky with stars, and you realize what a speck you are in the universe... I mean this place was conducive for that dreamy thinking.
- Dampa style- after a few meals of Ulalam, or packed goods, it got sickening already. Luckily, there are fish vendors roaming around. Since we don't have cookwares and we computed that renting for kitchen use would be much expensive, we asked Ate Jennifer- 09124315875 to cook it for us for a charge of around Php 200.
CAGBALETE TIPS
Some tips for a happier Cagbalete stay:
- Buy rice or other goods to cook at Mauban Port. Cheaper there.
- Bring a waterproof tent, if there's such a thing. 2 nights in a row, rain came down to wake us up
- Waterproof essentials- it's very handy especially when docking far from the shore
- Just pitch in if you have a tent; it's cheaper. Besides it will bring you closer to nature
- Bring lots of water and mini-bottle for individual use. On our second night to third day, we just drank soft drinks (at Php 70 per 1.5 L in the resort) due to lack of it. Small water bottle is at Php 20
- Though got tired of Ulalam, it's easier to bring & open than those in tin cans
- If many, just bring charcoal and some pans; but renting on a daily basis is possible, too. Prices at Villa Cleofas below:
- No electricity except around 6pm so bring all those fully-charged powerbanks and batteries
- CR is common and not so good; just be open to it
- Insect repellent- to be safe
WHERE TO STAY
It was hard to book on long weekends. Luckily Villa Cleofas still has a spot for us to pitch in.
There are only a few resorts, nine to be exact in Cagbalete. Took the liberty in researching their websites and contacts:
1. Yang-In
[2. Sabang Port]
- Alabang to Lucena Grand Terminal (non-aircon bus)- Php 147 each
- Lucena to Mauban Port (non-aircon bus)- Php 54 each
- Environmental Fee- Php 50 each
- 2-way private Banca to Cagbalete- Php 2,000/ Php 500 each
- Entrance Fee- Php 50
- Pitch in Fee- Php 500 2 nights/ Php 125
- Food- around Php 500 for food allocation (some grocery, some bought in the island)
- Trike from Mauban Port to Mauban bus- Php 10
- Mauban to Lucena Grand Terminal (non-aircon bus)- Php 54
- Lucena Grand Terminal to Alabang (non-aircon bus)- Php 131
- Total= Php 1,621
Where do you want to go next time?
Credits to RuRik for some of the photos :)
