Walk with Style...: Cagbalete Island Travel Guide: How to enjoy the island in less than PHP1000

Basking around the sun, playing with the waves, reflecting on the beach and appreciating what God has given to us - A perfect summer starter pack. Besides the fact that this beach is uncrowded, one of the main attraction of this island is the pristine sand bars and extended shoreline whenever it reaches its low tide. You may opt to visit the nearby island wherein you can witness an island which has full of mangrove trees, do the snorkeling, jet-skiing or even do the paragliding.

What you need to know about the island.

Powdery Sand. This is one of the 7641 islands of the Philippines. It resembles to Boracay's powdery sand and to tell you, this is only 4 hours drive from Manila.

Extended Shore line. One of the major attraction of this island is the extended shoreline whenever the sea is at its lower lever (low tide). This island will give you Heaven on Earth feels. SRSLY.

Uncrowded Beach. This beach is not as crowded as the other beaches in Batangas. This is one of the hidden gem of Quezon province. Since it is not yet fully developed, travelers must also imbibe the Leave No Trace principles. Please remember the following:

Plan ahead and prepare.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Dispose of waste properly.
Leave what you find.
Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
Respect wildlife.
Be considerate of other visitors.

One of the most important principle of LNT is "Dispose waste properly", we must be responsible enough to protect our environment and save the wild life. Always remember that for every action that we are doing there is an equal or opposite reaction. Therefore, we must only live foot prints and happy memories not remnants that will destruct our environment. PLEASE BE A RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER.

How to get there?

By bus. From Buendia Station, look for a bus with the signage Mauban or Lucena. Tell the conductor to drop you at Lucena Grand Terminal. Fare is PHP210 as of this writing.

If you choose the cutting trip from Lucena Grand terminal, you may ride a bus, jeep or a van. It is way convenient to choose van as the travel time will be lesser compared with bus. Fare is PHP100 going to Mauban Port.

From Mauban Port. Before you cross the ocean, you need to pay PHP50 for the environmental fee at the Tourism office. You may choose between private or public boat. If you choose the private boat, you may ask for a private boat at the Tourism office. There is a standard fare for the private boat depending on how many are you.

By boat. Be sure to catch the first trip from Mauban to Cagbalete Island if you choose the public boat. First trip is 7AM and the last trip is 3PM. Fare for public boat is PHP80. I highly suggest you to get a private boat as it maximizes your time staying in the island. We rented a private boat good for 6 pax as they don't have boats available for 4 pax. Fare is 2500 which is good for 6 pax.

If you choose the public boat, it will drop you off at Sabang Port, the other side of Cagbalete Island.
If you choose the private boat, it will drop you off in front of your resort.

Private boat to Cagbalete Island

Enjoying the low tide in the island

Where to stay?

Budget Mode. If you're on a budget, you may choose to stay at Tents place. No entrance fee needed. All you have to pay is the tent and tent pitching. Tent and tent pitching is PHP500 which is good for 4 pax. You will only pay PHP125 each for your whole stay in Cagbalete Island.

There are a lot of resorts in the island. You may choose the Pansacola beach which is the nearest resort in the island. Take note that the island does not have electricity but resorts has its own generator which is open from 6AM to 6PM only.