Miked's Travel PH

Showing posts with label quezon. Show all posts

Aside from Cagbalete Island, there are more beaches you can visit in the province of Quezon. Not far from Lucena City the capital of Quezon, is the town of Pagbilao and Padre Burgos where the beautiful island of Borawan and Dampalitan, and Kuwebang Lampas/Puting Buhangin beach is located. Borawan and Dampalitan Islands are in Padre Burgos, while Kuwebang Lampas is in Pagbilao. But you can access the three in Padre Burgos by boat.

Borawan Island

How to Get There

By public transportation, and coming from Manila, ride a bus bound for Lucena City in Quezon. Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner, and Ceres Transport are several bus lines that have the Lucena route. Terminals are in Buendia, Kamias and Cubao. Bus Fare is around PhP 210.00 and approximately 3-4 hours travel time.

The bus will stop at Lucena Grand Terminal. From there, ride a minibus bound to Padre Burgos and ask to be dropped off in Brgy. Marao. The fare is PhP 35.00 and around an hour or more travel time. When in Brgy. Marao, go to May Ann's store for Mang Rudy and Aling Tess .

A small boat fetched us to transfer in a bigger boat

You need to rent a boat so I suggest to contact a boatman before getting there. I read in another blog about Mang Rudy and Aling Tess (+63 921-454-3137) for an island hopping tour so we contacted them. They were very kind and will provide and remind you everything you need for the tour. Our boatmen were also a great tour guide, we wanted to give them a tip for good service, but they refuse it. I highly recommend these guys for your ride.

There is also an available secured parking lot in their place if you opt to bring a vehicle. Parking fee is PhP 50.00 for a day tour, but I'm not sure how much for overnight. It might be PhP 100.00.
Here are the prices on the boat rides or island hopping tour:

Borawan: PhP 800.00
Borawan + Dampalitan: PhP 1200.00
Borawan + Dampalitan + Kuwebang Lampas: PhP 1800.00

The view on the way to Kuwebang Lampas, the locals call it "Mag-asawang Bato"

This island is full of snakes they say

If you arrived at Padre Burgos late and needed to stay in a lodge or inn for the night, you could stay in Villa Anita also in Padre Burgos. It is just 10 - 15 minutes away from May Ann's store. The place is very nice and clean. We stayed here for the night since we arrived in Padre Burgos around 8 pm, since we came from Cagbalete. Their normal price for an air-conditioned room for 4 is PhP 1400.00, but they gave it to us for PhP 900.00 since we are leaving 5:30 am in the morning to start our Island Hopping at 6 am. Here's their contact number: +63 916-936-0260.

Villa Anita, nice and clean rooms

First stop: Kuwebang Lampas aka Puting Buhangin

The farthest beach from the port where you left since it is in Pagbilao. Around 45 minutes to 1-hour boat ride, you'll reach this place. You'll be passing Borawan and Dampalitan and some small islands on the way here. This beach is the most swimmable one. It has a fine creamy white sand and clear blue waters. On the right side of the beach is a small cave where its name probably came.

Approaching Kuwebang Lampas

Puting Buhangin, literally white sand.

Cave on the right side of the beach

Entrance of the cave

Don't dare jumping

Another view of the cave entrance

The water inside the cave is just knee deep

Fishes you can see inside the cave.

The other side of the cave, this area is a little deep

Entrance fee at the beach is PhP 80.00 for day tour and PhP 160.00 for overnight with discounts for students and senior citizens. For overnight campers, there are tents that can be rented for PhP 500.00, good for 3 and if you have your own tent, there is a PhP 200.00 pitching fee. There are restrooms available, but it's not very well maintained. There are no stores around the area.

Cottages are also available

Ow yes!

Second stop: Dampalitan Island

The least crowded beach among the three is this one. Probably because it's still early and the sandbar doesn't show up till afternoon where it is low tide. Also, this is the best spot where you can watch the sunset. The water here though is not as good as Kuwebang Lampas and there are some jellyfish in the area. We didn't stay long on the island since we were just on a half day tour so I just took some photos around.

Approaching Dampalitan Island

A few people swimming

Entrance fee at the island is PhP 80.00 also for day tour and PhP 160.00 for overnight with discounts for students and senior citizens. I'm not sure though about the tent rent cost and pitching fee. There are restrooms also available.

Side where the sandbar comes out when it's low-tide

Last stop: Borawan

Probably the most popular of the three. This is also the closest to Padre Burgos, It's just a 15-minute boat ride. Borawan got its name from Boracay and Palawan for its Boracay like sand and Palawan like rock formations. That's the reason why it suddenly became popular among tourists. The beach is really beautiful, but the water sometimes becomes so murky, you can't even see anything underwater. There are also jellyfishes so they put up a netted area where it's safe to swim. You can also rent a kayak or pedal boat for some extra activities. There is also a "sari-sari" store in the area.

Approaching Borawan

Almost there

Nets are placed to keep jellyfishes away

Dinosaur-shaped rock formation

More rock formations near the shore

Cottages are also available

Side activities

Bonfire is prohibited

Borawan has the most expensive entrance fee of the three. Day tour is PhP 150.00 and an overnight stay is PhP 220.00 with discounts also for students and senior citizens. Though they have that entrance fee, the beach is overcrowded with tents.

Please don't do this

Some parts of the beach also stink. Yes, literally stinks. I don't know if it is the restroom's fault or some people just go peeing in the rocks. Beer bottles are just scattered around the sand and some rocks have a plastic garbage tucked into it. It really angers me when some stupid, idiot tourist does this. Anyways, like our boatman says, don't believe everything you saw on the internet. Borawan is a lovely place, but it may also disappoint you when you expect it to be just like Boracay and Palawan. I leave you more photos of Borawan.

Quick tips

For boat rides, you may contact Rudy/Tess at +63 921-454-3137
If you opt to stay in town for the night, you can stay in Villa Anita, you may contact them at +63 916-936-0260
Bring foods that you can cook in the island. Mang Rudy can provide the kitchen utensil you need.
You can camp in any of the three, just bring your own tent since it will cost you PhP 500.00 that is only good for 3 pax, while pitching fee is only PhP 200.00
Better bring a flashlight and power banks
All of the islands have a shower room and restroom

Estimated Overnight Expenses

Roundtrip Bus Fare Manila - Lucena: PhP 210.00 * 2 = PhP 420.00
Roundtrip Bus Fare Lucena - Padre Burgos: PhP 35.00 * 2 = PhP 75.00
Food: (estimated contribution of 4 pax for lunch, dinner and breakfast) PhP 500.00
Island Hopping Tour: PhP 1800.00 / 4 = PhP 450.00
Entrance Fees: PhP 80.00 (Kuwebang Lampas) + PhP 150.00 (Borawan) + PhP 160.00 (Dampalitan) = PhP 390.00
Tent Fee: PhP 200.00 / 4 = PhP 50.00
Total: PhP 1885.00

For less than PhP 2000.00, you can enjoy a great overnight stay in Quezon's beautiful beaches. It's a bonus that it's only 4 hours away from Manila. So pack your things this weekend and head to Quezon! Travel, enjoy and remember, leave nothing behind and take only selfies!

Cheers from Borawan!

When it comes to beaches that are near in Manila, Batangas is on top of our mind. But there is another province that is also near in Manila that is home to beautiful beaches. The province of Quezon has these amazing beaches that are quite comparable to the beaches in the Visayas. One of them is Cagbalete Island in the town of Mauban.

Cagbalete's beach

How to Get There

By public transportation, and coming from Manila, ride a bus bound for Lucena City in Quezon. Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner, and Ceres Transport are several bus lines that have the Lucena route. Terminals are in Buendia, Kamias and Cubao. Bus Fare is around PhP 210.00 and approximately 3-4 hours travel time. Jac Liner also has a two scheduled (5 am/12 pm) direct trip to Mauban, the fare is PhP 270.00.

When you reached Lucena, you can either ride a non-air conditioned Lucena Grand Terminal for almost 2 hours or the air conditioned bus in SM Lucena for less than an hour going to the town of Mauban. The fare for non-AC buses is around PhP 50.00 and PhP 80.00 for AC buses.

Official town seal of Mauban, Quezon

In Mauban, you could just walk or take a tricycle going to the Port/Tourist Center. You need to pay first an environmental fee of PhP 50.00 per person. The Tourist Center will offer you boat rides going to Cagbalete Island. There are public and private boats available.

Tourist registration and ticketing area

Environmental fee tickets

Boat trip schedules and price

Tricycle that can give you a ride to the passenger loading area (PhP 10.00 per person)

For public boats, the first trip starts at 10 am and the last is at 4 pm. One way fare is PhP 50.00. Upon arriving on the island, you will have to walk around 15-30 minutes to get to the resort but, some resort has also a shuttle service also. Private boats are much expensive. It would cost around PhP 1500.00 - PhP 5000.00 depending on the passenger count. But it is much more convenient since it takes you directly to your resort. The boat ride is around an hour to an hour and a half.

If you are bringing a vehicle, there is an available secured parking area near the port for PhP 100.00, these are accredited by the tourism office. You can also ask your resort if they have one.

Port in Mauban

Boarding our boat to the island

*Quick Tips:

If you're taking the public boat, be sure to be on the port very early to catch the first trip in 10 am. You can't be sure what time the next trip will be, especially if there are many passengers.

Look for another group that is also taking a private boat to share with. You'll meet new people and lessen the expense.

Be sure to buy all your needs like food and water in the mainland since prices in the resort's stores are higher.

Port in Cagbalete Island

Where to Stay

Before, there are only a few resorts on the island, but with the sudden gain of fame of the island, new resorts opened. We really have no idea where will we stay in the island, so we asked our tricycle driver which resort he would recommend. He told us about "Doña Cholengs" so we check it out. It's a nice place to stay, they don't have that many rooms, but you can also camp in a tent. Good thing we bought our tent because the place is fully booked.

Resort reception

Their cheapest room is PhP 2000.00 good for 5 pax (no AC), air-conditioned rooms for 2 is PhP 2500.00. If you're camping out, you need to pay PhP 100.00 per pax and either rent a tent for PhP 500.00 or bring your own and just pay PhP 250.00 for usage-fee. You can check their Facebook page or contact them at this number +63 910-882-3346.

Other resorts you can check out are here:

Pansacola Beach Resort

+63 42-784-0158 / +63 917-546-5901 / +63 928-505-8633
Parking: Yes / Restaurant: Yes / Boat Service: Yes

Villa Cleofas - www.cagbalete.net

+63 919-220-5000 / +63 917-839-5852 / +63 917-814-3475
Restaurant: Yes / Boat Service: Yes

MVT Sto Niño - www.mvtstoninoresort.net

+63 919-220-5000 / +63 917-839-5852 / +63 917-814-3475
Parking: Yes / Restaurant: Yes / Boat Service: Yes

Beach of Villa Cleofas

Where to Eat

Most of the resorts have their own restaurants. But, of course, prices are higher than usual and you will only have a few options on what to eat so I suggest that you should bring your own food and water. Before going to the island, you can make a stop at Mauban's Public market to buy some food that you can cook. Cooking utensils can be borrowed from the resorts, but be sure to bring your own stove or charcoal. In the island's "bario" or town area, there are several eateries, you could dine in and they could also cook for you ("paluto").

Snacks, meals and refreshments are also available in the tourist center

Pancit Habhab

10 pesos pancit Habhab

The Island

We reach the island around 11:30 am. It was low-tide so we need to transfer to a smaller boat to reach the shore. It was an additional PhP 15.00 for the short boat ride. Cagbalete is not that big and the resorts are just close to each other. The beach is a long stretch and has a fine creamy white sand, with bits of corals.

Approaching the Cagbalete Island

Transfering to a smaller boat since it's low tide

Shorelines

At the other side

What a view

Best time to swim is in the afternoon since it is high tide so you won't walk too much to reach the deep area. Other activities on the island, aside from beach bumming and swimming are skim-boarding, kayaking, beach volleyball, stargazing, camping, and snorkeling. Boatmen and resorts offer snorkeling and tour to Cagbalete's sandbar for around PhP 1200 - 1500, just try to haggle with them.

Going to the sandbar

The sandbar

Creamy white sand all over the place, and a rainbow

My obligatory pose

Time for some snorkeling

The gear they provide was not complete, so I suggest to bring your own

Though corals are not that many, It's still a good snorkeling area and fishes aren't hard to spot

The perfect way to end the day, beer, beach, bonfire, and marshmallows!

I'm sure I haven't experienced all of Cagbalete during my overnight stay here, but I truly liked and enjoyed the place. Definitely a nice place to unwind and relax even just for the weekends. So what are you waiting for, plan ahead, travel and remember, leave nothing behind and take only selfies!

Sunrise in Cagbalete Island

Expenses for Overnight Stay:

Roundtrip Bus Fare Manila - Lucena: PhP 210.00 * 2 = PhP 420.00
Roundtrip Bus Fare Lucena - Mauban: PhP 50.00 * 2 = PhP 100.00
Environmental Fee: PhP 50.00
Roundtrip Boat Ride: PhP 50.00 * 2 = PhP 100.00
Resort Entrance Fee: PhP 100.00
Tent Fee (bought our own, paying only half): PhP 250.00 / 4 pax = PhP 62.5
Food: PhP 500.00 (estimated contribution of 4 pax for lunch, dinner and breakfast)
Tour: PhP 200.00 (discounted for 8 pax - we shared with another group)
Total: PhP 1532.5