Cagbalete Island: A Travel Guide

Here are some valuable information about Cagbalete Island and a bit of my two cents based on our visit in February 2016. Will be worth reading before you head there this summer. :-)
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Where is Cagbalete Island?

Cagbalete Island is part of Quezon province, just off the coast of Mauban. Travel time is usually 6 hours from Manila including bus ride to Mauban and boat ride from Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island. This is definitely one of the beaches in Quezon I would recommend exploring with the family, kids specifically.
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How do I get there?

JAC Liner is now offering direct bus transportation from Manila to Mauban. However, the trips are limited to only once or twice a day. If you are unable to catch these buses, you may traverse through Lucena and ride another bus to Mauban. From Mauban Port, there are several public ferries that can take you to Cagbalete Island.

For more detailed instructions, please visit Cagbalete Island: How to Get There.
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How much should my budget be?

When we went there last February 2016, our budget was P3,000 per head for a 3D2N itinerary. But note that we have been very generous to ourselves with the food so if you are not a foodie type of person (in short, hindi ka matakaw​), you can cut this down significantly.

You may check out our expenses breakdown here -- Cagbalete Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary.
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How many days should I spend in the island?

If you only have the weekend to spare, you can spend only 2 days and 1 night in the island but the longer you stay, the better. Visit Cagbalete Island: Budget and Suggested Itinerary for our 3D2N itinerary.

are there any restaurants in the island?

Yes, almost all resorts would have their own restaurants. In Dona Choleng, they have Sylvia's Kamayan Restaurant/Nico & Jewel Store, which serves sandwiches, pasta and rice meals (including varieties of seafood) at very reasonable prices. Hamburgers and sandwiches are priced at P50 to P70 and pasta for P70. Rice meals cost P120 and above.
Dona Choleng also allows for paluto if you would like to buy seafood somewhere else. They will just charge you for a minimal fee. 

I think in the bayan area, carinderias are also available to serve you (at even cheaper prices).

is network service available?

So far, I had no problems with Globe and Smart signals. I was even able to connect to 3G/LTE networks.

how about electricity?

As of February 2016, the island has access to electricity from 6PM to 6AM. At Dona Choleng, those in tents are able to charge their gadgets at the charging stations in the restaurant area during these hours. 

where can i stay in apo island?

For a list of resorts to stay in in Cagbalete Island, please check this out --> Cagbalete Island: Resorts and Accommodation.

what do i need to bring?

It will be best if you could bring the following with you to the island. Some you need to bring to survive :) and some you need to bring so you won't hurt your pockets too much during your stay.
  • POWER BANK!. Probably the most important gadget to have in islands where there are limited hours of electricity. If you need your batteries for your cameras, mobile phones and tablets to last the entire day, bring with you a charged power bank. You may not have a chance to charge your batteries if the charging stations are full, so this will come in handy.
  • Water. Bottled water and softdrinks are expensive in the island since these are "imported" from mainland. A 1.75L bottle of Coke would cost you P85 and a 6L water costs P125. If you can buy from Mauban prior to your trip, better.
  • Sarong/Hats/Sunblock. Or anything that would protect you from the sun. Once you go island hopping, particularly in Yang-In Sand Bar, there are no shaded areas. So better protect yourself from the UV rays.
  • Underwater camera. You'll need this to document your diving or snorkelling activities. Although I would say that there are not a lot of fishes in the sanctuary if you are expecting something like Palawan or Apo Island. There are a lot of urchins so if you like to see the colorful urchins underwater, this is your chance. Ask your boatman to bring you to areas where there are lots of urchins. But please be careful especially with the tuyoms (black, long-spined ones). Cagbalete is abundant of this kind.
  • Snorkelling gears. If you don't want to pay extra for the gears, then you can bring your own.
  • Off-Lotion or any Mosquito Repellant. You will need this, especially if you are sleeping in a tent.
  • Solar Lamps or any Source of Light. If you are spending the night in a tent, you will also need a source of light during the evenings. Although the resorts are well-lit during the night, you might still need this inside your tents.

what are the activities that i can do?

  • Swimming, especially during the late afternoon (early months of the year) when water is warmer and deeper.
  • You can also do kayaking, if you get tired of swimming. Some resorts rent out kayaks. In Dona Choleng, rate is P200 per hour. 
  • Island hopping shouldn't be missed. Make sure your boatman brings you to Yang-In Sand Bar and fish sanctuary.
  • Try out their seafoods, especially sawaki and tuyom (sea urchins) and tikar (seashells). Sea urchins, you can eat raw. For the seashells, ask someone to cook it for you. Dona Choleng prepared it niluyahan (with ginger) and it was absolutely delish!
  • Wake up early and watch the sunrise. The stretch where the resorts are is facing east so you'll get a good view of the sunrise. 
  • Just lounge by the beach and chat with the locals during your free time.
  • Food trip, and buy food from the hawkers passing by the resorts. There's ice cream, balot, espasol and a lot more.
  • Explore the island by walking the entire white sand stretch until you reach Bonsai Island.
Picture
Mornings in front of Dona Choleng

OTHER DESTINATIONS IN QUEZON PROVINCE:

  • Polillo Group of Islands
  • Borawan
  • Kwebang Lampas/Puting Buhangin
  • Dampalitan Island

WHERE TO STAY IN CAGBALETE:

key contacts

  • Ate Flora (Tour Guide): 0930 244 9782
  • Kuya Danny (Owner of M/B Doy-Day* island hopping boat): 0921 590 6817
*M/B Doy-Day is owned by husband-wife tandem Kuya Danny and Ate Flora Ocampo. The boat was named after their youngest son and daughter named Doy-Doy and Day-Day :-)

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