Welcome to Cagbalete Island
Cagbalete Island is one of the jewels of Quezon Province. Located off the coast of the town of Mauban, it is a small island paradise in the province surrounded with cream sand that exposes significantly during low tide.
The 1,640-hectare privately owned island is home to a diverse ecosystem. With unique variety of birds, rich marine life, and the abundance of unique species of plants, the island is a complete paradise for adventurers and nature lovers. Similar to Jomalig Island in Northern Quezon, a part of the Cagbalete’s beach is dotted with Agoho trees, a family of pine tree.
Four hours away from the Philippine capital, Cagbalete Island promises an unforgettable and picture perfect island getaway you will truly remember.
How to Get to Cagbalete Island
Manila to Lucena Grand Central Terminal
Cagbalete Island is under the jurisdiction of the town of Mauban, Quezon. To go there, catch a Lucena bound bus in Kamias, Cubao, Alabang or Buendia. Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner and Ceres Transport have buses bound to Lucena Grand Central Terminal. Buses leave almost every hour every day for approximately three hours bus ride from Buendia, fare is as low as P230.
You can book your ferry tickets from Manila to Lucena and vice versa below.
Lucena Grand Central Terminal to Mauban
From Lucena Grand Central Terminal, catch a van or local bus to Mauban for almost two hours travel time, fare starts at P100 with last trip is at around 6PM. Alternatively, vans and air-con buses to Mauban are located in SM City Lucena for at least P100, with trip up to 9PM, travel time is faster at around an hour.
Mauban to Cagbalete
Upon getting off the bus in Mauban, it is only a short walk to the port where passenger boats to Cagbalete Island are stationed. Trips are scheduled at 10AM and 4PM daily, for at least P120 per person. The boats can ferry around 50-60 people. They usually drop off passengers at “Sabang” although they sometimes drop off their passengers directly to the south eastern part of the island where the resorts Villa Cleofas and MVT Sto. Nino are located. You may also arrange a private boat through your resort, rate starts at P5,000 two-way (Mauban-Cagbalete-Mauban) and can ferry up to 25 people.
If you are going to the Pansacola, Villa Cleofas or MVT Sto. Niño from Sabang, you can hire a small banca there for around P500.00 one way or you can take the 1.5 KM walk.
Where to Stay in Cagbalete Island
Tourists usually stay on the south eastern part of the island. There are three known resorts in the area – the Villa Cleofas, Pansacola Beach Resort and MVT Sto. Niño Beach Resort.
Villa Cleofas
Villa Cleofas has various cottages and rooms for rent ranging from P900 (for an open cottage that is good for eight people) to P4000 (big cottage with rooms that can accommodate up to 25 persons).
Fan Rooms
- Big cottage (35 people capacity) – P10,000/night
- Big cottage (20 people capacity) – P5,500/overnight
- Big cottage (15 people capacity) – P4,500/night
- Medium cottage (12 people capacity) – P3,500/night
- Small cottage (8 people capacity) – P3,000/night
- Duplex cottage (5 people capacity ) – P2,000/night
Air-con Rooms
- Studio Type (2 people capacity) -P2,500/night
- Studio Type (4 people capacity) -P3,500/night
They have good facilities and offers different activities like beach volleyball, table tennis, karaoke, horse back riding, boat rental. They also allow camping along the beach for as low as P250 per tent plus entrance fee of P50. They also offer tent rental for as low as P400/tent. For more information, visit their website at www.cagbalete.com or contact:
Contact Info: +63919-2205000/[email protected] (Ed Jacob); +639178395852/+639178143475/[email protected] (Tonet Reyeg / Tess Reyeg)
MVT Sto. Niño Resort
MVT Sto. Niño Resort is located beside Villa Cleofas. They have rooms and cottages and offer a more quiet atmosphere. Small cottages along the beach costs for as low as P1,000 good for up to four (4) persons; Standard fan room starts at P1500/night good for two (2) persons; Deluxe room with air-con is at P2000/night good for two (2) persons. Camping is also allowed, you may rent their tent for as low as P350/night good for two (2) plus entrance fee of P150/person.
Contact No: +63917-6787080
Pansacola Beach Resort Cagbalate
Pansacola Beach Resort offers great beachfront be it high tide or low tide. They have private cottages but for those in a budget, you may opt to camp for P250/head. They have tents which can be rented at P300/night good for 2-3 people, you may also bring your own tent.
Contact No: +63917-5465901
Activities in Cagbalete Island
- Swimming and Beach Hopping
- Island Hopping: Yang-in Sandbar, Fish Sanctuary and Ilog Bukana
- Snorkeling/Scuba Diving (bring your own equipments)
- Fishing/Camping/Picnic
- Bird watching
- Horseback riding
- Beach Volleyball/Frisbee
- Walk to the nearby Bonsai Island and see the century old bonsai plants
- Visit the neighboring Baliscar Island and its lighthouse
- Surfing/Skim boarding (Oct to Feb – bring your own board)
- Watch the sunrise
- Explore the attractions of mainland Mauban: Chasing Waterfalls in Mauban: Dahoyhoy Falls, Hagdan-Hagdan Falls, Alitap Falls, etc.
Sample Cagbalete Weekend Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Cagbalete Island
0230H: Assembly at Buendia
0300H: Bus from Buendia to Lucena Grand Central Terminal
0600H: Arrival in Lucena Grand Central Terminal / Breakfast
0700H: Van or Bus from Lucena Grand Central Terminal to Mauban
0800H: Arrival in Mauban / Register at Tourism Office / Shop for supplies
0900H: Boat from Mauban Port to Cagbalete Island
1000H: Arrival in Cagbalete Island / Proceed to resort / set-up camp / rest / prepare lunch
1130H: Lunch
1300H: Island Hopping: Yang-in Sandbar, Fish Sanctuary, Ilog Bukana & Snorkeling
1800H: Back at resort / wash-up / fix-up
1900H onwards: Dinner / Socials / Lights out
Day 2: More of Cagbalete Island, Side Trip and Return
0530H: Call time / Sunrise / Breakfast
0700H: Free time / swimming
0900H: Wash-up / break-camp / proceed to port
1000H: Boat from Cagbalete to Mauban
1100H: Arrival in Mauban / Proceed to Dahoyhoy Falls
1300H: Back to Mauban Proper / Lunch
1430H: Van or Bus from Mauban to Lucena Grand Central Terminal
1600H: Arrival in Lucena Grand Central Terminal
1630H: Bus from Lucena Grand Central Terminal to Buendia
2000H: Arrival in Buendia / Dinner
Logistics / Expenses
| Particulars | Cost |
| Bus: Buendia to Lucena | P210/person |
| Van or Bus: Lucena to Mauban | P70/person |
| Boat: Mauban to Sabang (Cagbalete Island) | P100/person |
| Entrance at Resort | P100/person |
| Accommodation at Cagbelete | P1000/night (2-person sharing) |
| Island Hopping:Yang-in Sandbar, Fish Sanctuary, Ilog Bukana & Snorkeling | P1,000/boat for 3 hours (6-person sharing) |
| Miscellaneous Expenses (food, souvenirs, personal expenses, etc.) | ~P1,000/person |
| Boat: Cagbalete Island to Mauban | P100/person |
| Van or Bus: Mauban to Lucena | P70/person |
| Bus: Lucena to Buendia | P210/person |
Tips
- No electricity in the island but resort offers generator from 6PM to 6AM.
- Boat ride from Mauban to Cagbalete Island can be rough at times and generally rough during the ‘ber’ months up to February, so prepare to be wet.
- Entrance fee at Villa Cleofas is P50, P100 for MVT Sto. Niño and P250 for Pansacola. If you are staying in Villa Cleofas, you can arrange them to prepare meals for you or you can use their kitchen, dining hall and their facilities for cooking and dining, usage is on first-come-first-served basis and you have to clean the area and wash all utilities you used.
- Mobile signal is available in the island
- Estimated budget for overnight in Cagbalete: P1,500 – P2,000
Originally Published: 27-Jun-2011 | Updates: 21-May-2014; 05-Dec-2017; 10-Aug-2018; 12-Feb-2020
hi there! was searching for good beach resorts in quezon and found your blog.
anyway, really interested to visit cagbalete island. are there any new & good resorts now aside from the 3 (villa cleofas, sto nino, pansacola)? is sto nino the only resort with aircon rooms? any other tips? hope to hear from you. thanks!
Shutterbug, other resorts have aircon rooms too 🙂
are there trails in the island where we can do mountainbiking?
are there trails on the island where we can do mountainbiking?
I forgot to ask.. Where do they base their entrance fee kasi magkaiba yung sa Villa Cleofas and MVT So. Niño?
Thanks again..
Hi There!
We’re planning to spend holy week in Cagbalete Island, I already checked on their packages regarding the cottages but we want it to be camping style so we prefer to use tents instead of cottages.. Do you think they’re going to allow us bringing our own tents instead of renting (mas makakatipid kasi)..
Thank You!
Hi,
Just want to ask if there’s property for sale there in Cagbalete Island,?or maybe the owner is looking for investor?is it safe to bring foreigner’s guest in the island?Is there place in Mauban Quezon where we can stay for a year ,house or apartment for rent,?
here is my email:[email protected]
Im currently living in europe but plan to go back soon to the philippines
we are now selling our 14hectares in cagbalete island for only 15million:)
which part of Cagbalete Island are you selling?
Hi Ms. Leah,
I’ve read your posting about your inquiry with Cagbalete Island property. Im grandaughter of one of the tenants from that island and currently my parents were the one taking cared of legal matters. If you are interested about it, you can email me at [email protected].
Thanks,
Aside going to Cagbalete Island, does Balesin Island also allows island hoppers? That’s one great island as well but i heard it is private. 🙁
Where else can we go aside from Cagbalete? Those other nearby island?
Yes you can also go to Balesin, but you need to have contact to the place. It is quite far though.
hi, just like yo ask if ever you know the contact numbers of Little Prince resort? I can’t seem to find contact number here in the net, I heard that its just near the port and no need to trekk just like going to Villa Cleofas or pansacola. Thanks…
uh oh, i searched and asked around but nobody seems to know 🙁
LITTLE PRINCE (A Garden Resort)
Contact No. 0920-74934437 / 0928-6735463
email: [email protected]
http://littleprinceresort.multiply.com
Little prince is not from Cagbalete Island
Little Prince is at Cagbalete Island… the best!!!
How is the island during rainy season? 🙁
yup, would like to know the same coz im planning to go out of town next week and im thinking of cagbalete as #1 option.
I think it is still good to go there during these days as long as there is no typhoon 🙂
i see, thanks! one more thing, among the resort u mentioned are there rooms with cr?? and which one??
I think all resorts in the area have rooms with private CR 🙂
not all resort nor all rooms have cr… but little prince have rooms with own cr.. visit the place.
Wet =)
we’ve been at cagbalete last holiday, April 2010 and it really was a peaceful place. The locals are nice and very kind, they didn’t charge much on the boat ride. We stayed at MVT Sto niño and the place as well as the staff were all accomodating. Will come back again for sure, I can’t get enough of it! 🙂
Hi..just want to ask if you know how much will it cost to get a boat for 2 people only and if you know someone from the place that we can talk/inquire to? your reply will be greatly appreciated.
Hi, just like to ask how’s ur stay in MVT Sto. Nino, how’s the accomodation & the food , Me & my friends are planning to go there this coming long weekend and Im torn between Villa Cleofas & MVT. More or less would like to know which one is better or much worthy.
Between the two, Villa Cleofas pa lang ang natry ko and I am satisfied naman with Villa Cleofas and their food is good din naman. I think, Villa Cleofas is more of maka-masa na resort, while MVT Sto Nino is more private and quiet. On the other hand, I heard good reviews about Pansacola from my friends 🙂
Am I confusing you more? Sorry 😛
I have read not so good feedback about pansacola from 2 dif’rent blogs and also check their facebook account and they seem not to reply to some inquiries there. know what??…u replied promptly compared to them,…they have resort to run and u… have a blog:D u know what i mean… bloggers r much helpful:)
Wow, thanks 🙂
Seriously, if i will go back to Cagbalete, I want to try Sto. Niño Beach Resort, i find their place so quiet and clean. Though I haven’t checked their rooms, albeit their rooms seem good naman. Enjoy your Cagbalete weekend. Please advise us of the resort you chose and your reviews, thanks 🙂
sure:) by the way I was able to contact Little Prince resort, contact number is 09074934437- Elsie through another blogger who was kind enough to email me, he and his family had checked in here before. I got reservation on 30th, for a room good for 4pax with private cr,cost 2000/night. I choose the resort coz they say that it was just near the port (no need to trekk)
Thanks Donna! Enjoy your Cagbalete trip 🙂
please try Little Prince…
…And I don’t think it is a good idea to rent a 300-peso tent just to sleep beside the beach, because the cottages are already at the beach. No mosquitos though, which is excellent. Nice bathrooms. Electricity is timed, from 6pm up to 2am.
Some prefer to stay in the tent for the experience and mas cheaper 🙂
I was in Cagbalete, at Villa Cleofas, just yesterday. It was really a great getaway. But where are the other cottages in Villa Cleofas? and those outdoor activities? I have no idea except for the five cottages and an open hall along the seashore…
The cottages, yun na yun. Konti lang talaga. Parang one on each type of accommodation. The outdoor activities? Volleyball area is right in front of the cottages, along the beach, horse back riding is also on the beach specially if low tide.
Hi there 0- I am planning to visit the island soon – mid May 2010 – is there someone here that can give me a few tips on the travel plans from Manila (except what is already published), as well as recommended resort on beach? I would also like to find out about possibility to own land for self-build or buy house if possible?
I will appreciate – thanks – nice day
Hentie
If you have your own car, you have three options of going to Mauban from Manila:
1. SLEX – Sto. Tomas (Batangas) – San Pablo (Laguna) – Tiaong (Quezon) – Candelaria – Sariaya – Tayabas – Mauban
2. SLEX – Calamba (Laguna) – Los Baños to Sta. Cruz – Pagsanjan – Cavinti – Luisiana – Lucban (Quezon) – Sampaloc/Tayabas – Mauban
3. The backdoor route – Ortigas, Rizal, Fami (Laguna) – Siniloan – Paete – Lumban – Pagsanjan – Cavinti – Lusiana – Lucban – Sampaloc/Tayabas – Mauban
I prefer the first one. 🙂 Sto. Niño MVT is more quiet, Pansacola offers better cagabalete experience according to some, Villa Cleofas is for budget travelers.
how many mins/hrs po ung boat ride to cagbalete?
Less than an hour from Mauban on good weather 🙂
i miss mauban.., and cagbalete too..,
maubanin kb?., maubanin aq eh.., =)
Hindi po, I just love to go places 😀
Gusto ko rin magtravel sa ibang lugar pero wala pa akong budget, I’m still a student.. but I will someday 🙂
everyone seems to be flocking to this island. i guess i too should one day…
Hello Sir,
Tanung ko lang kung malapit ba ito sa Balesin Island?
Happy Birthday Angel! 🙂
More birthdays to come 🙂
Happy Birthday Angel!
I hope you have more travels this year!