Traveling from Manila to Cagbalete Island involves a combination of land and sea transport. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step approach to navigate the journey efficiently. From catching the right bus to boarding the boat to Cagbalete, we’ve outlined all the necessary steps to ensure a smooth trip to one of Quezon’s beautiful islands.
If you would like to read a more detailed travel guide for Cagbalete Island, please go here: Cagbalete Island Travel Guide
Depart from Manila
You can take a JAC Liner bus from EDSA near Kamias with two trips going directly to Mauban, one at 5:00 A.M. and another at 12:00 NN.
Start your journey early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic and to ensure you catch the boat to the island.
The schedule may change so make sure to contact JAC Liner to check the schedule:
- Jac Liner website
- Jac Liner Facebook page
- 0933-8635417 or 8928-0565 loc. 816 for Buendia
- 8426-1876, 0933-8635419 or 8928-0565 loc. 801 for Kamias/Cubao
- General hotline: 0917-JACLINE (5225463)
Alternatively, if you miss the Mauban-bound bus, catch a Lucena-bound bus instead from Kamias, Cubao, Alabang, or Buendia. The following bus liners have buses bound for Lucena Grand Central Terminal:
Travel to Lucena Grand Terminal
For those who are traveling via Lucena Grand Terminal, the bus ride from Manila to Lucena Grand Central Terminal takes approximately three hours, with fares as low as PhP 210 (USD 3-4). This should be the last stop of this bus.
Transfer to Mauban
If you went through Lucena and have dropped off the Lucena Grand Central Terminal, catch a local bus to Mauban. This takes another two hours, with the fare around P60-70. The last trip is usually around 6:00 PM.
Vans and air-conditioned buses to Mauban are also available at SM City Lucena for P80-90, with trips up to 9:00 PM and faster travel time of 1 to 1.5 hours.
Arrive in Mauban
- Once in Mauban, ask the driver to drop you off where it’s nearest to the Tourism Office, which should be at a walkable distance.
- Pay the environmental fee of P50 per pax (price as of February 2016) at the Tourism Office. They will also be providing you with a pamphlet that you can use as your guide to Cagbalete Island. The information material also details some of the choices of resorts in the island and things you can do while on the trip.
Head to Mauban Port
The Mauban Port where passenger boats to Cagbalete Island are stationed is just a short walk from the Mauban Tourism Office.
Ride a boat to Cagbalete Island
Boat trips to Cagbalete Island are scheduled daily for P100 per person. The boats can ferry around 50-60 people.
You will have several choices of ferries but we rode M/B Jamelle. Here are their schedules:
- Mauban-Cagbalete (7:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:15 PM)
- Cagbalete-Mauban (8:30 AM, 10:45 AM, 2:15 PM and 4:30 PM)
Arrival at Cagbalete Island
Depending on the tide, the ferry may or may not bring you directly to Sabang Port (Cagbalete Port).
During our recent visit last February, once we got near Cagbalete Island, we were asked to transfer to a flat boat which will then take you to the shore of Sabang Port.
If you’re asking if the transfer will be done in the middle of the sea, yes, that’s exactly what happened. But don’t worry, this will be at the shallow part already nearing the shore.
Head to your accommodation
You will have 3 options to get to your resort:
- By foot (make sure you know your way or hire a tour guide)
- By shuttle service (ask your resort if they provide one)
- By boat (ask around at Sabang port)
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