Sa Cagbalete Island - Mauban, Quezon

   I've been to Cagbalete Island before. That time, I promised to myself that I will go back there again.

   And now is the time to fulfill that promise. I am going back to Cagbalete Island!

   Like what we did before, we booked ourselves a cottage at Pansacola Beach Resort a week before our trip to avoid hassles. We thought the resort maybe very busy at this time of the year.

Pansacola Beach Resort

  Here's how we got to Cagbalete Island from Manila:

• We rode a JAC Liner bus from Kamias Road (Cubao) going to Lucena Grand Terminal.
• At the terminal, we rode another bus going to Mauban, Quezon
• From Mauban bus terminal, we rode a tricycle going to the pantalan (port)
• Then we rode a boat going to Cagbalete Island.

   JAC Liner Cubao also has trips going straight to Mauban. We preferred to go to Lucena first so we can have a longer stop over.  

   It took us four hours to reach Lucena from Cubao. From there, we spend another two hours travelling by ordinary bus going to Mauban. The tricycle ride from the Mauban bus terminal to the port only took us less than ten minutes. Then another hour for the boat ride.

   Upon setting foot on the island, kids offer us their service of accompanying us to Pansacola Beach Resort. The last time we went there, we rented a boat which took us straight to the resort that is why we do not know the directions going there from the port. So we accepted the kids' offer.

On our way to Pansacola Beach Resort

   After a ten minute walk through a small community and a grassy land filled with coconut trees, we reached the Pansacola Beach Resort.

   I missed the ambiance in this resort. A simple yet clean resort with cottages and rooms made with tree branches and nipa grass.

   And as I look right to the shore, the very fine white sand caught my eyes. The sea water is so still it looked like a wide clean floor. It is so flat! (Maybe due to the absence of the wind)

   Last year there were only three resorts in the island. Now there are six. We chose to be in Pansacola Beach Resort because of the serene ambiance of the place. We also had a great experience here in the past.

   As I have observed, there are some improvements and upgrades done in the resort, especially on the rooms and the cottages.

The tree house

   We stayed at the cute and fancy tree house. It is a cozy hut built on top of two trees. It's good for eight persons. A long dining table is situated below the tree house along with a hammock hanging on the two trees.

   After the long hours of travel, the first thing we did is to relax and enjoy the view. It's already high tide at that time but the water as I can see is still shallow. I can see the radiant white sand through the clear sea water. The sky and the sea are separated by the long mountain range along the horizon. Mount Banahaw can also be seen from afar.
   

Blue sky, white sand, high tide

Can't get my eyes off the view

   The hot weather and the scenic view of the beach made me want to go run into the water. I had to take a long walk though to get to the deeper part of the sea. There I enjoyed swimming, floating, diving, splashing... swimming. I also enjoyed the cold water and the soft sand beneath the sea. And did I mention that I enjoyed swimming?

   I got hungry after roughly one hour in the sea.

   I went back to the tree house and waited for our lunch to be served. Visitors can bring their own food but we chose to avail the food bundle offered by the resort. This way, we saved time for not cooking and preparing the food by ourselves.

   The food was great! Their crispy pata is the best. I also liked the tuna with seaweed and the adobong pusit. Our food fiesta ended with a mouth-watering leche flan. My tummy have not gotten this big for some time.

Fascinating scene during low tide

   At low tide, the white sand stretches as far as the eyes can see. A desert-like scenery along with a beautiful sunset will keep you clicking on the shutters of your camera.

The sun sets behind the mountain ridges

   Electricity is not available 24/7 in the island but the resort use generator in the evening for power supply.

   Our delicious dinner is served on time. As usual, the food is more than what we expected.

   Afterwards, We had a bonfire by the beach. The cold sea breeze plus the sound of the peaceful waves complement our relaxation. What a perfect way to end the day.

The bonfire

   Mosquito repellent lotions or patches are a must-haves when sleeping in an open area like the tree house. Mosquito nets are also available. Air conditioners are not available but the sea breeze coming out of the electric fan will suffice.

   We woke up early in the morning to witness the sunrise. Pansacola Beach Resort is located at the west part of the island so we had to walk east bound to have a perfect look at the sunrise.

   The sunrise in Cagbalete Island is another picture-perfect scenery to take joy in.

Cagbalete Island sunrise

   Another fascinating feature of the island during low tides are the ripples at the sand created by the water.

The sand ripples

   Boat rentals are also available at the resort. Last year, we went to the Bonzai island and the Mangrove forest. The marvelous rock formations at the Bonzai island is a perfect setting for picture taking. The Mangrove Forest on the other hand, is a swimming paradise with a child-friendly water depth and a long line of mangrove trees.

   This time, we rent a boat then went to the Mangrove forest. During high tide, the water at the Mangrove forest reaches up to the waist. We had to swim farther away from the mangroves to reach the deeper part of the sea. Some small fish and other aquatic friends pass by from time to time.

At the Mangrove forest

   We went back to the resort before noon.

   After another feast-like lunch, we packed up our things and had a short siesta before going back home.

   Cagbalete Island is a paradise for beach bummers and nature lovers. Its serenity and beauty captivated me. So far, this is my favorite beach here in the Philippines.

   You can visit the Pansacola Beach Resort website for more information about their rates and accommodations.

Killed Bills

218.00 - Bus from Cubao to lucena
54.00 - Bus from Lucena to Mauban
10.00 - Tricycle from Mauban Town Proper to Pier
50.00 - Boat to Cagbalete Island
30.00 - Tip for the kids
833.00 - Pansacola Beach Resort Tree House (2500 divided by 3)
950.00 - Food Bundle (Lunch, Snacks, Breakfast, Dinner)
250.00 - Extra Lunch
20.00 - ice
50.00 - bonfire
100.00 - boat to the Mangrove Forest
260.00 - Boat going back to Mauban (1300 for 5)
60.00 - Van going to Lucena
209.00 - Bus From Lucena to Ortigas

Php 3094.00 - TOTAL