Cagbalete Island: Mauban’s Island Paradise

Located in the humble coastal town of Mauban, Cagabalete Island is one of the treasures of Quezon Province. It is a serene and secluded island surrounded by white sand beach and clear turquoise blue water.

Cagbalete Island is 1,640-hectare by size and is a 3-4 hour drive from Manila and around 30-45 minutes boat ride from mainland Mauban. The Island is home to a diverse ecosystem and abundant with various plant species, unique variety of birds, and rich marine life.   

Although it is always compared to Boracay, the island doesn’t have fancy restaurants and party places. The island is for nature lovers and for people who want to relax and to have a short disconnect to the busy city life. The quiet and calm environment of the island will give anyone an ultimate relaxation in a paradise.

THINGS TO DO IN CAGBALETE ISLAND

Relax and Chill

As mentioned, the island is quiet and calm. You can stay on a hammock under a tree while having a cold beer while enjoying the fresh warm breeze and the beautiful view of the island. Or you can lay on the fine white sand at night while stargazing.

Swimming

Of course, how can it be an island escapade without swimming to the crystal clear turquoise blue water of the island. In my opinion, the best time to swim is during the morning 5:00-11:00 AM or in the afternoon from 5:00PM onwards. You can’t swim at the shore during 12:00-2:00 PM because of the low tide not unless you go island hopping and visit the nearest sand bar during this time.

Island Hopping

They call it Island hopping but technically it is not as you won’t visit any Island. What you will visit is the mangrove area of Cagbalete and a sand bar where you can also swim. For me, one of the highlights of the “Island hopping” is the way to the sandbar as you will see what’s under the sea from your boat because of the very clear water.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is part of what they call “Island Hopping” it is usually the last activity after visiting the sand bar and the mangrove area.

Picture taking

The Island is undeniably Instagram-worthy. It has a beautiful landscape that is picture-perfect. You will surely want to capture more photos for your Instagram feed.

Camping

If you want to be closer to nature you can rent or bring your own tent and camp on the shore or behind the trees.

Other activities on the island are beach volleyball, kayaking, ping pong, billiards, and basketball.

WHERE TO STAY?

During our stay at the Island, we stayed at the Pansacola Beach Resort. It is also the nearest resort from mainland Mauban.

Pansacola Beach Resort Rates

Bulong Ita Hut w/ T&B (2 units) good for 10pax (usual cap is 20pax) - P 6,000 per unit per night

Buho Hut w/ T&B (1 unit) good for 10pax (usual cap is 20pax) - P 6,000 per unit per night

Agoho Hut w/ T&B (2 units) good for 7pax (usual cap is 14pax) - P 5-5,000 per unit per night

Sasag Hut w/ T&B (4 units) good for 6pax (usual cap is 12pax) - P 4,000 per unit per night

Nipa Hut (6 units) good for 5pax (usual cap us 10pax) - P3,000 per unit per night *ventilated hut, common T&B

Tree House (1 unit) good for 4pax (usual cap is 6pax) - P 3,000 per night per unit *ventilated hut, common T&B

Junior Kubo Hut (4 units) good for 2pax - P 2,000 per unit per night, ventilated hut, common T&B

Premium airconditioned rooms: 

Villa Deluxe (4 units) (2pax)-P 3,500 per room per night. Ac room with private T&B

Villa Yumi family AC room- 9,500 per night for 8pax (usual cap is 16pax) fam ac room with private T&B

Villa Yumi extension-Attic (fan only) 300 per head available in excess of 8pax from the fam ac room max of 5pax.

Premium house boat- 4,000 2pax ac room with private T&B.

For reservation and inquiries, you can contact them at Globe- 0917 5465901 or Smart- 0928 5058633 or on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pansacolabeachresort

Cagbalete Island is indeed a paradise. It is best to visit this island now before it will be very popular and populated.