Bonsai Islet of Cagbalete, Mauban, Quezon

It was a weekend getaway again with my travel buddies Skwakings along with Lahing Kayumanggi group. Our destination: Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon.

Cagbalete Island  is another jewel of the Quezon Province. Located in the Lamon Bay fronting the Pacific Ocean, it is another paradise in the province of Quezon surrounded by white sand that exposes during low tide.This 1,640 hectares 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 coIt mplete 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.

The Bonsai Island

 One very interesting spot in Cagbalete is a small island called Bonsai Island, located in front of the beach were we stayed Villa Cleofas. It  is an islet that only shows up during low tide and disappears when high tide. It is a wide, flat, and huge   elevated  black rock islet (looks like a volcanic rock or dried magma) consisting  of pebbles, dead corals, and  mangrove plants. It is always a mystery  how this islet was formed and how is it that the color of the islet is black. . From the shoreline, we have to cross the waters for almost half an hour (depending on the level of water)  to reach Bonsai Island (because of the single “bonsai-like” mangrove in the center of the islet) .Its a challenge going to the Bonsai Island because you’ll never know when the water will get high as one passes  over the flat shoreline filled with sea weeds, shells and pebbles of different kinds.The bonsai mangroves belong to the pneumatophores species.It has been there since time immemorial according to the old folks in the place. the trees never grew tall because it is naturally trimmed by the waves of the sea Just a tip: don't walk bare footed .. you might cut yourself from sharp dead corals .

 Going to Mauban, Quezon

You can take JAC Liner at Buendia going to Lucena Grand Terminal. The bus ride is around 3-4 hours and costs 210 pesos. Once you reach Lucena Grand Terminal, take the ordinary bus going to Mauban, Quezon. The fare is 50 pesos and about 1 1/2 hour trip. The 1 1/2 hour bus ride will take you through a long stretch of Quezon's scenic views of  lush-green environment so just enjoy the whole ride. Upon reaching the Mauban Terminal you may take a tricycle and head first to the wet market where you can buy your island supplies and foods before heading to the "Pantalan". The fare is 14 pesos. At the Pantalan Port, look for the ferry boats going to Cagbalete Island. 

Going to Cagbalete: Boat Fare

 There are only 2 schedules per day going to the island so be there on time. The first trip is at 10:00am and the last trip is at 4:00pm. The fare is 180 pesos and it will take almost 1 hour to reach Cagbalete.When you reach the port, you will be asked to register and pay for these : boat fare, environmental fee, terminal fee and porters fee. All in all, round trip fare for passenger boat is P180. If you are renting a private boat, LGU will collect only the environmental and terminal fees – P70 on top of boat rent.

Round Trip Fare/Fees (centralized collection by Tourism staff at the port)

Environmental Fee – 40.00

Terminal Fee -30.00

Porters Fee – 30.00

Boat Fare – 80.00

Once you reach Sabang Port (Cagbalete Island), you can either trek for 15-20mins or rent a boat to reach the resorts. . There are 3 known resorts in the area - Villa Cleofas, Pansacola Beach Resort and MVT Sto. Niño Beach Resort.We stayed in Villa Cleofas owned by the Reyeg family.