Cagbalete Island is another perfect weekend getaway for those seeking for a great beach destination near Metro Manila. Travel time through the fastest route may only take approximately 3-4 hours. With its fine white sand and amazing beach sceneries, a weekend experience that is full of fun and adventure awaits everyone in this beautiful island in Mauban, Quezon. Here’s a few of the things I did during my visit:
1. Camp Out on the Beach
Yes. Camping is allowed. So dig out your camping gears and prepare for a great camping adventure. If you have never done beach camping before but have always wanted to and have always been looking for a safe place and easy camping, Cagbalete Island is a perfect spot to pitch a tent. Those who may refuse to go on camping because of unavailability of the basic amenities need not worry because freshwater and shared bathrooms are available in the area.
And in case the weather is unpredictable and it suddenly rains (like what happened to us during our visit,) there are nipa hut cottages in the island which are available for rent.
2. Explore and Go to Where the Freshwater and Saltwater Meet.
If you are staying at Villa Cleofas Beach Camp Resort, take a 5-10-minute leisure walk towards the left side of the island facing the beach and find a small river where its fresh water and the saltwater from the sea meet.
The water was clean and clear, I enjoyed swimming on this part of the island and the scenery was really awesome!
3. Walk Through a Shallow Water to Get to Bonsai Island
About a kilometer away from the Cagbalete’s shoreline is a small island they call Bonsai Island because of the presence of 2 very old bakawan trees that is only about 2 feet high. During low tide, the water level gets really low, which becomes a good opportunity to get to the island by walking through the shallow water.
The island’s surface was a flat rockbed which looked like it was purposely cemented. There are also several small rockpools which are formed when the tide goes out and water is left in holes that have been carved out of the rocks by the waves. Swimming in these rockpools that seem like natural jacuzzis can be really fun.
4. Strike a Pose for a Photo Shoot
Whether it is landscape, wedding/pre-nuptial, model, glamour or sexy photoshoots, Cagbalete is a perfect location to take amazing photographs with beautiful nature sceneries as backdrops. Want to have your very own FHM-like photographs? Put on your sexiest bikini and strike a pose. Or go on a trip with your fiance for a great and memorable pre-nuptial photoshoot.
5. Horseback Riding!
Have you ever explored the beach riding a horse? If you havent, Villa Cleofas has 3 horses for rent. Ladies who are brave enough to ride on top of a horse may feel like Gloria Diaz or Ruffa Guttierez in the famous scene of the movie “Pinakamagandang Hayop Sa Balat ng Lupa,” or can have their pictures taken just like Roxanne Guinoo’s for White Castle Whisky(Photo Source.)
6. Mingle with the Locals at Sabang Beach
There is a small community at Sabang Beach, the drop off point to the main resorts at Cagbalete Island. The local residents are very friendly and are accepting of everyone. You can sit down and chat with them by the beach while waiting to buy the morning’s fresh catch from the fishermen.
7. Hire a Boat and Get to The Sandbar of Cagbalete
While talking to a local fisherman at Sabang beach, we noticed a small parcel of white sand not very far from where we were. When we asked the fisherman if we could go and see it, he said yes and offered to take us there for a minimal fee.
It took us about 10 minutes to get there. What we thought to be a small beach earlier turned out to be a beautiful sandbar! And although the sand was quite rough and coarse, the view was really stunning!
There are mangroves at the end and on each side of the sandbar which added beauty to the scene in a unique way. And from time to time there were group of long-legged wading birds that could be seen hunting for fish on both sides.
8. Jump shot!
You want to bring home a picture to show that you had a blast? Well, just jump on and on and on until your your friend gets the perfect shot.
9. Just Chill, Relax and Enjoy the View
Take a nap or read a book in a hammock under the shades of the trees. Sip a cold drink while listening to good music on your Ipod.
Or just sit back and feast your eyes on the exquisite beauty of nature that surrounds the whole island.
Of course, there are tons of other great beach activities that can be enjoyed in Cagbalete. For information on how to get there, please visit Villa Cleofa’s website.
indeed, there are a lot of beautiful beaches in our country… thanks for sharing! =D
oo nga. i hope we discover more π
ang ganda ng photo! ni roxanne! sus guinoo. hahahaha…
post ako mas madaming pictures nya next time, Lol!
agaw atensyun yung pangangabayo ni Roxanne Ginoo. hahaha. kala ko nakasabay mo si Roxanne sa pagpunta don.lol
hehehe. pag nakasabay ko sya, malamang isang buong post, dedicated lang sa kanya π
wow ang puti! ni roxanne. hahaha. ang puti rin ng sand! beautiful photos!
lol! puting puti! bagay na bagay sa kanya ang red bikini, hehe
mukhang eto na ang next Anawangin! Yes, mukhang possible tong puntahan kasi meron na nipa huts for accommodations! Game na!
May kuryente pa. Limited nga lang yung oras. Game na!
hays! ang tagal ko ng gusto pumunta jan pero never ako natuloy! haha since my tent na ako, pede na cguro. hanep ang pic ni Roxanne, been reading tons of post abt Cagbalete pero sau ko lng nalaman na my horse for rent pala dun. π thnx for sharing!
Yup meron dun. May balak ka ata mag-ala Roxanne, Gael, ha. Magandang header yan, kung sakali, hehe! Wala lang sa kundisyon yung mga horses doon nung pumunta kami. Otherwise, picture ko ang nanjan, hindi kay roxanne, hahaha! Not in red bikinis ha!
bumped into this site while searching for recent blogs about cagbalete. the place is truly amazing especially when it’s low tide. would definitely go back soon π
It is. The scenery is really awesome. Thanks for dropping by, vin π
kano po kaya minimum budget para d2? π
place seems nice π dami ko pa di napupuntahan!
btw- added your url on my blog list π
@tina. The scenery is beautiful there. Cagbalete has it’s own charm π
@adventurous feet. Thanks for adding me in your bloglist. I have your url in my list too π
wow, ganda nman ng beach! it’s so white, and to think sa Quezon lang pla toh π Dme tlga hidden paradise dito saten π
been there. really nice except we were unlucky with the weather. kung bright and sunny day lang sana during our visit. my exploratory tour was a bit ala Jeff Corwin of animal Planet…. hahaha you may read my stupidity here: http://deequixotic.blogspot.com/2011/06/cagbalete-witnessing-enigmatic-low-tide.html
napatingin ako sa bandang singit ni roxanne.. amputi! nung beach
lol! ayos ah. sa singit mo talaga pinadaan and tingin sa beach, hehe. thanks for dropping by, dee π
Waa! I didn’t know about the sandbar! The sunrise is beautiful in Cagbalete too, were you able to catch it? Babalik nga ko for the sandbar.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take pics of the sunrise. Late ako nagising, hehe. Yup, the sandbar is a good reason for another visit π
Hi! Senyor…would you mind giving me an estimates on how much you spent in Cagbalete please…We’re planning a team building probably by the end of March and I think this place is perfect…sawa na kami sa Batangas hehehe…anyway malapit din naman sa Manila ang Quezon…thanks
We camped there and brought our own portable stove and cooked our own food. We spent approximately P1,500 each including the fare for 2 days 3 nights
Senyor,
Pano pumunta dyan? commute lang from cubao..Thanks
hi sir! how much did you pay to the boatman going to the sandbar? thanks!
about P200. lapit lang naman yung sandbar
Hello π were planning to go there this coming weekend. are there any karinderyas in the island? Or do we have to bring food? π thanks so much for your time reading this!
there’s a canteen/restaurant at villa cleofas π
Sir,
I am interested to join in some of your adventures. I am alone, and a guide or a company might help me in exploring our country. This is my way of eat, love and pray adventure..I guess… you may email me at michaelco@macmall.com for my number..thank you sir and more power to your blog
Hi Senyor,
Okay po ba magtravel sa Cagbalete ALONE?? Gusto ko kasi mag soul searching (arte lang).
Okay na okay. The place is great for (arte arte) soul searching π
Great post! Will include this one on my itinerary this coming summer!
Thanks for sharing gorgeous π
How much po yung rent for nipa hut? We’re going this Friday.Thanks