Maniwaya Island - Marinduque : The Heart of the Philippines
MANIWAYA ISLAND (MARINDUQUE)
Merely six hours of land travel from Manila and you will be transported to Maniwaya Island, Marinduque’s prime beach destination.
Situated off the coast of the town of Santa Cruz on the eastern part of Marinduque, Maniwaya Island beckons with its white sandy beach, disappearing sandbar and other nearby attractions that will surely synthesize your love for the salt water.
Simple yet priceless pleasures await in Maniwaya. Bask on its white sand beach, catch a boat to Palad Sandbar and Ungab Rock Formation of Mongpong Island, dive or snorkel on its vivid waters, or just catch the island’s idyllic sunrise or sunset.
With its proximity and accessibility, the island is a favorite weekend getaway of those based in Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog provinces. It is a great prelude to the heart of the Philippines, an experience that will satisfy your cravings for the sea, an ideal escape from the summer heat!
Explore, experience and enjoy the simple pleasures of Maniwaya Island!
How to Get to Maniwaya Island
Going to Maniwaya Island involves land and sea transport via Quezon Province. There are two routes – via General Luna Port and via Dahican Port of Lucena City.
Via General Luna Port
The easiest and preferred route is via General Luna in Southern Quezon’s Bondoc Peninsula.
Manila to General Luna
Superlines and AB Liner buses from Cubao, Sampaloc and Alabang going to Catanauan and Mulanay via Unisan pass by General Luna Crossing which is just a five minutes tricycle ride to the port. Travel time is around five hours and fare starts at P320. Advise the conductor or the driver to drop you off at General Luna Crossing if you are taking these buses.
Manila to Lucena City Grand Terminal to General Luna
Alternatively, you can catch a bus to Lucena City Grand Terminal. Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner and Ceres Transport have buses bound to Lucena Grand Central Terminal. Buses leave almost every hour every day for approximately three hours of travel, fare is as low as P210.00.
From Lucena Grand Central Terminal, there are local buses and vans straight to General Luna or you may take the Catanauan, Mulanay and San Francisco bound vehicles that pass by General Luna Crossing. Van is the preferred method of travel for faster travel time of around two hours, fare is P150 per passenger one-way.
General Luna to Maniwaya Island
There is only one departure daily of the public boat going directly to Maniwaya Island at 10AM, travel time is approximately one (1) hour and fare is P150 per person one-way.
You may also charter a boat from General Luna to Maniwaya, rate starts at P1,500 for a small boat that can ferry around four persons.
Via Dalahican Port Port of Lucena
This route is a bit inconvenient if your destination is just Maniwaya Island as it involves numerous land and sea transfers. But this is ideal if you will be exploring mainland Marinduque first.
Manila to Dalahican Port to Buyabod Port of Santa Cruz, Marinduque
Catch a direct bus from Cubao or Buendia Going to Marinduque, Jam Liner and Jac Liner serve this route. The bus travels to Dalahican Port, boards a ro-ro ferry to Balanacan Port of Mogpog and circumnavigate the circumferential road of the province.If you’re taking this route, ask to be dropped off at Buyabod Crossing in Santa Cruz, total travel time from Manila is around seven (7) hours and fare is approximately P880 one-way. At Buyabod Crossing, transfer to a tricycle to take you to Buyabod Port for P10 per passenger.
Another option is to take a bus to Dalahican Port. Jac Liner, Jam Transit, Lucena Liner and Ceres Transport have buses bound to Dalahican Port leaving almost every hour daily for approximately three hours of travel, fare is as low as P210.00.
From Dalahican Port, transfer to a Montenegro or StarHorse ro-ro going to Balanacan Port. There are numerous departures daily, regular fare is P260 one-way and travel time is approximately three (3) hours. Upon arrival in Balanacan Port, transfer to a jeepney to Santa Cruz and then to a tricycle going to Buyabod Port.
Buyabod to Maniwaya Island
There is usually one public boat going to Maniwaya Island from Buyabod Port daily departing in the morning but extra departure at noon or in the afternoon is mounted occassionaly. If you miss the public boat, you may charter a boat to Maniwaya Island starting at P800, travel time is no more than 30 minutes.
Where to Stay in Maniwaya Island
There are resorts in the island offerring different types of accommodatios, from tent to cottages to private fan and air-conditioned rooms.
The most prominent is Wawie’s Beach Resort with private room starting at P1,200 per night good for three. You may also opt to stay in their open air cabana at P1000 good for four to six or in the tents at P500 per night good for two. You may also bring your own tent and you get to pay only P300 per night or your hammock at P150 per night. Entrance fee is P50 per person.