Boat Ride to Cagbalete Island, Mauban

The boat plying the Mauban-Cagbalete Island route, only two trips a day. It leaves Mauban around 10am, reaches the island after about 45 minutes, go back before 12 noon, and takes the second and last trip at around 2 or 3pm.

Elle Marie, Bien Mary, my wife in the "front seat". Mcrae, the man in green shirt, a colleague of my wife at DLSU, also joined.

People in the boat's body, cargo on the outrigger. Rice, various food items, beer, softdrinks, ice.

This old porter caught my attention. He can carry 50+ kilos of cargo with ease, despite his advance age. I asked him how old he was, he replied something like 62 years old. Sun-burnt, lean but lots of muscle, bow ako sayo, lolo.

The boat cannot dock at the shoreline as it is shallow, a smaller boat fetches passengers from and to the shoreline of Cagbalete Island.

Nice view of the island, but this side, there are no beach resorts, only the fishing village. Visitors have to walk about 20-25 minutes to the other side of the island, where the various resorts are located.

Mauban Port, Quezon

Last May 18-19, 2013, my family joined a tour organized by a friend, Ritchie Mauricio, to Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon. It is a small and sleepy town, relatively isolated, Pacific Ocean side.

The port at that time was undergoing expansion and repair, the work is supposed to be finished last July.

Cagbalete Island is not far from the town proper, it can be seen from the port. As the island is famous for many tourists, the port and the public market are the busiest parts of the town.

Going to Cagbalete Island, here are the fees to pay and the boat fares. Not sure if these rates still apply, most likely. I notice that only the tourists and visitors pay the environmental fee and terminal fee, the locals, both of the island and Mauban proper, just go straight to the boat without paying.

Many people rely on the port, boats for rent, and fishing as their main livelihood. Many houses on the shoreline.

Close up of the houses and boats on the shoreline, right side of the port.