2019 • 07 • 02

Marinduque’s Tres Reyes Islands have a beautiful beachscape and blue waters where you can spend a day taking pictures, swimming, and lazing on the beach. Melchor Island is part of the island hopping tour; it is the smallest of the three, but it still provides visitors with a nice idyllic place to relax and unwind. The rock formations add to its raw appeal and picturesque surroundings.

How to Get There

Nearest Airport: Marinduque Airport (Gasan), Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as Manila International Airport (Manila)

By Air

For the longest time, the main mode of transportation from Manila to Marinduque has been land-to-sea transfer. But there’s a more convenient option now that Cebu Pacific Air officially launched its Manila-Marinduque route early this month, bringing Marinduque closer to Manila and vice versa. From more or less eight hours of traveling, Marinduque is just about an hour from Manila via air. The roundtrip airfare ranges from P3000 to P4000, depending on the season. Cebu Pacific flies the Manila-Marinduque route three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

By Land

Via Direct Bus

1. Ride a bus from Cubao traveling to the province. Jac Liner has regular direct trips to Marinduque that cost around P1000.
2. Once in Balanacan, there are many jeeps traveling to the municipalities of the province, for the island hopping, get on one bound for Gasan.

Via Lucena Grand Terminal

1. Get on a bus from either Buendia or Cubao bound for Lucena Grand Terminal; the fare is around P150 to P270 depending on the class of the bus.
2. From the terminal, get on a jeep traveling to Dalahican Port, which costs approximately P10.
3. You have the option to either ride the RORO or the fast craft to get to Marinduque:
• the RORO ticket costs around P150 to P260
• the fast craft’s fare is approximately P280 to P390 to Balanacan Port per way.

Note:The terminal fee at Dalahican Port is around P30.

4. Once in Balanacan, there are many jeeps traveling to the municipalities of the province, for the island hopping, get on one bound for Gasan.

 

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Entrance Fee and Other Charges

• Island Hopping Rates: P1000 – P1500 (Gaspar Island, Baltazar Island, and Melchor Island); P500 – P600 (Gaspar Island only)
• Camping Fee: Visitors don’t usually spend too much time here because the waves could get really strong at certain times.
• Cottage Rental Fee: People don’t normally stay overnight here. They opt to spend the night on Gaspar Island or on the mainland.

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Don’t Miss

• Go swimming and beach bumming during your stay.
• There are rock formations dotting the island, which adds to its natural allure.
• The beautiful beachscape provides visitors with plenty of photo ops.
• From the island, you can get a glimpse of Malindig Volcano and mainland Marinduque, depending on the weather.

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Don’t Forget

• Bring enough cash for your island hopping tour to Baltazar Island.
• Keep your gadgets charged by bringing a power bank and extra batteries.
• You can rent gear or bring your own if you want to go snorkeling.
• Keep your things dry by bringing Ziplocs and a dry bag.
• Brings snacks and drinks, but leave no trace behind after enjoying the islands.

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If You Have More Time and Budget

• After Melchor Island, you can visit Poctoy Beach where you can spend the night or an afternoon of beach bumming and swimming again.
• Marinduque also has some old churches worth visiting in Boac, Gasan and other municipalities.
• If you arrive at the right season, you can enjoy Moriones Festival.
• You can also spend an extra day and night in Maniwaya which is another island with a beautiful beach.

RELATED ARTICLE: Marinduque: Important Travel Tips

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Where to Stay

If you plan to explore the mainland, here are some of the accommodations in the province of Marinduque.

• Beach Club Cagpo. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• Villa Briones. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY

For more options, search here: Marinduque Hotels