2019 • 04 • 19

The heart-shaped island province of Marinduque is fringed with pristine beaches. Aside from the mainland beaches, the offshore islands also have shores that are perfect for beach-bumming and swimming. Probably the most prominent among these beaches is Poctoy Beach in the town of Torrijos. Locals call it “white” beach but it actually has cream-colored sand. Still, the beach is beautiful. It also offers a view of the highest peak in the province — Mount Malindig.

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 and Sea

• VIA DIRECT BUS

  There’s a direct transit from Manila to Marinduque offered by JAC Liner via RoRo ships from Dalahican Port in Quezon to Balanacan Port in Mogpog. The bus departs at 4:00 PM at JAC Liner Cubao Terminal only. Boarding starts at 3:00 PM. Note that there’s only one trip per day, so make sure you go there on time or earlier.

  Travel Time: Approximately eight (8) hours
  Fare: P900-1000 (inclusive of bus fare, ferry ticket, and terminal fees)

• VIA LUCENA GRAND TERMINAL
  1. Board a bus from Cubao or Buendia bound for Lucena Grand Terminal in Quezon. The fare is around P150 to P270, depending on the seat class. The travel time is around five (5) hours.
  2. From the Grand Terminal, get on a jeep (P10) or tricycle (P150) going to Dalahican Port.
  3. When you arrive at Dalahican Port, pay the terminal fee of P30. Purchase your ferry ticket. You may take the RoRo or the fast craft to get to Marinduque’s Balanacan Port in Mogpog. The fare may range from P150 to P390, depending on the type of sea vessel. The travel time is around three (3) hours, depending on the sea condition.
  4. Once in Balanacan, take a jeepney bound for Santa Cruz (P25-50). Jeepneys regularly travel from town to town. Note that the last trip is at 5:00 PM. Travel time is one hour or less.
  5. At Santa Cruz Terminal, take another jeepney bound for Torrijos (P40-50) where Poctoy Beach is located. The travel time is approximately one hour.

 

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Entrance Fee and Other Charges

• Entrance Fee: It varies depending on the resort you stayed in, but the minimum is P25.
• Camping Fee: It depends on the resort or area, but it usually starts at P150. Note that setting up tents is prohibited during the daytime. You can only camp at nighttime.
• Tent Rental: P300-500 (depending on the size and capacity of the tent)
• Cottage Rental Fee: Rates vary from one resort to another. Rate is usually around P200.
• Kayak Rental: P200/hour

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Don’t Miss

• Find your spot and enjoy swimming in the clear cerulean water or just spread your beach blanket or mat under the shade of a tree while reading a book or do people-watching.
• Take the opportunity to snap photos of yourself, your companions, and the beach. You can also make Mount Malindig your background. Don’t be shy to record these memorable experiences.
• If you like other activities like beach volleyball and kayaking, you may do also it at Poctoy Beach. Kayak rental fee is around P200 per hour.
• There are plenty of stalls selling food like halo-halo, sago’t gulaman, and many others. There are also peddlers selling snacks like pilipit, lumpiang gulay/togue, and others.

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Don’t Forget

• Bring enough cash as there are few ATMs. Credit card transactions are rarely accepted if none at all.
• You may bring your own tent or rent one. Remember that you may pitch your tent at nighttime only and within the designated area.
• You may bring your own food but must only be consumed in your paid pavilion or cottage. Food and drinks are not allowed on the seashore and in the water.
• DO NOT LITTER. Dispose of your garbage properly. Clean after yourselves.
• Be cautious. Personal safety must be a priority. Do not wander far from the shore if you are not a seasoned swimmer.
• Protect yourself from the sun. Apply sunscreen, but make sure that you are using eco-friendly and environment-friendly products. Please purchase sunscreen WITHOUT these ingredients: oxybenzone, parabens, and benzophenone.
• Practice sustainable tourism. Buy local products, bring your own water container, bring a dry bag instead of using plastic for your wet clothes, and bring extra bags instead of using plastic for your shopping.

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If You Have More Time and Budget

• Explore and go island hopping in Santa Cruz. Some attractions include Maniwaya island, Ungab Rock Formation and Palad Sandbar.
• Another island-hopping destination option is the group of islands in Gasan — Tres Reyes Islands (Gaspar, Melchor, and Baltazar)
• See the ancestral houses in Boac, the churches like Boac Cathedral and St. Joseph Church in Gasan or be amazed at the oldest hotel in the province — Boac Hotel.
• If you are visiting during the Holy Week, witness the Moriones Festival, which the province is famous for.
• If you are into hiking, you can hike the highest point in the province — Mt. Malindig.
• Marinduque is said to be the Heart (Center) of the Philippines. One of the must-visit places in the province is the Luzon Datum of 1911, which marks the geodetic center of the Philippines.

RELATED ARTICLE: Marinduque: Important Travel Tips

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Where to Stay

Boac and Santa Cruz are the largest towns in Marinduque and have the highest concentration of residents and commercial establishments. There are several resorts, inns, and homestays in the province. If you want to experience staying at Boac Hotel, you need to book in advance, especially during Holy Week, as they only have 16 rooms. If you want to stay near Poctoy Beach, here are the other accommodations in the town of Torrijos.

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

For more options, search here: Marinduque Hotels

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This post was made possible by Cebu Pacific Air.

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