Orange skiffs on a hot summer dayCagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon (eastern side of Luzon, Pacific Ocean) is one of my most favorite destination. Ironically I have not written about it until now (a friend wrote extensively about our sojourn there in his blog libot).
Its a gem of an island off the coast of Mauban (4-5 travel hours from Manila, great directions on how to go there from this site - maintained by one of the resort owners. Some of my photos ended up in their gallery) with white sand beaches that can rival those in the popular resorts here in the Philippines.
From Mauban, its a 45 minute boat ride to the island. There are usually two trips daily, one in the morning (around 10AM) and another in the afternoon. Folks from Cagbalete constantly commute to Mauban to get supplies or to conduct trade. Cagbalete produces lambanog - a vodka like liquor fermented from sasa (a palm-like tree that usually grows on marshes and river banks).
Mang Lito (boat captain) personally ferried us to the shoreThe island is bordered by Lamon Bay in the west and the Pacific Ocean in the east. It is privately owned but there is a small fishing community, called Sabang, in the southwestern part of the island.
A Cagbalete welcome (Sabang) During low tide (at around 8AM and another one at around 9PM), a huge expanse of beach in the eastern side of the island is transformed into a desert like landscape. The water recedes almost 800 meters from the shore.
A stranded skiff
Low tide sand ripples Cagbalete also has a diverse wildlife ecosystem. It is home to a variety of species of birds and land animals. You'll be able to see flocks of birds feeding on crustaceans and small fishes trapped in pools of water during low tide.
For those who can wake up early, Cagbalete's east side offers a great view of Pacific sunrise.
A Pacific sunriseSo whether you are a beach bum or a nature lover, Cagbalete has something to offer you. (I was happy to inspire quite a few to visit Cagbalete)
A Cagbalete summer dayBut alas the rainy days are here! The mighty Pacific cooks up a storm on a weekly basis. I guess we all have to long for Cagbalete until the next summer.
More Cagbalete photos here.
love the sand ripples bai.
ReplyDeletecagbalete seems to be a piece of heaven this side of luzon. tfs!
@vanny - thanks! buti hinde sya na "conscious" nung kinukunan ko sya ng pics :)
ReplyDelete@oggie - thanks bai! tara na sa Cagbalete kahit tag ulan :D
Ganda! Love the colors, very lively and that sand ripples shot, galing. Been hearing a lot about Cagbalete lately. Hope I can visit the place soon.
ReplyDeletebai Ferdz! salamat sa pag bisita. tara na sa Cagbalete! Hinde naman sya magastos masyado kasi we can just camp on the beach :).
ReplyDeletegaling! ganda pag low tide. pero parang hindi white sand ang buhangin. pero siguradong ma eenjoyan.
ReplyDeletengayong ko lang narinig ang island na to. salamat sa mga links on how to get there.
wow. i would love to go there someday. hidden paradise pala yan.
ReplyDeletei somewhat share zherwin's sentiments, sometimes, its better that places like these remain hidden from tourists who likes to pollute them.
but anyhow, the place is just great and you captured 'em very well.
allan magkano ang budget dyan?
ReplyDeleteis it the camera who did the magic or really the place that is great???
ReplyDeletewow wow wow!
gusto ko maexperience ang mga sceneries na to.
@the islander - its one of the best destinations in eastern luzon. the place is really great bro. come to cagbalete during the summer, its like boracay + palawan without the crowd.
ReplyDeleteSalamat naman at nagandahan kayo sa aming lugar. Balik lang kayo kung kelan nyo gusto.
ReplyDeletePwede po ba sumama sa mga fishermen mamalakaya?
ReplyDelete