Island Hopping Tour in Padre Burgos, Quezon (Borawan, Dampalitan Beach, Puting Buhangin, Kuwebang Lampas) 2014

The plan was to go to Misimis Bay in Bicol.

I had no prior hotel reservation (P19,000/day).

I had no airline or bus booking and so I decided to skip it and instead go to Padre Burgos.

Quezon is known for two things, namely: Pahiyas Festival and its beaches!

And Padre Burgos offers one of the best beach spots in Quezon.

From Cagbalete Island, I boarded a mini-bus back to Lucena Grand Central Terminal and spent the night at Diamond Hotel and Resorts (near SM City Lucena). The following morning, I went early to the bus terminal.

How to get there

From Cubao or Buendia

Board a bus going to Lucena. Fare from Buendia to Lucena Grand Central Terminal is P209.50 (127 kilometers). Travel time is 3-4 hours from Buendia. But I am from Tanauan City, and I boarded the bus in Sto. Tomas, Batangas and the fare is only P119 (72 kilometers).

Arriving at the Lucena Grand Central Terminal, board a mini-bus to Padre Burgos. 

Jay-R is the only mini-bus servicing the route to Padre Burgos.

The fare is only P35 and normally, travel time to the jump-off point is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The bus leaves after it has filled up majority of its seats (normally 1 hour).

Along the way, enjoy the scenery in Pagbilao, Quezon. The uphill twist and turns will surely keep you awake during the travel. Travel time depends on the traffic at the area.

It is better to go early in the morning if you want to have an island hopping tour only. You can finish it in 3-4 hours, unless you want to take a swim.

Then, alight at May Ann's Store in Barangay Marao and look for either Mang Rudy or Aling Tess. They are very cordial, accommodating and kind. In other words, you belong here. It is better to make a reservation prior to your tour/vacation. They have 3 boats. 

Boat for Hire

May Ann Store - 0921-454-3137

Marlon - 0909-762-5342 / 0921-639-0821

May Ann - 0928-482-6408

Odchel - 0912-405-8187

Benji - 0907-896-5617

Do not bother to bring cooking utensils, plates and other kitchen materials. They will be lending it for FREE. You can even ask them in advance to reserve for you crabs, squids, fish or lobsters at an affordable price. Quezon offers the best and lowest price for sea foods. Mang Rudy and Aling Tess are simply the best!

And from their backyard, you can start looking at the grandeur of Quezon.

Island Hopping Tours (hire for the boat)

Borawan only - P800 

Borawan and Damapalitan Beach - P1,200

Borawan, Dampalitan, Kuwebang Lampas (Puting Buhangin Beach) - P1,800

Puting Buhangin only - P1,800

Aling Tess and Mang Rudy - the boat owner/operator

The Borawan tour includes hopping to Bagosina, Talabahan and the surrounding islands. It is a lot better to hire the boat for P1,800 and hop to ALL the islands. You can finish it in one day. Only Borawan island has a canteen. It is better if you already have your food supplies prior to going to the islands. 

Aling Tess also has a store and you can buy your supplies at a very affordable price. There are several options for your food. Option 1 - Bring the raw food and cook it yourself in the island. Option 2 - Have the packaged food prepared already by Aling Tess. Option 3 - Buy the food from the market and hire the cook for only P350.00 for the entire day/overnight.  Best time to go the islands is from March to June. Worst month is August when the waves are really strong!    

I started my tour 9:30 am and our first destination was Borawan Beach which is located in Barangay Lipata, Padre Burgos, Quezon. Environmental fee is only P20. 

I have had the island hopping tours in El Nido, Coron, Siargao, Honda Bay and Guimaras. This island hopping tour can match (but not surpass) the above-said tours and I highly recommend it not only because of the 3 islands but also it offers the cheapest of all the island tours.

From the port, it took us only less than 15 minutes before reaching Borawan. But before Borawan, you will pass Bagosina Island (there are two of them called "Malaki" and "Maliit").

I was excited upon seeing the island. 

Borawan Island

The name Borawan is a combination of Boracay  and Palawan. It has the white sand beach of Station 3 in Boracay and the limestone formations of El Nido, Palawan.

Rates

Cottage (small) - P700

Cottage (large) - P850

Overnight additional - 400

Entrance 

Day - P80

Overnight - P120

Students and Senior  - Day P60/ Overnight - P100

4 years old below - FREE

Tent space (small) - P200

Tent space (large) - P250

Tent rental - P500

Shower room - P20

Comfort room - P10

Contact persons

Cherry - 0922-300-7395 / 0998-184-9901 / 0915-682-2443 / 02-425-8212

Allan - 0920-413-3127 / 0922-899-3255 / 02-330-5897

Mar - 0921-461-8726

You can also enjoy kayaking.

A little bit of cliff jumping.

Or simply enjoy the swim!

You can even stroll at the entire beach and cover it in less than 10 minutes.

I stayed in the island for 45 minutes but I told myself that I will definitely be back.

And so I left the island with a heavy heart and a promise to fulfill.

Travel time to our next stop was less than an hour. Along the cruise, we passed by Mag-Asawang Bato Islands.

The sea was calm that day and we reached our second spot in 45 minutes. And we reached our second destination - Kuwebang Lampas (Puting Buhangin Beach). There is a power plant at the other side of the island.

Panoramic view of the island

Entrance fee is P80.00

Kuwebang Lampas

It is the best spot to do snorkeling, swimming and diving. The water is clear, pristine and calm compared to the other islands. This is my favorite spot, it reminded me of the waters of El Nido.

Kuwebang Lampas got its name since it has 2 openings.

Puting Buhangin also has the finest white sand compared to the other islands. The island also has cottages but not a canteen. But it has a mini-store.

After staying in the island for 45 minutes, we went to our last stop for the day - Dampalitan Island.

Panoramic view of the beach

Borawan and Dampalitan are 10 minutes away from each other by boat. From Puting Buhangin to Dampalitan, travel time was 40 minutes. Dampalitan Island reminded me of Anawangin Cove in Zambales. 

Rates 

Entrance fee - Regular - P60 / Students, Senior citizens, PWD - P50

chirldren 4 years old and below - exempt

Kubo (hut) Large - P1,000

Kubo medium - P850

Tent space - P200

Tent rent - P500

Water - 5 gallon P40 / Big - P50 / Drum - P400

My suggestion if you will be having a one-day tour with swimming.

Morning - Puting Buhangin (swimming, snorkeling, diving)

Lunch - Borawan (kayaking, replenish supplies/electricity, island hopping, souvenir pictures, nature photography)

Late afternoon - Dampalitan (siesta time - it has plenty of hammock, sunset viewing, camping)

Mang Rudy's camping area

Imagine, island hopping reminded me of the limestones of Palawan in Borawan, the sands of Boracay in Puting Buhangin and the pine trees of Anawangin Cove, Zambales in Dampalitan.

I also recommend camping at the beach managed by Mang Rudy. The tent space is free, tent is only P300 and you can stay for days and just pay a little bit for the water and electricity. 

Tent area is good enough for 5-6 tents. You can enjoy bonfire and there is even a hut where you can enjoy your drinking spree. During low tide, you can stroll in the beach. The beach (during low tide) stretches 150 meters and there are rock formations you can enjoy.  

 Padre Burgos, Quezon is Simply Amazing!!

Youtube related links:
Puting Buhangin/Kuwebang Lampas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI7iEmWuK_s

Dampalitan Beach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0GTG7jJZ-E

Borawan Island - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VQZOYAkflo

Dampalitan

It's Really More Fun in Padre Burgos!! 

Summary of Expenses
Bus fare (from Buendia) to Lucena - P209.50
Bus fare to Padre Burgos - P35
Boat hire - P1,800
Entrance fees plus environmental fee - 240
Tent - P300
Food - its up to you