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
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").
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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
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
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
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