10 Things to Do in Marinduque

Drone cover photo by Ironwulf

Mention Marinduque and most people immediately think of the Moriones Festival. This island province is best known for the folk-religious festival celebrated during Holy Week where men and women in masks and costumes replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers, roam the streets.

But aside from being a festive destination during the Lenten Season, Marinduque is a destination you can visit all year-around. Visit beaches and heritage sites, go food-tripping, enjoy the serene and laid-back island vibe and experience the warm and genuine hospitality from locals.

Previously, the only way to get here from Manila was by a 4-5 hour bus ride to Lucena port plus 3-4 hour sea travel for a total travel time of 7-9 hours depending on the traffic and sea conditions. According to locals, this can last even longer during peak season like Holy Week because of the waiting time for sea vessels. Trips can also be cancelled because of typhoons, leaving residents stranded for days.

Last April 1, 2019 Cebu Pacific Air launched direct Manila to Marinduque and vice versa flights just in time for Holy Week and the summer season, providing a faster alternative for tourists and residents. Cebu Pacific is currently the only airline to operate this route commercially. The thrice-weekly flights last just under an hour. Here’s their flight schedule for reference:

For those planning to visit Marinduque, here are ten things you can do in this peaceful island province any time of the year.

Watch the sunset from the center of the country

Marinduque is known as the “Heart of the Philippines” because of its shape and location. The island also happens to be the geographical center of the archipelago. The Luzon Datum of 1911 in Balanacan is a stone marker that serves as the primary geodetic reference or central reference point for all maps and surveys made in the country.

A newly constructed tourism road has made the historically significant site, which is being developed as a pilgrimage destination, more accessible to all tourists. From the jump-off point, visitors just need to climb up 468 concrete steps to a view deck that provides a panoramic view of the Northern part of the island. Great view during sunset!

Chill out on uncrowded beaches

For beach bums, there’s a nice stretch of beach in the coastal town of Torrijos. Poctoy White Beach Resort is the prime destination on the mainland with a long stretch of white sand, crystal clear waters and a picturesque view of Mt. Malindig on the horizon.

The public beach is popular with locals and tourists for camping and water sports like snorkeling and kayaking. Most of the resorts here are family-style resorts where you can book budget-friendly dorm type rooms, beach cottages or pitch tents on the beach.

A more upscale beach resort with private cabanas ideal for couples and business travelers is currently being constructed in the area.

Go island-hopping

One of the best destinations in Marinduque is Maniwaya Island, a small island just off the shore in the town of Santa Cruz. Maniwaya Island is where you can catch the best sunrise and sunset views.

Spend the day swimming in beaches with sparkling blue waters, go snorkeling, and visit the Palad Sandbar and Ungab Rock Formation on Mompong Island. Because of the limited passenger boat trips to and from the island, overnight stays are recommended. Bigger groups can also charter a boat from Santa Cruz for whole day island-hopping trips.

Loop the island on a sightseeing tour

With over 150 km of fully paved circumferential road, Marinduque is a popular destination for cyclists and motorcycle riders who bring their own rides and cross over via ferry to loop the island. Marinduque offers a laid-back cycling and moto-camping destination for riders and solo travelers who want a safe and quiet destination to ride and camp out on the beach. I really enjoyed our 3-day bikepacking trip here in 2018. Hopefully, local operators will think of offering mountain bike and motorcycle rentals on the island for those traveling by air.

The most scenic sightseeing stops include the Gasan Sea View which has a short hanging bridge, views of the Tres Reyes islands (also an option for island-hopping), Bella Roca Island Resort on Elephant Island (currently closed), Mt. Malindig and the coastal road of Looc. You can also spend more time at Poctoy White Beach and the town of Santa Cruz.

Because public transportation is still limited between towns, those traveling by air in groups (like families with kids and senior citizens) who want a more comfortable option for sightseeing can book tour packages or tourist van service from Dream Favor Travel and Tours, the only DOT accredited travel agency in Marinduque. When traveling by van, you can visit more destinations in a day. The travel agency also offers airfare ticketing, hotel bookings, tour packages and other tourism-related services.

Dream Favor Travel and Tours. 21 Santol, Boac, Marinduque. Facebook: www.facebook.com/DreamFavor. Email: dreamfavortat@gmail.com. Contact: 0918 933 1605

Hike up the island’s highest peak

For active travelers and mountaineers, hiking up Mt. Malindig, the highest peak on the island is the most popular option. Legend has it that Marinduque got its name from this mountain. The potentially active stratovolcano has an elevation of 1,157 meters above sea level. Locals say the trail is just a half-day hike from the jump-off point in Buenavista.

The mountain is a protected area known for its unique environmental biodiversity. It is home to different species of wild orchids and other endemic wildlife. On clear days from the top, hikers can get a panoramic view encompassing Mindoro, Verde Island, and Southern Luzon all the way to Bicol and Burias Island in Masbate.

Take a dip in a sulfuric spring

Onsen or volcanic hot springs are a big deal in countries like Japan, but our country has its fair share of hot springs too. The Sulfuric Hot Springs in Malbog is another unique attraction on the island. Sulfur springs are known to have therapeutic benefits.

While the milky blue water looks enticing in photos, I should warn you that it’s not exactly the most pleasant-smelling (sulfur really has this distinct ‘rotten egg’ smell). Taking a dip in here is supposed to be good for the skin, relaxing, and can help prevent certain diseases. If you want a unique hot spring experience, you can try this out.

Malbog Hot Spring. Entrance Fees – Adult: P45.00, Children, Senior Citizens & PWDs: P30.00

Commune with nature

Marinduque is very pleasantly laid-back. Shops and restaurants close fairly early at night. Urbanites who need to take a break from the traffic and social media will enjoy communing with nature or watching the sunset by the beach. Amana, a private and secluded estate with lush gardens of snowy white Bouganvilla, century-old trees and exotic rare tropical flower farms is a great place to watch the sunset.

If you’re traveling with kids and city folk who have never seen butterflies up close or have some time to spare, you might also want to check out the Insects and Butterfly Garden in Boac. There’s still a lot of potential for tourism in many areas of Marinduque. With direct flights and increased tourist arrivals, I’m sure there will be more attractions to visit in the years to come.

Marl Insects and Butterfly Garden. Amoingon, Boac, Marinduque. CP: 0920-2042097. 0925-7260753. Email: insectfarm@yahoo.com

Visit churches and heritage sites

Go on a cultural tour by visiting heritage houses, churches and shrines, and stop by handicrafts stores and souvenir shops to learn more about the island province’s local industries. In Boac, the main landmarks are the Century-old Boac Cathedral and the Biglang Awa Shrine, a pilgrimage site.

Another notable church is the St. Joseph Parish Catholic Church or Gasan Church whose striking modern interiors feature fan carvings (one of the town’s main products) and beams using polished coconut shells like mosaic tiles crafted by local artisans.

Go on a food trip of Marinduqueño cuisine

Seafood lovers will love eating here since the island is rich in fish and seafood. You can buy fish fresh from markets or check out the in-house restaurants of beach resorts.

Marinduque is also known for their coconut-based delicacies like bibingkang Boac, panganan (fried “fingers” made from arrowroot flour) and arrowroot cookies made from uraro, the best of which is produced by Rejano’s Bakery.

I love the fact that there are no fast-food joints and big name coffee chains yet on the entire island. Instead, you can try dining in the homegrown cafes and restaurants. One of the newly opened coffee shops we got to try was 10 Y.O. Cafe right in front of Balar Hotel & Spa, which serves good coffee-based drinks, frappes, hot chocolate, and pastries.

For authentic Marinduqueño cuisine, dine at Casa de Don Emilio, an ancestral house turned restaurant in Boac that serves local takes on Filipino favorites like fresh lumpiang ubod, kare–kare, sinigang and spicy chicken curry with turmeric.

One of the best places to eat is Café Mamita located on the ground floor of Boac Hotel. Specialties include manakla, a small crustacean that looks like a cross between shrimps and baby lobsters, with just one claw, served with vegetables in coconut milk, sizzling blue marlin and tanigue and one of the best versions of bulalo (beef marrow stew) I’ve ever tasted.

Have a relaxing stay on the island

We got to stay for two nights at Balar Hotel and Spa, the newest resort on the island. Opened just last November 2018, this well-designed five-month-old establishment is located in the middle of lush greens fronting the beach of Balaring in Boac, a few minutes drive from the airport. I like how the hotel design incorporates local touches like photographs from around the island in a modern way. The hotel’s cozy atmosphere promises comfort paired with local hospitality and warm service. At night, you can just chill out and have drinks by the bar or get a relaxing massage at their in-house spa.

Another place to stay a few nights to get a sense of the rich history of the province is Boac Hotel, the oldest hotel in the province. This hotel founded in 1967, fronts the archbishop palace of the Diocese of Boac and is the best place to view the street parades during the Moriones Festival. It has a total of 16 rooms and can accommodate 30 guests. There’s a pasalubong center right next door as well as the restaurant Cafe Mamita.

Beyond the destinations we visited, I really appreciated the genuine warmth and local pride wherever we went. From the moment we arrived to when we left, the provincial hospitality was just overwhelming. We were welcomed with “putong” (which means “to crown”) a ceremony indigenous to the island of Marinduque.

“Putong” is a song of thanksgiving, hope and prayer for a long, blessed life. The ceremony involves being crowned and welcomed with fresh flowers, palm leaves, and coins. It’s not every day you’re welcomed to a place with a literal coronation, which made us all feel extra special.

Thanks to everyone from Marinduque for showing us what the island province has to offer and to Cebu Pacific fo inviting me to be part of this maiden flight. Experience all this for yourself by booking flights via Cebu Pacific. For schedule and rates check out: www.cebupacificair.com/