So happy to be back at one of the famous island in Quezon today, Jomalig Island. In case you missed it, Ian and I already went here last May 2016. If you want to see how Jomalig Island was before, read our blog here.
Finally, we convinced our High School friends to visit Jomalig Island. We were really pushing them since this is one of my favorite island here in the Philippines. Of course, one factor why they’re hesitant was because of the 4 to 6-hour boat ride. But since we’re up for some adventure, we still pushed through! WHATEVER IT TAKES. Lol.
I’m more excited today because we’ll be staying in the island for 3 days unlike last 2016, we only stayed for 2 days (and that’s not enough). So I planned everything from the budget, itineraries, and places to visit. Here, I’ll be sharing you our expenses and itinerary.
HOW TO GET TO JOMALIG ISLAND?
DISCLAIMER: Since we’re group of 10, we decided to rent a van that will drop and fetch us to make our trip less-hassle.
If you’re going to commute, here’s the guide.
There’s a bus terminal station in Sampaloc, Manila (near Arellano University), named Raymond Transportation. Near the bus terminal, there’s also UV express vans that offer trips to Real, Quezon. Note that the price is cheaper if you’ll take the bus.
Bus fare: 195 php
Van fare: 220 php
The trip will last for 4-5 hours depending on the traffic. We left Quezon City around 12:00 MN and arrived at Real, Quezon at 4:00 AM. We head straight to Ungos Port where the boats to Jomalig Island are located.
After we reached the Ungos Port, there were already staff that assisted us. We pay our boat fee and environmental fees there.
Boat fee: 400 php/way (with meal)
Environmental fee: 170 php
While waiting for the boat to depart, here’s what welcomed us while we’re in the boat…
We left the port around 6:30 AM, and since we went around April, which is summer season, we had a smooth trip that took us 4-hour boat ride only.
Note: The best time to visit this island is during summer season.
By the way, you need to have an accommodation first before going to the island. Reservation is a must and walk ins are not entertained. We didn’t reach the Lambingan Port because we already have to transfer to another boat that will drop us straight to our accommodation.
You can choose whether to do habal-habal or boat ride to your accommodation, but since we’re group of 10 and we have lots of things, we decided to have a boat ride instead.
Habal-habal to accommodation: 70 php
Boat ride to accommodation: 60 php
WHERE TO STAY IN JOMALIG ISLAND?
We stayed at Jomaligaya Resorts. Our contact was Ate Vanessa (09478919617) and she was super approachable thru chat and text. Sad that we didn’t met her.
NOTE: You also need to pay 100 php each for the entrance fee to the resort.
We booked 2 rooms good for 4 pax. We pay 100 php per head for the additional pax. We liked it here since we had overflowing water! HAHA. We can take a bath anytime we want. Plus the owners were very accommodating to the guests. We also loved the ambiance of the resort.
Yes, you can also pitch a tent at the resort. You can either rent a tent from the resort or bring your own and pay for the pitching fee.
NOTE: The electricity in the island runs from 1:00 PM to 5:00 AM only. So make sure to charge your gadgets during these time frame. Also, bring extension if you have lots of gadgets.
After we settle our bills and things, we had lunch and rest for awhile. We also did some games while waiting for the sunset. Around 4:30 PM, we prepare and get ready to swim and wait for the sunset.
In case you’re wondering how’s the sunset in our resort, here’s what we got…
After going back to our resort, we prepare ourselves and get ready for dinner. After that, we prepare ourselves to sleep and be ready for our habal-habal tour tomorrow early.
WHERE TO EAT IN JOMALIG ISLAND?
Just to inform you, there are no restaurants in the island. But every resort offer meals. In our resort, one meal costs 120 php. Don’t worry because they will cook and serve it to you. But in our case, we already brought our food good for 3 days.
HABAL-HABAL TOUR
Habal-habal tour costs 600 php per head. That includes half-day tour around Jomalig Island plus the driver. You can also do island hopping for only 350 php per head if you are group of 10 and up. But I highly suggest to do habal-habal to appreciate more the nature and beauty of the island.
We started our habal-habal tour around 7:00 AM.
1. PUNO NG WALANG FOREVER
According to my driver, this tree is called “Dapdap“. If you’re wondering why this is called such, just look around. It’s the only tree in the middle.
2. GOLDEN SAND
We arrived their during high tide so we didn’t see the sandbar like we saw last 2016. But it’s okay, we enjoy the long stretch of the beach and took some pictures of course. The sand is really gold, by the way!
3. LITTLE BATANES
The road to this place was kinda rough because the road is still under construction but it was all worth it. Never been to Batanes but I think it is really closed to it. It has magnificent rock formation and views! It also has big waves. YAY!
Entrance fee: 50 php per head
4. LITTLE BORACAY
This is my favorite place in the island! It is really look like Boracay with its fine, white sand. When we visit here last 2016, there’s no entrance fee and resort. Now, it’s called Pamana White Beach Resort.
Entrance fee: 30 php per head
5. KANAWAY BEACH
When we visit here last 2016, we need to ride a boat to make it to Kanaway Islet. But when we went here last April, it’s lowtide so we saw the wide sandbar of the beach. Amazing view it was!
Entrance fee: 50 php per head
We got back to our resort around 12:00 NN, just in time for lunch. We definitely got tired and sunburn but we really enjoyed the tour. It was the highlight of our stay!
After we had our lunch, we just definitely rest and kill time. Enjoying the last few hours at the island. Took some random shots too!
On our third day, we’re ready to say goodbye to the island, we head to the port via boat. The boat ride costs 60 php per head. We left the island around 10:00 AM. We arrived at Ungos Port around 2:00 PM. From there, our rented van was already there to pick us up and ready to drop us back to Manila.
DETAILED EXPENSES FOR JOMALIG 3D2N
Note: This is our exact expenses including the van and food. In case you’re going by group. 🙂
TRANSPO (VAN) – 12,000 php (roundtrip)
Per head: 1,090
FOOD (good for 3 days) – 5,000 php
Per head: 455 php
BOAT RIDE (roundtrip)
Per head: 800 php
ENVIRONMENTAL FEES
Per head: 170 php
BOAT TRANSFER TO RESORT (roundtrip)
Per head: 120 php
ACCOMMODATION (good for 3 days) – 2,800 php
Per head: 255 php
ENTRANCE FEE TO RESORT
Per head: 100 php
HABAL-HABAL TOUR
Per head: 600 php
ENTRANCE FEES TO DESTINATIONS
Per head: 130 php
Roughly, we prepare 4,000 php per head. It is too much but it depends on your budget in food and others. But that’s the safest budget up to date.
