CAGBALETE: 5 Things To Do at Nilandingan Cove


We planned this trip for my birthday and we were so blessed with a very nice weather for the month of July. As it was off peak, we had the entire island resort all to ourselves hence we really maximized relaxing and enjoying our stay.

Nilandingan Cove is a beachfront resort located in Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon Province, Philippines. According to the owner, (as far as I could remember) the island was originally owned by 3 spanish priests and it was called Nilandingan later on because it is where boats dock and conducts trade in the past.

How we got there:
  1. We took a bus going to Lucena Grand Terminal from Alabang South Station; other bus stations where you can take a bus to Lucena Grand Terminal are in Buendia, Cubao or Kamias
  2. From Lucena Grand Terminal we then took a non-aircon bus going to Mauban, which took us around 2 hours travel time
  3. From Mauban port, we then rented a boat to Cagbalete Island, Nilandingan Cove which took us around 45 minutes boat ride
Before going to Mauban port we passed by the market to buy supplies and foods to cook at Nilandingan Cove.

We were welcomed with very refreshing drinks upon arrival and the resort owner greeted us warmly. The juice served as a welcome drink is a lime-like fruit grown in the island and they call it Moontai fruit. 
Nilandingan Cove resort is clean and very relaxing place and I would bet anyone would immediately fall in love with the place upon setting foot there. They have hammocks and chairs under the shade of tree to lie down to, they have tables to eat by the beach and small tents to take shelter to near the shores.

We were then led to our Kubo Room and it was so inviting we immediately took photos outside. The kubo can accomodate the 5 of us as there was a bunk bed and receiving area. The comfort room just at the back of our kubo is clean and new.

The resort owners are very hospitable and caring, they would ask you what you need and provide them as much as they can like kitchen utensils, ingredients, water etc. They even had someone climb the Coconut Tree to treat us with Buko Juice.
Enjoying our free buko juice freshly picked right from the tree
Activities
  • Trek to the Balete Tree


  •  Trek to the Mangroves near the shore line -  this can only be done in the early afternoon when the tide is low, high tide starts at around 5pm


  • We found a river while trekking the mangroves and swam there
  • Magic Tree - this tree according to the owner have withstood typhoons that passed by the island for years so then it was called the magic tree. The owner said many visitors they had who went to the tree to make a wish came back and said their wish did come true. Guess what, our wish did come true as well.
  • Boating and Swimming


The next morning we were able to buy some fresh catch for a very cheap price, we cooked it for brunch before leaving the island. The resort owner even taught us to make a rub before grilling these.

Here's our remembrance photo from the Nilandingan Cove resort staff and owners who treated us like family during our stay


Some Tips
  • Travel early by bus to get to the island early as well so you could maximize your stay
  • Electricity is limited in the island. Ensure you bring power banks, portable light source and charge your gadgets ahead or while there is electricity in the island because they only use generator. 
  • Buy supplies before going to the island however they now offer food packages as well. Bring your own towel, toiletries, drinking water and utensils
  • The resort owner has their own fermentation at the island, try to buy their home made lambanog, it tastes good
  • For inquiries and reservation here is their website: http://www.cagbaleteisland.com.ph/
  • Their Contact Details:
Please contact the following during office hours (M-F 10am to 6pm):
facebook.com/nilandingancove
0915 144 3094 (Ms. Isabel)
0915 211 7037 (Ms. Lynnette)
*Reservations made from other contact details will not be valid


Location: Cagbalete island, Mauban, Quezon, Philippines

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