Beach: Nilandingan Cove
Location: Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon
May 25-26, 2019
Cagbalete Island is one of the famous islands in Quezon, and Nilandingan Cove is the farthest, most private and secluded spot which took an hour and a half boat ride from Mauban Port. Was it worth it or not? Read more below!
The Planning
In my previous blog, Quezon Escapade: Borawan Island Resort, I have told the story about the unexpected cancellation of our Nilandingan Cove adventure due to the weather condition which prohibited the boats to sail. So for almost two years, we already had three cancellations with Nilandingan Cove—two of them was entirely my fault because of our schedule.
Lo and behold! We finally had the time to actually plan the trip and it was a bumpy ride all along. In the end, there were eight of us. Four couples consisting of Jay and I and our closest friends. So we were really excited about it!
Day One
Going to Nilandingan Cove – Cagbalete Island
We met around 4:00a.m at Jac Liner Bus Terminal in Cubao and was shocked with many passengers already lined up for Lucena City. We did not took the direct trip going to Mauban which left at 3:30a.m. so I really do suggest to leave early or to book your tickets for Mauban beforehand. Some of us have work till 3:00a.m. so we really cannot leave early.
It was already 5:30a.m when we left the bus terminal going to Lucena City.
Upon arriving at Lucena City at 10:30a.m., we took a van ride going to Mauban. There was already a line and it took us about 30minutes of waiting. After less than an hour of ride, we reached Cagbalete Island Tourist Port (CITP).
At the port, we paid for the environmental fee and waited for our boat ride. Since it was already late, the other boats have gone to Cagbalete Island and we have to wait for them to come back. It took almost another hour of waiting. We were already grumpy and hungry at this time. Haha. It was already 12:30p.m when we left CITP with our private boat.
Nilandingan Cove (At Its Worse)
We arrived at Nilandingan Cove at 2:00p.m. during low tide so we have to walk a little bit in the water to reach the shore. We have observed that the color of water resembled to murkish gray and that it was full of seaweeds. We were hoping that it was not the same at the beach front. But to our disappointment, it was the same. The shore has a lot of seaweeds and even in the water, and it really looked unclean. But we were glad with the welcome refreshments they offered upon arriving.
Then they led us to the campsite where there were several tents at the area and at the farthest side of the cove without tables and chairs so we were disappointed in that, too. But because we cannot think straight, we went to Cocina ni Milena first where our food was served because we availed their food package for our whole stay. And men! They were delicious! We have two dishes and fruits and they were plentiful. We did not finish it all because their serving can fill up to ten stomachs. Haha. So we were absolutely happy and looking forward to the next meals.
We went back to our tents and changed our outfits then headed to their famous “magical tree” since it was a low tide. It was a five minute-walk from the beach front and I really do suggest wearing slippers or aquashoes because stepping on the rocks bare-footed really hurts based on Jay’s experience. Haha!
We took our time taking couple pictures at the tree.
Then a little farther from the magical tree, we went for a swim although there were really a lot of seaweeds in the area. Haha. But the water’s just warm and not so dirty aside from the seaweeds so it was a plus. And as we took our group pictures, we noticed that there was a rainbow!
We headed back to the cove after a while but Jay and I decided to stay at the beach after we have found a spot that were clear of seaweeds. And waited for the sun to set. (Though it was not seen.)
After taking a bath, we decided to ask the staff to help us move our tents near the hut with tables and chairs which was also near the dining area. Haha. But really, there were a lot of mosquitoes at their camping area so we needed to move.
Our dinner was a hearty meal while telling stories about everything under the sun and it was one of the best dinners I have ever had. Sadly we did not take any pictures while eating. Haha.
As the night deepened, we were just at the hut sharing stories, laughing out loud and giving advices about everything while drinking. Wasn’t it the best way to spend the time with your friends?
Around 11:00p.m. we lounged at the hammocks that were spread out around the area and saw that the moon was shining brightly over the sea. We also noticed that the water was getting higher and we hoped that the next day would be different because I have seen so many beautiful pictures of Nilandingan Cove and I kept wondering why it differs a lot in personal. But I have high hopes! So we went to bed and hope for better.
Day Two
Around 2:00a.m, it started raining hard. Our tent were not waterproofs so the mattress got wet and there were water droplets from above so we really had hard time getting the sleep we wanted. It was worst.
Nilandingan Cove (At Its Best)
We woke up around 5:00a.m. and found out that our friends from the other tent were sleeping at the tables and chairs because the inside of the tent was too wet to sleep on around 4:00a.m. So we had an early day.
After changing into our OOTDs, we ventured at the beach and saw that it was a high tide indeed. The staff were cleaning the area from seaweeds so that their visitors can really enjoy the beach. We spent our time taking pictures first although we did not see the sunrise.
Around 7:30a.m. we went to Cocina ni Milena for our breakfast. It was such an enjoyable meal a great way to start the day.
The beach was incredibly transformed into what I saw in the photos and we were so happy because it was beautiful. We did not take too long before we started taking pictures and swimming in. We had a blast!
At 11:00a.m., we ate Pansit Habhab which was a local food in Quezon. There were a lot of serving and we did not finish it all. And because it was too hot to swim, we just sat at the table and talk. At 2:00p.m we were served with our lunch which we ordered in addition to the food package. We spent more time eating than swimming to be honest. Haha.
We left Nilandingan Cove at 5:00p.m. We had a great weekend getaway—the ideal one, because we just ate, slept, lounged and talked for two days. Haha. A perfect way to spend the last month of summer.
How to get there:
Cubao to Quezon:
- From Cubao, ride a bus (Jac Liner) going to Lucena. – P257.00/head
- At Lucena Grand Terminal, ride a van going to Mauban. – P60.00/head
- Alight at the farthest the van can go. (Haha.) In our case, we walked a little towards the port where we asked where CITP is.
- At Mauban, ride a private boat going to Nilandingan Cove. – P3,000/8pax
*Jac Liner has a direct trip going to Mauban at 4:00a.m. and 11:00a.m. but it leaves earlier because it is usually fully booked.
Quezon to Cubao:
- At Mauban Port, walk towards the main road then turn right and you will see the terminal of van going to Lucena Grand Terminal. – P70.00/head
- At Lucena Grand Terminal, ride a bus going to Cubao. – P257.00/head
* DO NOT RIDE A TRICYCLE. The drivers will only turn you around but the terminal going to Lucena is still the same. WALK.
Breakdown of our expenses:
- Environmental Fee – P50.00/head
- Tent (6pax&4pax) – P375.00/head
- Private Boat – P375.00/head
- Transportation (back&forth) – P1,000.00/head (estimated)
- Food – P800.00/head
TOTAL – P2,600.00/head
Private Boat Rental Fees:
- Anytime from 6am to 4pm
- Mauban to Nilandingan Cove & Nilandingan Cove to Mauban (back&forth)
• 1-2 Passenger(s) = P1,500.00
• 3-6 Passengers = P2,500.00
• 7-8 Passengers = P3,000.00
• 9-11 Passengers = P3,500.00
• 12-14 Passengers = P4,000.00
• 15-17 Passengers = P4,500.00
• 18-20 Passengers = P5,000.00
Food Package offered at Nilandingan Cove:
(Pre-ordered before arrival.)
- Set A – 2 dishes
(Lunch, PM Snacks, Dinner, Breakfast, AM Snacks)
• 1 pax = P1,000.00/head
• 2 pax = P900.00/head
• 3-6 pax = P850.00/head
• 7-10 pax = P800.00/head - Set B – 3 dishes
(Lunch, PM Snacks, Dinner, Breakfast, AM Snacks)
• 1 pax = P1,100.00/head
• 2 pax = P1,000.00/head
• 3-6 pax = P950.00/head
• 7-10 pax = P900.00/head
• 11-18 pax = P850.00/head
• 19-100 pax = P800.00/head
Accommodations at Nilandingan Cove:
- Cottage – P3,500.00 (2-5pax)
- Cottage – P3,000.00 (2-4pax)
- Villa – P3,500 (2-6pax)
- Bungalow – P6,500.00 (12-15pax)
- Tents (w/ mattress&pillows)
• 1-2 pax = no tent available
• 3-4 pax = P1,200.00/night
• 5-6 pax = P1,800.00/night
• 7-8 pax = P2,400.00/night - Tent Pitching – P200.00/pax/night
Note:
- Make an online reservation for the direct trip going to Mauban. It gets fully booked easily.
- The line going to Lucena is long so I suggest going to terminal earlier. Besides, travel time going to Quezon is about 5-6 hours depending on the traffic.
- There is a passenger boat going to Cagbalete Island but it will not pass by Nilandingan Cove.
- Bring an insect repellant. This is a must.
- Do not be disappointed when you arrived at a low tide and there are seaweeds at the beach, because it is beautiful when the morning comes.
- For additional info, message Nilandingan Cove at their Facebook page or visit their website.
Until next trip!
Meandering Cloud 
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