JOMALIG ISLAND: DIY Budget Travel Guide + Itinerary And Why It Will Easily Charm It’s Way To Your Heart

The thing about the Philippines having more than 7500 islands, is that it never runs out of surprises! You see, I’ve already been to numerous coveted destinations in the country. El Nido and Coron for instance. I’ve seen more beautiful beaches with irresistible blue waters like the gorgeous Nacpan Beach. I’ve walked through shores of finer, powdery white sands of Calaguas and Boracay Islands. But surprisingly, none have taken my breath away the way Jomalig Island had. Witnessing its beauty unfold with my very eye was so surreal that I was literally holding my breath, gasping in so much awe for what seemed like several minutes trying to take it all in. Don’t get me wrong. There are more beautiful places out there but Jomalig Island’s inexplicable charm is like a spell that had instantly swept me off my feet.

Jomalig is one of the islands in the province of Quezon that’s facing the Pacific Ocean. It is situated  just under Polillo Island and is a 4-5 hours of boat ride away from Ungos Port in Real. Throughout the years, this island have stayed isolated and although it has been featured numerous times on well-known local travel websites, it perfectly shows no sign of succumbing to greed and commercialization as of yet. Famous for its long stretch of golden sandy beaches, Jomalig Island still has one too many treasures up its sleeves and the best part is, it has the warmest and friendliest locals!

HOW TO GO TO JOMALIG ISLAND

• Commute – Ride a Raymond Bus in Legarda to Real Quezon (4Hrs ; P220). Asked to be dropped of at Petron Station after entering Real. From Petron Station, ride a tricycle to Real Port (P10). From the port, ride a boat going to Jomalig Island (5Hrs ; P400). Another option aside the regular ferryboat is Mercraft which promises a faster and more comfortable travel to and from Jomalig Island.
• Private – Drive to Real Port following the Marikina-Infanta Hwy continuing to Ungos-Cawayan Road. Download WAZE app for further instructions.

WHAT TO DO IN JOMALIG ISLAND

• Go Island Hopping – Rent a boat for P3500 which can fit up to 10 people and explore the inland attractions or the nearby islands.
• Go On A Motorcycle Tour – No need to go far to see the best of what Jomalig Island can offer. Hire a motorcycle for P600/passenger/6Hrs to tour you around and see all these astounding sites found within the island.
• Explore Salibungot Beach – You’ve never been to Jomalig Island if you have not explored their most popular beach, Salibungot and had your photo taken next to their ‘WE LOVE JOMALIG” marker.

MUST SEE SPOTS IN JOMALIG ISLAND

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Jomalig Island is not just about golden sands. There’s plenty of other spots that you can see to make your visit to the island more amazing. All these spots are accessible by land through a motorcycle and a 6-hour tour will set you back P600 sans the entrance fees but I guarantee, it’s worth it.

• Salibungot Beach – The beach that made Jomalig Island unique and famous with its fine golden sand shores stretching several kilometers lined with towering pine trees and bound by its turquoise clear waters. This place will make you dream of sunny days forever. Entrance: Free
• The Little Boracay – Jomalig Island is surrounded by fine golden sands that it is a rarity to find a white sand beach which makes Little Boracay kinda special. It stretches to about 2 kilometers and is perfect if you are looking for a bit of a contrast to the golden sands this island is known for. Entrance: P30
• The Little Batanes – Batanes is no doubt every Filipino travelers’s dream destination which is why it is no surprise to learn about some other places having their own version of this paradise up north. In Jomalig, they also have their Little Batanes which boast of rolling hills with a 360-degree view of the surrounding coast. Entrance – P50
• Golden Beach & Rock Formations – Salibungot Beach is not the only golden beach in Jomalig Island. If you would look around the island, you will see there’s tons of them. Some maybe more golden that the other beaches. Others are nearly orange in color. What sets Sadong Beach are the various rocks formations and sand ripples that stretches wide during low tide. Entrance: P20
• Lingayen Cove – Just at the side if Little Batanes is a cove with fine creamy white sand beach lined with palm trees. If you have too much of gold, then this cove will do you the trick.
• Kanaway Islet and Sandbar – Kanaway is a small island near Jomalig that is accessible via a sandbar during lowtide. In case the water rises, going to the island can be done via a boat which can be rented for P100/person. Entrance: P50

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USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS (UPDATED)

TRANSPORTATION/PARKING

• I recently visited the island and found that boat transfers to Jomalig are now being done in Real Port and no longer in Ungos Port although some boats from Jomalig do still dock at the latter. The process is also different now. Upon arriving in Real Port, passengers will need to secure a numbered slot and pay a terminal fee of P10/person. Once you secured your number/slot, that’s when you fall in line at the counter to pay for your ticket which is still for P400/person including a meal.
• While you wait for the counter to open, you can already leave your stuff inside the boat. Just ask the port personnel or the boat crew if you are already allowed to load your stuff inside so you can also secure your seat.
• For those bringing your car, there is now a secure private parking near Real Port. Fee is P200/day. You can simply ask any personnel at the port and you will be directed to its location.
• Boats going to Jomalig Island are already operational as early as 1AM but won’t leave until the minimum number of passengers is reached.
• Get to the port as early as you can so you can secure a good spot at the top deck of the boat enabling you a comfy sleep during your travel.
• Jomalig Island was recently featured on TV which caused the number of people visiting the island to grow big time. I suggest you avoid the island during peak season and wait until the last few weeks of summer to visit.
• Sometimes, boats from Real to Jomalig Island would dock and unload passengers in Salibungot Beach where visitors can simply walk to their chosen resorts. However, most of the time the docking activity is done in Landing Port. This would require visitors to hire a motorcycle to take them to their chosen resorts. Fare would range from P60-80/passenger.
• In cases where boats can’t go ashore to load and unload passengers, a small boat is provided to transfer passengers from the ferry unto the island for a fee of P20/passenger.
• Depends on the number of passengers, boats going back to Real are available until 11AM on weekends and 7AM on weekdays. Tickets will need to be secured at least a day prior to your travel.

FOOD & COOKING

• Buy your food supplies before going to the island. Although there is a market place in the island where you could buy your supplies, they can be pricey and pretty limited.
• Cookwares, cutlery and utensils can be borrowed from the resort.
• Drinking water is sold by the gallon for P70.
• Most of the resorts offer to cook meals for their visitors during their stay for a service fee of $150/meal. Cooking ingredients will have to be provided by the visitors.
• If you would cook your own meal, a gas powered stove can be rented for P50-P70/meal depending on the number of people you will be cooking for. Coal is another alternative which you can buy along with your other supplies prior to going to the island.
• If you happen to run out of supply but is quite busy exploring to head to the market, you can ask a driver to buy everything for you. Fee is P150/trip.
• A public market is situated nearby Ungos Port and is open as early as 4AM.

ELECTRICITY & MOBILE SIGNAL

• Fully charge your phones, camera and other gadgets and bring extra batteries since electricity is not available 24 Hrs.
• There is reliable mobile signal in the island for both Globe and Smart Networks but can be intermittent in some areas.

DO’s & DONT’s

• To keep the island clean, camping overnight at the beach is prohibited. Visitors are required to book their stay with accredited resorts in the island.
• Night swimming is strictly not allowed due to the recent incident of unfortunate death caused by drowning.
• Avoid storing your food in disposable plastic containers. Instead use reusable containers to lessen waste.

ACCOMMODATION

• Visitors can book a room that can accommodate up to 4 people for a price of P500/night in most of the resorts in the island.
• Entrance fee to the resorts ranges from P150-P180/head and is paid on top of the accommodation.
• Tent space are also provided for those who wish to camp within the resort for a fee of P200-P250/tent.

WHERE TO STAY

For our 2D1N stay in Jomalig Island, we stayed in Banana’s Beach Resort. It was highly recommended by one of our friends who went to the island ahead of us. And I got to hand it over to Tatay Say, his wife and the rest of the staffs of the resort for their kindness and superb service. For inquiries, you may call or text their mobile 0928 750 6148 | 0936 913 2132.

You may also choose from these affordable resorts in the island:

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES, SAMPLE ITINERARY & OTHER ESSENTIALS

There you have it lovelies. For comments, questions, information update and suggestions, just drop them below. Until next time. See yah!