5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT CAGBALETE ISLAND

Cagbalete Island has currently been featured amongst the Best Unspoiled Beaches in the Philippines and here are 5 Reasons why you should consider Cagbalete Island as your next Beach Destination.

1.) EXCITING BOAT RIDE -

Arriving in Nilandingan Cove via the Chillest Boat Ride Ever!

Getting to Cagbalete Island is by Boat. Yep, the boat with Bamboo Floaters on the side and not Ferries or those fancy speedboats you find in other more well-known islands. So much luxury and ease but where's the fun in that right? The Boatride to Cagbalete is more primitive yet safe as well. I have been traveling to and from the Island ever since the 1980's and I have yet to experience a totally unsafe boatride. Riding with the waves is so much fun! A little saltwater sprinkle that will make you and your friends shout for joy is part of the fun. We are after all off to a Beach right? It's nature Cagbalete Island-goers want and its Nature they get. :)

2.) EXPLORE THE EXPOSED SEABED DURING LOWTIDE -

Visit pools that vary in size during lowtide and float around or observe the sealife

What really sets Cagbalete Island apart from other Island beaches in the country is the evident play of tides. When you say low tide, the water recedes to as far as 1km on some points and leaves the exposed seabed. How low the tide can get is dependent on the type of moon we have. There are times called "tag-gilaw" when the water does not completely empty but it becomes very peaceful and still. When the moon is full, the water is at its lowest. I enjoy my time in this 4-6 hours everyday by going around and turning some rocks over revealing the different types of marine life left by the sea. Sea cucumbers (ti** ng Kabayo in the local dialect), small fishes, starfishes, brittlestars, small crabs, sea urchins and the occasional baby octopuses and  small sting rays can be seen.

3.) FEAST ON THE FRESHEST SEAFOOD -

Freshly caught Sunno Lapu-Lapu and Squid. Perfect for that Beach Lunch.

With the rich Lamon Bay as its home, Cagbalete Island is your seafood lover's paradise. Different types of squid and cuttlefish abound as well as fishes and crustaceans. Buy direct from the fishermen with their catch from early morning fishing. Crabs as big as 2 kilos each are caught in the rocky mangrove areas.

4.) ECO-TOURISM AT ITS BEST -

With no electricity and not much connection to the mainland, Cagbalete's places to see and visit are all gifts from nature. Here are some of the natural attractions you must visit.

a.) Yang-In

The vast expanse of exposed white sand during lowtide called Yang-In, courtesy of Villa Pilarosa's facebook page

A large expanse of pure creamy white seabed that becomes a sandbar during lowtide. Easily accessible by Villa Pilarosa in Cagbalete Dos.

b.) Rio de San Jose

Entering the Rio de San Jose which is a river bounded by Mangrove Forests on both sides.

The closest thing the island has to a real river. With Mangrove trees to the left and right, this used to be the habitat of the saltwater crocodile that inhabited the island before. Sadly (or happily) the crocodiles were poached to extinction for their leather in the latter part of the century. Some areas in the river form part of the Nilandingan Cove property.

c.) Dasi or "Bonsai Island"
 

The Bonsais of Bonsai Island. Photo courtesy of Discover Villa Cleofas facebook page

Three Bonsai'd Mangrove Trees in the middle of the ocean. During lowtide though, a mini island emerges with nooks and crannies worth exploring. Villa Cleofas is the best jump-off point to this area and is credited to have christened it as the now more well-known name of "Bonsai Island".

d.) Natural lowtide Jacuzzis

Fancy a dip during lowtide and just basking under the sun? Photo courtesy of Pareissa Moini

For those who would find it too tiring to walk far out to the sea during lowtide. These natural pools left as the water receded, are cooling and fun. Lounge around with some small fishes trapped inside and watch them swim around you. A unique feature of Nilandingan Cove.

e.) Paet

Paet. Imagine crossing this during high tide for an adventure. Be careful of the current though. Photo courtesy of Deo Vito uploaded at the MVT Sto Nino facebook page.

A saltwater mini-river that's one of the island's best swimming spots especially during lowtide. Best accessed through MVT Sto Nino.

f.)  The "Magic" Tree

Nilandingan Cove's "Magic Tree". Make a wish?

One of the most pictured spots in the island, It's a lone tree that stands apart from the rest of the Mangrove Forest that separates Nilandingan Cove from the rest of the Eastern long beach. The emptied out center of the tree was said to be an entry point to another dimension. The Tree is one of Nilandingan Cove's main destinations.

g.) Nakahigang Balete 

Nakahigang Balete Beauty. Photo by Jan Degollado.

Imagine Pocahontas' Grandmother Willow in the flesh. A leaning Balete Tree in the middle of a forest complete with large roots that makes it look like a mini-cathedral. During rainy season, the area around the tree is submerged in knee-high water. Also part of Nilandingan Cove.

h.) Bulas

Bulas emptying out into the sea. Nice place for that cold dip or just floating around.

One of my secret spots to swim in when its lowtide. The place is so quiet, with the cold rushing stream that you feel like a fairy will come out anytime. This is the area where another mini saltwater river empties out into the ocean. This is also one of the areas you can visit while in Nilandingan Cove. Lord of the Rings much?

i.) "Buntis" or Gabriel's Point

The Ridge called "Buntis" on the Northernmost part of the Island. Photo courtesy of Kuya Gusting Cuanan

Cagbalete Island's main picnic spot before. Buntis is a large rock in the northern part of the island with a ridge-type area that looks like tectonic plates. When the waves hit the rocks, the water sprays tree-high. I haven't really swam here, but locals say that its a deep drop and they also tell of an underwater cave in this area.

5.) CATCH THE MOST AMAZING VIEW OF THE SUNRISE FOR THAT "SUNFIE" (Sun Selfie)

Beautiful Sunrise captured at Nilandingan Cove. Photo by Jan Degollado

Nuff said. Not much words. Just the beauty of the rising sun. :)

Make sure to cover these 5 Reasons to make the most out of your Cagbalete Adventure!

Because Life is DEFINITELY Better at the Beach! See you in Cagbalete!

 

Nilandingan Cove - Cagbalete Island webpage

Photo Credits mentioned to Jan Degollado, Deo Vito and the MVT Sto Nino fanpage, Tita Cynthia Almirez and the Villa Pilarosa fanpage, Tito Tonet Reyeg and the Discover Villa Cleofas fanpage, Kuya Gusting Cuanan and Pareissa Moini. Thank you!