Maniwaya Island
Located in the town of Santa Cruz in Marinduque, Maniwaya Island is one of the most popular islands in the province. It is situated in the middle of Polo Island and Mompong Island. People often flock to Maniwaya to see and enjoy the white sand beaches.
Its southwest and northeast sides both boast a kilometer stretch of shoreline. The southwest side is home to affordable accommodations and water activities like snorkeling and free diving. The northeast side of Maniwaya is where Palad Sandbar can be found. Because of its prime location, the island also offers stunning sunrise and sunset views.
When visiting Maniwaya Island, most locals recommend exploring the nearby must-see attractions like Palad Sandbar. The sandbar is a stretch of crushed coral sands in the middle of the sea, which only appears during low tide. Visitors usually snorkel to see the beautiful coral garden beneath the sand bar.
Tickets and entry
There is a minimum entrance fee of PhP 20, but this ultimately depends on where you plan to stay on the island during your visit. For an additional fee, you may also camp or rent a cottage at one of the resorts on the island.
Best time to visit
Since it is one of Marinduque's most popular tourist destinations, it usually gets crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want to visit it with fewer people, your best bet is weekdays. Because it is an outdoor destination, it's best to explore it during the dry season, which is usually from December to May.
You can also travel by land from Manila. You need to make your way to Quezon's Lucena Grand Terminal via bus. From there, take a bus or a van to the General Luna Port, where you can board the passenger boat to Maniwaya Island. Make sure you know the schedule beforehand, as there is usually only one boat that leaves for the island for the entire day.
