Maniwaya is an island off Sta Cruz town in Marinduque.
The white sands of Maniwaya
I first went to this island in 1986, when it was practically uninhabited. My friends from General Luna, a coastal town in the Bondoc Peninsula, suggested we take a boat to a virgin island where, according to the old folks, then President Manuel Quezon would bring guests to sample paradise. We had a whole day of fun, but the boat ride back to General Luna then was something most of us would not forget. The afternoon waves were so bad we thought of turning around to stay overnight instead in Maniwaya. Thinking about it now, sayang.
On the boat to paradise
Today, Maniwaya is developing as a resort destination. There is Palo Maria, a mom & pop operation, with a few bedrooms to rent. There are 2 resorts that are “tourist” class. On my last trip I saw a jet ski. A town mayor is building an 8-room low-rise hotel on a beach front. A top Marinduque politician has built the foundation for what looks like another resort.
the pioneer resort on the island
a new resort
But camping is still popular. The island, in my book, can still be described as undiscovered, and charming. I have not met anyone who has actually been to the island. Even the Marinduquenos themselves.
I would still rather pitch a tent
Best to go there now, before the horde descends on this beautiful island. But do not spread the word irresponsibly. Choose to tell only your friends who are responsible. Those who will not damage the island. I would not want to see Maniwaya decay into another Boracay.
HOW TO GET THERE.
My car ready to board the roro from Lucena to Balanacan, Marinduque
You have to go to the main island of Marinduque. JAC Liner takes passengers from its Quezon City terminal straight to Marinduque, via a roro ferry from Lucena. There are several trips everyday, sailing from Lucena to the 3 ports in Marinduque – – – Cawit, Balanacan, and Buyabod. Buyabod is the nearest to Maniwaya, but there are less frequent trips to Buyabod. The most number of trips are to Cawit, in Boac, the capital of Marinduque. My favorite “port of entry” is Balanacan. Approaching the pier, passengers are treated to the sight of many islets before the ferry docks in Balanacan.
Approaching Balanacan
From Cawit or Balanacan, passengers can take jeepneys to Sta Cruz. The boat ride from Sta Cruz to Maniwaya is less than an hour.
Travel time from Nichols to Lucena is approximately 3 hours. The ferry ride is another 3 hours. I paid P2,700 to get my car on the roro. If taking your car, make sure you get a full tank before crossing over to the island where petrol is much more expensive.
2013 UPDATE: I went back to Maniwaya Maundy Thursday 2013. Read about new accommodations. https://boyplakwatsa.com/2013/04/21/maniwaya-revisited/
LAKWATSA 
good day!
Were planning to go to Maniwaya next weekend. Can I ask for details on expenses and how to get there. I tried to search some details on the internet, but there is not much information until if read your blog.
Thanks in advance…
oyet
(oy8t@yahoo.com)
(oy8t.blogspot.com)
Hi Oyet, I will email you.
hi there. im also interested boyp. i really wanna go there soon. hope you coul email me the details. thanks!
Hi sir,can you also send me the details.. TIA 🙂
The boatman I mention in the blog can arrange for that. He is a very nice guy. His mobile number is mentioned in my blog.
“I WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE MANiWAYA DECAY INTO ANOTHER BORACAY” is exactly my sentiment …I found Palomaria in 1999 and built a small sanctuary for my family and friends. This is a private home away from home and never intended for public use. Not now or in the future. Palomaria is indeed worth preserving for the future generation to enjoy…
hi can you please give the contact no and how to get there. please thanks
check my recent trip here joan! http://www.blissfulguro.com/2012/09/maniwaya-island-stacruz-marinduque.html
may bago pang resort ngayon, Residencia palo maria.. mas mahal nga lang, may pool kasi. pero, iba parin ang natural feel sa PALO MAria.
hi there im interested too… how can i easily get here in maniwaya island? thanks 🙂
You have to go to the main island of Marinduque. JAC Liner takes passengers from its Quezon City terminal straight to Marinduque, via a roro ferry from Lucena. There are several trips everyday, sailing from Lucena to the 3 ports in Marinduque – – – Cawit, Balanacan, and Buyabod. Buyabod is the nearest to Maniwaya, but there are less frequent trips to Buyabod. The most number of trips are to Cawit, in Boac, the capital of Marinduque. My favorite “port of entry” is Balanacan. Approaching the pier, passengers are treated to the sight of many islets before the ferry docks in Balanacan.
From Cawit or Balanacan, passengers can take jeepneys to Sta Cruz. The boat ride from Sta Cruz to Maniwaya is less than an hour.
Travel time from Nichols to Lucena is approximately 3 hours. The ferry ride is another 3 hours. I paid P2,700 to get my car on the roro. If taking your car, make sure you get a full tank before crossing over to the island where petrol is much more expensive.
… yes indeed, beautiful place for family camping 🙂
In fact, I have friends I got excited over Maniwaya and planning a trip soon. Will recommend Palomaria for at least an overnight stay.
this is the easy way to go marinduque maniwayaa island.
For commute:
*sumakay ng bus na JAC LINER or JAM LINER papuntang SM LUCENA/DALAHICAN dito sa may kamias cubao near GMA 7.
*sabihin sa driver na DALAHICAN ang destination na pupuntahan mo.
Ang pinakahuling destination ng bus ay dalahican.
*bumili ng ticket ng Roro.
Pwede ka bumaba sa BALANAKAN PIER sa mogpog,marinduque o di naman kaya ay sa CAWIT PIER sa may boac,marinduque..takenote: mas mahal ang pamasahe papuntang cawit at saka 3 hrs ang biyahe.
*pagnakarating na sa may pier ng marinduque,maaaring sumakay ng jeep o van patungong STA. Cruz at pagdating sa bayan na ito ay pwedeng sumakay ng tricycle patungong BUYABOD PIER.
*pagdating sa BUYABOD PIER ay may malalaking bangka na bumabiyahe patungo sa MANIWAYA island..takenote:10am ang oras ng biyahe papunta sa isla.
*may dalawang resort sa MANIWAYA.
-Palo Maria
-Recidencia de palo maria
kung ako ang papipiliin mo,recidecia na.di boring.may pool na,may lights pa ung pool.walang problema sa kuryente.
PWEDE RIN MAG AIRPLANE MAS MADALI 😀
How much is an overnight stay in Palo Maria?
By the way, thanks for this post, you are the only one who had made every details clear on how to get there.. =) How much again is an overnight stay in Palo Maria?
Sorry but I am now not sure. If memory serves me right the room for two is only about P1,000 per night.
been to marinduque a lot of times as a kid..we stay at my grandma’s place. we always go to maniwaya. I still remember maniwaya being a very virgin island. we owned a beach in maniwaya before but we had to sell it (bought by a politician). Wish to go back there soon. water is great. white sand..like like like.
Hello we are planning a family trip to Marinduque/Maniwaya Island soon. Can you provide any details on expense? Can you also provide a detailed information on how to drive from Manila to Lucena? Thank you in advance!
Hello John,
Driving to Lucena is as easy as getting into SLEX and driving onwards to San Pablo, and then on to Lucena. Just follow the signs as it will be such a task for a blogger to give anyone details on where to turn left or right. When you are in Lucena, look for the Dalahican terminal to Marinduque. Asking people around will surely get you there.
Details on expenses? Depending on your style, you can pitch a tent, or rent a small native cottage with only one bed (and all others will sleep on the floor, or get airconditioned accommodation in a resort with a swimming pool. So your accommodations can range from zero to P5,000 per day. Food? that depends on where you eat, what you eat. You can even bring your own food provisions. The boat ride to Maniwaya from the pier in Sta Cruz is P80 per person plus a landing fee of P20 per person.
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Hi Boyp,
I just want to ask for info on where you parked your car in Buyabod when you brought it there, fees and if it is safe to leave it. Also if the roro car fees already include the passengers or do we have to pay additional per passenger. Thank you for sharing your adventures. 🙂
The parking in Buyabod is safe. It is the parking area for all those who travel to Maniwaya. I forgot the parking fees. But “safe” is relative and for your peace of mind, you may want to leave it in the hotel parking, and rent a van to take you to Buyabod.
Thanks 🙂
Hi. Were planning to go in Maniwaya too this saturday. Can i ask if we need pa ng reservation sa room? Sa Recidencia de palo maria.. thanks! hoping for your asap reply. thanks!
I can not tell whether they will be full or not as I am not in any way connected with the resort. I would suggest you call to reserve, as I always do when I travel. In case you don’t get a room at Residencia, I imagine you can find other accommodations, the cheaper ones. Or maybe sleep under the stars? Or pitch a tent?