Jomalig Island || Paradise in the Pacific || A One Day Escapade

Eversince I started my blog, this place has always been in my bucket-list. Being born in Polillo Island, I hear this place a lot but only able to see it through the circulating pictures in my facebook feed and internet. But now, after seeing it myself, I can finally say that it is indeed a hidden paradise and a must-see destination. Golden beachsand, clear blugreen seawatrer, lush forest, and a lot more a single island can offer.

A Birthday Trip

Every year, my birthday is always the special day I am always looking forward to, it’s the time I am most grateful and feel well-loved by my family and friends. Unlike most celebrations, it doesn’t have shiny balloons, tons of food or bottles of wine but it’s always special simply because I get to be in my hometown and with my loved ones. I have been working in Manila and couldn’t get home as much as I want to so my simple wish was to be in the island, breath fresh air and be with my family. When I got home, I wasn’t expecting for anything until I became so ecstatic when my mother announced, we were going to Jomalig. This place is actually my mother's birthplace so i wasn't the only one excited for this trip. 

Jomalig Island 

Jomalig, Quezon is a small town located in a Pacific area in the Southwestern part of Luzon. It is one of the Island Municipalities in Polillo Group of Islands in the Province of Quezon. Being a fifth-class municipality means the island lacks the basic infrastructures like roads and highways but it has a functional small airport for private planes and small air vehicles. Fishing and farming is the main trades here and source of income for most but it recently became a known destination so the tourism industry is now on bloom.

How To Get There 

From our place in Agta, (Bgy. Kalubakis Polillo,Quezon), we started our sea journey at dawn, with 2 small fishing boats carrying around 13 pax in all. It was a rough travel through the channel, there were winds and waves so it took us around 5 hours before we reach Jomalig. 

For those coming from Manila, go to Raymond Bus Terminal at Legarda Manila, ride the bus going to Infanta Quezon and tell the driver to drop you off at Ungos Port in Real, Quezon, travel time is around 4 hours. From there, you can get the boat ticket for Jomalig Island, daily trip at 9 or 10am with 5-6 hours sea travel. 

Salibungot Beach

After the long bumpy travel at sea, we finally docked at Salibungot Beach. Its main feature is its long and wide coastal area of golden beach sand combined with the bluegreen seawaters and grown Agoho Trees which the island is famous for. If you’ve seen posts of Jomalig, it usually is the front of most blogs and posts. It is where the “We ❤️ Jomalig” scribbles is found and where most of the tourist flocks for the instagrammable views it has.

Swimming, beach bumming, sunbathing and sunset viewing are best activities you can do here.

The lush side of Agoho Trees that lines up the shore is the one that gives a cooling shade at the beach area. You can tie your hammock and enjoy the serenity of the place. With the soft see breeze, watching the waves lapping and listening to its sounds is so relaxing that can lull you to a peaceful sleep.

 

Road Trip Around Jomalig

After spending some time at Salibungot, I explored more of the island through riding the motorcycle or “Habal Habal”. It’s the best means to go to other tourist spots because other forms of transport are not yet available. Being a known tourist spot now, I hope that there will be major improvements in the future specially at the outskirts where narrow mud roads are still in use. 

Along the way, a wide plain green grassy pasturelands with patches of burns from wildfire can be seen. there are also some herds of cow and a number of coconut trees. During summer, make sure to bring enough cover for heat protection. The scorching heat of the sun literally burns.

These are some of the destinations we went to along the road. I hope these pictures did justice to the place because the views are really awesome and stunning. 

Punong Walang Forever

Sadong Golden Beach

“Little Batanes”

“Little Boracay”

Another destination near the area is the Kanaway Rock Islets, rock formations scattered along the sea. It has also a wide beach that creates the famous sand ripples. It requires a boat to get there but since we left the boat at Salibungot, we weren’t able to visit it. 
After 4 hours of touring around, we went back to Salibungot Beach to catch the sunset. In the afternoon, it’s the time when tourists flock the area for sunset viewing, it definitely is best here. The colorful array of sun and clouds in the sky is like painting that perfectly represents nature at its best. It is always a nice site to end the day with such. 

Sunset at Salibungot with Drew Arellano at the backdrop (the one in middle of the boat)

Drew Arellano (wearing red) shooting for the next 'Byahe Ni Drew' Episode that will air on May 8, 2019

Before we go, we were able to catch Drew Arellano who is shooting for his upcoming Byahe Episode. It suck a bonus for us for meeting and seeing him in person, one of the famous travel documentarist in the country. We went next on our way to the nearby island of Patnanungan where we spent the night and continued our escapades around Polillo Group of Islands.

Banasi Beach Resort, located at Bgy. Tapol in Patnanungan, Quezon

Minasawa Bird Sanctuary at Burdeos Bay

Where To Stay 

We were not able to stay in Jomalig but for accommodations, here’s my recommended list of places to stay in Jomalig that we were able to check out.

Jomalig SPIR: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010666236270

Hidden Paraside Lingayen Beach in “Little Batanes”

Only Tent Pitching is Allowed 

Contact Person: Janeth Sarmiento

09502425889

Buena Grande Beach Resort and Restaurant in “Little Boracay”

Cottages: P500/night (6 pax)

Entrance: P30

Contact Number: 09388634629

So there it is, my one day adventure in this island paradise. I wish to go back to see more of its not-so-hidden anymore beauty and to cover the tourist spots we’ve missed going to. I can say that my view about this island has changed and it even exceeded my expectations. As what KMJS (Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho) said in its feature documentary, it is “Batanes, Boracay and Siargao rolled into one Island”. So for those who haven’t seen it yet, this place is highly recommended. 

Fares and Fees Guide:

Environmental Fee: P170
RT Bus/Van Fare: P440 (P220 each Manila to Real) 
RT Boat Fare: P800 (P400 each Real to Jomalig)
Habal-habal Fee: P600 (for hours) 
Accomodation: P500/night (minimum)
Meals: P100-150/meal