Maricaban Island, Tingloy, Batangas

Maricaban Island Beach

Proximity from Manila

Maricaban Island is one of the closest beach from Manila with fine white sand shoreline (the other being Puerto Galera).

Maricaban Island and Caban Island are under the island municipality of Tingloy Batangas. The island is accessible by motor boat from Mabini Batangas specifically from the popular dive spot – Anilao. Since Anilao does not have white sand beaches despite the wonderful corals reefs making it popular to divers, tourist usually go to the surrounding islands of Maricaban or the smaller Sombrero Island for some beach sand action.

Maricaban Island has several beach fronts most of whom are already private properties. But some of those properties still allow boats to visit with minimal entrance fee. Some of the popular beaches includes Masasa Beach (public), Olympic Point (private) and Eagle Point (private).

Maricaban Island

HOW TO GET THERE

From the Cottage

From Manila you can take buses bound for Batangas City. Then you can ride jeepneys bound for Bauan Batangas. From there you can ride a jeep or tricycle to popular dive spot of Anilao. From Anilao, hire a pump boat to Maricaban Island or if you would like to take the regular public boats, you look for the regular boats to the island from Anilao Port.

If you have private transportation, from Manila take SLEX and then STAR tollways and at the Batangas junction after exiting STAR tollways, turn right towards Bauan Batangas. From Bauan go to Mabini Batangas (the Mabini circumferential road is already finished so either way (left or right) will meet at the tip of the peninsula. But the regular route is the one from the right (doing a counter clockwise).

WHERE TO STAY

Great place for kids to swim

There are resorts available at the island of Maricaban but you can still stay at Anilao which has more accommodation options to offer. You can then rent a boat for a day trip to the island.

THINGS TO DO

Besides beach activities and water sports, Anilao is popular for diving. You can also explore the surrounding islands which includes Bonito Island, Balahibong Manoc Island, Sombrero Island and Caban Island. The highest point in the island, Mag Asawang Bato is a good hike at 800 MASL which offers a 360 vista of the the island. Another peak is the Pinagbanderahan at 600 MASL. Anilao is also an interesting place to explore. It is also popular to hikers for its Gulugod Baboy mountain.

Rental Boats