Marinduque (Mt. Malindig - Malbog Hot Spring - Poctoy Beach)

Travel Notes: 

Bus Terminal: Jac Liner
- You could take the bus all the way to Buenavista in Marinduque. Check the schedule if it works for you.
Bus Fare: Php 170 - 180
Travel Time: 3 hours to Dalahican Port (but if you opt to take the same bus to Marinduque, that could be longer)
Boat Fare: Php 260~ (Schedule check here)
Terminal fee: Php 30
Travel Insurance: Php 40
Travel Time: 3 hours
Schedule: Click here
- In Balanacan, you can take a jeepney that will take you around the island.


The Trip

Poctoy Beach

I was forced to spend the first day of the long weekend sleeping at home, since there are no buses going to Lucena on Good Friday.

I left for Marinduque on Black Saturday, at 2 am (Jac Liner in Kamias; P170~)and got to Dalahican port three hours later. Then, I had to wait four hours for the first ferry to leave for Balanacan, Marinduque (The first trip usually leaves earlier on ordinary days). As there were many people hoping to catch whatever's left of the Moriones festival, the ferry was loaded with a bit more people than it was supposed to. I was very glad to arrive in Marinduque safe, two hours after we had left Dalahican.

The Trek to Mt. Malindig
From Balanacan, take a jeepney to Boac. From Boac, another jeepney to Buenavista. In Buenavista, hire a tricycle to take you to Brgy. Sihi. 
We were not able to get to the peak, as a permit was needed from Camp Aguinaldo. We merely stayed at the military outpost (outside), and passed the night.

On the way to Malindig's Peak

The Climb to Malindig was the most grueling. It is the toughest one I have done so far on account of the heat, since there are not a lot of trees to block the sun during the trek, and the trail follows almost a straight line all the way to the peak. Although it took us less than two hours to get to the campsite, I must have asked to take a rest along the way more than I should have.

At the campsite, the temperature drops once the sun sets, as if giving the fog the go-signal to cover the mountain. The mist could get so thick that you won't see anything beyond 5 meters. It is grave mitake not to bring anything to keep you warm.

A piece of advice to all those planning to climb this mountain: do it as early as you can to avoid the heat.

Travel Notes:

Jeepney fare from Balanacan to Boac: Php 20 (30 mins)
Fare from Boac to Buenavista: Php 35 (2 hours)
Tricycle fare from Buenavista to Brgy Sihi: Php 100 (30 mins)
Registration fee: Php 10

• Trek can take 1.5 hrs to 2 hours.
• Look for the Barangay hall at Brgy. Sihi to get registered
• You might need a permit to get to the peak of Mt. Malindig (needs to be verified).
• Getting to the peak from the military outpost could be tough on account of poisonous plants that can cause skin irritation, so make sure to wear appropriate clothing.

From Malbog Hot Spring to Poctoy Beach

Malbog Hot Spring

Marinduque can be circled in one day, but of course, one day is not enough to see everything. You can take the jeepneys from one town to another or if you have missed the last trip, you can take the tricycle.

From Mt. Malindig, we went to Malbog hot spring. It was nothing spectacular, but it was refreshing to be in hot water after a cool night at the mountain. Then, we proceeded to Buenavista town proper to get on a jeepney that would take us to Torrijos, where Poctoy beach is. Unfortunately, it took forever for a jeepney to arrive, and we felt that we were already running out of time, so we hired a tricycle instead. 

We got to Torrijos around 4pm. We looked for the cottage used to be owned by a German national (Hanspeter?) and Marilou, since we heard this was a good place to stay in while there (outdated website here). You are allowed to cook and the rate per night was only Php 700. It's beach front and very quiet. If you are facing the sea, it is to the left of Poctoy beach. 

Marilou's Private Resort

Had I not lost one day, I would have checked out Bathala Caves, and Gasan. Well, at least I still have these two reasons to go back there. In any case, I could say I was still able to go round Marinduque, since the main highway goes along the coastline, circling the island. From Balanacan, back to Balanacan.

Travel Notes:

Tricycle fare (to Malbog): Php 15 (20 mins)
Tricycle fare to Torrijos: Php 400 (or you could wait for jeepneys, which could take a while)
Accommodation: Marilou's private beach resort Php 700/night



Here is the itinerary that I followed:

Day 1
11am- Balanacan to Boac 

Tres Reyes Islands (view from Mt. Malindig)

12:30pm- Boac to Buenavista 
3pm- Trycicle to Barangay Sihi 
3:30pm- ascend to Malindig 
5pm- campsite
8pm- sign off

Day 2
7am- climb down 
9am- leave for Malbog Hotspring 
10am- back to Buenavista proper
12nn- leave for Torrijos/Poctoy beach (P400/triyc or wait for a jeepney, which could take forever; 2 hours)
2pm- Marilou's Private Beach Resort in Poctoy 

Gallery