About Lubang
Lubang is a group of islands located southwest of Manila and northwest of mainland Mindoro. It is composed of seven islands and two municipalities under the jurisdiction of the province of Occidental Mindoro on the western end of Verde Island Passage, dubbed as the center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity.
Despite its proximity to Metropolis, Lubang Island is generally verdant, unspoiled and unexplored. It is too near yet too far, as they say. Information on the net are either lacking and outdated, but blessing in disguise for it has preserved its mysterious beauty.
Its prominent landmark is the more than a century old Cabra Island Lighthouse, one of the few remaining lighthouses built during Spanish era. The lighthouse shows the importance of the place even in the early Philippine civilization.
Today, Lubang Island is a paradise breaking out of its shell. Its vast farmlands, virgin beaches, amazing marine life and striking scenery as well as the natural hospitality of the locals are warm welcome that await everyone.
Choose the road less traveled. Choose Lubang!
How to Get to Lubang Island
By Air
Lubang has an airfield that can accommodate small aircraft but to date only chartered flights use the runway.
By Sea
Lubang Island Group has two public sea ports – one in the town of Lubang (Tilik) and one in the town of Looc (Agkawayan). They can be reached by taking a ferry from Manila North Harbor or the wooden boats from the port of Calatagan Batangas.
From Manila: Atienza Shipping Lines services Manila-Tilik-Manila route. Manila to Tilik is every Monday at 12 noon, while Lubang to Manila is every Tuesday at 9 o’clock in the morning. Advanced ticket reservation and booking is advised specially during summer and peak season. For more information, check out their website at www.atienzashippinglines.com.
From Calatagan: Wooden pump boats connect Calatagan Batangas to the ports of Tilik and Agkawayan. One way fare costs P500.00 as of April 2013. Their trips schedule are as follows:
MB God’s Grace 2
Calatagan to Tilik: Every Monday,Thursday and Saturday
Tilik to Calatagan: Sunday, Wednesday and Friday
MB Lucky Benjamin
Calatagan to Tilik/Agkawayan: Sunday
Tilik/Agkawayan to Calatagan: Monday
MB San Rafael
Calatagan to Agkawayan: Every Monday,Thursday and Saturday
Agkawayan to Calatagan: Sunday, Wednesday and Friday
Although these boats have published schedules, the trips still depend on traffic and sea conditions.
Where to Stay in Lubang Island
Accommodations in the island are limited only to small inns, lodges, homestays and beach resorts. Tourists mostly stay in the beach resorts of Barangay Tagbac in the town of Lubang.
- Don Juan Villa Beach Resort and Dive Center
Five air-conditioned rooms, function hall
Rates start at P500
Contact No: +639202385270/+639085532147 - Bamboo Hut Resort
Five air-conditioned rooms, swimming pool, cottages
Rates start at P700
Contact No:+639205835811 - Protacio Beach Resort
Six air-conditioned rooms, open air cottages and social hall
Rates start at P600
Contact No: +639298799740/+639205823089
Another beach resort is situated in Barangay Binacas, also in the town of Lubang. Kaypalad Guesthouse is a small yet beautiful guesthouse with a very scenic location. The guest house is made up of nipa and standing in a small grassy hill overlooking the beach. Some locals say that it is one if not the best spot in Lubang although the place is not easily accessible.
- Kaypalad Guest House
Contact No: +639209831817/+639186712803
Other accommodations in Lubang are the following:
- Airlink Beach Resort (Tangal)
20 air-conditioned rooms and suites, basketball court, swimming pool, recreation room
Contact No: +639209266279/+639178532600 - White Sand Beach Resort
7 bed rooms for 2-3 person and 1 bed room for 10 person
Contact No: +639391689652 - Lubang Bay Hotel (Tilik)
Air-conditioned rooms with private comfort rooms and TV, restaurant
Rates start at P1,800/room
Contact No: +639293190910 - Seabourn Beach Resort (Tilik)
Air-conditioned rooms with private comfort rooms, videoke, swimming pool, function hall, billiards
Rates start at P1,2000
Contact No: +639081625763 - Villa Carolina (Tilik)
Contact No: +639205823089 - Quinones Homestay (Tilik)
Contact No: +639108776832 - Villa Daulat Ancestral House (Banaag)
Contact No: +639182770089 - Carmen Aguilar Homestay (Araw at Bituin)
Contact No: +639182183136
Activities in Lubang Island
- Explore the beaches of Tagbac and Binacas in Lubang, and Bonbon in Looc
- Scuba diving (See Don Juan Villa Beach Resort and Dive Center contact number above)
- Snorkeling and free diving
- Visit the old Spanish Lighthouse in Cabra island
- Check out Onoda Trail and Caves
- See Hulagaang Waterfalls
- Trek to Gozar Air Station, Mt. Benogongon and Mt. Gonting
- Discover other attractions of the Islands of Cabra, Golo and Ambil
Other Tips
- No ATM in the island, and no establishment accepts credit cards/travelers cheque
- Globe Telecoms has no signal in Lubang
- Electricity runs 24-hours although power interruptions are common
- Reserve ahead if you plan to take Atienza Shipping Line specially on summer and holidays
magkano po yung sa scuba diving kaya?thanks po!
[…] was a long and strenuous trip from Manila to Lubang, a small town in the far end of Verde Island Passage. The town, politically under the jurisdiction […]
[…] on the dry land of Cabra Island in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, is one of the oldest lighthouses in the Philippines – Faro de Isla Cabra […]
Hi we plan on going to Lubang this Mar 2016 and looking to take my father in law back to his hometown. Unfortunately the ferry might be to long and hard to access washrooms. Does anyone know if there are descent priced chartered flights to Lubang from Manila?
Hi Lubangeros!
I would like to know if the roads in lubang are bike-friendly. Our group is planning a bike tour and a well paved road with just a pinch of rough is our only requirements.
Thanks for the replies.
Yes it is, almost all of the roads there as paved / concreted, no traffics, less pollution and safe road for everyone.
Yes it is, almost all of the roads there are paved / concreted, no traffics, less pollution and safe road for everyone.
I am from Tagbac, Lubang and I feel proud reading this. Thank you for visiting our island. 🙂
Im looking beach invest in lubang what is the best place to invest ther tanks
Brgy. Tagbac and Brgy. Bincas is great for divers, Maliig, Kusang Loob, Vigo for surfers..
Dear Sir Jaime Villegas,
Good day sir! My husband’s family originated from Lubang Island. Their surnames are Villas and Villar. We have just recently started to reconnect with relatives who have gone to different places in Oriental Mindoro and Manila and permanently settled there. We will be having an annual reunion on May 16-17 in Bulalacao, Or. Mindoro – the municipality nearest to Occidental Mindoro. I hope you can help us reconnect with the remaining relatives in Lubang, which can possibly pave the way for the rest of us to start trekking back to the native land. This can somehow pump-prime your tourism industry and as head of the Tourism sector I am sure you would like us to do this. Thanks in advance.
I have a relative na villas ang surname….villaranda at sales kami
I travel using a scooter…. is there anyway I can bring it with me… I usually travel alone and treat it as my buddy
Yes you can bring it.. Some of those mini vessels or motor banca can carry as huge as a van..
Reading of #RubyPH’s 5th landfall in this island led me here. Thank you for such a comprehensive overview of Lubang an all. I was hoping you could also advice us on where and what to eat while visiting. Thank you 🙂
So sad we have to sell our properties at Lubang. We still have one small left seaside property but will be selling it too.
Where is your beach property for sale located, size and your asking price? Tnx
hi AG. I can see your comment was last year. in case you have not yet sold your seaside property, can you please email me the details? thank you very much 🙂
How much po. Text me 09336187124
Thank you for this extensive information..
I had been trying to find more information about Luban… you see, my father who was in the Philippine Air Force in the early 1970’s and was stationed at a radar station in Lubang. We were very young when he would take us ,his children, for vacations…
Now that we have old (late 40’s), we are trying to go back there for nostalgic reasons..
Does anyone have any information on a PAF air base / air station in Lubang?
Thank you so much for any information…
Are you related to floreta macasaet, my classmate in high school in stella maris.. the radar will be operational soon . there are many soldiers there now. u may contCT ME AT O924794140.
Sorry 09204794140 Kindly tell her we have a reunion on 2016, may.
Please take a glance at Gozar Air Station photos at http://www.delahyde.com. There are some photos of the air station atop Mt. Gonting.
Everyone knows where it is.. Just ask the locals.. its just one ride away from Tilik port. 🙂
can’t wait to stay in Kaypalad Resort. After seeing the pic, i thought about ditching the ITI (at least for one day) and just lay lazy
Hi to the Blogger! 🙂 thank you for posting such a great blog like this. I’m also fond of travelling the Philippines and our neighboring countries in Asia. FYI, Lubang is my hometown and I can’t believe that our province look like thisnow since I stop visiting there for almost 5 years. I have travel plans this year and I will include this on my list. More travel to come!!!
Thanks for this travel guide! If I may, how long is the boat ride from Calatagan to Lubang? Thanks!
2.5hours.
the travel is more than two hours from Calatagan to Port Tilik.
three to four hours.. depends on the sea condition.
If one brings a car to the pier in Calatagan, is there a place where it can be parked for at least 2 days? Also, how often do the bancas leave Calatagan for Lubang?
Thanks.
I dont knwo if you can prat at the port.. though there are simple security.. if you like you can park in my friends place. he live close to the pier.. call me if yoiu need help 0917937641
yes, u can park yr car insidt the port of calatagan. There are daily trips from
Calatagan to Tilik and vice versa
exploring beaches in looc is a must try. tubahin beach is known for its amazing rock formation.. theres a lot more. penciled looc as your next destination..
WIll definitely go back! Thanks Ed for the tips!
[…] time came for me to cross out another item in my bucket list and this time it is the long pending Lubang Island on the western end of Verde Island […]
Our neighbors here in Manila are from Lubang. There’s a whole extended family of them living in our area. I have never really considered Lubang as a tourist spot until I read this post. It definitely has potential as a weekend getaway from Manila or Batangas, no?
Just a few days ago, I was with a friend in Calatagan and we could make out some islands from afar. I think I was right to assume that those islands we saw are Lubang islands.
Thank you very much for this very nice review of my mother’s hometown. You are right, the island is near yet far. Out of all the blogs and reviews that I read in the past about Lubang Islands, I could say that yours is the most detailed and successful. This post shows how you were able to explore the islands and all the stuff that it offers to visitors. I can definitely share this blog post to my friends who ask a lot of things about Lubang so I can convince them to go with me on my next trip. Regarding the Kaytinggong Resort, I had been there and I can prove that the rumors about it are true. It is the most beautiful site on the island. Though the resort is not as accessible as others, walking or boating your way there is definitely worthwhile. Another thing, It appears that you had missed visiting the Hulagaan falls that was recently developed by the Local Government of Lubang for tourists. I believe that as of this moment, that site is the main attraction of the Island. Anyway, thank you very much for featuring my beloved Lubang Island.
Wow! Thanks for the added information Irving. I am really trying to create a complete and detailed post about Lubang so it will be easier for tourist to go to the island so your inputs are really big help. By the way, you said Kaytinggong Resort, is it the Kaypalad I mentioned?
Thanks again!
oi irving, haha.. samahan mo ako senyo!!!
There are other tourist attractions in Lubang and Looc that you need to visit. Lubang is a laidback island making it a paradise. As the Lubang tourism Council president, we can help u there. Thank u so much.
Dear Mr. Jaime,
I’m glad to see this corner and pleased to know that you are the president of Lubang Tourism. You’ve probably seen or have read my comments on Lubang tourism way back then. I’m fond of travelling and hope I can contribute to our local tourism in the near future. I’ll try to visit FB and see if I have you on my friends list. Otherwise, I will send a friend’s request so we can exchange thoughts, opinions and ideas.
Regards.
Rene Tanglao
Hi Mr. Villegas,
I’ve been trying to get hold of anybody who is associated with Lubang Tourism through FB, but to no avail. My brother-in-law is
a scuba diver from Canada and he’s very interested to visit the scuba diving sites in Lubang. We are originally from Agkawayan and every now and then, we come and visit during the fiesta. So, can you give us some info….we’ll be in Agkawayan next month.
I appreciate whatever info or help you can give. Just want to have my brother-in-law to have. a good time. The last time he was here was 42 years ago.