Borawan-Dampalitan-Puting Buhangin (Kuwebang Lampas) Islands Adventure Quezon Province

All of us in the group were ready to embrace the adventure in this part of the province, like survivors do. At that time it was low tide so we walked few meters to the boat and we noticed a lot of starfish in the hallow sand, there were little fish, crabs, blue jellyfish too.

Our boatmen suggested that we should take kuwebang lampas first and spend the night in there because it’s a nice place, not crowded. We told them we can do that since they know more the place than us. Not so crowded place so that we can enjoy our stay. It was more or less than hour trip to kuwebang lampas. Along the way we were enjoying the scenery. I noticed the islet with two stones so I asked the tour guide what was the name of that islet, she said that is Mag-asawang bato (couple stone). It is a nice location for pictorials.

As we were approaching the kuwebang lampas  we were all in awe. Beautiful Island with white pristine sand. I couldn’t wait to reach the Island. LOL I wanted to jump right there and then. The water was clear and I could see from the boat the sea urchins, crabs, and fishes swimming even in a hallow water. We stayed the night in this island. This island is good for  snorkeling, diving, swimming, trekking and other fun water activities.

The following morning our boatmen arrived transferred us to Borawan Island. The island has its own beauty, stunning view, long shore line, white sand. We stayed there for a lunch. The water in here is not as clear like in Kuwebang Lampas. Although we still swam with fishes.

Around 2:00pm our boatmen came again to transfer us to Dampalitan Island. Another Island with Agoho trees, white pristine sand too although with broken corals. Fishes can be seen even in a hallow water. There are live seashells that can be collected by the seashore.

This adventure was a real adventure. Those who are going to take this tour, bear in mind that there is no electricity in the island. Solar charger for your gadgets if you have it will be of great help. Extra batteries are badly needed to capture every moment. Cooking stove for camping will be beneficial. Mosquito repellant and sunblock cream are a must. Bring Shawl, Malong, thin long sleeve clothes or anything that can cover you from the sun light

Discount deal for Borawan-Dampalitan Island Adventure from Cash Cash Pinoy

Our coworker saw a deal from CashCashPinoy  for an adventure in Borawan –Dampalitan Island Adventure and the price is just 599.00 pesos and 5 vouchers required. It sounds affordable, right? So we rushed to book, 7 of us purchased. We looked for the right dates to book because we are all working and we can’t go on tour together. August was our target month because there was two holidays but the agency told us that July to August they don’t accept tours for weather condition is not good during those months. Last October 27 and 28 we had the chance to book because of the Barangay Election.

We got early and contacted the agency for she gave the instruction that we should text or call when we reach Vista Playa. The agent told us to contact a certain person, who was going to meet us. Funny she asked us  to contact a person, when she should be the one arranged it for us, why we got an agency if we would contact others too? We learned that the agency in the deal is not based in the area; they just have contact in Padre Burgos.

While we were waiting for the local contact we took pictures and had our breakfast in the restaurant.

Finally after less than an hour, the local contact arrived. She offered us to take a side trip to Putting Buhangin also known as kuwebang lampas. We had to add 600.00 for that plus 80.00 pesos per head as entrance fee for the island. We were asking for discount since we paid 4,193.00 for 7 persons. But she refused because the agency just sent the local contact 2,300.00 and it is still lacking. It’s an internal issue don’t know what their agreement, so we took the side trip instead.

Just a tip for those who are looking for a discounted tour better check the local tours first, that’s what we learn from this trip. Especially if the price sounds cheap, you don’t know it could be cheaper if you would directly book a tour from the local agency.

Like in our case we paid 4,193.00 pesos for the deal plus 600.00 for the boat and 560.00 for the entrance in Kuwebang lampas a total of 5,353.00 pesos. Unlike if we could have directly taken a tour from a local contact, we could have saved more:

Boat rental for the three islands (Borawan-Dampalitan-Kuwebang Lampas)– 1,800.00

Entrance fee for the three islands (80.00 per island) – 1,680.00

Overnight Stay in Kuwebang Lampas with tent good for two to three persons additional of (100.00/per person) – 700.00

So we could just have spent a total of 4,180.00 that’s for 7 persons already. But well it’s a lesson for us discount is not always a discount. The deal said 599.00 instead of 1,200.00. It was a false deal.  The fees are fixed mandated by local tourism so no overpricing with the local agents. Well it’s our fault we didn’t check first. So you guys next time check it first too.  Don’t trust the discounts. 

How to get to Borawan, Quezon Province

Mostly those who want to go to Borawan take Lucena city then will take a bus from there to Unisan or Mulanay. But someone told us that there is a bus going straightly to the place of the port in going to Padre Burgos from Alabang, Muntinlupa. It was not clear what the bus name was. Since, we are living near the area much easier for us.

We were on our way to Alabang around 3:00am because it was a day before the Barangay Election we didn’t like to be trapped in the traffic. Around 3:30 we were already in Alabang, asking some drivers and conductors what bus would take us to Padre Burgos but all of them said we should take Lucena city bound buses. All of a sudden a middle age guy told us that there is a bus in Metropolis Mall Parking lot that goes there regularly. True enough there is a bus, Barney Auto lines, the signage should be Unisan. The first trip to Unisan usually 6:00am but since the bus filled up earlier we left Alabang at 4:42am

We told the conductor to drop us in Vista Playa since that was the instructions of the agency we were booked. The conductor didn't know that place so he called someone. We could have just say Marao. Because the Vista Playa is on the right side and could be seen right away. 

 1.  From  Alabang to Brgy. Marao, Padre Burgos the bus (Ordinary) fare was 221.00 pesos (The guy in Vista Aplaya said it should be just 180.00, he said it was overpricing) 

Vista Playa is a name of restaurant that has been changed into Konotum Restaurant. There are some would offer tour and the good thing the tour rate is standard so no over pricing.

There is no bus that could take to Manila straightly from Marao, the buses are usually filled already so we had to go to Lucena city.

2. Marao to Lucena city (ordinary fare ) the bus  fare is 35.00 pesos.

3. Lucena City to Alabang, Muntinlupa (ordinary fare) the bus fare is 147.00 pesos.

You can find some alternatives in going there. Its better take this tour with a group, the more the better and the cheaper.