When a door closes, a new window opens – this is how the Mararison Island came to be! It wasn’t really popular until typhoon Yolanda hit the island and devastated the livelihoods of the people living here. When relief operations began, they were bewildered on the island’s beauty and how something so near the main land of Culasi hasn’t been noticed for years! This brought a new life to Mararison and it’s inhabitants – giving them another livelihood thru tourism and accommodation!
So if surprises are your thing, Mararison will surely give you one heaven of surprise! As a sidenote, some people call it “Malalison” because it was mistakenly registered as such but they are in the process of correcting and bringing it back to “Mararison” – the name it’s supposed to be.
HOW TO GET HERE
Public Transport
1. Flight from Manila to Kalibo
2. Ride Ceres bus bound for San Jose de Buenavista and drop of at Culasi. (2hrs)
3. Ride a motorcycle (habal-habal) to take you to Culasi Port. (5min)
4. Register on the tourism office near the port. They will arrange boat transfers here as well.
3. Ride a boat going to Mararison Island (15min).
***(Additional Info)
If you are coming from Tibiao, Antique (read my blog here), you could ride a Ceres bus bound for Kalibo which will pass Culasi. A better option however when you want to be early and in a small group is to ride a motorcycle (habal-habal) at Tibiao crossing which will take you directly to Culasi Port.
If you want to visit Tibiao after your Mararison, then you could do it the next day by just riding a bus going to Tibiao (assuming you spent the night at Mararison Island – which you should).
Moreover, if you wanted another great place to hang out after your trip to Mararison (whether you stayed overnight or not), you could probably catch the bus going north and drop by the municipality of Pandan. Take a tricycle ride to Malumpati Cold Spring or you could book a room nearby Pandan and just go to the spring the next day.
WHERE TO STAY
There are two types of accommodations that Mararison offers – Private resorts and Homestays.
Private resorts usually need a reservation beforehand, but in off-peak seasons you could just go in directly. These resorts range from high-end ones to simple bungalow type ones. It really doesn’t matter much since you won’t be staying in them for a long time and spend most of your time hanging out the beach front, the hills, or the cottages.
Homestays on the other hand is the normal accommodation offered here. You would be taking a room from one of the locals (some have already have guest rooms) and have a more acquainted atmosphere with them. Though both accommodations will cook food for you if you want, a homestay will definitely make you feel like a local!
Contact Details & Reservation
- Enrique de Mararison (09263929868, 09153247575, 09103484781, 09084726622)
- Blue Lagoon (09195529582)
- Mealjorene (09294270511)
- Chaspher May (09293220427)
- Ivy’s (09292960645)
- Leomar (09126670604)
- Merlinda’s (09123122167)
- Orange Wave (09991673406)
- Nanay Cryste (09300178229)
- Michael (09076049763)
- Cameno’s (09282399227)
- Nora’s (09982107742)
- Haida’s (09084715502)
- Terso’s (09306060368)
- El Doroteo (09208576379)
- Sofing (09994083119)
- Mae (09199452936/09093414772)
- Marbil’s (09503156282)
- Teresa (09087636316)
- Sesong (09998692795
- Tatay Pater (09156457308)
- Nanay Angelita (09392668849)
- J-Marlon (09502922347)
- Anatalias (09472819819/09553249195)
- Maridel’s (09074242185)
- Hiponia’s (09122611540)
- Elsa (09304771031)
- Keas Inn (09199452936)
- Rey Ausan (09304599265)
Mararison Island
THE BUDGET
Honestly you won’t need a lot of money to get here. Most tourists actually come from different destinations and make this a side trip.
RESORTS (as of 2017)
- Enrique de Mararison (09263929868, 09153247575, 09103484781, 09084726622)
- 1pax: 1500php per night
- 2pax: 2000php per night
- 3-4pax: 888php per person per night
- 5pax up: 777php per person per night
- Blue Lagoon (09195529582)
- Villa Victoriano
- 350php per person per night
HOME STAYS – all charge 250php per person per night
MEALS (recommended)
- 150php per meal (you choose what they cook since you would buy from the market)
OTHERS
- Environmental Fee: 30php per person
- Boat Transfer: 700php two-way trip
- Guide Fee (if you would hike): 150php
- Restrooms (if you are on a day trip): 10php
TOURING MARARISON
Let’s begin the tour during the golden hours of the day!
This beautiful landscape is why it’s dubbed as “Batanes of Visayas”.
A mesmerizing view just by walking down the slopes!
Nothing to complain about…
The sandbar to the little islet starts to disappear with the sun…
And boats also end their day bathed in golden rays.
Sunsets never ceases to be amazing.
Now we turn back the time a little and witness the slopes of Mararison.
The sky, the sea, the mountains – truly a perfect mix!
Lush green grasslands sure give vibrance to the eye!
Rock balancing totems made by previous hikers.
Mt. Majaas shys away from here!
Next stop, the beach!
White sands along the coast up to the side of the island…
And a beautiful rocky terrain at the back.
And where there’s rocks, there’s balancing!
Now we dive down deep!
Mararison hides a beautiful coral garden just 40 meters from the shores.
And of course, we have the venomous lion fishes as well!
We descend to the depths…
And see tons of fishes swimming around the area!
Well, you really don’t need to go that deep do you?
SIDE TRIPS TO MALUMPATI
After your trip to Mararison (whether you stayed overnight or not), you could probably catch the bus going north and drop by the municipality of Pandan. Take a tricycle ride to Malumpati Cold Spring or you could book a room nearby and just go the next day.
And did I mention they do also offer water tubing down the springs!
The cold springs will truly wake those nerves out of you!
You could also rent cottages here (cheapest at 100php)
And did you spot that diving board from afar?
Another attraction at Malumpati is their River Tubing where you go down the Springs!
The source of the spring comes from more than 40 meters below!
Bugang Riverside Inn – the place we stayed for the for the day!
well researched and very interesting presentation
Thanks Victor.
Glad you liked it. There’s so much more to do that’s not covered actually so not to spoil surprises. Have fun!