Ambulong Island Tour
By: Keen Robante

Ambulong Island came to us as a surprise. The crystal water amidst the coral gardens and white sand beaches are extraordinary. This natural haven should be visited and beauty preserved.


The island is one of the 3 main islands of Occidental Mindoro. It has white sand beaches, underwater caves and the people living here are very friendly. A fisherman’s village is located at the sheltered side of the island. Among the recommended places to visit are the White Island, Ambulong Fisherman village, Ambulong cave, Grace Islet and floating accommodation, Rocky cliffs, and virgin beach of General Llanes with crystal water.

Ambulong Island is also a jump-off point to some of the dive spots such as the Iling Point, Baniaga Reef, Ambulong Bank, Dungan Reef, Sardines Reef, Apo Reef, and Manadi Island. These dive sites are about an hour away by pumpboat from the port.


Ambulong Island is 50 minutes away from the beach of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro by pumpboat. A single big public pumpboat sails from San Jose to Ambulong Island 10 A.M. daily from the San Jose Port for 40Php. The trip back to mainland San Jose from Ambulong sets off at 3:00 P.M only. This is recommended for the locals.

For tourist’s convenience, try to get a private pumpboat for 1500-2000 Php for your tour around Ambulong. This will be one of the challenges since access to tourism spots Occidental Mindoro are not yet very organized.


For boat reservation you can look for Mr. Jed Marcelo, owner of an 8 passenger boat named “Justin”. He doesn’t have a cellular phone but he is known in the Sikatuna beach area. He lives in the series of fisherman houses in the left side of Sikatuna Beach Hotel and Restaurant facing the sea. You may also contact his sidekick Carlo Sualog at +63928.970.0127 for inquiries.

White Island


The ‘white island’ is a 400m sq white sand covered island with accommodation 15 minutes away from San Jose by pump boat. You can pass this going to Ambulong Island. Entrance fee to the island is 50 Php.


Ambulong Fisherman Village


The village is the mount point when going to Ambulong cave. This is 50 minutes away from San Jose. This is a medium sized fishing village with small stores, a barangay hall, a court and huts. You can see a number of children swimming and playing in the white shores.


You need to deliver “damage” and get permission from the Ambulong cave owner Mr. Lito Abos. You can also ask for Lydia Abos if Sir Lito is not around. He is the president of the senior citizens in Ambulong Island. Their house is located meters away from the shoreline. They will get somebody to guide you inside cave as it is very hard getting in. Try to ask for Benedicto Erendio, his son-in-law to tour you in the cave. They will provide the flashlight if possible.


Ambulong cave

You will be guided to the lot where the cave was discovered. Walk in the streets of the village and greet the literate and friendly “Mangyan” natives. Pass a cow pasture and enter the gate to the cave area.



Bring a lamp, some candles or FLASHLIGHT if you can. It is very dark and hot upon entering the cave. Have fun going in but be careful, look and light up as there are small cave passing tunnels where pointed stalactites are formed. Protect your head.

Be amazed by the crystal formations inside. There is an underground pool at the bottom. The water is very cold.

Grace Islet and floating accommodation

The Grace Islet is a small island located in the side center left part of Ambulong Island 20 minutes away from the Fishing village by pumpboat.


The floating accommodation is a joint effort of the Watchers Cooperative, a local organization by the Ambulong residents. They offer floating huts for karaoke, dining and swimming experience for 200/300 Php. An overnight rent of the hut will cost 1000 Php.

There are a number of white beaches accessible from grace islet ideal for swimming and other acitivities.


Since its establishment in 2009, the renovation project is still ongoing. There are some parts of the island like the 360 degree view deck that is not developed yet but the area is very promising. You can also see private fish pens near the floating huts where small sharks and big reef fishes are raised.


They have a very friendly monkey pet called “MoyMoy”


You may contact the Grace Island Administrator Mr. Alan Delos Reyes for reservations and inquiries at +63.918.600.8426

The Sea cliffs and caves


The sea cliffs are cave formations formed with the strong waves pushing through the rocky areas of Ambulong Island. You will pass a lot of these this going to General Llanes white shores and Pandan plantation.

General Llanes White beach


Awesome crystal clear water awaits you in the private white shore of General Llanes. You can find a lot of coral rocks along the beach and some star fishes. You can also find rock cliffs on the side and some Pandan and coconut plants. They say that the waters here is the same as the Pandan Islands. This is 20 minutes away from Grace islet.

The salt like textured red-white sand allows clear water to be revealed even in the case of you going in for a dive.


You missed “The” white beach of Ambulong if you missed visiting this part of the island.

Hope you enjoy your visit in this enchanted place.

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