MALALISON ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE - BUDGET AND ITINERARY
Antique, the land where the mountains meet the sea. A hidden gem located in the Municipality of Culasi was found after Bagyong Yolanda.Β
Tourists call it Malalison Island. Locals say it's Mararison. And I call it Paradise. Malalison Β island is now being called as "The Batanes of Visayas".
With its white sand beaches and sandbar, a small community of kind and honest people, the angelic voices of the children's choir, hundreds of pitcher plants in different sizes, a steep mountain and the unreal view from the peak is an experience I will always treasure.
Malalison island is a 4-5 hour drive from Iloilo City. If you're coming from Boracay, it's about two hours away. Malalison is just a 15-30 minute boat ride from the port of Culasi. The island is not that crowded when we went there. I suggest to go there during weekdays.
HOW TO GET TO MALALISON ISLAND
- From Iloilo, go to Molo Terminal and take a van bound to Culasi. Fare is P200. (You can also take the bus.) Tell the conductor/driver that you are going to Malalison island so that he will drop you at Culasi Port.
- From the port, head over to the Tourism Office to pay for the environmental fee which is P30.
- To rent a boat going to Malalison Island, you can ask at the Tourism Office but you can contact Maui in advance for the pumpboat going to the island. Contact number: 09466889973Β (I don't know his real name but we call him Maui because he does look like Maui of Moana ) Fare is P750;Β roundtrip. The boat has the capacity of 30 passengers. But in our case, it was only the four of us Β
WHERE TO STAY AT MALALISON ISLAND
- There are a lot of homestays in Malalison Island but I recommend you to stay at Nanay Lita Macuja. Contact number: 09392668849
Homestay is P250 each per person.
You must call/text her for a reservation a day before your trip to Malalison. But in our case, we reserved the homestay on the day of our trip. Luckily, it was available and it seems like we owned the whole home stay. haha lakas ng loob!
Her family warmly welcomed us. They were really friendly and accommodating. We felt like they were our lolos and lolas. Every time we go out of the house, there's always "halong kamo ha" coming out of their mouths. They were willing to cook rice and viands for us but we declined for the fact that we have brought our own foods for the whole stay. You can buy seafoods for lunch and dinner there in the island and let them cook it for you with a minimal pay. Don't expect too much for the homestay. It is a place for cowboys and vagabonds. There are two small rooms perfect for 4 persons each room. But you can get both rooms and the whole homestay will be reserved for you; including the living room, bathroom and kitchen. They have their own kitchen utensils. Β
This is the other room. Sorry the room we stayed in was so messy so I didnβt mind to take a photo. hahahaΒ
Oh bongga! May tv sila! May cable pa!Β
THINGS TO DO AT MALALISON
Swimming
Picnic
Explore Nablat Islet
Picture Taking
Listen to Mararison's voice of the angels choir ( a must do!Β ) - ang gaganda ng mga boses! Promise! I hadn't had the chance to take a photo/video because I left my camera at the home stay.
Snorkeling ( a must do!Β ) - bring your own snorkeling gears but i think you can rent at the island. I don't know how much is the price.
Trekking ( highlight of malalison!) - P200 , one guide for 4-5 tourists. 30 minutes to 1 hour is the estimated trek. I recommend you to trek at 4-5 pm and wait for the sunset at the peak.Β
GOING BACK TO ILOILO
Going home from the island, take a van that directs to Iloilo (Culasi-Iloilo). Do not be tempted by some drivers of Culasi-San Jose van saying they will drop you off to San Jose and from there, take a van to Iloilo because it will cause much of your time and effort wasted. In our case, since we unluckily took a Culasi-San Jose van, we waited almost four hours before we were able to win from the competition with the crowd of passengers to hop in the bus heading to Iloilo. It was a complete mess.Β
WARNING:Β
Never take a van heading to San Jose, Antique. Promise, haggard sya bes!Β
OUR MALALISON ISLAND BUDGET
Van from Iloilo to Culasi - P200
Environmental Fee - P30
Meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast) - 100 each
Pumpboat - P750, roundtrip
Home Stay - P250 each person
Trek - P200, group of 4-5 persons
Tricycle from port to Culasi-Iloilo/San Jose van - P10 each
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