Occidental Mindoro Hotels and Resorts Living Properties

Dubbed as "Marine Wonderland," the fantastic land that is Occidental Mindoro is endowed with marine beauty from its virgin forests, beautiful white sand beaches, islands and islets rich in marine life, coral gardens, mysterious caves, and cascading waterfalls.

It has one of the country's wondrous secret hideaways, the Apo Reef, which is regarded as the second largest in the world. This 34-kilometer reef in Sablayan, which is located in Apo Island, is acclaimed as the best in Asia and as the diving mecca of the Philippines. The Apo Reef Marine Park includes the fascinating bird-populated islands of Binangaan and Cajos del Bajo, which are surrounded by waters with over 500 species of marine life and luxuriant coral growth represented by approximately 400 to 500 kaleidoscopic coral species.

HISTORICAL AND MAN-MADE TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Historical Attractions

Parola Park
This park's foremost attraction is a historic watchtower which allowed the natives to prey on Muslim vintas. Located in Lumang Bayan at Sablayan, it was erected in 1861. In 1896 it was equipped with bells to warn residents of impending raids. Later, a church was built which withstood the elements for ten brief years, but which is now in ruins. A cannon used to defend the town is all that stands at a promontory to remind generations of its past. It can be reached in 3 hours from the airport by bus.

Man-Made Attractions

Presing Park (Parola)
(Lumang Bayan, Sablayan; 3 hours from the airport by bus)
It is a five-hectare park frequented by promenaders who seek rest and relaxation. Overlooking the sea, the park enjoys cool breeze blowing landwards, which relaxes taut nerves. At the middle of the park, a 15th century cannon, believed to have been used against the Moro pirates, is on display. A grotto of Our Lady of Fatima is visible at the far end of the park.

Calawagan River Resort
(Barangay Alipaoy, Paluan; 6 hours from Mamburao by jeepney)
Run by the municipal government, it is a one-and-a-half-hectare resort situated on a riverbank at Barangay Alipaoy, 1.5 kilometers from the town proper. Since 1976, it has been operated and managed by the local government, servicing local residents and those from neighboring towns who frequent the area for picnics and excursions. Picnickers are requested to bring their own food, since there are no restaurants available.

Mamburao Beach Resort
(Barangay Fatima, Mamburao; 30-minute tricycle ride from Paluan to the town proper)
This resort is within a completely secluded cove covering 14 hectares of developed beach resort amidst coconut trees. It has a four-kilometer long light grey sand beach. The place is ideal for swimming, boating, scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and water skiing. Water sports facilities such as glass-bottomed boat, speedboat, hobbie cat, and outrigger boats are available for the guests.

Mina de Oro Beach Resort
(Barangay Inasakan, Ilin Island; an hour by boat from surrounding islands)
This resort serves as a jump-off point to other attractions of the island of Ilin. There are ancient burial caves of early Chinese traders, ethnic fishing villages, and numerous dive sites from which to view many tropical fishes. Lush foliage encircle the clear blue waters of the South China Sea. There are scuba diving facilities, a 6.8 CTM compressor, seaport facilities, diveboats, and PADI and NAUI-certified instructors.

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NATURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Ambulong Island (San Jose, Occident Mindoro)
The 3,000-hectare Ambulong Island is one of the three islands found in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. It is characterized by white sand beaches, cliffs along pillars jutting out of the water, and underwater caves. Coral gardens and tropical fish are abundant in several coves. The coral gardens and the white sand beaches are fantastic. A fisherman's village is located at the sheltered side of the island.

Ambulong Island is also a jump-off point to some of the dive spots in the area, 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 Caminawit Port.

Apo Reef National Park
(Apo Island, Sablayan; 2-3 hours by bus/jeepney or pumpboat from the capital to Sablayan)
One of the dive sites frequented by most divers in Occidental Mindoro is the Apo Reef. It is acclaimed as the best in Asia, and as the diving mecca of the Philippines. It is a 34-kilometer reef, located 20 miles west of Mindoro proper, with a narrow channel running east to west, dividing this reef into two lagoon systems, north and south. Underneath, the clean waters, fine white sand, and numerous corals are visible.

The Apo Reef Marine Park includes the fascinating bird-populated islands of Binangaan and Caios del Bajo, which have a variety of birds that can irresistibly lure birdwatchers. The surrounding waters are abundant with marine fauna and luxuriant coral growth represented by approximately 400-500 kaleidoscopic coral species. Marine life includes varieties of sharks, stingrays, and manta ray

Ilin Island (San Jose; an hour by pumpboat from Caminawit Port to Ilin)
Ilin Island is the biggest among the group of islands located in San Jose. It lies between San Jose and Ambulong Island. The area abounds in shells which can be obtained inexpensively on the island. The villagers from the nearby areas are generally shell divers. Ilin Island has five beaches, some of which are fringed with reefs making passage impossible during low tide.

Lubang Island
(northwest of Occidental Mindoro and west of Batangas; approximately 69 nautical miles from Manila; an hour by plane, 6 hours by boat)
It was in this island where a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda was found in 1974. He surrendered as a prisoner of war after 30 years of hiding in the mountains. Another Captain of the Japanese Imperial Army, Fumio Nakahira, held out for another six years before being discovered in April 1980 at Mt. Halcon in Mindoro.

On the western portion of Lubang is Tagbac which offers more than five kilometers of a gradually sloping, hued, sandy beach lined with coconut trees. Tagbac is around 20 minutes from Lubang town proper by jeepney. Favorite swimming areas are Tilik Beach and Canu Beach. Another interesting spot is Hulugaan Falls, located in Barangay Binacas in the southeast portion of Lubang. Hulugaan Falls is a series of falls leading to a stony beach. It is accessible via a one-hour ride from Tagbac and a 20 minute trek.

Ambil Island
(north coast of Lubang; an hour by pumpboat from Tilik Pier in Lubang)
An interesting attraction of Ambil is the scenic Besay Falls, which is a 20-minute walk from the center of Barangay Tambo, passing through a rice plantation and a carabao pasture. Besay features a series of waterfalls, each cascading into a crystal clear basin, about five meters in diameter.

Cabra Island
(southwest of Lubang; 30 minutes by pumpboat from Tagbac port in Lubang)
The island is generally flat with golden sandy beaches on the southwestern part and magnificent rock formations along the east coast. Cabra used to be a popular pilgrimage site because of reported apparitions of the Blessed Virgin there. Like Ambil, Cabra is also a favorite fishing ground of local and foreign anglers.

Mt. Iglit
(San Jose; 40 minutes from Manila by plane or by sea)
Mt. Iglit is one of Mindoro's reservation areas, declared as a game sanctuary for tamaraws, wild animals found nowhere else in the world. The tamaraw bears a close resemblance to the Philippine water buffalo, commonly known as carabao. However, it is smaller and has shorter horns growing straight upwards forming a V, instead of curving wide open like that

Pandan Grande Island
(Sablayan; 3 hours by bus and 15 minutes by pumpboat)
Pandan Grande Island is a 30-hectare islet surrounded by a white sand beach and is also the site of a 20-room divers' lodge made of native cottages. This beautiful little coral islet is located with snorkelling distance from a submarine drop-off, inhabited by schools of reef. A yacht ride may be taken to the island.

Tayamaan Beach
(Barangay Tayamaan, Mamburao; 6 hours by bus to Mamburao then a tricycle ride to the beach)
It is a one-hectare beach lined with coconut trees. The beach is ideal for swimming and is frequented by local residents. It has picnic cottages lined along the beach that can be rented to tourists.

White Island (Manadi, Barrio Ilin, San Jose; 15 minutes by pumpboat from Caminawit Port)
It has an almost mile-long beach with smooth and powdery white sand. The tranquil and peaceful island is an ideal place for swimming, scuba diving and fishing. Turtle eggs are occasionally found buried in the sand, and visitors are cautioned to keep them undisturbed.

Beaches/Natural Springs
Mamburao boasts of an elongated strip of beach with natural and rustic surroundings. One of the province's luxurious resorts, the Mamburao Beach Resort offers cottages to tourists. Local residents frequent the beaches of Tayamaan. Paluan has resorts located at Barangay Marikit, Lipaoy, and Tubili. A partially developed resort presently managed by the local government, called Calawagan Resort, has a natural spring which attracts local tourists. Sablayan has coral reefs that are found at nearby islets. Pandan Isalnd has fine beaches to offer, though still partially developed. Popular tourist spots in San Jose are the beaches along its coastline and the islands which are accessible from the mainland .

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS

Festivals

Saknungan (San Jose; April 25-27)
An exemplary showcase of Mindoro's cultural heritage and resources, it is a three-day festival which commences with the annual celebration of the province's blessings. Saknungan is a Mangyan term which means "bayanihan" or the spirit of cooperation, brotherhood, and unity at work. This is portrayed by the Mindoreños in their day-to-day activities, especially during the planting and harvest seasons. The three-day festivity is highlighted by street dance and a parade. Also held are agro-industrial and techno trade fair, drum and bugle parade/contest, bikathon, Juego de Anillo, cultural dance competition, palo sebo, hulihan ng baboy, cultural presentation, awards and fellowship night.

Special Interest Tours

Deep Sea Scuba Diving
Go for a dive and savor the panorama of your life, with a breathtaking view of the world's second largest coral reef, schools of fish in shoals and atolls, and sunken vessel sites. Take pride in the precious marine heritage of the Philippine republic.

Swimming and Snorkeling
These are pleasures which fit the affordability level of the average tourist, local or foreign. The waters of Mindoro Occidental are pristine and pure, unvisited as most of its shores in comparison to more popular ones.
Sightseeing. Pay exciting visits via island hopping to conversation sites, natural parks, reservation areas, and animal sanctuaries, notably the wildlife reserves covering the endangered tamaraw species.