Apo Reef Marine Park
San Jose is a famous town in Occidental Mindoro laden with the greatness of nature and has been called “Marine Wonderland” of the Philippines. It has extensive coastline, fantastic dive sites teeming with all kinds of marine life, as well as all the other accompanying images of pristine, powdery white sands, endless blue seas, and palm trees lining the coast.
San Jose is considered the main commercial port in the province and also the center of entertainment and business. It is named after its patron saint, St. Joseph, the husband of Mary. The major attractions of the industrial town of San Jose are its three offshore islands - Ambulong, Ilin, and White Island. San Jose is also a favorite jump-off point to the world-class diving site, Apo Reef Marine Park. Here are the reasons why San Jose continues to draw the attention of many tourists, both local and foreign, year after year.
Ambulong Island – This is a 30-square-kilometer island with fine beaches, cliffs, and abundant coral formations. 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. 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.
Ilin Island – The island has a village of shell divers because it is abundant in shells and coral reefs. In Ilin, there are ancient burial caves of early Chinese traders, ethnic fishing villages, and numerous dive sites where you can view many tropical fishes. Lush green foliage is in stark comparison with the clear blue waters of the South China Sea. There are also scuba diving facilities, a 6.8 CTM compressor, seaport facilities, dive boats, and PADI and NAUI-certified instructors. Mina de Oro Beach Resort serves as a jump-off point to other attractions of the island of Ilin.
White Island – White Island has a long powdery beach where buried turtle eggs are occasionally found. 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. From Caminawi port, White Island is just about 15 minutes via pumpboat.
Apo Reef – The Apo Reef Marine Park includes the fascinating bird-populated islands of Binangaan and Cajos Del Bajo, which are surrounded by water with over 500 species of marine life and luxuriant coral growth represented by approximately 400 to 500 kaleidoscopic coral species.
Mt. Iglit National Park – The Park is a sanctuary for the tamaraw, a rare species of water buffalo. The place also provides a nice eco-tourism, trekking, or mountaineering alternative to beach/dive resorts.
Transportation:
Local airlines such as Asian Spirit fly from Manila to San Jose on a regular basis. Flights take approximately one hour. Moreta Shipping operates a roll-on/roll-off ferry service from Manila to San Jose weekly. An alternate, similar service from the port of Batangas City takes from 12 to 16 hours also.
The provincial highway of Occidental Mindoro links most of the towns from north to south. Local bus and jeepney operators ply the route from the northernmost town of Abra de Ilog all the way to San Jose. The mostly dusty, gravel road is being upgraded and paved to hasten travel.
Most roads in the poblacion area and nearby barangays are well-paved. Tricycles are the common mode of transportation around town. Banca (small boat) transfers to nearby island resorts and diving spots are available.
Hotels near Mamburao Airport
• Tamaraw Beach Resort - Aninuan, Puerto Galera, Aninuan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Sunset at Aninuan Beach Resort - Aninuan, Puerto Galera, Aninuan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Luca's Cucina Italiana & Lodge - Talipanan, Aninuan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Bamboo House Beach Lodge & Restaurant - Talipanan, Puerto Galera Oriental Mindoro, Aninuan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Amihan Villa - Barangay Talipanan, Aninuan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
Hotels in Puerto Galera
• Utopia Resort & Spa - Palangan, Palangan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• Mermaid Resort - Sabang Beach Puerto Galera, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• The Manor at Puerto Galera - Brgy Sto Nino, Sto. Nino, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Waimea Luxury Houses - El Galleon Dive Resort Annex - Small La Laguna Beach, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• El Galleon Dive Resort with Asia Divers - Small La Laguna Beach, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Sunset at Aninuan Beach Resort - Aninuan, Puerto Galera, Aninuan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Marco Vincent Dive Resort - Oriental Mindoro, White Beach, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• Redsun Dive Resort - Small Lalaguna, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Sabang Oasis Resort - Sabang Beach Central, Oriental Mindoro, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• Dolphinbay Beachfront & Dive Resort - Barangay Palangan, Puerto Galera, Palangan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
Ambulong Island