Among the extensive and majestic coastline and numerous wondrous islands, Salomague Island still stands out like a rare pearl in Marinduque. Salomague Island is a Philippine island with white sand beaches found off the coast of Sta. Cruz, Marinduque.
The island is famous for being a great place for scuba diving as well as for its historical significance. Lying on the eastern side of the island is half-a-kilometer-long white beach littered with crushed corals. Northeast of the islet is a good dive spot. Salomague Island is privately owned, thus, permission should be secured prior to the visit of the island, as a jump-off point for scuba diving.
Historical Significance – The historic port of Salomague located in one of Ilocos' barangays was an ancient port of call of seafarers, merchants and traders from different Asian countries. During the American occupation, it served as a mooring place from boats that ferried across the Pacific where thousands of Ilocanos worked at sugar plantations in Hawaii and California. Now leased to a private corporation, it is the transshipment port of goods and products to Taiwan. It is also the unloading point of commercial fishing vessels.
The Salomague Island used to have inhabitants until the owners chose to have it uninhabited. The 1109-hectare island can be reached in less than five minutes ride through banca. A municipal ordinance has declared the waters around it a fish sanctuary area, thus making it more attractive to sports fishers and scuba divers who regularly visit it. Picnickers also frequent its eastern coast.
Travel to Marinduque
• By land-sea travel: From Manila, take the bus going to Dalahican, Lucena port. Different bus companies travel from Manila to Dalahican so you have various options. Jam Transit and JAC Liner are two bus companies bound for Marinduque. JAC Liner plies a direct Manila-Marinduque route.
• Direct bus or car travel: If you don't feel like getting on and off a bus and ferry, you have the option of riding a bus or a door-to-door van that will take you all the way from Manila to Marinduque. The bus or van will ride the Roll-On, Roll-Off (RO-RO) and will take you to provincial capital or right directly to your doorstep if you choose destination to door.
• By Air: Flights from Manila domestic airport to Marinduque Airport, located in Barangay Masiga, roughly in between Gasan and Boac, are currently served regularly by Zest Airways.
From Boac, jeepneys go south to Gasan and Buenavista via the Capitol compound. Frequent jeepneys also head northeast to Mogpog, Balacanan, Santa Cruz and Torrijos. All transport leaves from around the central terminal area near the intersection of Nepomuceno and Magsaysay Street.
Accommodations
• Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa - Barangay - Tungig - Lipata, Municipality of Buenavista, Elefante Island, Marinduque, Philippines