Maniwaya Island

Maniwaya lies off the northeastern shore of Marinduque, the heart-shaped island in the middle of the archipelago, and it makes a compact island stay: a white-sand beach along the western side lined with simple resorts and cottages, clear shallow water for swimming, and the Palad sandbar - a long white spit that surfaces at low tide and disappears at high - a short boat hop away. The other standard stops are the Ungab rock formation, a natural arch used for cliff jumping into deep water, and the Mongpong island snorkelling spots. Marinduque itself is best known for Moriones, the Holy Week tradition of masked Roman-soldier costumes and street processions in Boac, Gasan and Mogpog, which fills every bed on the island for a week each year. Outside that, the province stays quiet and the island resorts run at low occupancy, which is when Maniwaya is at its best.

What you actually see

• The white beach - the island's western shore and cottages.
• The Palad sandbar - a spit that appears at low tide.
• Ungab rock - the natural arch and its jump.
• The snorkelling - reef shallows around Mongpong.

When to go

November to May for calm crossings; avoid Holy Week unless you want Moriones, when the whole province books out. Time the sandbar around low tide.

Honest expectations

Resorts are simple with limited power and pre-arranged meals. Boat hire is per group. Marinduque itself takes a ferry or a small flight to reach - it is a two-leg trip from Manila.

Nearby

Marinduque's Moriones towns, Boac's cathedral and the Bathala caves are on the main island.