Mantigue Island — Attraction in Mahinog

Unfortunately I cannot give a good rating to Mantigue Island because there is a huge waste issue especially around the back of the island (where less people gather).

Considering the many fees of visiting this island: 750 per boat (up to 6 people can share), 75 peso environmental charge per person and 75 peso additional charge per person for snorkelling, I find it disgusting that there are no efforts to clean up the island. There was soo much trash that me and my partner spent 45 minutes of our time on the island picking up waste and fishing nets that had been left behind. When you are only allowed to spend 3 hours maximum on the island, this was not ideal.

I don’t understand how I am paying this many fees when I am cleaning up other peoples rubbish so that it does not affect the marine life? This is a marine sanctuary and with the amount of waste left here I doubt it will be attracting much wildlife soon 😢

Unfortunately it was too choppy to snorkel, all we could see is seaweed but I have heard that the snorkelling is usually good.

The island itself is beautiful and very tropical. We visited on a Sunday so it was really busy with locals visiting. I’d recommend visiting in the week if possible.

Also not sure why flags have been put around the border of the island like it’s a resort? I think a natural vibe is much more attractive without anything distracting from the nature.

Overall, not worth the money unless you split the boat cost with other people.

TIP: bring earplugs for the boat as it is...

The island is beautiful, and worth a visit. However, it is expensive for what you get, and the moment you get on the island you are accosted by a number of official looking “park wardens” who start to ask you to pay for various things. Chairs, you need to pay for, swimming on one corner of the island, you need to pay for walking round a different part of the island, you need to pay for. And if you have your own googles and snorkel… yep, there’s a fee for that! All of these are under the guise of an “environmental fee”. That would be fine to pay if these people actually looked after the environment but the island is dirty and there is garbage all over (sad guests do this too!). I would be happy to pay if some of this money went to clean up the island, but all of the “wardens” just come up to you the second you get on the island and ask to charge you for various things, and then when they have charged you, or realise you don’t want to pay for any additional services, they go back to their little corner in the shade and just talk amongst themselves loudly and sit around all day. When I mentioned this to one of the loud ladies that enjoyed a good chat with her colleagues, she just said thank you for the feedback laughed and carried on chatting.

Pity, as they have LOTS of staff who do nothing all day apart from ask for money and then sit and chat loudly amongst themselves. They could better spend the time looking after the place, cleaning up to better...

This was a ton of fun! We had a great time here and the Island itself was really a great time. They ran out of snorkeling gear, and the lady renting it was kind of rude about it (that's the 1 star drop) but everything else was great. We got Fish and Chicken from the little restaurant and I have to say it was some of the best fish I've had in the area! Really awesome.

The beach itself is limited, but still tons of fun, we walked to far hoping to get a hut away from people, but that's not really a thing, just grab one right off the boat and you'll be fine. We got there early which was good for huts because by the time we left at 1 they were all sold out. Should have grabbed our snorkeling gear right away too. Live and learn.

Also, don't miss the little Jungle Walkway. They don't advertise it at all, so you'll miss it if you don't go looking. Just go being the building where you pay for the huts and stuff, there is a little wooden walkway that's starts there and takes you back in the forest area. Really pleasant little walk, maybe 10 minutes....