Santa Cruz·Accommodation·Island Resort

🛏️Cozea Beach Lodge

Maniwaya Island, Santa Cruz, Marinduque

About this place

On Maniwaya Island in Santa Cruz, Cozea Beach Lodge offers what its name suggests — a cozy, charming retreat with a single Standard Room built for a small group of up to 4 pax. In a Maniwaya scene full of larger resorts, the appeal here is exactly its intimacy: one room, your group, the beach.

The Room

- Standard Room for 4 pax — single accommodation, total privacy - Air-conditioned — important for the Maniwaya climate - Beachfront — the island's signature draw, right out the door - Kitchen with freezer — ideal for groups doing self-catered meals - Balcony / terrace for lazy afternoons - Pets allowed — a rare and welcome policy on the island

That kitchen-with-freezer setup is genuinely useful for Maniwaya stays. Provisioning out of Buyabod Port before the boat ride means you can stock for a multi-day stay without depending on resort food pricing.

Booking and Contact

- Phone: +63 961 052 1930 / +63 993 512 9183 / +63 917 845 5225 - Email: cozeabeachlodge@gmail.com - Facebook: Cozea Beach Lodge - Instagram: @cozeabeachlodge - Booking platforms: Airbnb, Agoda

The lodge is always open for booking inquiries, and Facebook Messenger is typically the fastest channel.

What's Nearby

Cozea's Maniwaya location puts the standard island-hopping circuit at your doorstep:

- Palad Sandbar — appears at low tide, ~30-min boat from Maniwaya - Ungab Rock Formation — off Mongpong, included in most island-hopping packages - Wawie's Beach Resort, Islas Moriones, Marikit-na — neighbor resorts running tour packages

A morning boat to Palad and Ungab + an afternoon back at Cozea is the standard Maniwaya day.

Why It Works

Most Maniwaya stays cater to bigger groups. Cozea's single-room model fits the gap for small parties — couples, a family with kids, a barkada of four — who want the island experience without sharing the property with strangers. The pet-friendly policy is a quiet but real differentiator.

Best Time to Visit

Dry season — November through May — for safe banca crossings. June through October the seas can turn nasty fast and crossings get cancelled mid-trip. If you must go in the wet months, plan with a buffer day on either side so a cancelled boat doesn't derail your travel home.

What to Bring

Bring your booking confirmation, and if you're hoping to walk in, message the Facebook page FIRST because there's no easy way to "just check" once you're standing on the beach. Pack swimwear and a rash guard for the sun, reef-safe sunscreen (the corals are alive — please), a dry bag because the banca will spray you, mosquito repellent for the evenings, light layers for after sunset, and cash for everything — there are no ATMs on Maniwaya, no card readers, nothing. Bring more cash than you think you need.

How to Get Here

Maniwaya is reached by banca from Buyabod Port in Brgy. Buyabod, Sta Cruz — that's the standard launch point. NOT Balanacan Port — Balanacan is the RoRo terminal where the Lucena ferry lands, on the opposite side of the island. Full route: Lucena → ferry to Balanacan → jeepney/van to Sta Cruz Centro → tricycle to Buyabod Port → banca to Maniwaya. Confirm boat pickup with your resort directly, especially with heavy luggage; the bancas are small and porters aren't standing by. Allow a full half-day for the trip from Lucena.

Nearest hub

Balanacan Port

Transport

⛵ Banca / boat + 🛺 Tricycle

⚠️ banca only — book in advance

Local routes, fares, and ferry schedules can shift without notice — and travel times depend on weather, traffic, and tide. Confirm fares and timing with the driver or locals before you set out.

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