🛏️Villa Atilana
About this place
On Brgy. Maniwaya, Santa Cruz, Villa Atilana — also listed as Maniwaya Island Villa — is one of the more group-friendly stays on the island: a beachfront villa with a swimming pool and outdoor bar, set on the more peaceful, quieter side of Maniwaya. The setup is built for big groups, family reunions, team buildings, or anyone who wants a private place all to themselves.
The Property
- Beachfront — direct white-sand access - Swimming pool — a real differentiator on Maniwaya, where most resorts rely on the beach alone - Outdoor bar — for sunset cocktails and barkada nights - 7 rooms total, each with its own toilet & bath - Set on the quieter, more peaceful side of Maniwaya, away from the busier resort cluster
That 7-room, 7-bathroom layout makes Villa Atilana especially well-suited for multi-family bookings or larger group celebrations where everyone wants their own space.
Booking and Contact
The property has an unusually long contact list — useful when one line is busy or the host is on the island:
- +63 917 892 5752 - +63 966 773 1693 - 0936 507 4955 (Casandra Ellaine) - 0921 458 3462 (Smart) - 0933 869 6909 (Sun) - +63 918 559 4522 - +63 995 406 2027 - Email: villaatilana@gmail.com - Facebook: Villa Atilana / Maniwaya Island Villa - Instagram: @maniwayaisland - Airbnb: airbnb.co.in/rooms/32646155 - TripAdvisor: Villa Atilana Reviews
For specific package rates, group bookings, and current availability, Facebook Messenger or the Airbnb listing are the most reliable channels.
Who It's For
Villa Atilana is the resort to know for:
- Family reunions — bringing 15+ people together for a few nights - Team-building retreats — corporate groups wanting a private space - Wedding afterparties — Maniwaya as the post-ceremony destination - Multi-couple barkada trips — where each couple wants its own room
For solo travelers or couples specifically, smaller Maniwaya resorts like Cozea Beach Lodge or Marikit-na are better-fit picks. Villa Atilana shines when the group is large enough to fill the property.
Why It Works
Maniwaya has plenty of small-room resorts but very few big-group, private-villa setups with their own pool and bar. Villa Atilana fills exactly that niche — and the seven-bathroom count means you can comfortably bring a real crew without anyone competing for shower time.
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
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.
⚠️ 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.
Contact & Links
Local Verification
For questions about access, local advisories, or whether this place is currently operating, contact the local LGU before you go.