Santa Cruz·Accommodation·Island Resort

🛏️Residencia de Palo Maria

4.3· 35 reviews·on Google

Maniwaya Island, Santa Cruz, Marinduque

About this place

On Maniwaya Island in Santa Cruz, Residencia de Palo Maria is one of the more equipped resort options — a hotel and beach resort offering big and cozy rooms, a private pool, and on-call kayak and island-hopping services. For travelers who want a Maniwaya stay with proper resort amenities rather than a basic beach hut, this is one of the names worth knowing.

What's On Offer

- Big and cozy rooms — the consistent visitor descriptor - Private pool — useful given the seagrass-affected beach - Kayak services for paddling around the bay - Island hopping — Palad Sandbar and Ungab Rock Formation are the standard destinations - Beautiful, secluded beachfront location

A practical note from honest reviews: the resort's beach itself may not be ideal for swimming due to seagrass. The pool exists for exactly that reason — and travelers wanting daily swims should plan to use it as their primary water option.

Pricing

- Additional bed/person: PHP 200 per - Kubo (Bamboo Hut), overnight (24 hrs): PHP 1,500 - Special package rates available — check Facebook posts for current promotions

Booking and Contact

- Phones: +63 956 832 6357 / 0919 237 5633 / 0922 867 0312 / 0917 954 0495 - Landline: (046) 517 2189 - Emails: rdpmbeachresort@gmail.com / residenciadepalomaria@yahoo.com - Facebook: Residencia de Palo Maria - TripAdvisor: Residencia de Palo Maria Reviews

Why to Consider It

Among Maniwaya's resort options, Residencia de Palo Maria sits in the more-amenities, more-equipped tier. The on-site pool is a real differentiator for the seagrass-beach reality, and the kayak/tour services keep activity options on the property rather than requiring additional boat coordination. For travelers who want a higher-comfort Maniwaya stay, this is a strong pick.

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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