Getting to Marinduque
TL;DR: The easiest way to get to Marinduque is taking a bus from Manila to Dalahican, Lucena (4-5 hrs), then a RoRo ferry to Balanacan Port (3-4 hrs, approx ₱470 base fare). Ferries run daily.
Marinduque is accessible by Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ferry from Quezon Province and Oriental Mindoro. Three ports serve the island: Balanacan Port (Mogpog), Buyabod Port (Santa Cruz), and Cawit Port (Boac). This guide covers all routes, fares, schedules, and travel tips.
Starhorse Shipping · Montenegro Shipping · 3–4 hours
Passenger Fare
₱299–₱470
Vehicle Fare
₱1,500–₱3,500 (car)
Typical Departures
Most popular route. Starhorse and Montenegro operate almost alternating schedules 24/7 during peak seasons.
Starhorse Shipping · 3.5–4.5 hours
Passenger Fare
₱350–₱470
Vehicle Fare
₱1,800–₱3,500 (car)
Typical Departures
Direct route to Boac. Lucena to Cawit operates Mon/Wed/Sat. Cawit to Lucena operates Sun/Tue/Thu.
Montenegro Shipping · 2–3 hours
Passenger Fare
₱180–₱300
Vehicle Fare
₱1,200–₱2,500 (car)
Typical Departures
Shortest crossing. Alternative route via Oriental Mindoro, useful for travelers from the Visayas.
Due to global fuel price surges, MARINA (Advisory No. 2026-10) authorized domestic shipping lines to collect up to a 20% fuel surcharge. As of March 23, 2026, both Montenegro and Starhorse implemented a 10%–20% adjustment, pushing base passenger fares to the ~₱470 mark. This surcharge is temporary and subject to change as fuel prices stabilize.
⚠️ Schedules are approximate and may change without notice. Ferry operations are suspended during typhoons and rough seas. Always check the live port updates before traveling.
Mogpog, Marinduque
The main gateway to Marinduque. Handles most RoRo passenger and vehicle ferries from Quezon Province. Located on the northern coast of the island.
Santa Cruz, Marinduque
Secondary port on the eastern coast. Serves the Pinamalayan (Oriental Mindoro) route. Closer to the popular island hopping destinations of Santa Cruz.
Boac, Marinduque
Primarily handles LCT (Landing Craft Tank) cargo vessels. Used for bulk freight and commercial shipments rather than passenger travel.
Step 1
From Manila (Cubao or Buendia), take a DLTB, JAC Liner, or JAM Transit bus to Dalahican Wharf. Travel time: 4–5 hours, Fare: ₱300–₱500.
Step 2
Purchase your ticket at the Starhorse or Montenegro counter. Arrive at least 1 hour early, especially during peak season. Keep your ticket — you'll need it to board.
Step 3
The ferry departs from Dalahican Wharf bound for Balanacan Port, Mogpog. The crossing takes 3–4 hours. RoRo ferries have seating areas, small canteens, and restrooms.
Step 4
Tricycles and vans meet arriving ferries. Tricycle fare to Boac town proper is ₱30–₱50. For other towns, arrange a special trip (₱200–₱500) or wait for a jeepney.
From Manila, take a bus from Cubao or Buendia to Lucena City or Dalahican (4–5 hours, ₱300–₱500). From Dalahican Wharf, board a RoRo ferry to Balanacan Port, Marinduque (3–4 hours, approx ₱470 base fare). The entire trip takes approximately 7–9 hours.
Ferries on the primary Dalahican–Balanacan route operate essentially 24/7 during peak seasons, with departures as early as 2:30 AM and as late as 10:30 PM. Starhorse and Montenegro operate alternating schedules. Schedules may vary during typhoon season (June–November).
Yes, all RoRo ferries accept vehicles. Car fares range from ₱1,500–₱3,500 depending on the route and vehicle size. Motorcycles are approximately ₱500–₱800. Vehicles must arrive at the port at least 1 hour before departure.
Yes. The Philippine Coast Guard suspends all ferry operations when typhoon signals are raised. During the rainy season (June–November), check the real-time port status updates on this site before traveling. The Marinduque strait can have rough seas during southwest monsoon (Habagat) season.
Balanacan Port (Mogpog) is the primary port with the most frequent sailings from Quezon Province. Use Buyabod Port (Santa Cruz) if you are coming from Oriental Mindoro, or if you are heading directly to the eastern side of Marinduque or the island hopping destinations in Santa Cruz.
The best time to visit is during the dry season (March–May). The Moriones Festival during Holy Week (March/April) is the island's most famous cultural event. December to February is also pleasant but can have occasional rain. Avoid June–November if possible due to typhoon risk.
Residents and travelers report live ferry status, delays, and cancellations on our Port Updates page.
View Live Port Status