Mindoro: Ambulong Island’s Heaven and Grace
Grace Island Resort
Just across Inasakan Beach at Ilin Island is another interesting island called Ambulong. Coming from a local word “bulong” which means “medicine”, the island is known as an “island of healing.” Local tourism are intending to make the island known for its medical tourism. It’s barely one fourth the size of Ilin but it also has its a few villages. For my visit, I was able to explore a couple of places perfect for quiet and soulful retreats.
Grace Island Rocky Beach
Who else is better in discovering a place where one can have peaceful moments to reflect and introspect? None else than our religious brothers of course who also finds time and place where their group can mingle and hold lectures, conferences and trainings. One such small island which is part of the bigger Ambulong island can be found at the mouth of a limestone cove south of Ambulong. They call this Grace Island.
Grace Island Boat and Floating Cottages
The island has been owned by the Watcher’s Multipurpose Coop for more than 6 years but has only been developed last year as a resort. Originally a place where most Pentecostal Groups do their retreats, it is now open to the public. Allan the caretaker, narrated how several foreigners visit the place and enjoyed staying at one of their floating cottages.
Grace Island Mangrove Duo
There are several of them floating cottages at the western side of the island. I remember having caught some sleep in one of them that afternoon. Who wouldn’t be tempted to sleep here when your room is rocking like a cradle. Maybe loosing oneself in a good book here is a great place to pass the time.
Grace Island Rugged Shores
Food can be brought here since there are no restaurants yet, but it can be arranged in advance since staff there can cook for you. There are clean baths and toilets so no need to worry about hygiene while on the island. Cellphone signal is only from smart but is very spotty.
Grace Island Rocky shores and Mangroves
The island has very rugged shores which I’m sure a lot of landscape photographers would enjoy. I wanted to take pictures here very early morning on a 2nd visit but had boat problems. Maybe next time I’ll stay on the island itself to catch its beautiful landscape during the golden hours. Despite that, I was intrigued by the unique rock formations the island has.
Grace Island Resident Turtles
The waters are also rich in aquatic life. They have resident turtles there that you can meet in it’s enclosed sanctuary. It’s somewhat tight sanctuary and they told me they would extend it further. Dive walls are also abound and snorkeling promises numerous sightings of a good variety offishes. I enjoyed my short visit here and hopefully I could stay longer next time.
Heaven’s Place Water Girl
Moving on, sailing through the Ambulong straight towards the eastern coast of the island is a picturesque stretch of beach with a few cottages. The beach is known as the Heaven’s Place. It used to be a retreat place for priests but now it’s also open to the public. I find the waters a little rough at that time but the beach and cottages is an ideal place for picnics.
Heaven’s Place Boat, Beach and Branches
These are just a couple of places which could interest weary travelers and find tired souls trying to escape the urban jungle at rest here. There are more to explore in the island as I heard the community is very rustic and almost left behind by time. But for now these places has left a relaxing imprint on me for a short time. Definitely worth coming back to in the future.
Essentials:
For inquiries on Grace Island, you may contact Grace Island Ms Leah Maglipay at 0928.346.8841 and Allan 0918.600.8426
Tags: Ambulong Island, Island Hopping, Islands, Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, San Jose
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Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 12:28 am 
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June 15th, 2009 at 8:53 am
i agree, ganda ng rugged shores. when you said nga that the heaven’s place used to be a retreat place for priests, i can totally believe that. it looks like a good place to escape from the city. minsan lang we worry about the cellphone signal being spotty or non-existent but at times, it could be a wonderful treat.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am
the rugged shores are so picturesque and the white bamboo bridge definitely is an adventure on its own. great shots again ferdz.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
perfect for a tired soul. i think ill enjoy snorkeling there plus trekking those rugged hills.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
i just came from Anilao this weekend, and I’m craving for more snorkling spots. =p pagudpud would be my next stop. any suggestions? =)
June 17th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Another wonderful place for retreat.
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 am
[...] was bobbing my head up and down getting minutes of those micro-sleeps. While I enjoyed the tour in Ambulong and Ilin Island, I was also yearning to go back to the resort and rest up a little and check up [...]
September 7th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Grace Island is a place where you can commune with God. Me and my family had been there and what we can say is “God is so good. . . for the creations He has made!” At night you will see the sky full of stars that is so close as if you can touch them. I’am inviting all of you to go there and you will not be sorry but you will surely would want to go back. It’s just a 45 min. travel by plane and one and a half hour by boat from San Jose Occidental Mindoro. YOU WILL SURELY HAVE FUN . . . .
September 17th, 2009 at 10:40 am
san po pwedeng sumakay papuntang ambulong?/ may booking po ba?
October 9th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
maraming puwedeng upahang banka magtanong ka lang, napuntahan ko yong likod ng ambulong i think mas maganda ang beach doon. san jose is a great place to visit.
July 19th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
nadevelop n po ang Grace Island. i’m sure mas magenjoy kau. mdame ng floating cottage. my basketball court n jogging lane n rin round d island!no worry s signal, me signal dun!
July 22nd, 2010 at 5:36 pm
By God’s Grace, mararating ko rin ang Grace Island, not only on this picture. The best place.
July 31st, 2010 at 11:28 am
Grace Island is true to its name. my own self has been so different when I went there. And it was so fun.
August 26th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Hi!
next month i’m travellling to san jose mindoro for a day trip only. is it possible to tour ambulong island (with grace island and heaven’s place) in a few hours? how much did you spend? thanks!