PANAY ISLAND TOUR OF BEACHES AND CHURCHES. Part Four: Mararison Island, Culasi

One trip that should not be missed when visiting Antique is a visit to Mararison Island, also known as Malalison Island, in Culasi. Located just about fifteen minutes by boat from the town proper, the 55-hectare island is a fishing community and one of Culasi’s 44 barangays.

What immediately distinguishes Mararison is its beautiful white-sand beach and the Kawit Sandbar on the northeastern side of the island facing the town of Culasi. This is the part of the island closest to the mainland and is also where most of the community resides. The southern side presents a different landscape, with a pebbled beach, interesting rock formations, and rolling hills covered mostly with cogon grass. Pitcher plants can also be found growing abundantly among the grasses. From the hills, one is rewarded with a commanding view of the Antique mainland and nearby Nablag Islet.

Another attraction that should not be missed is the performance of the Mararison Children’s Choir. The children perform for visitors under the shade of the trees near the beach. I was impressed by their lovely voices and by the surprisingly wide repertoire of songs they had prepared for tourists.

We left for Mararison shortly after six in the morning, taking the boat of Anna Sophie Hostel and sharing the trip with a group of vacationers. Upon arriving, we bought a kilo of freshly caught fish from the village for ₱180 and asked one of the cottage caretakers to cook it for us. We also ordered half a kilo of rice to complete our breakfast and rented one of the cottages for ₱300.

By seven in the morning, boats carrying vacationers began arriving one after another, and before long, the cottages near the sandbar were filled with visitors. It was fortunate that we had come early and were able to enjoy the island before the morning crowd arrived.

After breakfast, we went snorkeling. We hired a small motorized boat for ₱100 per person to take us to one of the snorkeling sites around the island. Afterwards, we asked the boatman to bring us to another part of Mararison, where we began a short hike up the rolling hills.

Our particular goal was to see the pitcher plants. We did not have to search very hard, as they could be found growing naturally among the grasses along the hillside. Reaching the top was itself worth the climb, for from there we enjoyed a beautiful panoramic view of the sea, the surrounding islands, and the Antique mainland—a fitting way to appreciate the varied beauty of Mararison Island.

The Kawit Sandbar

Snorkeling in the crystal waters of Mararison. There were not many corals to be seen. 

The pebbled beach at the other end of the island. 

Hiking to the top of the hill.

The pitcher plants.

The Mararison Children's Choir

As the tide was getting higher the sandbar started getting under seawater.