🚢 How to Leave Marinduque via Balanacan Port: Travel Tips, Jeepneys & Ferry Info

I recently shared a blog on how to get to Marinduque — but what about getting out?

Well, good news: getting out is a piece of cake. That’s because there’s only one main exit point — Balanacan Port.

🗿 A Quick Word About Balanacan Port

Outside the port, there’s a statue re-enacting the beheading of Longinus — a unique and powerful image that marks your departure.

After four years (and a pandemic later), I finally got the chance to go home again, and I was honestly surprised — in a good way. Balanacan Port has been renovated (still undergoing improvements as of this writing), and it looks way better than before. I didn’t get to go inside this time because we took a door-to-door bus, but even from the outside, it’s clear the upgrades are significant.

You'll also find sari-sari stores and souvenir shops just outside the passenger terminal — great for last-minute pasalubong.

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🚖 Getting to Balanacan Port

• From wherever you are on the island, take a tricycle and tell the driver you're headed for Balanacan Port.
• The driver might:
• Take you directly to the jeepney terminal, or
• Drop you along the main highway where you can catch a passing jeep to Balanacan.
• Fare: Expect to pay the same as when you arrived — no surprises here.

Note on the Jeepney Ride:
Jeepney drivers in Marinduque tend to drive slowly — either they’re waiting for more passengers or being courteous to a jeep ahead. My friend hilariously described it as “as slow as the man on a bike selling pandesal.”

⏱️ Estimated Travel Time:
Normally 2 hours, but plan for 3 hours, just to be safe.

🚨 BUT — if they find out another jeep is coming up from behind, they shift gears fast. Like, “Fast & Furious: Jeepney Drift” kind of fast.

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🧾 What to Do at Balanacan Port

1. Buy your ferry/RoRo ticket to Dalahican Port (Lucena) — same price as the ticket going in.
2. Pay the terminal fee: ₱22.00
3. Head to the waiting area and relax until boarding.

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🚌 Optional: Buy a Discounted Bus Ticket (Jam or Jac Liner)

You can buy legit bus tickets right there at the terminal for:

• ₱483 (to Cubao, as of writing)
• You’ll receive a temporary ticket, which you’ll exchange for the official one on the bus after disembarking in Lucena.

💡 Pro tip: These sellers are legit. I've done this myself and had no issues. The buses are usually parked right outside the ferry once you arrive at Dalahican Port.

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🌅 Bon Voyage!

And that’s it! Once you’re on board the ferry and sailing out of Balanacan, take a moment to enjoy the view. There’s even a statue of the Virgin Mary standing tall at the port — a beautiful and symbolic send-off from Marinduque.

📩 Got questions or need tips? Leave a comment or message me — happy to help!