MIMAROPA: Palawan, Romblon, Marinduque and Mindoro

PANA.PH Team · Philippines travel teamPublished June 5, 2026 · 3 min read

MIMAROPA: Palawan, Romblon, Marinduque and Mindoro

MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) is an acronym of its five provinces: Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan. It is a deliberately administrative grouping of islands that share little geographically except proximity to Luzon's southwestern coast - but each province is individually excellent. Palawan is one of the world's great island destinations. Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro is the Philippines' most accessible dive destination from Manila. Marinduque has one of Asia's most spectacular Easter festivals. Romblon has Italian-quality marble and some of the Philippines' best undiscovered diving.

Palawan: World's Best Island

Palawan has been voted the world's best island multiple times by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure readers. The province encompasses El Nido (limestone karst island-hopping), Coron (WWII wreck diving), the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River (UNESCO World Heritage), and the remote Tubbataha Reef (also UNESCO - accessible only by liveaboard from April to June). See our dedicated guides for the 2-week Palawan itinerary and the El Nido vs Coron comparison.

Oriental Mindoro: Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera is the Philippines' most convenient dive destination from Manila - 2.5 hours by bus to Batangas pier, 1.5 hours by ferry, then 20 minutes by tricycle to Sabang or White Beach. The Verde Island Passage just offshore has been called the center of the center of marine biodiversity on Earth. Sabang Beach has the most dive shops and bars. White Beach is quieter and more family-friendly. Coco Beach is the most peaceful, with a private resort atmosphere. Dive prices are reasonable (1,500-2,500 PHP/two tanks) and certification courses are available at all major shops.

Romblon: The Marble Island

Romblon province comprises three main islands: Romblon (the capital), Tablas (the largest), and Sibuyan (the most remote). Romblon town is known for marble - the island produces high-quality white and colored marble exported globally, and the town square has marble benches, marble-topped tables, and marble statues. The Romblon Cathedral (1726) has walls partially constructed from marble. Fort San Andres (1640) overlooks the harbor. The diving around Romblon and Sibuyan is excellent and almost completely undiscovered by international tourists - similar quality to Tubbataha at a fraction of the price and without the liveaboard requirement.

Marinduque: Easter Festival

Marinduque's Moriones Festival (Holy Week) is one of Asia's most visually striking religious festivals. Men dress as Roman soldiers (Moriones) in elaborate painted masks and armor and participate in a week-long passion play culminating in a dramatic reenactment of the beheading of Longinus (the Roman soldier who pierced Christ's side). The costumes are extraordinary - each family's Morion costume is a multi-generational heirloom, often 50-100 years old. The festival transforms the island's sleepy towns into a living medieval theater. Outside Holy Week, Marinduque has good beaches and the Boac Cathedral (1792), the most impressive church in the region.

Occidental Mindoro: Apo Reef

Occidental Mindoro's main attraction is Apo Reef Natural Park - the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef. Access is by liveaboard from Sablayan (3-4 hours). The reef is remote, healthy, and home to extraordinary marine life including whale sharks, hammerheads, thresher sharks, and enormous schools of pelagic fish. Day trips from Sablayan are possible (6-7 hours round trip) but liveaboard is the recommended approach for serious divers.

Getting Around MIMAROPA

Each province has different access. Palawan: fly from Manila or Cebu. Puerto Galera: bus from Manila to Batangas, ferry. Romblon: fly from Manila to Tugdan Airport (Tablas) or overnight ferry from Batangas. Marinduque: fly from Manila or ferry from Lucena. See MIMAROPA region tours and dive packages on PANA.PH.