How to Get to Grace Island Resort [2026-2027 Guide]
Travelers can choose between a fast air journey or a budget-friendly land and sea combination, both ultimately converging at the coastal municipality of San Jose. Knowing your options ensures a seamless transition from the bustling capital to a tranquil, secluded island paradise known for its pristine waters and digital detox environment.
The overall journey typically spans anywhere from 4 hours to 9 hours depending entirely on your chosen mode of transport.
Travel costs vary from approximately PHP 1,200 to PHP 4,500 ($25 to $80 USD) one-way, factoring in domestic flights or combined bus-ferry tickets alongside local terminal fees and motorized boat transfers. This comprehensive travel guide outlines the fastest flights, cheapest commutes, and final boat procedures to help you navigate your itinerary effortlessly.
✈️ Option 1: Flight from Manila to San Jose (Fastest)
Taking a domestic flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila to San Jose Airport (SJI) in Occidental Mindoro is the absolute fastest and most convenient way to reach your destination. Airlines such as Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia frequently service this vital regional route.
Upon touching down at San Jose Airport, you can easily hail a local motorized tricycle for a brief 10-minute ride straight to the official Grace Island Resort booking office and lounge located near Aroma Beach.
Travel Cost: PHP 3,000 to PHP 6,000 ($55 to $110 USD) for a one-way flight ticket, plus an additional PHP 50 to PHP 100 for the local tricycle fare.
Travel Time: Approximately 45 minutes in the air, followed by a 10-minute land transit.
Mode of Transport: Commercial Domestic Airplane and Motorized Tricycle.
🚌⛴️ Option 2: Bus + Ferry from Manila (Cheapest)
For budget-conscious backpackers and adventurous travelers seeking an immersive scenic route, taking a combined bus and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ferry trip is the ideal alternative.
You can board a provincial bus from major terminals in Manila—such as those heading south toward Batangas Port—where you will load onto a ferry crossing open waters before continuing the journey by land across Mindoro island directly to San Jose. This overland route treats passengers to changing landscapes of rural provinces and coastal views before arriving at the main town center.
Travel Cost: PHP 1,000 to PHP 1,800 ($18 to $35 USD) covering combined bus tickets, ferry terminal fees, and port charges.
Travel Time: Approximately 8 to 10 hours total depending on sea conditions and port waiting times.
Mode of Transport: Provincial Bus and RoRo Passenger Ferry.
⛴️ Step 3: Boat Transfer from San Jose to Grace Island Resort
Regardless of whether you choose to fly or take the land-and-sea bus route, all travelers must finalize their journey at the mainland registration hub in San Jose. Head directly to the Grace Island Resort booking office and lounge situated near Aroma Beach to verify your pre-booked overnight or day-tour reservations. From this coastal staging point, resort staff will guide you onto a dedicated outrigger motorized boat that navigates through sheltered coves and past neighboring islets straight to the iconic floating cottages.
Travel Cost: Inclusive or coordinated directly through your resort booking package, with private island-hopping or transfer arrangements typically ranging from PHP 500 to PHP 1,500 depending on group size.
Travel Time: Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours of scenic open-water cruising.
Mode of Transport: Resort-coordinated Motorized Outrigger Boat.
Related Routes/Travel Destinations:
How to Get to Lakawon Island Resort
Travel Cost Summary
| Route / Step | Mode of Transport | Travel Time | Estimated Travel Cost (One-Way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1: Flight (Fastest) | Commercial Domestic Airplane & Motorized Tricycle | 45 minutes (flight) + 10 minutes (tricycle) | PHP 3,050 – PHP 6,100 ($55 – $110+ USD) |
| Option 2: Bus + Ferry (Cheapest) | Provincial Bus & RoRo Passenger Ferry | 8 to 10 hours | PHP 1,000 – PHP 1,800 ($18 – $35 USD) |
| Step 3: Final Boat Transfer | Resort-coordinated Motorized Outrigger Boat | 1 to 1.5 hours | PHP 500 – PHP 1,500 (or bundled in resort package) |
| Total Route A (Fastest Combo) | Flight + Tricycle + Boat | ~2 hours total travel time | PHP 3,550 – PHP 7,600 |
| Total Route B (Budget Combo) | Bus + Ferry + Boat | 9 to 11.5 hours total travel time | PHP 1,500 – PHP 3,300 |
FAQs About How to Get to Grace Island Resort [2026-2027 Guide]
Q1: What is the fastest way to get to Grace Island Resort?
Answer: The absolute fastest route is taking a 45-minute domestic flight from Manila (MNL) to San Jose Airport (SJI) in Occidental Mindoro. From the airport, take a 10-minute motorized tricycle to the resort’s mainland booking office at Aroma Beach, followed by a 1-to-1.5-hour motorized outrigger boat ride straight to the floating cottages.
Q2: Can I commute via bus and ferry if I am on a budget?
Answer: Yes, taking a provincial bus from Manila to Batangas Port and boarding a RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) ferry heading to Mindoro is the most economical choice. The total land and sea transit takes approximately 8 to 10 hours to reach San Jose town, where you proceed to Aroma Beach for the final boat transfer.
Q3: Where is the official registration and boat departure point for the resort?
Answer: All guests must check in at the official Grace Island Resort booking office and lounge located near Aroma Beach (close to the San Jose Airport area) in San Roque, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. You must confirm your reservations here before boarding the resort’s designated transfer boats.
Q4: Are there scheduled boat transfer times to the island?
Answer: Yes, resorts typically coordinate fixed marine schedules. Standard boat departures from Aroma Beach to Grace Island usually leave around 9:00 AM, while return trips from the resort to the mainland operate during early morning windows (such as 7:00 AM). It is strongly advised to coordinate your exact arrival time with the resort beforehand.
Q5: Is mobile signal or internet available at Grace Island Resort?
Answer: Grace Island Resort is famous for offering a total digital detox experience. Mobile data connection and internet access are very limited or unavailable inside the floating cottages, though minor signals can sometimes be caught at designated spots on the island.