First occupied by the Spanish in the 16th century, Marinduque was administered as part of neighboring provinces such as Batangas and Mindoro before finally achieving independent provincial status in 1920. The municipality of Boac was established as its capital.

Japanese forces occupied the island in 1942, leading to the Battle of Marinduque in 1945, in which American and Philippine Commonwealth forces roundly defeated the Japanese Imperial Army.

Marinduque’s subsequent history has been relatively quiet, marked mostly by agricultural practice and slow tourism growth.