Beach
please. More specifically, beach camping please.
There is
really nothing I want more now than to go to the beach and camp. Those who have
experienced sleeping under the stars and being lulled to sleep by the sound of
the waves know what I am talking about.
My present
condition, which limits my mobility and ups my requirements, prevents me from taking the next ride to the beach. So, for now, daydreaming will do.
Made a list
before of beach camps hours away from Metro Manila in 2011.
Since I have
time now, am continuing the list, so here are 10 more:
Cavite
1) Patungan
Beach in Maragundon, Cavite
This beach,
located a few hours away from Manila, is perfect as a side trip for those
climbing Pico de Loro or going on a biking tour in this area. Kaybiang Tunnel
is nearby.
It is easy to
miss though because travelers can be mesmerized by the vista while cruising the
road.
Anyway, at
the entrance by the side of the road, guests are asked to pay fees. This is a
private beach. Nevermind the pay, the amount is cheap considering the long stretch
of white sands this beach has to offer.
According to the caretakers, the hut that we rented used to be a lot bigger and used to house a videoke. Most of it was damaged by a thunderstorm. Actually, a beach without a videoke is a hundred times better for me.
Another
thing, although the lure of beach camping for me is really going back to
basics, clean comfort rooms with enough water must always be
available. This is the only area where Patungan Beach fails but everything else
is worth going there for.
2) Boracay
de Cavite in Ternate
This one is
located inside a marine base so prior arrangements have to be made.
I was there
to attend the anniversary of the Globe Adventure Club so permits were arranged
for us.
Being inside
the camp, it is usual to see men in uniform so I guess this is the safest beach
to camp. It is also not called Boracay de Cavite for nothing. Like its
namesake, it got white sand embraced by a green cove. Huts are available for
rent. For those who do not want to rough it out, rooms are also available.
Batangas
3) Burot
Beach in Calatagan
This is one
of the beaches that you must go to now.
This beach,
used to be owned by the Elizaldes, was bought by SM so expect developments in
the near future. It is still open for
the public, for an admission fee of Php 130.00.
Right now,
it is still an undeveloped beach - no bars, restaurants and rooms. The
only creature comforts available are the mini store and the comfort rooms,
which make it the perfect beach if getting away from it all is the plan.
The beach is
wide. The waters are clear. The sands are powdery (although not as
white compared to Boracay or Calaguas).
I also wrote
about my Burot Beach experience.
Mindoro
4) Buktot
Beach in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro
We
discovered this beach when we conducted an outreach for the Hanunuo Mangyan
cultural group of Oriental, Mindoro. It was
actually the perfect venue to celebrate our successful project.
Buktot Beach
is a hidden gem. Its white sand is
comparable to that of Boracay. It is
clean. It is serene. It is inspiring.
Mornings are perfect for a long walk on the beach.
There are
cottages, a water source for quick baths and comfort rooms available. It is far from the town though so marketing
has to be done before going there.
Camarines
Norte
5) Pulang
Daga, Daet
Pulang Daga
is located in the gold-rich town of Paracale in Camarines Norte, which is more
popular as a jump off point to Calaguas Island.
Pulang Daga means red land.
There are
cottages for rent, with rooms on its 2nd floor for those who do not
want to sleep inside their tents. The
place also has a spacious comfort room.
Water is not available though inside but there is a nearby water pump.
The only thing that made me cringe here is the karaoke.
In terms of
sand quality, it is not Calaguas but it is not far behind.
Sorsogon
6) Subic Beach in Matnog, Sorsogon
This beach
is located way down south, at the southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula. It
is very far but definitely worth the trip.
Subic Beach
is in Calintaan Island, which is a short boat ride away from the Matnog Port,
the entryway to Luzon and Visayas. All
arrangements can be made with the Matnog Tourism Office. Its office is located near the port so it
cannot be missed.
They
arranged for us the boat and our cottage in the island. We brought our tents but we also got
ourselves a cottage to protect us from the sun and of course, to store all our
things. It is also easier to cook inside
the beach huts.
The beach is
stunning with its long stretch of white sand, clear turquoise waters, rock
formations and trees lining it.
Aside from
Subic Beach, guests visiting this paradise way down south can also visit the
more solitary Tikling Island, which has a charming tree house and the Juag Fish
Sanctuary.
Zambales
7) Potipot
Island
Whenever I
think of Potipot Island, I think of the San Miguel Beer ad “Bilog ang Mundo,”
which was shot there and which made this white sand island a must visit.
The island
can be reached via a 5-minute boat ride
from the beach of Candelaria, Zambales. When I visited last year, there were
tourists on a stand-up a paddle going to and from the island. The island is near the jump-off point.
There are resorts at the
jump-off points where families can opt to stay.
For beach camping fanatics like us of course, Potipot is the best place
to spend the night. Just like all the
destinations listed here, there are no electricity and no establishments, just
comfort rooms and tables.
It is actually the perfect
place to just relax and enjoy good conversations with friends. If you are lucky, fishermen can bring in
their fresh catch to make it an even better vacation.
Pangasinan
8) Culebra
Island in Dasol Island
Come here
when the sun is already setting, as there are no shades in this island. There are only four coconut trees here. The rest of the island is all rock formations
and white sands. No cottages. No comfort rooms. If you are afraid of snakes,
you might reconsider. It is, after all, Snake
Island in English.
On most
days, travelers can have this island all for themselves, which makes it the
perfect refuge. The sunsets are lovely
and the waters are clear.
The jump-off
for this place is Tambobong Beach, where boats can be arranged, as well as side
trips to Cabacungan Cave and Balinmanok Beach.
9) Balinmanok Beach
We always
choose to camp here on our 2nd night to avail of conveniences like
comfort rooms. A nearby attraction is a
sunken ship, which is a good snorkeling site.
This is a
private cove. The waters are clear and
the sands are good. There is a swing
that lets you play on top of the waters.
There is also a small cottage that gives a great view of the whole cove.
More about Dasol at:
Aurora
I cannot close this list
without adding a beach from one of my favorite provinces.
Another favorite beach is
Casapsapan Beach. Aside from the white
sand and clear blue waters, Casapasapan promises great seafood. There are rooms available for those who want
to camp, but that is a waste of fine white sand and quiet surroundings.
This is one of the beaches I
can keep coming back to whenever I can find time. This is quite far from Manila but again, another
one worth the trip.
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