For the avid traveler, there’s always a need to conquer new territories. It’s not about seeing the same blue waters in another cover or walking on yet another stretch of white sand beach in another part of the Pacific. It’s the idea of owning the bragging right to say to his peers that: “Yes, I’ve been there.” Think of it as an added feather to his cap or more aptly, a new addition to the growing list of “places I’ve been to.”
The Philippines is a beautiful archipelago made up 7,107 islands – a fact we all probably learned at our second grade Sibika & Kultura class. But up until now, I still get confused on why there is only a handful of ‘It’ beaches in the country. Don’t get me wrong, but they are undeniably beautiful but as for my taste, much of the ‘popular’ beach destinations have become too much commercialized.
It only makes sense for me to actually look beyond the usual beaches in my search for alternative scenery. There’s actually an upside in trying out off-beat beaches: Cheaper airfares and more affordable accommodations. Let me share with you a few suggestions to add to your travel list:
Samar surprises
Samar is at the other end of the famous San Juanico Bridge that connects it to the province of Leyte. But beyond the bridge and the equally famous San Juanico Straight (which is said to be the narrowest straight in the world), few things are known about what is to be seen at the end of thebridge. Surprisingly, it’s like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow because of its long list of natural wonders.
Among the best beaches are found in Bacayawan (white sand, called the little Daka), Cabong Beach (gray sand), Rawis Beach (offers a variety of resorts), Calicoan and Samulan Beach (white sand beaches adjacent to each other, both called the next Boracay), Malajog Beach (grayish sand, referred to as the prettiest in the province) and Homonhon Beach (a popular historical site).
Located at the easternmost part of Visayas, Samar is definitely an adventurer’s paradise. Not only is it limited to untainted and beautiful beaches, it’s also a haven for thrill seekers looking for more activities than lounging in the beach or go snorkeling every time he goes on vacation.
You can go spelunking in the Sohotan, Panhulugan and Calbiga caves; test your endurance while white water rafting at the Calbiga River; enjoy the Blanca Aurora Falls and Nasarang Falls; and finally go diving at Guivan Beach and Calicoan Island. This of course is only a portion of what Samar has to offer. Their countless beaches and island must-sees cannot be done in a day. One must allot at least a weekend or even stretch it to four days if you really want to maximize your visit to the province.
To go there, you can ride a bus from Manila which has direct trips to either Borongan, Oras, or Guivan. Travel time is 24 hours or more depending on the transfer time of the ferry from Luzon to Samar. The best alternative route is to go by air via Tacloban then take a connecting bus ride from the terminal to your specific destination in Samar.
Divine beaches in San Juan
What better way to publicize and glamorize a tourist destination other than a star-studded A-list celebrity wedding? Last year, when power couple Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos tied the knot in San Juan, Batangas, not only did they etch a historic event in their lives —they also put San Juan Batangas in the map.
Not long after, people started flocking the quiet town of San Juan, and got amazed by its surprisingly white sand beaches. With only three hours away from Manila, the beaches in San Juan Batangas are the ultimate weekend getaway forthose who can’t be too far away from the Metro. Now, not only is the place one of the most favored wedding destinations, it is also slowly getting the attention of the adventurous younger market because of its wide range of water sports activities.
Pristine Pagudpud
Said to be the Boracay of the North, Pagudpud is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in recent years. Its pure, untainted beaches are a haven to those who really want an escape from the hustle and bustle of the metro. Located in the northern most tip of Luzon, their main attractions are quiet beaches like the Blue Lagoon and Saud Beach, much different from the usually ‘party’ beaches of Boracay.
The best part of going to Pagudpud is actually the journey itself. The 10-hour drive to Ilocos can actually be extended if you plan to do some stopovers and explore the nearby provinces. You can actually visit Vigan and Batac and go on a cultural tour as you visit old churches, museums, and other scenic spots. The beaches of Pagudpud is only an added bonus to the over all trip.
Awesome Panglao
You probably never heard of Panglao yet, so how about Bohol? Of course you have. Bohol is widely marketed and famously known for the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and even the Loboc River cruise. But then again, Bohol is an island province. So it does not come as a surprise that Bohol has one of the most awesome beaches in the country, Panglao being one of them.
Located in the southernmost part of Bohol, Panglao is actually an island of its own. It is best known for its diving spots, like Dolijo Beach, Napaling, and Puntod. Some have even lobbied that it has one of the best diving sites in the country. So the next time you are in Bohol, skip the traditional tourist spots and take a side trip to the beach. You’d be surprised to find out what it has in store for you.
Island hopping in Pangasinan
One hundred islands mean two things: a lot of beaches and the ultimate island hopping! As one of the most popular tourist spots in the country, it’s a surprise to learnthat the town of Alaminos, Pangasinan hasn’t really been commercialized despite the country’s efforts to promote tourism there.
Aside from the long stalls of pasalubong shops at the pick-up point, the islands have remained beautiful, clean, and untainted. Out of the 100, only about three to five islands are somewhat commercialized (but in a good way.) These are the must-see spots like Governor’s Island, Children’s Island and Quezon Island. These are the default islands where the local bangkeros would drop you of for a certain period of time to swim around and take pictures.
In between islands, you can go snorkeling and check out the coral reefs and giant clams that the locals call ‘taklobong.’ You can also visit several island caves if you get tired from all the swimming. But the beautiful thing about 100 islands is the option to actually choose which island to go. Ask the boatmen for their own personal recommendations and you might actually discover a private island all to yourself. After all, the Hundred Islands park has a lot to offer to the tourists – 123 islands to be exact!
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Tags: beach destinations, best beaches, blue waters, white sand beach