Traveling around the
Philippines provides travelers endless opportunities to detach oneself from the
bustle of big cities. The moment one hits the road, the chances of wandering
into an isolated location increases rapidly as the many charming towns along
the way could be gateways to exotic beaches. If you’re looking for the
perfect place to enjoy the tranquility of Mother Nature, here are six secluded
locations where you can lie down on the sand and bask under the azure-colored
sky.
 |
| Guess where is this beach in the comment section |
1. Cuatros Islas, Leyte
With four islands
scattered just across the coast of Inopacan, Leyte provides outdoor lovers a
reclusive spot to either lounge by the beach the whole day or camp under a
canopy of glittering stars during nightfall. One must be ready to pitch
a tent on the islands of Apid, Mahaba, Digyo, or Himokilan to fully savor the
experience of being isolated from the rest of the world.
How to get to Cuatros Islas:
From Tacloban, travel by
land approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to Inopacan, Leyte and hire a boat to take
you to Cuatros Islas (30-45 minutes). These islands are perfect for day trips
but travelers who want to stay for the night will have to pitch a
tent. Accommodations are available at Inopacan.
2. White Beach, Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat
As if passing by the scenic Upi-Lebak road isn’t enough of a satisfying travel experience, the sleepy yet charming town of Kalamansig, which hides a stretch of white sand beach, will quickly isolate you from your worldly worries.
Facing the bountiful
Celebes Sea, Kalamansig provides you an ideal tropical setting where you can
spend a beautiful day just sprawled out on its fine white sands. Doing so also
eradicates your preconceived notion of danger and other security risks in this
part of Mindanao.
Ride a van from Cotabato
city for a three-hour trip to the town of Kalamansig. Coordinate with the local
tourism office located inside the Municipal hall and they will gladly refer you
to a local guide.
Travelers can either take
a longer hike going to Kalamansig Beach or rent a small boat (for 10 minutes)
to take you to Kalamansig beach. A couple of lodging inns are situated in the
town.
3. Seco Island, Antique
Antique is a province
always overlooked by travelers. But upon closer inspection, one swiftly
discovers its many natural attractions ranging from waterfalls, off-the-grid
beaches, mountains, and even rice terraces. Seco Island is just one of the many
gems found in this province.
Devoid of any man-made
structures and shaped like an elbow as seen from a drone camera, it is
characterized by glistening pure white sand bars and trees rooted to the
island. A 3-hour jaunt from either Culasi or Tibiao takes you to this secluded
place that best typifies the great outdoors.
How to get to Seco Island:
Rent a boat from Tibiao
(or join tours organized by Katahum Tours) to sail to Seco Island (travel time: 3
hours). Since the island is bare, visitors wanting to stay overnight will have
to pitch a tent.
4. Apo Reef, Occidental Mindoro
A well-known dive spot among scuba diving junkies, the allure of Apo Reef isn’t limited to its thriving underwater creatures. The mangrove forest and the picturesque lighthouse presents an ideal nature setting where you can while away the time while in the comforts of the rugged beauty of the outdoors.
As a protected National
Park and manned by members of the Philippine Navy, camping out here for a few
nights is a must.
How to get to Apo Reef:
Take a RoRo bus going to
San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Get off at Sablayan and approach the tourism
office of Sablayan to arrange a boat going to Apo Reef. The boat trip will last
for two hours. Inns are available near Sablayan port while it’s all camping out
at Apo Reef.
5. Jomalig Island, Quezon
The idea of enduring a 6-hour sea journey shouldn’t hold you back from visiting this island that embraces the mighty swell of the Pacific Ocean. Encircled by fishing towns, the beaches of Jomalig scream of bare remoteness. Further exploration will take you to the stunning stretch of the island where pure golden sands meet the rows of pine tree
With all the natural
splendor of Jomalig comes the sad fact that it’s home to one of the country’s
most malnourished towns. Because of reality, visiting Jomalig becomes even
better when coupled with a fund-raising drive to bring in multivitamins and
other medicines for the children living here.
How to get to Jomalig Island:
Passenger boats sail from
Real, Quezon every morning. A number of homestays are available on the island.
6. Calalanay and Padonil Islands, Camarines Norte
We all know the saying about how the Beatles isn’t just made up of John and Paul. The same adage applies to the province of Camarines Norte where the beach attractions aren’t just limited to the now popular Calaguas Island and the surfing haven of Bagasbas. With thriving ecotourism put in place in the islands along the coast of Jose Panganiban, travelers are given a fresh set of choices.
The islands of Calalanay and Padonil beautifully combines a stunning sand bar and an island perfect for
overnight camping. Cap off your trip with a walk in the mangrove forests of the
nearby Isla ni Sion where you can immerse yourself in the
environmentally-friendly practices of the local community.
How to get to Calalanay and Padonil Islands:
Sail-off is at Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte. From there you can rent a boat for a 30 minute ride going to the islands of Calalanay, Padonil and Isla ni Sion. Travelers can pitch a tent at the islands if they wish to stay overnight.
I first wrote this for Looloo Insights Philippines on September
11, 2016
