Philippine Beaches: El Nido and Sabang

Palawan is one of my much anticipated getaway for years. Coron and El Nido has always been in my places-to-go list. Finally, El Nido came and won me over.

El Nido
El Nido, Palawan facing South China Sea

There are many beaches in El Nido, many islands, many things to do and many foreigners. It's like more than half of the people there are from foreign lands. We met a Dutchman whose been there for two months already, I want to ask why but the beauty of El Nido, the locals' charm and the booming nightlife answered my pressing question like a lightning bolt.  El Nido is Palawan's Boracay.

That spiky rock could kill you

Jump shot!

The waters are oh so clear!

Reminiscent of The Bourne Legacy's last scene

Going out of the Big Lagoon

Photos taken in 2013.

Sabang
Puerto Princesa, Palawan facing South China Sea

This is the jump-off site to the entrance of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. A white beach stretch that serves as a port and as a beach resort.

The waves are strong

A beautiful sunny day indeed

Good lighting, :-)

No fishing!

To the Subterranean river

Photos taken in 2013.

More beaches to come, summer mode!

Philippine Beaches: Puerto Galera

Alongside the Batangas beaches are the beaches of Mindoro Island. The waters between them has been the busiest waterways in the country and as well as one of the most diversified marine life. Threatened species thrives here in the most concentrated coral life in the world.

White Beach
Sabang, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro facing the Isla Verde Passage

If it's not Boracay, then it's Puerto Galera's White beach! As the name suggests, the beach is white. Tourists flock this beach all year round. So if you haven't been to Puerto Galera, one may ask, why?

There are boats soaking up the sun

And yes more of them.

And a little bit more

Sun bathing

Going home!

Photos taken in 2011.

Talipanan
Sabang, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro facing the Isla Verde Passage

If you want to remove yourself from the swarm of people that flock the White beach, you can always try the alternatives.. Perfect example is Talipanan beach. It is on the westernmost part of the Puerto Galera's beach stretch and according to Google Maps it is even beyond Oriental Mindoro, physically part of Occidental Mindoro's Abra de Ilog. Talipanan is also a jump-off point if your going to climb Mt. Malasimbo.

That lone boat, longing...

Unlike White beach's powder sand

Ashore... Luca Miramare

Mi hacienda

At El Canonero

Photos taken in 2011.

Philippine Beaches: Anilao and Laiya

Beaches in the Visayan seas are really to die for! But if you live in Manila, can they be reached by a car in less than 3 hours? Here are your weekend getaway beaches, doable almost every week!

Anilao
Balayan Bay, Mabini, Batangas

Famous for snorkeling and diving, Anilao boasts diverse marine biodiversity. Stones and corals are scattered all over the beach so you don't sit on them to soak up the sun, you dip in the waters and feed the fishes. After climbing Mt. Gulugod Baboy, it is best to refresh here.

Rockies!

Wow, minus the background

A not so inviting beach

Balayan Bay at sundown, viewed from Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Snorkelers!

Photos are taken in 2010.

Laiya
Tayabas Bay, San Juan, Batangas

Much like it's cousin Anilao but a long stretch of sandy shore can be seen here. After trekking Mt. Daguldol, take dip or perhaps play beach volleball! Batangas beaches, like Laiya, are the nearest beaches away from home.

Still goofing around!

Corals and shells are everywhere

Another less stunning beach

We're going home, tired.

Rocks, corals and shells... and me!

Photos taken in 2010.

Philippine Beaches: Bantayan, Boracay and Camiguin

My last post are the beaches of Zambales, this time we go down south to the Visayan islands and beyond!

Bantayan's Virgin Beach
Santa Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu facing Visayan sea

The pristine waters and the locals are the charms of this island. The beautiful powdery beach is not really in the municipality of Bantayan but in Santa Fe, both in Bantayan island together with Madridejos. I personally enjoyed this beach, with alcohol, so much.

Goofing around with friends

Palm on sand

Pristine waters

Lunch by the beach

Beautiful shot

Photos taken in 2011.

Boracay's White Beach
Boracay Island, Aklan facing Sibuyan Sea

Famous for its white sand beach and uber clear waters. Boracay earned the title as one of the best beaches in the world! Definitely the Philippines' top tourist destination. Currently is undergoing beach widening by pushing off the resorts from the long stretch of it's shoreline.

Soaking it all up

Mi casa

Grotto of Mama Mary

Despite the weather, the beach is still to die for

The beach is photo ready, like us!

Photos taken in 2009.

Camiguin's White Island
Mambajao, Camiguin Island facing Bohol Sea

The truth is one can't say it's a beach nor an island since it is just a sandbar off shore. I read in one blog that it's just sand, sun and water, literally and truly it is! Another truth, it's not a Visayan island but a Mindanao one.

Chillin' in mi casa, on my birthday

Postcard worthy

Everything is so soft...

Beautiful sandbar

Not a sundown, but a sunrise

Photos taken in 2010.

Philippine Beaches: Anawangin, Nagsasa and Subic

I've just been to the beach last month and here I am, again, wanting to dip myself into one. El Nido could have halted this strong longing but last year a beach is no where in sight! So, on that note, I am now reminiscing the beaches I've  been to for the last 5 years.

First off, the beaches of Zambales.

Anawangin Cove

San Antonio, Zambales facing South China Sea

Anawangin was then a secret place for mountaineers, like me. After traversing Mt. Anawangin from Pundaquit, we can soak up the sun lying on a beautiful beach with almost nobody in sight! But today this cove is no secret.

Serene

Pine tree lined beach

Beautiful

Nearby breakwater

At sundown

Photos taken in 2008. Credits to Welmar Rugas and MJ Cahandig.

Nagsasa Cove

San Antonio, Zambales facing South China Sea

Another secluded beach in San Antonio Zambales. When Anawangin cove became famous as a weekend getaway, people who wants much less swarmed beaches moved further southwards. An almost total replica of Anawangin.

Blue is the color of peace

The contrast and depth is amazing

Sun-dried fishes are the best

Rockies

Chillin', sa aking duyan

Photos taken in 2009.

Subic
Subic Bay, Zambales

An industrialized beach I may say. As a former US Naval Base, the bay has grown to have that Americanized commercial feel. American expatriates, locals and tourists alike enjoys the beach's nightlife.

The Marina lighthouse

I wonder what are those for?

The Marina

Scorching hot!

Photos taken in 2010.