If you are on the lookout for a quick summer getaway to escape from the scorching heat of Manila, look no farther, Batangas beaches and resorts will not disappoint. With 492 kilometers of coastline and handful of islands off its shore, the province is home to numerous beach resorts that are ready to feed your appetite for the sea, sun and sand.
Just three hours away from Metro Manila and easily accessible from Southern Tagalog provinces of Laguna, Cavite and Quezon, its proximity and accessibility puts Batangas on top of the list for the quick beach fix. From Nasugbu in the north to San Juan in the south, here are some of the islands and beaches in Batangas that are worth checking out!
1. Fortune Island (Nasugbu, Batangas)
The oddly “Parthenon” feels of the column ruins in an island surrounded with white sand beaches and rocky cliffs makes Fortune Island interesting and unique! Approximately one hour of boat ride from the coast of Nasugbu, Fortune Island should be in your bucket list.
How to Get to Fortune Island: Catch a bus or van from Buendia, Cubao, Coastal Mall or Alabang to Nasugbu or Calatagan and get off at Nasugbu Terminal, travel time is 2 to 3 hours, fare ranges from P130 to P160. From Nasugbu Terminal, transfer to a tricycle to Barangay Wawa, travel time is around 10 minutes, fare is P10 per person or P50 per trike. At Barangay Wawa, charter a boat to take you to Fortune Island for as low as P3,500 for a day trip, good for 10 persons.
2. Masasa Beach (Tingloy, Batangas)
With two-kilometer stretch of cream sand beach on a gently sloping seabed reflecting a beautiful turquoise color at broad daylight, Masasa Beach of Maricaban Island will definitely not disappoint. Its surrounding waters is teeming with rich and vivid marine life ideal for snorkeling, free diving or scuba diving! To best appreciate the place, avoid weekends and holidays.
How to Get to Masasa Beach: Catch a bus in Buendia, Cubao or Alabang to Batangas City Bus Terminal, fare ranges from P140 to P160 and travel time is at least 1.5 hours during off-peak hours. At Batangas City Bus Terminal, transfer to a jeep to Mabini /Anilao Port, fare is P40 per pax and travel time is around 45 minutes. At Anilao Port, catch a boat to Tingloy, fare is P80 per pax and travel time is at least 45 minutes.
3. Manuel Uy Beach Resort (Calatagan, Batangas)
One of latest discoveries of beach lovers, Manuel Uy Beach Resort has quickly made it to the go-to place of sun, sea and sand worshipers. Expect basic facilities as there is no high end resort or hotel in this place. Bring a tent, pitch it on a beach, bask in the sun, swim on its water, watch the sunset… simple pleasures of Manuel Uy beach Resort.
How to Get to Manuel Uy Beach Resort: Take a Calatagan bound bus o to a van terminal bound from EDSA Rotonda, travel time is at least 3 hours and fare starts at P180. Get off at the Calatagan Public Market and transfer to a tricycle to Manuel Uy Beach Resort, fare is P200 good for 4 persons and travel time is 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Hamilo Coast / Loro Cove Peak (Nasugbu, Batangas)
The private beach of Pico Sand’s Hotel, Hamilo Coast or Pico de Loro Cove is clean, safe and organized! Given a chance to stay or visit the place, say yes!
How to Get to Hamilo Coast: Ride a bus from Buendia, Cubao, Coastal Mall or Alabang to Nasugbu and get off at SaveMore or Jollibee Nasugbu, travel time is 2 to 3 hours, fare ranges from P130 to P160. From there, transfer to a tricycle to take you to Hamilo Coast, fare is P200 per trike good for 4 persons.
5. Laiya Beach (San Juan, Batangas)
The coast of San Juan, Batangas particularly in the village of Laiya has been an all-time beach lovers favorite for quite some time now. Its timeless charm just proves that some place just never gets old!
How to Get to Laiya: Take an Alps Bus from Cubao Araneta Center Bus Terminal, EDSA Nepa Q-Mart or Alabang Grand Terminal to San Juan, fare is P190 and travel time is about 3 hours. Get off at San Juan Municipal Hall and transfer to a jeep going to Laiya.
6. Sombrero Island (Tingloy, Batangas)
Just three hours away from Metro Manila, Sombrero Island is one of the islands off Anilao and within the vicinity of Tingloy. The surrounding waters are known dive sites but the stretch of beach of this hat shaped island is a perfect escape for those who love the beach.
How to Get to Sombrero Island: You can get to Sombrero Island by chartering a boat from Masasa Beach or anywhere in Tingloy Island to take you to an island and beach hopping starting at P1,500 for maximum of 4 passengers.. You may also charter a boat from Anilao but rate is at least twice of the rate in Masasa or Tingloy.
7. Tali Beach (Nasugbu, Batangas)
Not everyone gets a chance to visit Tali Beach as it is tucked in a private and exclusive subdivision in Nasugbu. But there are units that can be rented via AirBnB or you can rent a roo at Jo & Johny’s Beach and Dive Inn which will give you access to the beach.
How to Get to Tali Beach: Catch a bus or van from Buendia, Cubao, Coastal Mall or Alabang to Nasugbu or Calatagan and get off at Nasugbu Terminal, travel time is 2 to 3 hours, fare ranges from P130 to P160. From Nasugbu Terminal, charter a tricycle to take you to Tali Beach, travel time is around 20 minutes, fare is at least P150 per trike.
8. Sepoc Beach (Tingloy, Batangas)
Situated at the westernmost tip of Tingloy’s Maricaban Island, where Masasa Beach is also located, accessible only by boat, Sepoc Beach boasts of its white sand. Its surrounding waters are favorite dive sites from those based in Anilao.
How to Get to Sepoc Beach: Sepoc Beach is one of the stops of island hopping tour from Masasa Beach or anywhere in Tingloy Island. Island and beach hopping rate starts at P1,500 for maximum of 4 passengers. You may also charter a boat from Anilao but rate is at least twice of the rate in Masasa or Tingloy.
9. Stilts Calatagan (Calatagan, Batangas)
Experience the Maldivian feels of these floating bungalow in Stilts Calatagan!
How to Get to Stilts Calatagan: Take a Calatagan bound bus o to a van terminal bound from EDSA Rotonda, travel time is at least 3 hours and fare starts at P180. Get off at the Calatagan Public Market and transfer to a tricycle to Stilts Calatagan, fare is P200 good for 4 persons and travel time is 15 to 20 minutes.
10. Layag-Layag Beach (Nasugbu, Batangas)
Another secret of Nasugbu, Layag-Layag Beach in Barangay Papaya is another favorite. No resort, hotel or modern facility in the area, just a bare beach with blue water and amazing view of sunset. Avoid weekend and holidays to appreciate it better.
How to Get to Layag-Layag Beach: Catch a bus or van from Buendia, Cubao, Coastal Mall or Alabang to Nasugbu or Calatagan and get off at Nasugbu Terminal, travel time is 2 to 3 hours, fare ranges from P130 to P160. From Nasugbu Terminal, charter a tricycle to take you to Barangay Papaya, travel time is around 45 minutes, fare is at least P250 per trike good for 4 persons. At Barangay Papaya, transfer to a boat to take you to Layag-Layag Beach ,fare is P200 per person round-trip and travel time is 15 minutes.
[…] three hours away from Metropolis, Masasa Beach is situated in Tingloy, an island municipality of Batangas, just off the coast of Anilao. It is approximately two-kilometer stretch of cream sand beach on a […]
[…] off the coast of the town of Nasugbu in Batangas, Fortune Island is is 27-hectare private property that is fast becoming a go-to place for those […]