The Philippines has over 7,000 islands and many countless powdery white sandy beaches with the clearest and cleanest water and with the perfect temperature year-round so you can swim anytime you want! Here’s a sample of the kind of beaches we have in the Philippines – Laki Beach in Bataan, just 3 hours north of Metro Manila.
My family and I were in the Philippines during the holiday season and we got the chance to spend some time with my parents and siblings while we were there. I was so happy that I got the chance, not only to spend Christmas time with them, but also the beginning of 2020! We thought we’ve come all the way from the US we must at least go somewhere in the Philippines to a nearby beach as this is what my beloved country is well-known for! After all, what kind of a tropical holiday is it without the sun, the sand, the sea?
However, because of the holiday season, it was a bit tricky to find the nearest beach to go to. My hubby and the kids were leaving for the US in a few days so we couldn’t go anywhere far and the nearby beaches surrounding Metro Manila were crowded at this time of your so any last-minute booking could be impossible! Thankfully, my very dear sister is quite resourceful and managed to find a beach resort only 3 hours away from Manila which boasted of powdery white sandy beaches and quite isolated, too.
At first, I didn’t believe her because most of the beaches I’ve seen near Metro Manila while great, are usually not as gorgeous as the ones located in central or southern Philippines. Boy, was I wrong! Where have I been all my life to have missed this amazing place – barely 3 hours from where we live!
So off we went! We rode a good-size outrigger in order to reach the island cove. It was about 20 minutes away from the mainland.
This was our first sighting of the island! We were blown away at how beautiful it is! Look at that beautiful super clean water!
I almost jumped off the boat as I was quite excited especially when I realized that the island, because it was December 30 – a holiday in the Philippines, was practically isolated! We’d have the entire island, or at least the cove, all to ourselves!
Since it was lunchtime when we arrived this is what our contact from the beach resort prepared for us! And what a view we have as we enjoyed our lunch!
Shrimps and seafood galore which is what my sister and I are crazy for!
I love that the people who look after this island said that they don’t want the island to become modernized but they aim that it remains as rustic as it is. So no beautiful hotels or apartments here – very rudimentary accommodation. Nipa huts or tents? That is our only option! I love it!
We took a little stroll first. Isn’t this like a postcard? My Iphone photos don’t do justice to this amazing scenery but I hope you get a feel for it.
Some locals came to clean the beach area. They said they do this daily to maintain cleanliness. I was really impressed!
Some of us decided to stay in the nipa hut while my sister and I decided to go for a more beach camping feel!
That’s our tiny nipa (coconut and bamboo) hut!
In the afternoon, our tour guide accompanied us to take a look at a natural infinity pool.
This was so much fun! We enjoyed the sunset here.
Looks like they didn’t want to leave anymore.
We had to leave before it got dark and the water was getting deeper already!
My brother decided to stay for a bit! Guess why? This was the only spot where you could get a cellphone signal! Haha. I wasn’t bothered. I wanted to unplug.
Some gorgeous sunset shots. I wished I brought my Canon camera. Still, the Iphone didn’t do too bad, right?
Love this!!!
B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.
The next day we were awakened by natural alarm clocks – the roosters!!!
This was the only functioning bathroom! At least, there was some flowing water.
Taking advantage of the sunrise, we took some family and selfie shots!
Me and hubby! Love him to bits!
Hubby’s shot – trying to be artsy.
Of course, we swam again!!!
The kids had a lot of fun!
I nearly drowned trying to take a selfie of my feet while on the water!!! Haha.
By the hut. Photo with my bro.
Well, it was time to go – it was the last day of 2019, NYE! We still had to go back to Manila to welcome the new year with my parents!
So thankful to the Lord to be able to enjoy the beauty of His creation even though quite briefly. I couldn’t ask for a better way to say goodbye to 2019 and welcome 2020! Praise the Lord for all His blessings!
Last updated on May 8th, 2020 at 09:42 pm
Been here like 2 years ago and all I can say is this is a perfect place for beach camping. 🙂 Beautiful place and sunset is perfect.
Wow! napakaganda po ng blogs mam abby .. You have beautiful family lalo na si baby girl napaka pretty =) Mam Abby I’ll ask permission to grab some photos to feature on my tour package if its okay mga 4 na pics lang po siguro ang ganda po kasi ng mga kuha ninyo nakaka inspire habang nagbabasa ng blogs Thank you more blogs to come po ~ Fan here
Author
Hello Alex, I appreciate you asking for permission, thank you. These pictures are copyright protected so I don’t allow usage for commercial purposes (which sounds like what you want to do – eg tour package.) Acquiring them without express permission would be against the law and would constitute copyright infringement. I need more information before I consider this request so please provide your url/website first (I certainly do not want any photos of my family to be used) so I know where/how and which photos you wish to use. Do not just post them without prior express permission and, should this get approval, we want full acknowledgment and credit plus a link back. I hope to hear back from you.