Calatagan Beachineering

How to get there?

Ride a van at the back of McDonald's near Metro Point Mall, the terminal used to be located at the basement parking of the said mall then later moved to a more spacious and well ventilated open terminal. Van fare is Php180 each, Upon reaching ''bayan'' in the church near petron, one can ride the trike going to the beach at Php40 each. It can accommodate 3-4pax depending on the luggage at hand.

Travel time from Taft Ave to Calatagan town proper is around 3hours and trike to the resort varies from 15-25mins.

The Beach

The Beach is pristine with its crystal; clear waters, you can go snorkeling and see colorful fishes in less than 6ft of water.

Depending on the negotiation with the caretaker, the entrance fee for an overnighter is around Php170-200 per person. Maybe less or the same for a 1day stay only. Parking is free and is big enough to house a couple of cars, not sure tho’ if the other resorts can easily accommodate a bus.

You can also look for the concrete walkway that will lead you to the deepest part of the beach in to the corals where you can snorkel without being ferried by a boat like most usual beaches/locations do.

During high tide

The “trail” leading to the coral reef  

                

Photos by Joan Anjo 

The Author

At low tide, you can walk  for meters and you get only a few inches of water, the sea bed is exposed here and you can look (only Look!) at the live corals, plant life and trapped fish in the more deeper pools. A documentary from a popular TV network featured  locals catching live fish for aquariums without venturing out in the open sea. So you would imagination the amount of underwater wildlife you can see when you go swimming here.

Starfish are plenty here, mostly brown-silver colored ones and an occasional blue colored starfish.

Photo by Maj

Photo by Maj

There are also a few sea urchins here so be careful on what you step on, the ones we have came in contact this summer was the small one (seen below) and then there are times that the black type with its long needles are abundant.

 Photo by Maj

Photo by Maj

Where to Stay?

My friend who is a resident there told us that one can visit this place,  Caisip compound, playa Calatagan, Burot for your lodging needs, altho' I have not gone to this place nor have checked it out

We usually make do by erecting tents. A Campsite which is in the vicinity of a resort which has running water (showers/bathroom) and ample lighting plus you can charge your batteries here with no excess charges.

Photo by Jessie Pacurza

Photo by Peter Paccarangan

Photo by Mutya

Notice the light and source of electricity. You can also bring you butane lamps to add an effect to the campsite, you can also set-up a bonfire here provided that it is at a safe distance away from the sea, it depends on the dried drift wood available. 

Photo by Sasa 

Yes, you can bring you hammocks here

  

Other Photos you might  enjoy.. 

You can visit also the Lighthouse located a few meters away from the beach, arrange transportation via trike (Php40 each)

  During low tide, the walkway is pretty much visible

The Local, tending to his fishing nets

Photo by Joan Anjo

This was taken during high tide, early in the morning. As you can there is the ‘’camp site’’ and the tables and chair that is provided free of charge to would be visitors of that resort. There was once rooms available here but due to its wooden construction and old age, the owner opted to demolish it for safety reasons. The cr/shower room is clean and almost has a new paint coat on every cubicle

The Author is an avid traveler and outdoorsman 

Photo By Ken Agsaway

At the concrete walkway

The Author would like to thank Kenneth Agsaway and Family for being always the gracious host whenever we are there in Calatagan. To Mutya and Joan for the support last May 1-2, 2011 our recent stay there. To Mareng Yan Garcia for giving me a nudge to blog about this one, thank you mare sa uulitin! To friends who have been a constant companion during our stay here in Calatagan and to the people of Calatagan, nawa'y mapanatili ninyong maganda ang inyong baybaying dagat

-Maj