[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Apr 1, 2017

In Search of the Hidden Beach

GPS waypoint: hmmm....nah, I'll keep this one to myself :)
Location : Camotes Islands, Cebu (province), Philippines

Maps.Me
When I zoomed-in on my Maps.Me app, I saw this circular beach about 50 feet across with a narrow 8-ft sea entrance through the limestone rocks. There were no roads to it and even the narrow trail marks stopped far from it. It looked isolated and hidden from everyone. Google Maps didn't even show it. It was too easy to miss-off from the map since it was so tiny. Time to do some exploring on my bicycle to see if it exists!

Mactang Beach
It was a long bike ride under the heat of the sun. What's fun are the interesting spots I accidentally passed along. One was Mactang Beach. Nothing special really about the beach per se, but according to some folks in Poro, they unearthed historical artifacts suggesting that the actual battle of Mactan between Magellan and Lapu-Lapu took place here - not in Mactan, Cebu City! There is increased interest on this that I even met someone who came to do an ocular inspection. However, at the site, all I saw was a sign saying historical artifacts and human skeletons were unearthed there - no mention whatsoever about the Mactan Battle. I was a little disappointed.

beach picnic for one - Bolinao torta, pandesal with umbrella cover as beach mat

very few people appreciate the stillness of solitude

Cagcagan Water Spring
I came upon a road sign, "Cagcagan Water Spring". As a big fan of natural springs, of course I followed the sign until I came upon a deep hole in the ground with a concrete flight of steps going down through some rocks until I saw the spring source. The place was narrow and claustrophobic - not ideal for swimming or bathing. A big pipe that was stuck into the source gives off water you could fill a container with. I took a big gulp. Surprisingly, the water was tepid. It wasn't even cold.

a long flight of concrete steps down to the spring

at the base are more steps going down to the subterranean cavern

still going down another flight of concrete steps

finally the spring source with a pipe where water gushes out

Flying Fish Resort
This one was not on my map though. It was also hidden and a bit of a ride further out of the main road, but when I came upon it, it was a proper resort with a generous beach view from the leisure chairs and rooms. The front is a coral reef for snorkeling activity.

The Ride
The bike ride offered a few more surprises as long as I was willing to veer off the main road and explore interesting possibilities. After leaving the main road into the dirt trail, I thought the trail ended, but apparently, it went on...through small and obscure residential areas. At some point, the trail was too narrow and muddy with sharp protruding coral rocks - I had to carry my bike. I was thinking, this really is, a hidden beach!

water vendo at P1/cup is great on a long ride...no need to carry your water

another Buho Rock, not the one in main Poro

safe cove for a pumpboat...promising corals too

the trail ended here but the map told me the hidden beach is further beyond those rocks

helpful locals pointed me out to an obscure trail

the trail got narrower and narrower, muddier and muddier until I had to carry my bike

Hidden Beach Revealed
Finally, I came upon the beach. It does exist! I thought I would be alone, but there were many kids playing around. Apparently, the beach is their playground. There were also a few grown-ups whom I approached to alay their curiosity. More grown-ups showed up curious what I was doing there. I just told them I was 'suroy-suroy' - just exploring places on my bike. They were friendly and pointed me to another trail where I could exit. I was just thinking, this place would be an excellent personal property for a beach where you have your own private cove. Of course it needs a lot of work - road access, manicuring the landscape, a cottage, etc. But I think it's best to leave it as it is where kids can freely play at will.

Hidden Beach at Maps.Me — screen capture of the hidden beach from Maps.Me

Ending Thoughts
Having made so many stops before I reached the beach, I was exhausted already. This is what I like about exploring something you just saw from a map - you don't know what else you stumble upon. In this case, the adventure was as much the destination as it was the journey.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Reader Comments:

Nandinni

(Apr 2, 2017) Ur there at last. How was it?

TheLoneRider
"How was it?" -- Nandinii
(Apr 2, 2017) raw with great potential

David

CRAZY WORLD OF DAVID
(Apr 2, 2017) Wow looks amazing you still on Comotes Islands

Camotes Islands, Cebu, Philippines

tourist attractions

Lake Danao Park - inland twin lakes in San Francisco
Santiago Bay Beach - stretch of fine white sand with a cluster of beach resorts
Buho Rock - dive boards perched from a high rock outcropping, Poro
Tulang Diot - white sand beach on a tiny island just 10 minutes by boat from the main Camotes Island
Busay Falls - groomed plunge pool, dirt trail walk with 2 stream crossings, Tudela
Capasanan Spring - crystal clear open spring water source in San Jose, Poro. Free
Hagnaon Spring - clean drinking water coming out of the rocks, dipping pool you might share with carabaos in San Jose, Poro. Free

caves

Timubo Cave - groomed trail inside cave with lights, swimming inside, limited penetration
Bukilat Cave - cathedral-like caverns, top lighting from cave openings, high tide swimming
Holy Crystal Cave - cave formation glitters, human bones, limited penetration
Paraiso Cave

important spots

San Francisco - town center, wet market, municipal hall, eateries, live music, bar, Baywalk
Poro - town center of Poro Municipality, port to Cebu City and Danao
Tudela - town center of Tudela Municipality
Pilar - town center of Pilar in the island of Ponson Island
Consuelo Wharf - port for Danao ships
Poro Port - port for Danao and Cebu City ships

resort hotel

Aladin White Beach Resort and Retirement Investment
beachfront property, swimming pool, modern amenities and facilities
Esperanza, San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu, Philippines

Camotes Island FYI / Tips

Camotes Islands is a group of islands composed of 4 municipalities:
1. San Francisco - this is the biggest municipality covering the West major island. Its town center is the busiest with the market, eating places, live music and the Baywalk. The beach resort clusters, however, are concentrated in Santiago Bay, Mangodlong and Esperanza
2. Poro - Poro is on the other big island to the East. It has its own port and the town center is likewise busy
3. Tudela
4. Pilar - this occupies the small north east island
the busy area where most of the social gatherings take place, eating places, is located at the Baywalk area of San Francisco, 30 mins by motorcycle from the Consuelo Port. Travellers usually stay in their resort outside the Baywalk
the resorts in Camotes Island are scattered around the island. There are none around the Baywalk area of San Francisco
perhaps the only downside to Camotes Island is the inescapable deafening sound of karaoke - it is played very loud and it's everywhere. In Baywalk, there are 3 karaoke bars beside each other going full blast all at the same time

Camotes Island Cost Index

(US$1 = Php 49.82 as of Jan 15, 2017)

PHP 100 habal-habal ride from Consuelo Port to San Francisco
PHP 55 Pale Pilsen beer
PHP 10/pax regular fare for habal-habal within San Francisco
PHP 500/tour habal-habal rate for island tour up to 2 pax
PHP 800/tour tricycle rate for island tour up to 4 pax

Cebu City to Camotes Island

via Poro - from Pier One in Cebu City, take the Ocean Jet for Poro, 2 hours, daily trip - 6am and 3pm (0936.823.8762 |0956.270.6610 | 0999.889.9999).
via Consuelo - from Cebu City, take the northbound bus passing through Danao and get off at the Danao Port. At the Port, take a Jomalia Shipping boat for Consuelo (San Francisco, Camotes), P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only).

Camotes Islands to Cebu City

Poro - Cebu City (fastest and most direct) - go to Poro and take the 8am or 5pm Ocean Jet to Pier One in Cebu City, P380/pax/aircon, 2 hours
Consuelo - Danao - Cebu City - go to Consuelo (San Francisco) and take the Jomalia Shipping boat to Danao, P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only). From Danao, take the Ceres Bus to Cebu City

Cebu City to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental by Boat

George and Peter Lines - Mon/Thur/Sat/Sun 10pm, (035)225.4337, 0922.557.1023
Oceanjet - via Tagbilaran, daily 6am, dumticketing@oceanjet.net, 0918.898.2188
Cokaliong - Mon/Tue/Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat 7pm, Sun 12pm, 6 hours, (035)225.3599

Danao to Camotes Island

via Consuelo - at the Danao Port, take a Jomalia Shipping boat for Consuelo (San Francisco, Camotes), P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only).
via Poro - at the Danao Port, take the Super Shuttle Ferry for Poro (Camotes), P?/pax, 3 hours, daily trip - 9:00am and 5:00pm (0936.823.8762 |0956.270.6610 | 0999.889.9999).

Camotes Island to Danao

via Consuelo - go to Consuelo (San Francisco) and take the Jomalia Shipping boat to Danao, P220/pax, a/c, 2 hours, daily trip - 5:30am, 7:00am (special trip), 8:30am, 12:00 noon (express), 2:30pm, 5:30pm and 9:00pm (express, Fri/Sat/Sun only).
via Poro - take the Super Shuttle Ferry in Poro (Camotes) for the Danao Port, P?/pax, 3 hours, daily trip - 5:00am and 1:00pm (0936.823.8762 |0956.270.6610 | 0999.889.9999).

Currency Converter

»» next story: [an error occurred while processing this directive]
»» next Traveling story: [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Camotes Islands Blogs by TheLoneRider