Summer in the Philippines means fun in the sea, sand, and sky. Ok, let me correct that, everyday is, regardless if its summer or not, beaches in the Philippines are a big hit for both locals and foreigners alike. Though for the non-beach(y) ones it means foods, festivals and friends, it is still a lot of fun just the same. Any reason, the fun never stops in the Philippines.
Here are beaches near Metro Manila that can be visited for a Day Trip. Let’s face it – sometimes all we need is a day to feel the warmth of the sun and the soothing waters of the sea. An overnight or 2 makes it more relaxing and recharging.
Let me start by saying that if one is looking for the best beaches in the Philippines, head over to the islands of Visayas and Mindanao for a run down.
ANILAO, Mabini, Batangas
Anilao is a premier scuba diving destination in the Philippines. It is considered as among the best diving sites in the world because of its underwater wonders. So if you want to enjoy amazing marine life, head over to Anilao. Or if you just want some fresh air and a good lunch, then Anilao is a good choice.
How To Get To Anilao, Mabini
Anilao is roughly 3 hours away from Manila and very accessible using public transportation. Take a bus bound to Batangas City. Bus Terminals bound for Batangas City are in Pasay adjacent to LRT Buendia Station. Your options include DLTB, Jam liner, Ceres and Alps Buses. Buses operate 24/7 though time interval varies from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time of the day (or night that is). Get off at the last stop – Batangas City Grand Terminal. From there, take a jeepney bound for Anilao (Mabini). Depending on which resort you will stay, you may need a tricycle to bring you there. If you want a hassle free trip, some resorts offer a complete package like return private transfers from Manila or Mabini, lunch and use of facilities.
Resorts in Anilao
Anilao has plenty of resorts, hotels and inns that fit anyone’s budget. Day Tour entrance fee ranges from 200.00 to 3,500.00 if with lunch included. Among my personal choices include Eagle Point Resort and Outrigger Resort. Other resorts in Anilao you may want to consider for a day trip are: Vivere Azure Resort, Acacia Resort , La Chevreri Resort, Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Dive Solana Resort, El Pinoy Resort, Pier Uno Resort, Anilao Awari Bay Resort, Casita Isabel and Bambu Villa.
Activities in Anilao
Diving is on top of the list of what to do and experience in Anilao. There are more than a dozen dive sites in Anilao one can explore. Snorkeling, island hopping and water sports activities are other options.
BORAWAN, Pagbilao, Quezon
Many mistake Borawan as part of the Municipality of Padre Burgos but it’s not. Padre Burgos just happens to be the most popular and easiest option to get to Borawan. Borawan – the name suggests, comes from Boracay and Palawan. Perhaps the place looks like Borawan and Palawan? See it yourself if indeed or not.
How to Get To Borawan, Pagbilao
Take a bus bound for Lucena. A good option is Jac Liner in Kamuning (near MRT EDSA-Kamuning Station). Travel time is almost 4 hours. Get off at the last station – Lucena Grand Terminal. From there, take a bus bound for Unisan or Padre Burgos. Tell the driver that you are going to Borawan and that you will get off at QCRB. Travel time is 1.5 hours. From there, take a tricycle going to Aplaya where boats going to Borawan are docked.
Where to Sleep and Eat in Borawan
Camping is the name of the game in Borowan. Hence, bring your own camping materials and foods. That makes it very Spartan and adventurous.
Activities in Borawan
Island hoping to Puting Buhangin and Dampalitan Island will compliment your Borawan experience. Swimming, rock climbing, snorkeling and other water sports activities are good options while enjoying the day. You can also camp overnight in the island. There are fees that are collected though.
BUROT BEACH, Calatagan, Batangas
Burot Beach is still open to the public until SM Group will finally close and develop it. That being said, Burot Beach is a private property owned by SM Group. There are no accommodation facilities yet available hence, people would just camp around and cook their food while enjoying a piece of nature.
How to Get to Burot Beach, Calatagan
Head over to MRT EDA Taft Station and proceed to Metro Point Mall. At the basement of the mall are vans going to Calatagan. Alternately, you can take buses to Calatagan. Bus Station is at the back of Sogo Hotel – the one in MRT EDSA Taft Station. Travel time is approximately 4 hours. Get off at Calatagan Public Market and from there, take a tricycle to Burot Beach. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes.
Resorts in Burot Beach
Camping is the best option. Bring your camping materials, foods and water as they are not easily available here.
Activities in Burot Beach
Camping, swimming (be very extra careful of the rocks), island hopping and snorkeling to Burot Sandbar and Starfish Islet. Camping overnight is recommended so you can see amazing sunset and sunrise.
LAIYA BEACH, San Juan, Batangas
Laiya Beach is perhaps your best option in this list because the beach is relatively finer and whiter as compared to the other beaches (with the exception of Cagbalete), the sea water is calmer and bluer, and there are lots of choices for resorts and other accommodation facilities, lots of restaurants and food choices and a more developed tourism infrastructure and other facilities and amenities. Laiya is very famous for company team building and outing activities, school and family excursions. Those being said, expect rates to be higher and the place more crowded.
How to Get Laiya Beach, San Juan
Take Alps Bus in Cubao Terminal bound for San Juan. Travel time is roughly 3 hours. Get off at the last stop (San Juan Alps Bus Terminal) and from there, you can take a jeeney going to Laiya. Travel time is roughly 30 minutes.
Resorts in Laiya, San Juan
There are lots in resorts in Laiya from the expensive ones to the affordable ones. You can consider the following as your options: Aquatico Beach Resort, Blue Coral Resort, White Cove Beach Resort, Kabayan Beach Resort or One laiya Beach Resort from among the many resorts in Laiya. For a day trip with lunch and use of facilities, rate ranges from 1,500.00 to 3,000.00 per person.
Activities in Laiya Beach
Swimming, snorkeling, water sports, beach sports, parasailing and boating or sea kayaking among many others.
MALABRIGO BEACH, Lobo, Batangas
Tucked in the farthest end of Batangas Province is the town of Lobo where the unassuming pebble beach of Malabrigo sits in majesty. Yes, Malabrigo Beach is not a sandy beach but a pebble-ly one and that makes all the reason one needs to see the place.
How to Get to Malabrigo Beach, Lobo
There are no direct buses or any public transportation from Manila to Lobo. One needs to arrive at Batangas Grand Terminal first. From Cubao or Pasay stations, take a bus going to Batangas City with the sign “Calabarzon” so you can save on time as this bus will use 2 express tollways. Travel time is roughly 3 hours. Get off at the last station – Batangas Grand Terminal and from there, take a jeepney bound to Lobo. Travel time is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. Get off at the Town Center and from there a tricycle to Malabrigo Beach.
Resorts in Malabrigo
There are few resorts in Malabrigo Beach: Dawa Beach Resort, La Bien House and Punta Malabrigo Resort. However, there are other options in Lobo one can consider for a day trip or overnight. You may choose from the following: De Marvic Resort, Almalin Beach Resort, Punta Verde Beach Resort or Submarine Garden Resort.
Activities in Malabrigo Beach
Swimming, snorkeling, camping and other water sports activities will keep you busy. But don’t forget to see Malabrigo Lighthouse – declared as National Historical Landmark. To get to the lighthouse, simply rent a tricycle.
MATABUNGKAY BEACH, Lian, Batangas
Matabungkay has long been a destination of choice of beach enthusiasts. In this list, Matabungkay Beach is the first to be discovered as weekend get away from Manila. Matabungay offers white-gray sandy beaches that can be enjoyed anytime of the day.
How to Get to Matabungkay Beach, Lian
Head over to MRT EDA Taft Station and proceed to Metro Point Mall. At the basement of the mall are vans going to Calatagan, Lian and Nasugbu. Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours. Get off at Matabungkay Junction, just tell it to the driver. From there, take a tricycle to the beach.
Resorts in Matabungkay Beach
Consider staying at Matabungkay Beach and Resort, White Castle Resort or the Pelican Resort.
Activities in Matabungkay Beach
Swimming, kayaking, water sports activities and coastal cleaning are your options here. Yes, include coastal clean-up drive.
MUNTING BUHANGIN, Nasugbu, Batangas
Munting Buhangin is a small pocket of fine light brown to almost white sand beach tucked in a secluded cove in Nasugbu. It offers a calm clear blue waters and lots of privacy. There are two resorts here, Munting Buhangin Beach Camp and Terrazas De Punta Fuego. The former offers accommodation facilities while the later does not have any though it has a very good restaurant that offers good food. Note however that since one passes through a downhill forest before reaching the cove, walking is part of the game. Now imagine the uphill climb when you need to get back. Hence, wear a good walking shoes. I enjoyed however the very tropical setting going to the beach. Apart from that, the roads leading to the resort is breathtaking.
How to Get to Munting Buhangin, Nasugbu
It’s best to drive your way to Munting Buhangin as there are no direct public transportation going here. Otherwise, take a bus or van going to Nasugbu and from there, rent a tricycle going to Munting Buhangin and walk your way to the beach.
Resorts in Munting Buhangin
You have only one option, Munting Buhangin Camp Resort. They offer rooms for overnight or you may opt to camp.
Activities in Munting Buhangin
Swimming, hiking, snorkeling, island hopping, water sports activities, beach games and camping are among the things you can enjoy here. Stay for a night for a spectacular sunset and sunrise.
RUNNERS- UP
The list here can be done if you are using your own private ride. Otherwise, stay for a night if using public transportation.
MASASA BEACH, Tingloy, Batangas
Masasa Beach is located in the island municipality of Tingloy in the province of Batangas. It is not a common beach destination because of its accessibility. That being said, Masasa remains a gem of its own. Though Masasa Beach
How to Get to Masasa Beach, Tingloy
Tingloy is roughly 4-4.5 hours away from Manila and accessible through Anilao, Mabini. Take a bus bound for Batangas City. Bus Terminals bound to Batangas City are in Pasay adjacent to LRT Buendia Station. Your options include DLTB, Jam, Ceres and Alps Buses. Buses operate 24/7 though time interval varies from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time of the day (or night that is). Get off at the last stop – Batangas City Grand Terminal. From there, take a jeepney bound to Mabini and take a tricycle to bring you to Talaga Port. Boats going to Tingloy are here and travel time to the island is 40 minutes. From Tingloy Port, take a tricycle going to Masasa Beach jump off. From there there a walk along rice paddies for 15 minutes to reach Masasa Beach.
Resorts in Masasa Beach
Try home stay, camping or Maribacan Island Resort.
Activities in Masasa Beach
Camping, bonefire, island hopping, snorkeling, diving, hiking and community immersion will keep you busy in Masasa Beach.
VERDE ISLAND or ISLA VERDE, Batangas City
Isla Verde is a small island located off Barangay Tabangao in Batangas City. It sits along Verde Passage which is between main land Luzon and Mindoro. Though it is not possible to do a “day trip only” here because of the schedule of buses, jeepneys and boats. Staying overnight is a better option.
How to Get to Isla Verde or Verde Island, Batangas City
Take a bus bound for Batangas City from the several bus terminals in Cubao, Pasay or Alabang. Get off at Batangas City Grand Terminal and take a jeepney bound to Tabangao. Tell the driver that you get off at Tabangao Aplaya where the boats going to the island are docked. There are several boats going to the different parts of the island and travel time is roughly an hour.
Resorts in Isla Verde or Verde Island
Consider Isla Verde Friendly Tropical Resort.
Activities in Isla Verde of Verde Island
Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving, water sports and community immersion top your what to do list in Isla Verde
CAGBALETE, Mauban Quezon
Cagbalete is an island in Mauban. It boasts white sand beach, clear blue waters and a laid-back community perfect for a great getaway. Cagbalete is my personal favorite in this list.
How to Get to Cagbalete Island, Mauban
Ok, a day trip to Cagbalete cannot be done using public transportation because of their schedules. Do this if you drive your own way to Mauban. That being said, Cagbelete can be done overnight using public transportation. Mauban is some 3-4 hours away from Manila. Take a Jac Liner in Cubao bound for Mauban. From Mauban Terminal take a tricycle to Mauban Port. From Mauban Port, take a boat to Sabang Port (Cagbalete). Travel time is almost an hour.
Resorts in Cagabete
Camp if you like or stay with the locals like what I did. There are few resorts in Cagbalete you can consider: Joven’s Beach Resort, Pansacola Beach Resort and Villa Cleofas among others.
Activities in Cagbalate
Swimming, bird watching, boating, walking along the sand bar during low tide and hopping to Bonsai Island are along the things you can enjoy in Cagbalete.
DON’T FORGET
Remember to always keep our beaches clean. Bring your own trashes back. Do not leave your garbage anywhere in the beach. Be an environment warrior in your own little way.
TOUR OPERATOR
Contact J8 Travel Services should you need a tour operator to arrange a hassle free outing for your family or company this summer. They can arrange programs and team building activities you can enjoy. Email them at travel@j8travelservices.com.
Dominic Rielo Amayun 
i think youve confused the word daytrip with overnight.
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