Smart Backpacker: Gumasa White Beach

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Top Beaches in Mindanao (A Review)

It's Summer! And as always, a trip to the beach is simply inevitable! Well, these are the best beaches in Mindanao only. This is a simple review of the beaches that I have visited. I hope this will help you pick the right beach for your vacation.. =)

My personal rating
1 - highest/best
5 - worst

Camiguin (White Island)
best choice!

Travel Time from Manila - By plane only, 1 hour and 20 minutes (either you start from Bohol, Butuan or Cagayan De Oro)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Bohol or Cagayan De Oro, ferry to Camiguin, tricycle to the resort, pumpboat to the island
Proximity from Manila - #1 (nearest to Manila)
Accommodation - plenty of resorts (best choice is Paras Beach Resort)
Expenses - #3
Food - #3
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - resort only
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - #1 (best reason) trekking, snorkeling, hiking, island hopping, nature photography
Serenity/Paradise - #1 (best reason)

Primary Reason - plenty of tourist spots to choose from ranging from falls, beach, islands, cave, etc.. peace and order is excellent

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mesmerized-in-camiguin.html

Dakak, Zamboanga Del Norte

Travel Time from Manila - By plane only, 1 hour and 25 minutes (either you land in Dipolog or Ozamis)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Dipolog, van or tricycle to Dapitan City
Proximity from Manila - #3
Accommodation - #1 (best reason)
Expenses - #2
Food - #1 (best reason) it has 2 restaurants inside the resort
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - YES (it has its own bar)
Drinking spree - resort has its own
Multitude of People - #1 (best reason) only a few
Adventure - #1 (best reason) it has its own facilities for water sports/activities
Serenity/Paradise - #2

Primary Reason - water sports and activities, food

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/experience-dakak.html

Island Garden City of Samal (Paradise Resort), Davao

Travel Time from Manila - by plane, 1 hour and 43 minutes (Davao International Airport)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Davao City, taxi to the port, pumpboat to the island
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #1 (best reason)
Expenses - #4
Food - #1 (best reason)
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - minimal
Multitude of People - #4
Adventure - snorkeling, spelunking in the outskirts, island hopping
Serenity/Paradise - #3

Primary Reason - peace and order is excellent, you are safe here

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/island-garden-city-of-samal.html

Pearl Farm, Samal Island, Davao

www.etravelpilipinas.com

Travel Time from Manila - by plane, 1 hour and 43 minutes (Davao International Airport)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Davao, van or car ride provided by the resort, pumpboat to the island provided by the resort
Proximity from Manila - #4
Accommodation - #1 (best reason)
Expenses - #5
Food - #2
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - resort only
Multitude of People - #2
Adventure - only in the island
Serenity/Paradise - #2

Primary Reason - You can enjoy your privacy in this island

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/island-garden-city-of-samal.html

Gumasa White Beach, Sarangani

Travel Time from Manila - by plane, 1 hour and 45 minutes (General Santos Airport)
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - plane to Gensan, van to Sarangani, tricycle or habal-habal to the resort
Proximity from Manila - # 5 (farthest)
Accommodation - #3
Expenses - #4
Food - #2
White Sand - YES
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - resort only
Multitude of People - #1 (only a few)
Adventure - minimal #5
Serenity/Paradise - #2

Primary Reason - it's the farthest white beach in the Philippines from Manila

Related link -

http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/gumasa-white-beach-in-sarangani.html

Siargao (Cloud Nine, General Luna)

Travel Time from Manila - by plane either to Surigao City or direct to Siargao, 1 hour and 40 minutes
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - Plane to Siargao, habal-habal to the beach / If you landed in Surigao - plane to Surigao, multi-cab ride to the pier, pumpboat to the island, habal-habal to the resort

Proximity from Manila - #2
Accommodation - #1 (best reason)
Expenses - #3
Food - #1
White Sand - minimal
Nightlife - YES
Drinking spree - YES
Multitude of People - #3
Adventure - Surfing, kite surfing (anything that involves waves!)
Serenity/Paradise - #1

Primary Reason - Surfing capital in the Philippines, the boardwalk is very romantic

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/siargao-surfing-capital-of-philippines.html

Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City

Travel Time from Manila - by plane Zamboanga City, 1 hour and 45 minutes
Mode of transportation before you reach the beach - Plane to Zamboanga City, tricycle to the port, pumpboat to the island
Proximity from Manila - #5
Accommodation - none (you have to go back to the city)
Expenses - #3
Food - #5 (bring your own)
White Sand - PINK SAND!
Nightlife - none
Drinking spree - none
Multitude of People - #1 (only a handful)
Adventure - It's near Basilan (get the adventure?)
Serenity/Paradise - #1

Primary Reason - it is the only pink sand beach in the Philippines due to the presence of the pipe corral

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-great-sta-cruz-island-zamboanga-city.html

Dahican Beach, Mati. Davao Oriental

Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2015/01/mati-davao-oriental.html

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Gumasa White Beach in Sarangani

December 30, 2012

I have only one day left for my Mindanao tour. My flight to Manila was scheduled December 31, 2012 at 7:35 am.

I have visited Cotabato City, Maguindanao, Lanao Del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Pagadian, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and my last stop was General Santos.

But there was still time, I decided to go to Sarangani.

From Koronadal (Marbel), South Cotabato, I boarded a van and went to General Santos (GenSan) City.

Travel time is approximately one hour and the fare is P65.00.

Reaching GenSan, I alighted at the Gaisano Mall, boarded a tricycle (P8.00) and proceeded to KCC for the van ride to Glan, Sarangani.

I boarded the van and proceeded to Glan, Sarangani.

The fare is P85.00 and from GenSan to Glan, the travel time is 1 hour and 10 minutes or 55 kilometers.

It was already 12 pm when I reached the Alegado Transport Station in Glan, Sarangani.

My first instinct was to take my lunch.Afterwards, I immediately looked for my ride to Gumasa White Beach.

I have two choices for my ride.

Tricycle

or

habal-habal??

I chose the habal-habal and hired it for P300.00 for my round trip to Gumasa Beach Resort.

Our destination are the following:
1. Isla Jardin
2. White Haven
3. Davak Ridge Resort

It took us 30 minutes before we reached our first destination.

Isla Jardin

Contact No. (083) 893-0032
   Mobile - (0919) 768 7544
                       (0906) 765 2174

         Suite Room - P2,000 (2 pax)
         Deluxe Fan - P1,300 (4 pax)
         De Luxe Aircon - P2,500
         Open Cottage - P400 - 600

Second Stop -

White Haven

Bigkat room - P4,900
Pagoda - P3,500
SQ - P2,500
Sigay P2,000

Contact Nos. (083) 826-9139
0920 - 947-9148

Last stop -

Davak Ridge Beach Resort

Contact Nos. (083) 552-4490; 552-6539; 826-0719
Mobile - 0909-501-4294; 0923-590-9502; 0927-421-7672

Open cottage - P500.00
Pavilion with videoke - P1,500
Stage - P1,000
Close aircon cottage - P2,000