Travel Cruncher

For those travelers seeking a tropical island with a very typical island atmosphere, Pandan Island is your best answer. It is a tropical island surrounded with flora and fauna with a feel of exclusivity and a very idyllic aura. The island is lies on the West coast of Occidental Mindoro, Central Philippines. The island is blessed with white powdery sand and a long stretch of beach coast. It is similar to the famous, Boracay sans the large crowd of tourists. Pandan Island is more personalized, calm, and soothing. It offers a very quiet and simple vacation YET full of quality and stunning nature wonders. The island can be reached through a 15-minute boat-ride from the town of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. To get to Sablayan, one will take a ferry boat ride from Batangas going to Abra de Ilog then hop on a bus going to Sablayan.

Once in Pandan Island, vacationers can stay at the one and only establishment there which is Pandan Island Resort or even on the neighboring resorts in Puerto Galera. Tourists can enjoy the full-view of the beach along the coastline minus the crowd of people. It totally gives space for full-relaxation and peace of mind. The island surely is an ideal place for people who wants less nuisance and disturbance during a break. The island also boasts of its Apo Reef which is famous for its very colorful marine life. The reef is a no.1 place for divers and beach adventurers. Underneath, the marine life is amazing. It has a wide array of beautiful and colorful fishes and corals. The reef also has shipwrecks which had flora growing on it adding an appealing feature for the divers. One can also just laze around the coastline in a hammock or simply on the sand watching the breathtaking sunrise or sunset of Pandan Island. This little island getaway indeed has bigger things to offer to its visitors.

img src

Tags: Asia, beach, beach destination, pandan island, Philippines, relaxation, relaxing vacation, south east asia, white beaches, white sand

Dakak Beach is considered to be the diving Mecca in Mindanao. It is known for its key features for a marvelous shaped by and find powdery white sand. It has the azure blue waters, amazing underwater sight of coral reefs, and the majestic sunset scope. It has 15 hectares of land and a 750-meter private white-sand beach. It is located on the tip of Northern Zamboanga. It faces the Sulu Sea in the west and mountains on the east side. Since Dakak is surrounded by large island, it avoids typhoons making the Dakak safe for all seasons to embark on.

Dakak, famous for its astonishing diving spots has a good number of diving sites such as Liuay Rock, The Caves, Mushroom Wall, The Gardens, Cesar’s Reef, The Wreck, Octopus Wall, Buchok’s Reef, Challenger Reef, Romy’s Reef, and Eskuelahan. These diving sites have different levels of ease. It also differs on the underwater sightings one can see. The best time to dive in Dakak is from March until September. Dakak dive sites in the beach resort provide a variety of environment from gradual slopes to coral thickets, vertical walls and caves. Marine life is assorted. Some spots are thick with soft coral growth and huge basket sponges, others with schools of jacks, surgeons, and small reef inhabitant.

How to get there

There are regular flights departing from Manila going to Dipolog City. Or one can also take the fast ferry to Dapitan City via Cebu City. Once in Dipolog Airport or Dapitan Landing stage, visitors are escorted to the resort via private coach to Dapitan then transferring to a private motor take-off.
The newest hit of the town is Dapitan, Dakak. It is becoming a popular diving spot. The city is well-known as the place wherein Rizal, the national hero, was exiled for four years. It is located on the northwestern coast of Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao Philippines.

img src

Tags: adventure, Asia, beach, coral reefs, dakak, dive, diving, diving mecca, diving spot, mindanao, Philippines, pools, south east asia, swimming

Siargao Island is located in Surigao del Norte; situated at 800 kilometers southeast of Manila. It has a land area of approximately 437 kilometers. The island is shaped in an unusual way; it is shaped in tear-drop. Siargao is characterized of white sand beaches and reefs. The island is surrounded with coconut palms and to the other side of it lies a remarkable white sand bar called the Pansukian or Naked Island. The white sand bar has an area of 200 meters long. Siargao is also known as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines” due to its world-renowned Cloud 9 waves. Surfing is best during August to November with the southwest “habagat” monsoon.

Cloud 9 wave has been known to surfers and to the world through its thick, hollow tubes. It is also a place known to surfers with cheap accommodation suitable to their budgets especially for the adventurers-on-the-go. Although there are also other quality waves aside from Cloud 9; but Cloud 9 is the only wave easily accessible without a boat. This right-breaking reef wave is the site of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.

How to get there

There are two ways going to Siargao. First is by a domestic flight from Manila, Philippines (capital city of the Philippines) and then by boat to Siargao Island. The other way is thru Cebu City going directly to Siargao Island; this is the most convenient way to get there.

img src

Tags: Asia, beach, cloud 9, cloud nine, Philippines, siargao, siargao island, south east asia, surf adventure, surfing, surfing capital, waves

El Nido, Palawan named as Philippines’ Final Frontier. Many have said that once you have reached the destination, you’ll know the answer why it’s considered as it.  It has a mystical feel; it is like paradise on earth. El Nido boasts of its earthly wonders and its divine nature. The place is surrounded with the most beautiful beach. It also has the perfect cliffs and interesting caves leading to hidden beach hangouts. The place also is a known exploration for divers. It has 30 dive sites for varying levels of experience ranging from first-timers to the more advanced divers. El Nido is also the ideal for island hopping. Hop on to your boats and bring on some cool booze and sumptuous fresh foods and you’re up for a ride to Bacuit Bay. The whole tour and experience sums up to an inspirational full-time relaxation. It only not rejuvenates ones physical body but also the inner being.

El Nido is a popular spot especially during Holy Week. Given that the Philippines is Catholic in majority; people dig in for a divine experience or purely fun during the Lenten season. Usually, it is the best time for beach outings. So, local and foreign tourists divulge on El Nido, Palawan at these times. In time for the spiritual awakening, physical de-stressing, and also, some culture-sight-seeing since there are a lot of festivities and rituals being observed by the Filipinos during the Holy Week. Foreigners are intrigued and entertained by the richness of the Filipino culture.

El Nido is surely a great way to escape from reality and break into paradise, The Philippines’ Last Frontier. El Nido is about 430 kilometers southwest of Manila, about 238 northwest of Puerto Princesa, capital city of Palawan.

img src

Tags: Asia, beach, catholic, diving, el nido, el nido palawan, holy week, island, palawan, paradise, Philippines, puerto princesa, southeast asia, the last frontier

Think about a clean and green island, that’s the 238 sq. Kilometer-land area of Camiguin island. It is located 10 kilometers off the coast of Misamis Oriental, Philippines. Camiguin belongs is located at Northern Mindanao of the Philippines. Camiguin is a spic-and-span island and a green-island since it is full of natural bounty.

Camiguin Island is said to be “Born of Fire” since it has seven volcanoes in it. The island is known for its beauty especially on its diving spot. It is considered as one of the best (Top 7) diving spot in the world, identified by the Department of Tourism.

Camiguin is a natural island endowed with so much beauty. It is a virtual paradise since visitors are able to enjoy and interact with the natural beauty. With its lush forests, majestic waterfalls, seren surroundings, adventurous mountains, and best-in-the-world beaches and diving spots. Surely, the island is well-endowed with its flora and fauna.

How to get to Camiguin Island

One can take the airplane transport from Cebu to Camiguin Island. It has a regular schedule. Once, one arrives on this paradise island; one can go around the 64-kilometer circumferential road in just an hour and a half with a public or private service.

Camiguenos are known to be hardworking, friendly, very hospitable, and charming people so toursits will always feel welcome and entertained on the island. Camiguin is also know for its fruit, Lanzones. It is a small juicy fruit with a sweet taste. Never fail to have a taste of this fruit whenever you are in Camiguin. Enjoy!

img src

Tags: Asia, beach, camiguin, Camiguin island, dive, diving spots, island, paradise, Philippines, sand bar, southeast asia, sunken cemetery, virtual paradise, volcanoes, white sand

Amanpulo beachfront

Amanpulo which means peaceful island is very true to its name. The resort is located in Pamalican Island of Palawan, Philippines. It is a 5.5 kilometer and 90 hectare private island full of nature’s boastful beauty. The island is situated among the Cuyo group of islands in Southern Philippines. Pamalican is also endowed and surrounded with a seven-hectare powder white sand and azure blue and green hues of seawater. This is one of the Philippines‘ best island resorts known for their no. 1 personalized and excellent customer service within a very private island all yours on your stay.

As guests arrive on the island, the staff personally greets them and welcomes them escorting them to their cable car which will serve as the ride for the guests’ entire stay. The accommodations are bahay-kubo inspired to maintain the local feel and signify the secludedness of the island. Each casitas are carefully designed and gives one the luxurous feel. Every staff welcomes you with a smile and serves you like you are part of the royal family. They can even remember guest names even though names are less (if not) mentioned on the island. The staff of the resort is world-class in terms of personal touch and customized service.

take a peek on what’s inside the cabanitas

On the island, one of the main activities to look forward to is the deep-sea diving with a chance to see sharks and rays underwater. One can also experience a romantic dinner on top of the mountain overlooking the whole island with your own chef to accommodate you and a guitarist for music. Another is the ultimate sunset cruise with your loved one. There are so many things guests can experience throughout the island. Drive your own cable car and tour the private island and enjoy.

Amanpulo can be reached aboard a 50-minute chartered flight from Manila – the capital city of the Philippines. Sources have also said that Mariah Carey have experienced Amanpulo Resort in Pamalican Island a few years back because of its exclusivity and stellar service.

img src

Tags: amanpulo, Asia, beach, diving, island, mariah carey, palawan, Philippines, privacy, private island, resort, southeast asia

With its azure seawater and luscious green mountains around, Puerto Galera never fails to attract not only local and foreign tourists but as well as local and foreign investors alike. This seemingly small yet wonderful place in Mindoro has flourished throughout the years and at the same time still has preserved the natural beauty it has to offer. Before, this island was just an unexplored territory with only the local residents to enjoy the place but seemingly, now it has quite a number of resorts, hotels, and inns occupying the area to accommodate the tourists. Surely, it signifies the promising beauty Puerto Galera has to show off to the world.

Puerto Galera Sunset

crowd at Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera is located North of Mindoro. It is a first-class municipality so there would be no problems in proper accommodation, utilities, and facilities. The municipality of Puerto Galera is found in Luzon of the Philippine group of islands. It can be reached through a private transfer from the capital city of the Philippines – Manila. Or you can ride on the daily trip of tour buses, public buses then ferry boats at a rate of around $4-14. The trip usually takes 4 to 5 hours.

When around the area, be sure to take advantage of the place. Never miss out its pristine and beautiful beach; its sought-out diving spots; its terrains and mountains ideal for biking and trekking; its naturally striking falls and springs; and all of its nature wonders. One can also never go wrong with the hotels and inns around the place; surely, there is enough choices that would suit your need and want. Make Puerto Galera your next vacation destination!

img src

Tags: Asia, beach, diving, fun, heaven, island, luzon, mindoro, paradise, Philippines, puerto galera, snorkeling, southeast asia, swimming, travel, vacation destination, white sand