The “majestic waves” of Puraran Beach.

Puraran was discovered more than 20 years ago as a surfing spot because of the powerful waves that break into the corals 100 to 200 meters from the beach. Because the beach is public, there are no luxurious accommodations; but only cottages with the basic facilities. A Japanese group had invested in improving the site. They built cottages of single occupancy, a dining hall and a surfing area for sports enthusiasts. Puting Baybay and Majestic are the only resorts here. Puraran has apparently received the name “Majestic” from appreciative local and international tourists. The beach is white and seen from afar the panoramic view is simply superb.

Where is it anyway?

It is a public beach just like the other beaches in the province located just an hour and a half from Virac, the capital of the Catanduanes.

Malapascua Island in Cebu

Malapascua Island is well-known for watersports leisure, and scuba diving in the Visayas Region. The main scuba dive sites are, Shark Point where tresher sharks can be seen almost every morning. Seldom there are also hammerheads and manta rays spotted. Lapus Lapus dive location is rock formation down to 20 meters and there are also beautiful soft corals with small reef fish and also forgfishes, lionfishes, scorpionfishes and nudibranches. The Malapascua Lighthouse is a good dive site for night dives. There are also many sponges, scorpionfishes, seahorses, lionfishes and frogfishes to see too. Gato Island is 40 minutes by boat. There are many dive spots around the island; one includes a cave to dive through.

Malapascua also called Logon is located about 8 km. north-east of Cebu mainland and 25 km. west of Leyte.

How to get to Malapascua.

Malapascua is located only 8 km off the north coast of Cebu, in the Philippine Visayas. Tourists must endure a dusty, bumpy three-hour bus ride from Cebu City to Maya, followed by a 45-minute banca trip.

You can get there with buses like “Cebu Autobus”, D´Rough Riders”, “Air-Con” from Cebu to Maya. D´Rough Riders”, “Air-Con” buses leave from Cebu City´s Northern bus terminal for Maya at 5 and 6 am. If possible take a direct bus to Maya, because buses that make a detour to Hagnaya allow for 30 minutes extra. The last D´Rough Riders and Cebu Autobus ordinary leave at noon for 4 1/2 hours ride.

Likewise, you can hire a cab or private car from Cebu City to Maya for about Php 3,000. It’s a bit expensive but the 3 or 4 hours of travel will be more enjoyable and you can always make a pit stop to take some pictures along the way.

Honda Bay, Palawan island

Palawan has about 1,770 islands yet one of the least developed holiday destinations in Southeast Asia (Philippines). So far the lack of commercialism has made Palawan very elite, but it is becoming more popular particularly for international divers, as well as voyagers. The ideal place for sun seekers and snorkellers is Honda Bay, which has several islets including Cannon Island, Bat Island and Starfish Island, with coral reefs breaking crystal clear water onto empty, fine white sand beaches. The best months to visit the place are from December to May.

Load up on the summer’s splashiest beach.

The bay is to be found in Sta. Lourdes Tagbanua, Puerto Princesa City. About 12 kilometers east of Puerto Princesa City is Sta. Lourdes dockside where pumpboats could be hired to take tourists to the island of their choice. Some islands require an entrance fee; others are privately owned, thus, permits from the owners are necessary. Sta. Lourdes dockside is 25 minutes away by hired tricycle or jeepney. A pumpboat ride from the dockside to the different islands is from 15 to 50 minutes.

Balinghai Beach in Boracay.

A tiny bay at the northern point of the island, Balinghai is best approached from White Beach on a paraw -wooden sailboat with outriggers. Particularly at sunset, the beach gives you the wonderful sensation of being lost on a tropical isle. There are steps leading up to the resort, but the only people you are likely to run into are your fellow visitors. Adding to the mystery, you may request food and drink by putting your order in a basket. Ring the bell and the basket gets pulled up, later to return with your order. Bungalows with stunning views, privacy and all conveniences await you here. They all over-look a secluded beach, with some bungalows at the top of the steep cliffs surrounding the cove, while others cling to the side of the cliffs. Balinghai Beach is also perfect for snorkelling, as further out in the sea there is a coral garden. A resort on the cliff above the beach offers drinks and food in a funny way.The atmosphere is friendly at this small Boracay Resort, making it ideal for a Boracay vacation.

The Dos Palmas Beach in Palawan.

Dos Palmas, an upscale beach resort in the Puerto Princessa area of Palawan. It’s far enough away to give you the peace and quiet you need to refresh your spirit without any distractions. But it’s well-located, so that you can have your pick of activities. Rich diving spots, abundant with Palawan’s famed marine life, and well-trained staff of activity coordinators will assist those in pursuit of an adventure-filled, active vacation. A Marine Sports Center near the main beach offers a wide array of marine sports equipment for diving, snorkeling, and other water sports. You can go to sleep to the soft whisper of the waves in one of our romantic Bay Cottages, built offshore and over the water. Explore the beautiful coral gardens of Honda Bay and swim with colorful schools of fish at Helen’s Garden.

The ride to Dos Palmas…

Dos Palmas, sun-bathed and sea-sprayed on Arreceffi Island on Honda Bay, is barely an hour’s boat ride from the Santa Lourdes Wharf in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.