I’ve heard about Masasa Beach in Tingloy, Batangas from travel bloggers friends a few years ago.  That time, Masasa Beach was still a secret beach of the locals and of mountaineers climbing the nearby Gulugud Baboy.  Today, Masasa Beach has carved its own name, attracting hordes of travelers and weekend campers.  I’d been curious about Masasa Beach, so recently, to celebrate the birthday of my good friend Yoshke, we decided to embark on an impromptu trip to Batangas and included Masasa Beach in our DIY itinerary.  Here’s my Masasa Beach  DIY Travel Guide blog to help you plan your trip this 2018.

ABOUT MASASA BEACH

Masasa Beach is situated in Brgy. San Juan in the town of Tingloy, Batangas, which is primarily composed of Maricaban Island and Caban Island.  Masasa Beach is also a popular sidetrip after diving in Anilao, Batangas since the latter is known for its marine life yet lacks white sandy beaches. Just rent a large outrigger boat (good for 10 -15 persons) from Anilao Port (See details below). From Masasa Beach, you can also rent a small outrigger boat for island hopping (good for 3 persons) that will take you to Oscar Beach, Sombrero Island and other beaches and coves sprinkled around Maricaban Island.

MASASA BEACH DIY TRAVEL GUIDE

HOW TO GET TO MASASA BEACH FROM MANILA

MANILA TO ANILAO PORT, BATANGAS

To get to Masasa Beach, from Manila, ride a bus to Batangas Grand Terminal. Preferably take the bus with signboard CALABARZON for a shorter transit as this will not pass by the towns of Lipa, Tanauan, etc., thus avoiding the traffic in the said towns. We took a Jam Liner bus at Buendia-Taft Terminal near Buendia LRT Station.  You may also take a bus like Alps Bus in EDSA-Kamuning terminal in Cubao or South Station in Alabang.  Bus fare is PHP 157 (USD 3/SGD 4/MYR 13) from Buendia, PHP 165 (USD 3/ SGD 4/ MYR 14) from Cubao and PHP 127 (USD 3/ SGD 3 / MYR 11) from Alabang.  Travel time is roughly 2.5 – 3 hours.

Get off at Batangas Grand Terminal.  Take a jeepney to  Anilao Port or Tingloy Port. Usually, during the rainy season (July to November) if the waves are too strong in Anilao Port, they transfer the boats to Talaga Port in Mabini, Batangas.  Jeepney fare to Anilao Port is PHP 37 (USD 0.73/SGD 1/ MYR 3). Travel time is about 45 minutes.

ANILAO PORT/ TALAGA PORT TO TINGLOY PORT/MASASA BEACH

 OPTION 1

  (BY PUBLIC BOAT)

At Anilao Port, ride the passenger boat to Tingloy Port.  Boat is PHP 80 (USD 2/SGD 2/MYR 8).  Travel time is roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour. Pay the Environmental Fee of PHP 30 (USD 0.59/ SGD 0.82/ MYR 3) per person.

Anilao Port/ Talaga Port to Tingloy Port boat trip schedule: 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM (last trip).

Tingloy Port to Anilao Port boat trip schedule: 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM and 2:30 PM (last trip).

*Boat schedule may change without prior notice. Ask your homestay or the locals to make sure you don’t miss the last trip.

*Reportedly, there is a boat that can pick up passengers at Masasa Beach at around 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.  But there is no definite schedule, so to make sure, verify the trip schedule with your homestay or the locals.

At Tingloy Port, charter a tricycle to your homestay or to the trailhead to Masasa Beach (rice field area).  Tricycle fare is PHP 60 (USD 1/SGD 2/ MYR 5), good for 4 pax.  So if you are alone, you still need to pay PHP 60 or better yet, find other tourists to share the cost. Travel time is about 5 minutes.

TOTAL COST (roundtrip): PHP 693 (USD 14.54 / SGD 18.41 / MYR 55 ), excluding food and accommodation.

OPTION 2 

(BY CHARTERED BOAT)

At Anilao Port or Talaga Port, you can rent a large outrigger boat for a day trip to Masasa Beach.  Standard rate is PHP 4,500 (USD 89/ SGD 122/ MYR 382), good for 10 persons. If you do this, you can also drop by at Sombrero Island, entrance fee is PHP 200 (USD 4 / SGD 5/ MYR 17) and other beaches in Maricaban Island like Oscar Island along the way.  Talk to your boatman because some boatmen usually charge extra PHP 500 (USD 10 / SGD 14/ MYR 42).

TOTAL COST (roundtrip): PHP 918 (USD 18. SGD 25/ MYR 78), supposing you are 10 in the group and you will share the cost of the chartered boat (PHP 500 each) to Masasa Beach.

THINGS TO DO IN MASASA BEACH

SWIMMING AND SNORKELING

Masasa Beach has powdery cream sand and the best part is, it is perfect for swimming because the sea bottom is sandy not rocky.  Not to mention that the azure water is crystal clear!

You can snorkel in Masasa Beach too, bring your own snorkeling mask and aqua shoes.

MASASA BEACH ISLAND HOPPING

Boatmen may approach you offering island hopping.  They are holding cardboards with photos of different beaches and coves around Maricaban Island.  They are usually sitting under the shade of coconut trees near the sari-sari store.

You can charter small boat for island hopping in Masasa Beach for PHP 1,500 (USD 30/ SGD 41/ MYR 127), good for 3 persons. Usually includes Sombrero Island, Oscar Beach and small coves in Maricaban Island. There’s a PHP 200 (USD 4/ SGD 5/ MYR 17) entrance fee for Sombrero Island, it’s a good spot for snorkeling.

TREK MAG-ASAWANG BATO

For the adventurous, you can climb the nearby Mag-asawang Bato rock formation for about 2 hours.  Hiring a guide is required.

 MASASA BEACH SIDETRIPS:

SEPOC ISLAND 

SOMBRERO ISLAND

OSCAR ISLAND

 GULUGUD BABOY

ALSO READ: SEPOC ISLAND + SOMBRERO ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE

WHERE TO STAY IN MASASA BEACH

There are no resorts in Masasa Beach, we stayed at Eagle Point Resort in Anilao and chartered a boat from there to Masasa Beach, Sepoc Island and Sombrero Island.

Eagle Point Beach and Dive Resort
Barrio Bagalangit, Mabini, Anilao, Batangas, Philippines

CHECK ROOM RATES  HERE

FIND OTHER RESORTS IN ANILAO HERE

But travelers planning to stay overnight at Masasa Beach usually go for homestay near Masasa Beach.  Camping is no longer allowed in Masasa Beach, you can a pitch tent in the morning until 7:00 PM only.

Here’s a list of Masasa Beach Homestay:

Tre Bale Vista Inn (Tingloy Poblacion) 

Contact #: 0917 922 1088

Room rates: PHP 250 (USD 5/ SGD 7/ MYR 21) – PHP 350 (USD 7/ SGD 10/ MYR 30) per person

Mandanas Homestay (Tingloy Poblacion)

 Contact #: 0917 82 55513

 Room rates: PHP 200 (USD 4/ SGD 5/ MYR 17)per person (3 persons above)

PHP 500 (good for two persons)

Carmen and Ruben’s Homestay

+63 975 715 7232

*Will update this list soon.

MASASA BEACH ITINERARY WITH EXPENSES

Here’s my sample itinerary for Masasa Beach day trip and sample itinerary for Masasa Beach overnight trip with budget.  Feel free to tweak it depending on your travel schedule and budget.

(MASASA BEACH DAY TRIP ITINERARY 2018)

*Total expenses if you follow the above Masasa Beach itinerary is roughly PHP 693 (USD 14.54 / SGD 18.41 / MYR 55 ). Food and drinks not included.

(MASASA BEACH OVERNIGHT ITINERARY 2018)

**Total expenses if you follow the above itinerary is roughly PHP 881 (USD 17/ SGD 24/ MYR 75).  If you want to do the island hopping from Masasa Beach, add additional PHP 1,500 (USD 30/ SGD 41/ MYR 127), good for 3 persons. Food and drinks not included.

MASASA BEACH BUDGET

Here’s a summary of the possible expenses in Masasa Beach.

MASASA BEACH TRAVEL TIPS

⊗ Please do not litter.  Bring a garbage bag and do not leave your trash there, take them with you and dispose them properly! During our last visit, garbage everywhere was horrifying. Glad to hear that the LGU recently encouraged a clean-up drive in Masasa Beach.

⊗ Wear comfortable shoes for walking and aqua shoes for swimming.

⊗ Bring your own snorkeling gear.

⊗ Electricity shuts off at 12:00 midnight until 12:00 noon.  But sometimes, could be earlier 10:00 PM. So make sure you’ve charged your phone and camera.  Some homestay may charge extra for charging.

⊗ Bring powerbank, flashlight, umbrella, sunblock, mosquito repellent and toiletries if you plan to stay overnight in Masasa Beach.

⊗ If you’re only in Masasa Beach for a day trip, there’s  a small rest room that you can use with a minimal fee or pay around PHP 25 (USD 0.49/ SGD 0.68 / MYR 2) for the use of bathroom to shower and PHP 10 for toilet use at local residence.

⊗ Bring your own tent, otherwise you can rent at the store or at Mandanas Homestay for around PHP 200 (USD 4/ SGD 5/ MYR 17) good for 2 persons, PHP 300 (USD 6/ SGD 8/ MYR 28) good for 3 persons, PHP 400 good for 4-6 persons.

⊗ You can buy fresh produce and food near Anilao Port and cook it at your homestay for a minimal fee.  There’s also a market near Talaga Port.

⊗ Check the weather updates before proceeding especially during habagat season (July to November).

⊗ You can bring your car and leave it at Anilao Port. Overnight parking fee is PHP 100 (USD 2/ SGD 8/ MYR 3).

⊗ Masasa Beach is child-friendly, just make sure you watch over them.

⊗ Do not leave Tingloy without trying the Batangas lomi!  We tried the lomi at a rustic eatery near Anilao Port.

ALSO READ:

THINGS TO DO IN SAN JUAN BATANGAS

LOBO,  BATANGAS

STILTS CALATAGAN BATANGAS

MANUEL UY BEACH RESORT TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary) 2018

SEPOC ISLAND ITINERARY

PUERTO GALERA TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary)

PUERTO GALERA THINGS TO DO

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About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.

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