Masasa Beach - Travel Guide 2018

Trust me, you'll like it!

Been wanting to spend your summer vacation in a legit white beach near Manila? Tired of asking Google the best Masasa Beach itinerary for 2018? Wait no more as it is only 3-4 hours away, I present to you, Masasa Beach! On this blog, we will help you organize your tour, give you an idea about the budget and give you the DIY itinerary that we just recently use!

ABOUT MASASA BEACH

Masasa Beach is located in Tingloy, Batangas - specifically in Barangay San Juan. Aside from their Boracay-ish white sands, you will also enjoy island hopping as other beautiful islands are surrounding Masasa Beach such as Oscar Beach, Sombrero Island and other coves around Maricaban Island.

Masasa Beach, a long stretch of white sand

HOW TO GET TO MASASA BEACH

We suggest that you leave Manila as early as you can to avoid; traffic, port lines and you'll get to try and enjoy the famous Batangas Lomi while you wait for your boat ride.

There are a couple of jump-off points when you are in Manila. The easiest one is via JAM Liner bus going to Batangas Grand Terminal (don't confuse this with Batangas Port) either on their Buendia-Taft terminal (PHP157) or Cubao terminal (PHP165). You can also take the Alps bus in Cubao or Alabang. Travel time is around 3 hours or so. Be at your most comfortable as traveling from this point will be sweat-dropping.

(PRO-TIP: Make sure to get a bus with CALABARZON sign on it as it will pass almost all towns in Batangas making your trip incredibly shorter)

Once you're in Batangas Grand Terminal, take a jeepney going to Anilao Port (PHP40). It's 45 minutes to 1-hour ride so before you hop on, get your pee break, stuff those hungry stomachs and stretch your legs while you're in Batangas Grand Terminal.

At Anilao Port, head directly to the ticketing booth where you will pay for the environmental fee (PHP30) and you can also ask the ETA of the boats, they are very kind and will help you in your inquiries so don't fret and ask away.

If you still have the time or if you're still waiting for the boat, you may try the following:

• Try out their Batangas Lomi (PHP35-40) - since you will be arriving early, this will be a great breakfast to start out your day. Don't be misguided with the price as you will get a big bowl of serving, topped with generous amount chicharon, squid, and fishballs and chorizo!

Batangas Lomi (PHP40)

• Not a fan of Lomi? Try their Pancit Guisado (PHP50) - it is pretty much a fiesta on a plate. Not only that you get a generous amount of pancit,  but you'll also get a load of everything on top of it. For PHP50, why not?

Pancit Guisado (PHP50)

• Buy your raw produce in their wet market - trust me, this saved our cheap ass. You can also buy styro-coolers ranging from PHP150-350 depending on the size and tons of cube ice to preserve your raw produce. The wet market gives plenty of options ranging from meat, poultry, and fishes. You can also buy easy to cook goods like a salted egg, hotdogs, tinapa and dilis. As much as possible buy everything in the port as prices on the island are doubled.

(PRO-TIP: Make sure that you haggle, don't be shy! Also, if you don't want to buy a cooler, almost all of the transient house has a fridge on them)

(PRO-TIP: Bring your own cooler or if you don't have one, you can get this Orocan 30L cooler in Lazada at a very cheap price)

• Stock-up water or don't - this is optional, there's a misconception regarding Masasa Beach. They do have clean water supply there so it's up to you if you will purchase in Anilao or not.

(PRO-TIP: If you don't want to cook once you arrive in Tingloy, better buy something like cooked viands and rice in the carinderia's at Anilao Port and eat it once you arrive in your homestay)

The schedule for the boats going to Tingloy are as follows (these schedules are for reference and may change without prior notice, especially this summer season):

• Anilao Port to Tingloy Port schedule (PHP80): 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM (last trip)
• Tingloy Port to Anilao Port schedule (PHP80): 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM and 2:30 PM (last trip)

When you arrive at Tingloy Port, you will immediately see a line of tricycles that can take you to your destination.

Let's talk about the place where you can stay in Masasa Beach, Tingloy. You have plenty of options but I recommend Lanie Ilaya Transient, as they offer a room for PHP350/head and they are very hospitable and will treat you as a family member. They also have a fridge, a big patio, and a sari-sari store. Also, take note that the electricity in Tingloy is from 12PM-12AM only, generators will kick in from 12AM-5AM. Make sure to charge up your gadgets by then because you wouldn't want an empty battery camera. I'll list down all known contacts below:

• Lanie Ilaya Transient
• +639287407264
• PHP350/head
• Nanay Rosie Transient
• +639196864368 | +639959863780
• PHP300/head
• RNV Transient House
• +639357385701 | +639506868480
• PHP300/head

(PRO-TIP: Bring a power bank if you have an arsenal of gadgets with you. I personally brought two power banks just-in-case. I recommend Pineng's 20k MAH power bank as it's very affordable and 20k MAH for a low price of PHP970, it's worth it)

To set your expectations, the only transient house located in Masasa Beach is Nanay Rosie's Transient and they are always fully booked, better contact them firsthand and book in advance. Most of the transients can be found in Poblacion (bayan) and you need to walk 10-15 minutes to get to the beach. Should you choose Lanie Ilaya Transient, you can ride a tricycle (PHP15) to the beach where you will just walk 3-5 minutes.

THINGS TO DO IN MASASA BEACH

You won't find it hard to find a boatman or information regarding the activities in Masasa Beach. Boatmen will surely approach you if you want to go island hopping or snorkeling. I think the regular price for a small boat rental for 4 hours is PHP1,500 which is good for 3 person which includes island hopping and snorkeling. You may haggle for a little discount and time extension. If you can secure a boat, you may visit Maricaban Island and its coves, Sepoc Island, Oscar Beach and Sombrero Island (which you will need to pay PHP200 for the entrance fee).

(PRO-TIP: It's highly recommended that you buy a pair of aqua shoes as the aplaya going to the main beach is very rocky)

(PRO-TIP: We recommend that you bring your own tent, preferably a small one for you to have a shade when you're chilling at the beach. Check this 4-Person Dome Camping Tent)

Sepoc Island's pristine water

Sepoc Island's white beach sand

If you are feeling a little adventurous, you can hike the Mag-Asawang Bato rock formation for 2-3 hours and get those #goals Instagramable pictures although you are required to hire a guide. There is no definite fee but you may give them a tip and treat them some food, remember, be friendly.

You may also try Banana Boat and Inflatable Playground situated near Nanay Rosie's Transient. Or just pitch a tent, relax and enjoy the beach.

THINGS TO BRING

Here's a quick rundown of some helpful items (and the links where you can purchase a good quality one) that I've personally use on this trip, again this are just a reference:

1. Orocan 30L cooler - for your raw produce, beverages, and ice.
2. Trash bags - use for a couple of stuff i.e. use as cover to separate the items inside your cooler, as a "trash bag", gadget protector, shade, blanket, a magic carpet.
3. Vakind Surf Aqua Beach Sports Water Shoes - trust me, you will thank me for this. I saw a lot of people struggling to walk on their way to the beach.
4. 4-Person Dome Camping Tent - one of the best decisions I've ever made. There are a couple of trees in Masasa Beach which makes taking a shaded spot like a fight for your life scenario.
5. Belo SunExpert Tinted Sunscreen SPF50 PA++++ 50ml - I highly recommend that you purchase this specific brand in Lazada because; in Watsons the 10ml costs PHP450 while you can get the same brand in 50ml for the same price!
6. Popcorn Kakool 20L Waterproof Bag - I am personally using this one as it comes with a free waterproof waist bag and a waterproof phone case. There are different ways to carry it as well: hand-carry, single-shoulder, backpack, and cross-body.
7. Pineng's 20k MAH Power bank - nothing is worse than going to the beach with your camera/phones almost empty right? With Pineng's 20000 MAH power bank you will not worry about your gadgets running out of juice.

IMPORTANT NOTES

We are all grown-ups and as a Filipino, we need to be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of our beaches, not only Masasa Beach but all of our natural habitats as we are only visiting them. In-line with that, below are our WTFChecklist:

1. Do not litter anywhere, they have designated trashbags/bins around.
2. Respect the local community, you are a visitor, remember that.
3. Treat everyone with respect, when I mean everyone, this includes mother nature.
4. Take nothing.
5. Leave nothing.
6. Destroy nothing.

This concludes WTF's Masasa Beach Travel Guide, hope you guys like it! Want more travel guides and other fun stuff? Subscribe to our blog and share this guide, remember, sharing is caring. I'll list down our personal 2D1N Masasa Beach Itinerary below.

MASASA BEACH 2D1N ITINERARY 2018

• DAY 1

• 5:00 AM - PHP165 - ETD JAM Liner Cubao Terminal
• 8:00 AM -------------- ETA Batangas Grand Terminal
• 8:20 AM - PHP40 - ETD Jeepney to Anilao Port
• 9:15 AM -------------- ETA Anilao Port
• 9:15 AM - PHP500 - Breakfast, grocery for raw produce, rice, dry goods, pay for the Environmental Fee PHP30
• 10:30 AM - PHP80 - ETD Anilao Port
• 11:30 AM ------------- ETA Tingloy Port
• 11:30 AM - PHP30 - ETD Lanie Ilaya Transient
• 11:45 AM ------------- ETA Lanie Ilaya Transient - rest and recover, unpack, cook, eat. Before you leave and go to the beach, tell them what needs to be cooked for dinner so that they can prepare it in advance.
• 1:30 PM --------------- Beach activities, pictorial, relax, remember to bring snacks along the way.
• 7:00 PM --------------- ETA Lanie Ilaya Transient - dinner, socialize, drink
• 10:00 PM -------------- Lights-off

• DAY 2

• 5:30 AM --------------- Breakfast, prepare for pack-up and bring essentials for island hopping. Before you leave, tell them what needs to be cooked for lunch so that they can prepare it in advance.
• 6:00 AM - PHP500 - Island hopping, relax by the beach (find 2 more people, divide the charter charge to 3)
• 12:00 NN - PHP350 - ETA Lanie Ilaya Transient - wash-up, lunch, prep to go home, pay
• 1:30 PM - PHP30 - ETD Lanie Ilaya Transient
• 1:50 PM ------------ ETA Tingloy Port
• 2:00 PM - PHP80 - ETD Boat to Anilao Port
• 2:45 PM ------------ ETA Anilao Port
• 2:55 PM - PHP40 - ETD Jeepney to Batangas Grand Terminal
• 3:45 PM ------------ ETA Batangas Grand Terminal
• 3:55 PM - PHP165 - ETD Bus to Manila
• 6:30 PM ------------ ETD Manila

• TOTAL EXPENSES INCLUDING FOOD & DRINKS: PHP2,000