Masasa Beach, The Secret Gem of Tingloy

Batangas is a popular destination for a quick and easy getaway from Metro Manila. There’s Puerto Galera which I haven’t been to yet, then there’s Anilao, Calatagan, Nasugbu, San Juan and so on which are among the most popular beach destinations on this first class province. But did you know that despite of these numerous developed destinations in Batangas, there are still some beaches that are untouched from commercialism and developments. Just like where we’ve been to a week ago.

Few months ago, a friend of mine introduced Tingloy Island to me and asked me if I can organize or plan of going to this island with her and some friends. She told me that one of her students told her about the place. Since she doesn’t like the idea of organizing a trip, she passed the duty on me. Upon finding out how pleasing the beach on this island is, I instantly searched for a possible itinerary. Since it is very ideal for a budgeted trip I invited some friends to join us. The more the merrier right?

Tingloy is a fifth-class municipality of Batangas. It comprises primarily of Maricaban Island, as well as Caban Island and other minor islets. One of the most interesting places to visit on this place is the Masasa Beach in Barangay San Juan. It is said that it is one of the most visited beaches here, and it is famous for its white sand and beautiful sunset at the beach’s tip of the coast.  – en.wikipedia.org

When I asked my best friend about the island, she told me she has a cousin who resides there. How fortunate it was for us, it’ll be more convenient for us! I asked her to contact her cousin so to help us with our trip. So she did.

But sadly, a week before the trip my friend of mine backed out because she has some school stuff to do. Booo! Anyway, thank you Carla for introducing this place to me. We still went on with the trip. I have my High school friends and few blogger friends on this getaway.

How to Go to Masasa Beach?

We rode a Jam Liner bus bound to Batangas Pier at Buendia-Taft terminal. We asked the bus conductor to drop us off at Diversion Road. We paid less than PHP 135.00 each for the ride. We planned to take some sleep during the traverse since some of us haven’t gotten any sleep yet since last night but there’s a group of foreigners inside the bus that couldn’t stop talking. All I can hear was their voices talking to each other so loudly, I think they were drunk.

Anyway, in less than two hours we reached Diversion road and there we waited for my other friends. When they arrived, we then rode a jeepney that goes to Talaga Port (jeep with Mabini signboard), fare is PHP 30.00 each. After 45 minutes, we reached the port and there we met our boatman who will take us to Tingloy. We went to the market first to buy food and some items we needed for our overnight camping.

There are passenger boats that goes to Tingloy. It leaves Anilao and Talaga port at 10:30 AM while return trips are scheduled at 6:00 AM from Masasa and 9:00 AM from Tingloy. So since we don’t want to wake up early and leave the island that early, we rented an outrigger boat which could take us to and from Tingloy.

The two-way boat ride costs PHP 2,500. The boat can fit 15 persons utmost. You may contact Kuya Jessie, our boatman, on this number: 09997872200.

The ride from Talaga port to Tingloy lasted for 45 minutes. It wasn’t a smooth ride as waves get bothersome in some points. It was already 10:00 AM when we finally stepped our foot in the island. We were greeted by some locals but since we had our contact already we politely declined their offer.

Masasa Beach at Tingloy Island

After a couple of minutes, we were fetched by two tricycles which were contacted by my best friend’s cousin, Ate Gemma. During our tricycle ride, I can see how quaint this town is. My best friend told me that Tingloy is one of the secluded places in Batangas, and it really shows.

And these views made me excited me as we drove the road to Masasa Beach.

This really wowed me (a month of not having any travel), a secret gem waiting to be explored.

The tricycle ride lasted for about 30 minutes, costs PHP 30.00 each. We were dropped off in an area that seems to be a town. There we were welcomed by Ate Gemma. She then provided us some of the things (utensils and cooking set) we needed for the camping. Not only that, she accompanied us to the beach proper itself.

This reminded me of Diguisit Beach in Baler, Aurora.

It took us about 15 minutes walking in the shore to get to Masasa Beach, easier compared to the downhill hike that I read in some blogs.

Camping at Masasa Beach

We were amused on how pleasing the beach was. The water is so clear, so tempting. The sand is fine but there are parts of the shore that are rocky, but that doesn’t matter.

After minutes of absorbing the view, we then set up our camp and started to cook for lunch. The sun is shining at its peak, it was so hot. Good thing there’s a small cave that served as our shade.

This is by far the hardest camping experience that I ever had. There’s no tree wherein I can at least set up the hammock that I brought and the approximate source of water is at least 10 minutes walk from the shore. No, I’m not complaining. This trip only showed how real camping is. So when we went to the water well area, we already brought everything that have to be cleaned so we can no longer go back and forth. But for your convenience you may asked some locals for a fee to get pale of water.

“Can you see that blue-green roof on the right side? That’s where the water well is.”

One more thing that I liked about Masasa Beach is the rice fields. I don’t know but I’m fond of rice fields maybe because when I was still young I lived in our province where our house is surrounded by rice fields. This just reminded me of my another home.

After we had our lunch, some took a nap, rested for awhile and some started to go crazy over the beach.

There were no other tourists that time aside from us.

The entire stretch of the beach was ours.

Despite of the scorching heat from the sun, we couldn’t resist but to expose ourselves under the sun. After all it is fun under the sun. 😀

I love the water of Masasa Beach. The seabed was fine, the sea was very swimmable (if there’s a word like that).

We walked towards the other end of the shore to see and explore the beach area. We noticed a damaged structure. It seems like it’s an old resort.

We went back to our area then suddenly, boatmen started to sail their sailboats. We wonder where they’re going. It could have been perfect if they sail during sunset.

It was 5:00 PM when I gave up, I felt tired so I took a nap. I missed the entire sunset, good thing I had awaken for a few seconds to take some snap of the sunset view on this beach.

A very lovely golden sunset to end the day. After a few seconds, I went back to my sleep. I woke up just in time for dinner (naka-takas sa mga gawain). 😀

We then lit a bonfire then spent the rest of our night with alcohol, chips, stories and craziness. One of the craziest night ever.

Since I drunk too much that night, I got a hang over the next day. I couldn’t get out from my bed so I forced myself to dip into the water to lessen the headache I’m feeling. And it’s effective.

Anyway, it was already 10:00 AM when we gathered our things and prepared for our departure. We went to Ate Gemma’s house to shower and fixed our things.

We left Masasa Beach with good memories and hopes of coming back. This is one of my travels that I don’t expect it to be that crazy and exciting. It surpassed my expectation. Certainly, it isn’t just the beach alone but the moments with my companions that make this travel very memorable.

I hope the municipality could take some actions on cleaning the surroundings as we noticed that there are wastes (plastic, disposable plates and utensils) scattered around the beach area. The beautiful beach might just end up into waste if the surrounding is unclean. So for campers, visitors and the community of Tingloy let us keep the beach clean. I feel it could be better if the community could charge a minimal fee for campers and visitors of the beach and put this fee in maintaining the place. I think that could be a great help in keeping the area pleasing to the eye.

Going Back

We left the island past noontime. The boat brought us to Anilao port since the current was too strong if we go to the original port that we’ve been. It took us about 1 1/2 hour to get back to the mainland.

At Anilao port, we rode a jeepney going to Diversion Road. Travel time is about 45 minutes with PHP 30.00 fare per person. Then we rode a tricycle going to Grand Terminal. We had some snack first at the terminal since we haven’t had our lunch yet. Afterwards, we rode a bus bound to Metro Manila.

It was already 6:00 PM when I reached home.

It has been a great weekend spent with my high school friends and few blogger friends at Masasa Beach. If you’ll ask how much we spent on this trip, we spent about PHP 1,200.00 per person.

Kuya Jessie
Boatman
Talaga/Anilao to Tingloy
09997872200

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88 Responses

  1. Sharing my aerial shots at Masasa Beach resort. 🙂
    https://youtu.be/DM4ikWvmnhw

  2. Glenn Zubiri says:

    Ang isla kung saan ako lumaki pero never been to those places. Ito ang lugar na kahit na ata sino ang makarating eh sure na me happy thoughts about the place.

  3. Saan po pwede mag-stay near the beach proper na affordable lang? Yung pwede ang 3days and 2 nights stay? May mga makakainan po ba na malapit din?

  4. Saan po pwede mag-stay near the beach proper na affordable lang? Yung pwede ang 3days and 2 nights stay? May mga makakainan po ba na malapit din?

  5. lyn52 says:

    good morning po.have read your reviews/comments.maganda talaga sa batangas.been to several beaches there.
    may i invite you,people to visit our beaches in the north.cabongaoan which is in burgos,pangasinan.cleana nd unspoiled pa po ang beach namain and also the batog beach-for the rock formations and cave.though i don't let my guests go inside the cave.di pa po explored.i will send you photos to have an idea,if ever.may accomodations naman po dun.a/c rooms.
    batog beach for the whole day and cabongaoan beach for the night. if ever,i can arrange your trip.kung bigyan nyo po ako ng tip/fee,half of it will go to the school supplies of our kindergarten.way of saying thankyou dahil sa magagandang buhay ng mga anak ko.hope to hear from you.

  6. lyn52 says:

    good morning po.have read your reviews/comments.maganda talaga sa batangas.been to several beaches there.
    may i invite you,people to visit our beaches in the north.cabongaoan which is in burgos,pangasinan.cleana nd unspoiled pa po ang beach namain and also the batog beach-for the rock formations and cave.though i don't let my guests go inside the cave.di pa po explored.i will send you photos to have an idea,if ever.may accomodations naman po dun.a/c rooms.
    batog beach for the whole day and cabongaoan beach for the night. if ever,i can arrange your trip.kung bigyan nyo po ako ng tip/fee,half of it will go to the school supplies of our kindergarten.way of saying thankyou dahil sa magagandang buhay ng mga anak ko.hope to hear from you.

  7. Sir may idea po ba kayo kung ano oras alis ng passenger boat from tingloy to anilao? Thank you

  8. Sir may idea po ba kayo kung ano oras alis ng passenger boat from tingloy to anilao? Thank you

  9. Roxanne Cruz says:

    Hi po. Ok pa po ba itong place? And may mga rooms for rent po ba if ever? Thank you.

  10. Hi! po as in wala pang nag baba rent nang tent dun>? la po ba ibang accomodation dun?

  11. Hi! po as in wala pang nag baba rent nang tent dun>? la po ba ibang accomodation dun?

  12. Kirk Acebron says:

    Sana dito na lang pala kame instead of Tambobong. Lol

  13. marxtermind says:

    May dala kaming portable stove.

  14. marxtermind says:

    May dala kaming portable stove.

  15. Hi, can I ask po if there is electricity in that island?
    and also if you know po some info about crime rate at the island

  16. Sana maayos ang madatnan namin sa masasa bukas!!! kaya need nila ng community-based tourism program to educate both the community and the tourist how to take care of nature…….sad story of commercialization without strict guidelines and policies is exploitation of natural environment by outsiders who will not reap the destruction they have done to nature…..Wake up tourists!

  17. Sana maayos ang madatnan namin sa masasa bukas!!! kaya need nila ng community-based tourism program to educate both the community and the tourist how to take care of nature…….sad story of commercialization without strict guidelines and policies is exploitation of natural environment by outsiders who will not reap the destruction they have done to nature…..Wake up tourists!

  18. Anonymous says:

    Hi sir Marx nakakalungkot lang na datnan ang masasa na punong puno ng basura and there were some tourist that picked up sea urchin from the sea tapos pinaglaruan lang sa beach well i dont want to sound like a b**** pero nakakaawa lang na tayo mismo ang nageexploit sa sarili nating yaman we respect our neighbors why not respect nature after all pag si inang kalikasan ang gumanti wala tayong palag. I hope sa mga susunod na pupunta would appreciate the place for its remaining beauty and dala po tayo ng trash bag. Andami pong bote na basag, plastics, empty cans of butane, even diapers! Nakakafrustrate lang! Thank you.

    P.S. i hope you include in your future entries how to be a responsible tourist thank you po more power.

  19. Anonymous says:

    hi!taga-tingloy ako and you're blog made me a lot more prouder of my hometown.thanks to you! 🙂
    next time na bumalik ka, try mo mag-tour around the island.marami ka makikita pa na white (unexplored/unblogged) beaches. 🙂

  20. Anonymous says:

    hi!taga-tingloy ako and you're blog made me a lot more prouder of my hometown.thanks to you! 🙂
    next time na bumalik ka, try mo mag-tour around the island.marami ka makikita pa na white (unexplored/unblogged) beaches. 🙂

  21. marxtermind says:

    You may ask the neighbourhood if gusto nyong mag CR! 🙂

  22. marxtermind says:

    You may ask the neighbourhood if gusto nyong mag CR! 🙂

  23. marxtermind says:

    Hi, there's no tent rental in the area. You have to bring your own.

  24. marxtermind says:

    Hi, there's no tent rental in the area. You have to bring your own.

  25. do they have rental tents??? 🙂

  26. do they have rental tents??? 🙂

  27. jjjj449 says:

    sir marx may pwede bang i rent n bahay pag dating dun sa mismong site? or kung pwede mong ibigay ung contact # nung taong contact nyo dun para d naman aq mahirapan puro babae kc kasama ko pag pumunta dyan ilan lng kaming lalake tnx

  28. jjjj449 says:

    sir marx may pwede bang i rent n bahay pag dating dun sa mismong site? or kung pwede mong ibigay ung contact # nung taong contact nyo dun para d naman aq mahirapan puro babae kc kasama ko pag pumunta dyan ilan lng kaming lalake tnx

  29. jjjj449 says:

    marx eh kung camping style ok b dun sa site n napwestuhan nyo? tnx

  30. jjjj449 says:

    marx eh kung camping style ok b dun sa site n napwestuhan nyo? tnx

  31. marxtermind says:

    Si Carla nagsabi sa akin nito pero di sya nakasama sa trip. Hehehe!

  32. marxtermind says:

    Si Carla nagsabi sa akin nito pero di sya nakasama sa trip. Hehehe!

  33. jjjj449 says:

    marx sino pwedeng ma contact pag nag punta kami dyan sa masasa beach saka meron bang pwedeng i rent n bahay kung saka sakali…… leave the # kung sinong pwedeng contact saka klung mag kano rate tnx marx need your answer asap… thank you

  34. jjjj449 says:

    marx sino pwedeng ma contact pag nag punta kami dyan sa masasa beach saka meron bang pwedeng i rent n bahay kung saka sakali…… leave the # kung sinong pwedeng contact saka klung mag kano rate tnx marx need your answer asap… thank you

  35. Nice! Pinagusapan namin kagabi to ng mga kaibgan ko. Nakapunta ka na pala. Hehe gawin kong guide ang blog mo.

  36. Gud evening sir, sa ngaun po ba me mga cottage na kaya dun? and open pa ba to sa public? hndi po ba delikado kung mag stay kame ng ilang days? makakamura po kame? thank you sir..

  37. Gud evening sir, sa ngaun po ba me mga cottage na kaya dun? and open pa ba to sa public? hndi po ba delikado kung mag stay kame ng ilang days? makakamura po kame? thank you sir..

  38. Amm Abe says:

    Sir safe nman po dun siguro diba? walang nang gugulo pag gabi? 🙂 Excited na nga po kmi e.. Sir last question, may contact po ba kayo ng Tricycle dun? o sa port may mga trcycle na po? Thanks sir!

  39. Amm Abe says:

    Sir safe nman po dun siguro diba? walang nang gugulo pag gabi? 🙂 Excited na nga po kmi e.. Sir last question, may contact po ba kayo ng Tricycle dun? o sa port may mga trcycle na po? Thanks sir!

  40. marxtermind says:

    Pag nag tricycle kayo from port, sabihin nyo lang Masasa beach, ibaba naman kayo. It's a community so madami kayo mapagtatanungan don. Enjoy! 🙂

  41. marxtermind says:

    Pag nag tricycle kayo from port, sabihin nyo lang Masasa beach, ibaba naman kayo. It's a community so madami kayo mapagtatanungan don. Enjoy! 🙂

  42. Amm Abe says:

    Sir, I'm currently setting for a trip to Masasa with my friends, And I'm not quite sure kung pano kami makakarating dun sa exact same place you posted to your blog. Ang lupet po kasi nung spot niyo and as a look of it medyo malpit sa well. So, May I kindly ask for your help kung sino po yung pwd naming kontakin para po makaCamp kami dun sa spot nio, and kung san po yung place na yun? marami po bang locals dun? and safe po ba? Please email nio po ako. Thanks sir! God Bless!

  43. Amm Abe says:

    Sir, I'm currently setting for a trip to Masasa with my friends, And I'm not quite sure kung pano kami makakarating dun sa exact same place you posted to your blog. Ang lupet po kasi nung spot niyo and as a look of it medyo malpit sa well. So, May I kindly ask for your help kung sino po yung pwd naming kontakin para po makaCamp kami dun sa spot nio, and kung san po yung place na yun? marami po bang locals dun? and safe po ba? Please email nio po ako. Thanks sir! God Bless!

  44. marxtermind says:

    Hi, what help do you need?

  45. marxtermind says:

    Hi, what help do you need?

  46. Amm Abe says:

    Sir good day, pwd po bang mag patulong, meron po ba kayong marerefer kung sino pwdng mag assist samin from tingloy to beach., really need help here.. Super thanks in advance.. Email nio po ako.. ame_abesamis@yahoo.com

  47. Amm Abe says:

    Sir good day, pwd po bang mag patulong, meron po ba kayong marerefer kung sino pwdng mag assist samin from tingloy to beach., really need help here.. Super thanks in advance.. Email nio po ako.. ame_abesamis@yahoo.com

  48. Anonymous says:

    hello po…isa po ako sa lumaki sa Tingloy. Maganda po ang Masasa beach kaya lang po kulang po yung lugar sa maintenance..kung sa ibang salita po ay Di po natutuunan ng pansin ng mga opisyales. sana nga po mapansin at mapaayos pa lalo ang lugar na yan,..
    PINAGBANDERAHAN- try nio po ang lugar na yan kung gusto nio naman po ng adventure sa pag akyat ng bundok. dyan din po yan sa Tingloy. marami po umaakyat dyan lalo na po pag holy week. makikita nio po ang buong view mula sa taas ng mga nakapaligid na isla pa dito

  49. Anonymous says:

    hello po…isa po ako sa lumaki sa Tingloy. Maganda po ang Masasa beach kaya lang po kulang po yung lugar sa maintenance..kung sa ibang salita po ay Di po natutuunan ng pansin ng mga opisyales. sana nga po mapansin at mapaayos pa lalo ang lugar na yan,..
    PINAGBANDERAHAN- try nio po ang lugar na yan kung gusto nio naman po ng adventure sa pag akyat ng bundok. dyan din po yan sa Tingloy. marami po umaakyat dyan lalo na po pag holy week. makikita nio po ang buong view mula sa taas ng mga nakapaligid na isla pa dito

  50. Riz says:

    wow winner tong beach na to.. thanks for sharing.. 🙂

  51. Very nice! I hope the place is really as beautiful as projected by photos! 😀

  52. Very nice! I hope the place is really as beautiful as projected by photos! 😀

  53. Anonymous says:

    Seriously! It was a waste of time sa Masasa Beach. Not good. Hoping the Government of Batangas should take care of this island. Madumi na.

  54. Anonymous says:

    Seriously! It was a waste of time sa Masasa Beach. Not good. Hoping the Government of Batangas should take care of this island. Madumi na.

  55. i referred this to friends… mapuntahan nga minsan… thanks for sharing! 🙂

  56. Anonymous says:

    ha!!!!!!?

  57. Anonymous says:

    ha!!!!!!?

  58. Anonymous says:

    all in n po ba ung 1200 per head… ksama n po ung rent ng boat 2 way n po un or each po ung bayad sa boat…??? were planning po kc n pumunta jaan sa tingloy this coming week.. thanks for the info….

  59. Anonymous says:

    all in n po ba ung 1200 per head… ksama n po ung rent ng boat 2 way n po un or each po ung bayad sa boat…??? were planning po kc n pumunta jaan sa tingloy this coming week.. thanks for the info….

  60. Joni Kiki says:

    Wow ang ganda ng beach!! Didn't know meron palang white sand sa Batangas! Ang lapit lang 🙂

  61. Joni Kiki says:

    Wow ang ganda ng beach!! Didn't know meron palang white sand sa Batangas! Ang lapit lang 🙂

  62. marxtermind says:

    Ikasa na yang Fortune Island.

  63. marxtermind says:

    Can't wait to see the beach again. Kumusta na itinerary natin, ilang weeks to go na lang. 🙂

  64. marxtermind says:

    Punta na din. Masaya magbabad dito, sobrang init. hehehe! 😀

  65. marxtermind says:

    Punta na! Thank you. 😀

  66. Anonymous says:

    hi the place was awesome 🙂

    is there any available rooms to rent?

  67. Ding Fuellos says:

    Indeed, the quaintness of a place defines its beauty. ganda!

  68. Ding Fuellos says:

    Indeed, the quaintness of a place defines its beauty. ganda!

  69. blissfulguro says:

    shet ang init naman diyan. walang pwedeng pagkublian. oh well. not meant ang tingloy for me. haha. may ganun?!

    #lessonlearned – ang pag-aaral nakakasira ng lakwatsa. tssss

  70. blissfulguro says:

    shet ang init naman diyan. walang pwedeng pagkublian. oh well. not meant ang tingloy for me. haha. may ganun?!

    #lessonlearned – ang pag-aaral nakakasira ng lakwatsa. tssss

  71. Wow bilis! I'll post my version by March 1 hehehe, ;-)..ganda talaga ng Tingloy..see you next travel together Marx!

  72. Wow bilis! I'll post my version by March 1 hehehe, ;-)..ganda talaga ng Tingloy..see you next travel together Marx!

  73. And pareho tayo ng observation tungkol dun sa rockies…hehe, yan din caption ko sa photo ko sa view na yan 😀

  74. And pareho tayo ng observation tungkol dun sa rockies…hehe, yan din caption ko sa photo ko sa view na yan 😀

  75. We've been planning to go here hindi matuloy tuloy 3 years in the making na ata.haha Anyhoo ang ganda pala talaga dyan. Nice photos sir.

  76. cool guide. awesome photos, too! heard about this island a while back. now more interested in getting here, too.

  77. cool guide. awesome photos, too! heard about this island a while back. now more interested in getting here, too.

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