I’ve been visiting my mother’s hometown in Bula, Camarines Sur for more than 20 years now but it was only this year that I’ve learned about its neighboring beaches. After getting to Atulayan Island, I’ve told myself that every time that I’ll visit my mother’s hometown, I should get to a place in Bicol that I’ve never been before. Last November, I asked my cousins to go with me in Minilabac, as I’ve learned that there are nice pebble beaches there. Minalabac is home to pebble beaches along the coasts of Ragay Gulf. These pebble beaches can be found in the towns of Bagolatao, Salingogon, Hamoraon, and San Antonio. But that time, what we had intended to visit to is the pebble beach in Bagolatao.
My cousins know the place. They told me that it wasn’t that far from our place and a private or rented vehicle can reach it in two hours. It is also near Naga City with travel time that may only take an hour.
Driving to Bagolatao is not easy. There are roads that are still unpaved. It is quite rocky and uneven. There are some roads that are uphill and steep that it leads some of us to get down from the jeepney then walked until we reach the even part of the road.
I recommend that when visiting the place; hire a jeepney that is capable to drive through the uneven and steep road. It was bad for us that we rented just a regular jeepney because it took our travel time more than the regular travel time to get to Bagolatao. The jeepney had to stop along the road because it had to fix its engine or some sort.
White Pebbles Beach Resort
It was around noontime that we were able to arrive in Bagolatao. There are small resorts located in the area but we settled in White Pebbles Beach Resort.
The resort has a beach house and some closed cottages good for overnight. It also has three cottages along the shoreline that is good for day tour guests. Since we were only there for half-day, we only rented one cottage that costs PHP 500. There’s no entrance fee.
Our uncle and aunties prepared our food while us, the young ones, proceeded to the beach and had some picture taking.
I find the beach still and calm, as well as the town. There were only few people outside. It was quiet and serene, which what I had actually needed to de-stress.
The beach was okay. I took a swim but it was too shallow that I didn’t able to enjoy it so much. But the kids were able to have fun. They were too fond of the rocks and pebbles that some of them brought home a few. We spent the rest of our day having chitchats over chips and beers. Although I felt short to enjoy the beach, it was the time and bonding moments with my family and relatives that I had really appreciated in our trip to Bagolatao.
Note: Additional Photos by Roy Velasco
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White Pebbles Beach Resort
Bagolatao, Minalabac
Camarines Sur
Email: whitepebbles@rocketmail.com
Phone: (0905) 280-6366, (0939) 586-9147
Hi! first i would like to comment on the article.. "These pebble beaches can be found in the towns of Bagolatao, Salingogon, Hamoraon, and San Antonio". – … actually those Coastal Barangays are all part of the town MINALABAC. now to anonymous:> if you are not willing to rent any accomodations, then simply don't enter any resort(s). just roll along the coastal road when you reach Bagolatao, like we did in 2013 and you'll surely reach a place where there are only couple houses if not empty. we just stop on the side of the road where there's only two houses afar and we had a long stretch of pebble beach at our disposal, FREE. But the 'buko's' we asked from some locals we insist to pay. Friendly people.
Hi! first i would like to comment on the article.. "These pebble beaches can be found in the towns of Bagolatao, Salingogon, Hamoraon, and San Antonio". – … actually those Coastal Barangays are all part of the town MINALABAC. now to anonymous:> if you are not willing to rent any accomodations, then simply don't enter any resort(s). just roll along the coastal road when you reach Bagolatao, like we did in 2013 and you'll surely reach a place where there are only couple houses if not empty. we just stop on the side of the road where there's only two houses afar and we had a long stretch of pebble beach at our disposal, FREE. But the 'buko's' we asked from some locals we insist to pay. Friendly people.
Hi there Thank you for sharing your escapade to Bagolatao. I'm curious if tourists can visit the place without renting a cottage, like set up tents and umbrellas for free because of tight budget. (Which part exactly?) My friends and I really want to feel the summer vibe in those white pebbles.
Hi there Thank you for sharing your escapade to Bagolatao. I'm curious if tourists can visit the place without renting a cottage, like set up tents and umbrellas for free because of tight budget. (Which part exactly?) My friends and I really want to feel the summer vibe in those white pebbles.