Travel Guide: Masasa Beach, Tingloy, Batangas

Masasa Beach is located in Barangay San Juan of Tingloy, Batangas, which is situated on the other side of the island. It has been known for its white sand beach, different diving spots, and beautiful sunset.

(c) rbapmabs.org

How To Get Here:

• Ride a bus from Cubao or Buendia Taft going to Batangas Grand Terminal.

          - Fare is from 150-170 pesos

          - Travel time is 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours depending on traffic
          - Tip: Best time to travel is 2:00 to 3:00 o'clock in the morning to avoid heavy Manila traffic

• From Batangas Grand Terminal, take a jeepney with signboard Mabini/Talaga going to Anilao Port. 

          - Fare is only 37 pesos

          - The jeepney leaves as soon as it's full of passengers

          - Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour

• From Anilao Port, ride a boat going to Tingloy Port or San Juan Port.

          - Fare is Php.80 if the boat will dock in Tingloy Port, and Php.100 if in San Juan

          - The boat leaves as early as 6:30 am, or when the boat is full.

          - Travel time going to Tingloy Port is 1 hour, while going to San Juan is less than 1.5 hours

          - You need to pay for the environmental fee which costs Php.30/pax before hopping in the boat.

          - There's a tourism office at the left side of the port if you need assistance.

          - The wet market is at the right side of the port. You can buy here everything you'll need before

             going to the island because food supplies in the island is limited only.

          - Tip: If you're staying in San Juan, it's better to ride the boat docking in Pirasan, San Juan,

             so you don't need to ride a tricycle from Tingloy Port going to Masasa Beach.
             The Crown Jerus boat docks in this part of the island.

• From Tingloy Port, ride a tricycle going to San Juan.

          - Fare is 120/tricycle (30pesos/pax)

          - It is only 15 minutes tricycle from the Tingloy Port, then 5 minutes trek down the beach

          - Tip: Most of the transient homes is located in San Juan, so it's better if you ride the boat that

            will dock in this part of the island.

Where To Stay:

• Pitching of tent is free, however, it is only allowed from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm.
• There are several transient homes along the shoreline of San Juan where you can stay for a night or two. Prices starts at Php.300/night/pax.
• Book a room in advance if you're going here on Saturday and Sundays. Most of the transient homes are fully booked during weekends.
• I recommend Ate Semy's House for Php.300/pax/night (Contact #: +63-910-532-1471). Her house is just a few minutes away from Pirasan docking area. It has a nice view of the sea front. She provide free use of kitchen utensils. Has unlimited supply of water (not drinking water), and has supply of electricity.

What To Do:

• Trekking, Bicycling (bring your own bike), Surfing and Swimming
• Snorkeling, Php.100/head. Inquire to Ate Semy for this cheap rate
• Island Hopping, Php.1500/boat. Price is negotiable to Php.1000
• Explore the entire shoreline of San Juan and Makawayan. Don't miss the beautiful rock formations in Makawayan, and the lagoon.

What To Expect:

• Expect the island to be very crowded during weekends especially this summer.
• Supply of electricity depends on the weather condition. Expect black out when it's raining.
• No Wi-Fi, or even mobile data connection here. Smart signal is poor. Globe signal is good.
• Garbage is everywhere especially in Masasa Beach, so please follow "Leave No Trace Policy".
• Expect white sand and rocky parts of beach.

Masasa Beach is such a beautiful paradise. Tourists and locals should maintain its beauty through the simple act of not throwing garbage everywhere. Let's enjoy but don't let it get spoiled!

For more photos, visit my Facebook account.