10 Unspoiled Beaches Near Manila

With over 7,107 islands to choose from, many Filipinos consider a beach trip as the ultimate getaway during summer. While there are several popular beach destinations, some of them are even world-renowned, there are still a lot of less visited beaches in our country. Included on the list below are the 10 Unspoiled Beaches that you can visit and enjoy for a 2-day trip with a maximum travel time of 6 hours only from Manila.

1. Balinmanok Beach in Dasol, Pangasinan
Balinmanok Beach is along the coastline of Villa Balinmanok in Dasol, Pangasinan. Villa Balinmanok is composed of 3 private beach resorts owned by a family.

by Public Transportation (a.k.a. Commute)
Take a bus bound to Alaminos; you may either take Victory Liner or Five Star. Fare is Php393/person. Travel time is around more than 6 hours. In Alaminos City, take a bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Zambales and ask the driver/conductor to drop you off at Dasol, Pangasinan. Travel time from Alaminos to Dasol is approximately around 45 minutes. Fare is Php40/person. Once you reach Dasol Highway, you may hire a tricycle for Php300 good for 2 pax. Take note that the rate is for one-way only and the tricycle ride would take more than an hour.

by Private Vehicle
From Manila, take EDSA and drive all the way to Balintawak Exit. Take NLEX, then SCTEX. Once you reach Tarlac, take the road going northwest to Alaminos via Camiling. Before reaching Alaminos town proper, take the short diversion road to Mabini then Burgos. At this point of time, use WAZE. 🙂
Look for the road leading to Villa Balinmanok; it is actually around 32 kms from the main road. This long and winding road is a combination of 90% newly-paved road and 10% rough road. Travel time from Balintawak Exit to Balinmanok Beach is more or less 6 hours.
More about Balinmanok Beach here.

2. Burot Beach in Calatagan, Batangas
Burot Beach was previously called as the Elizalde Beach (owned by the Elizaldes, an affluent family in the Philippines), but was recently bought by SM. Now, Burot Beach is a private property of SM Group of Companies but is open for public until further notice.

by Public Transportation (a.k.a. Commute)

You can either take a bus or a van to Calatagan.
By Van – There are vans available going to Calatagan near the Bus Station and MRT Taft Station. Fare is Php180.00/pax. Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours. At Calatagan Market, hire a tricycle for Php150.00 or Php60.00 per person. Again, use your haggling skills, you can avail the tricycle fare for Php120.00.

By Bus – Bus Terminal is located along EDSA near MRT Taft Station (at the back of McDonald’s and Sogo Hotel). Fare is Php180.00. Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours. Calatagan-bound buses are available daily, first trip is 4:00 AM. Ask the conductor to drop you off at Calatagan Market. At Calatagan Market, hire a tricycle for Php150.00 or Php60.00 per person. Note: Tricycle ride will be around 20 minutes only.


by Private Vehicle
1. From Manila, take Coastal Road or SLEX (South Luzon Express Way). Drive all the way to Nasugbu, Batangas until you reach a junction or rotonda. At the junction, take the right turn going to Lian; a Caltex Gasoline Station will serve as your landmark.
2. Drive straight ahead. After passing the CADP (Central Azucarera Don Pedro) Sugar Refinery, take a left at the intersection (Landmarks: Shell and I-Gas Gasoline Stations).
3. Drive straight ahead. Once you see Sto. Domingo Church, turn right.
4. You’ll pass through a small public market (Talipapa), then a cemetery. From there, you’ll see signs going to Burot Beach. 🙂

More about Burot Beach here.

Update as of June 2016: Burot Beach is no longer open for public.

3. Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon
Cagbalete Island is located in the town of Mauban Quezon. The island is surrounded by white sand and can be considered as a perfect paradise for nature lovers. Though it is only 3 hours away from Manila, Cagbalete remains to be untouched.

How To Get There:
by Public Transportation (a.k.a. Commute)
suggested departure from Manila is 3 am.

From Buendia, you can take JAM or JAC Liner to go to Lucena (around 3-4 hr trip). Fare is P209.00/pax. Once you reach Lucena Grand Terminal, take the ordinary bus to Mauban via Mainit. It is a 1 1/2 hr trip, fare is P50.00 each. From Mauban Bus Station, take a tricycle to bring you to Pantalan Port (there are 2 ports in Mauban, so better to be specific). To make sure, tell the tricycle driver to bring you to the port to Cagbalete Island. Standard rate of tricycle fare is P9.00/person. At the Pantalan Port, look for the ferry boats to Cagbalete. I highly recommend for you to take the big ferry boats Anthony or Neneng. It will be approximately 45mins-1 hr boatride depending on the weather. Fare is P40.00 each. Once you arrived at Cagbalete (Sabang Port), to reach the resorts, you need to trek for about 10-20 mins.

More about Cagbalete Island here.


4. Patar Beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan
Located in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Patar Beach is one of most under-rated beach that I have gone so far. Its golden-colored sand is safe for kids and is open for public. One can pitch a tent or rent the nipa huts/cottages along the shore.

How To Get There:
by Public Transportation (a.k.a. Commute)

Manila to Bolinao would be approximately 6 to 6.5 hours travel time. For direct trips to Bolinao, you may take Victory Liner (available in Cubao station only) or Five Star Bus (available in Pasay terminal only). Upon arrival at Bolinao Terminal, hire a tricycle to bring you to the resort of your choice. Standard rate from Bolinao town proper to Patar is Php250 which is good for 4 pax.

More about Patar Beach here.

5. Magalawa Island in Palauig, Zambales
Magalawa is an island in Palauig, Zambales surrounded by the vast China Sea. It is a small (barangay) island that offers a rustic experience due to its untouched and uncrowded beach. If you’re looking for some peaceful getaway, have a quick escape to Magalawa.

How To Get There:
by Public Transportation (a.k.a. Commute)

Take Victory Liner either to Sta. Cruz or Iba, Zambales.

via Sta. Cruz
From Caloocan, take a Sta. Cruz bound bus. Asked the bus driver to drop you off at Radio Veritas Road in Brgy. Pangolinan (Palauig Zambales).

via Iba
From Caloocan, take an Iba bound bus. At the Iba Bus Terminal, take an ordinary bus to Palauig. Asked the bus driver to drop you off at Radio Veritas Road in Brgy. Pangolinan. Fare is Php34.00.

From the drop-off point at Veritas Road, ride a tricycle. Fixed rate is Php150 which is good for 2 pax only. Make sure to tell the driver that you will be staying at Mang Mulo (locals call it ‘Ruiz’) since almost all of the drivers there are used to bringing visitors to Armada Resort; it’s important because the 2 got different ports. After a 30-minute-exhausting-bumpy-ouch-ugh-super-rough-road-tricycle-ride, Mang Mulo’s boatmen will pick you up at Luan Port. Don’t worry about the boatride to Magalawa Island; it is smooth and will only last for about 10 minutes or so.

More about Magalawa Island here.

Important Reminders and Tips: For other ultimate destinations and dream vacations, give ample time to do research and read some reviews. This will ensure that you will get the most out of your vacation and might even give you cheap last minute travel deals. It will definitely save you time and money. Look for pocket-friendly hotels in the Philippines, too! Swear, there are a lot!