Discovering Burot Beach of Calatagan Batangas

Our group had an unexpected trip to this beautiful place in Calatagan, Batangas. Since our group wants a last shot outing for summer, we decided to have a beach trip. Our original plan was a weekend getaway to Laiya Batangas but as per my inquiry to several resorts there, they were all fully booked so we ended up searching for new destination in Batangas and found out about this secluded white sand beach in Calatagan, Batangas known as Burot Beach.

Burot Beach in Calatagan Batangas, formerly known as "Elizalde beach" but now a private property of SM Group of Companies is an undeveloped, unspoiled and peaceful beach. Getting there from Alabang is roughly 3 hours drive passing by Tagaytay and towns of Lian, Balayan and Calatagan Batangas.  It’s still open for public so if you’re planning to visit the place, make it soon before SM totally close the property to construct a Beach resort and Golf Course.

Before going to Burot Beach, you must first get in touch with Mang Cesar (+63915-6028907) the caretaker of this private property that can help you in renting tents and other additional queries.  It’s your choice if you want to stay for just a day tour trip which will cost you 65 pesos only while 120 pesos for an overnight stay. You can also rent a nipa hut (good for 6 to 8), table or tent ranging from 200 to 300 pesos. No need to worry if you are bringing your own vehicle because the whole place is so spacious that you can even park your car beside the nipa hut of your choice and most of all parking is free. Cottages and rooms are not available in the area so if you are planning to have an overnight stay make sure you have your tents with you otherwise you can rent some tents for 300 pesos.  Moreover, there is no electricity in Burot beach but there are available bonfire woods (250 pesos per bundle) that you can use to be your light the whole night.  Two public toilets and two showers are available in the area but with slow flowing faucet. Since Burot beach is now discovered by many, I do hope that management can add more toilet facilities for visitor’s convenience. Also be ready if some fishermen will offer you an island hopping to the nearest sand bar for 40 pesos per head. Too bad it’s already high tide when we got there but still we enjoyed the view and the clear water.

Tent pitching at Burot Beach

View from our rented nipa Hut - Burot Beach

Just a friendly reminder, there is a sari sari store in the area where you can buy some drinks and the like but it’s too pricey so better buy all your needs at Calatagan public market just after Sto. Domingo Church before heading to Burot beach. You may also bring your own food to cook, drinking water, ice box and grilling/cooking equipment to complete your beach bum experience.

Here’s the direction going to Burot Beach in 2 ways:

By private vehicle

1.       From Manila, drive all the way to SLEX (South Luzon Express Way) until you reach the expressway after Alabang junction. Straight ahead and exit to Eton Greenfield. From here you will pass by Nuvali Sta. Rosa and Tagaytay City. Drive all the way to Nasugbu, Batangas until you reach a junction then take the right turn going to Lian. Drive straight ahead.

2.       After passing the CADP (Central Azucarera Don Pedro) Sugar Refinery, take a left at the intersection (Landmarks: Shell and I-Gas Gasoline Stations). Drive ahead to reach Sto. Domingo Church then turn right. You will pass by a public market then turn left in M. Apacible Street. From here you can also ask some tricycle drivers or locals that will pass by for clear directions.  But most likely you will see rough road on your right side that leads to a cemetery and an eco center. Drive straight until you reach a gate with uniformed security guard that will count the number of visitors.

gate going to Burot Beach Calatagan Batangas

By Commute

1.       You can hunt for buses in Starmall Alabang en route Nasugbu Batangas that will pass by Calatagan. You can also found a Bus Terminal located along EDSA near MRT Taft Station (at the back of McDonald's and Sogo Hotel) bound for Calatagan. Travel time is approximately 3 to 4 hours. Don’t forget to ask the conductor to drop you off at Calatagan Market. Then, at Calatagan Market, you can hire a tricycle that will bring you to Burot beach for Php150.00 or Php60.00 per person.

Aside from boasting a cream fine sand and pristine waters, Burot Beach offers a gorgeous view of the sunset.

Burot Beach Sunset

Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

  

Emo mode haha - Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

Burot Beach Gorgeous Sunset

Burot beach is a newly discovered destination few years ago and is unfamiliar to many that made the place so relaxing and not that crowded. It has creamy white sand, crystal clear water, beautiful rock formations, beautiful sunset and lot of trees which provide shades and cool wind. It’s an ideal place for relaxation and perfect way to end summery days! So, if you're planning to visit a peaceful and relaxing beach destination in Batangas, make it to Burot beach, the soonest!

 

Burot Beach White Island

Starfish in Burot Beach

Burot Beach Calatagan Batangas

Burot Beach

Undeveloped Burot Beach 

Burot Beach 

Burot Beach Calatagan Batangas

View from Sandbar near Burot Beach

Burot Beach

Picturesque cloud formation - Burot Beach

Burot Beach

Burot Beach

Exquisite Islands of Honda Bay Palawan

Aside from boasting clean & green environment, great food and rich biodiversity, it’s always a mantra when visiting Palawan that your trip wouldn’t be complete if you weren’t able to see their astounding beaches and islands. And what I believe the best way to see how rich their marine biodiversity, is through an island hopping to their famous Honda Bay tour. As I have mentioned on my previous blog, we availed Sis Tiara’s package (La Tiara’sTour & Convention) for our Honday Bay Island tour which costs P1,140 inclusive of van service, entrance fees, permits, licensed tour guide, boat rental, snorkeling on Pambato reef and buffet picnic lunch in one of the islands. We scheduled the Honda Bay island hopping tour on our 3rd day as our final adventure in Palawan because we want to enjoy the white sand, beach waves and blue waters of Palawan before heading back Manila the following day.

Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

 According to locals, Honda Bay is originally called “HUNDA” by Palawenos, but when the Americans visited the island, they had a hard time pronouncing “Hunda” and since then on with the American’s slang diction, the place was now known for “Honda.” Honda Bay in Palawan is where a cluster of gorgeous islands and islets can be found. It is composed of different islands viz. Pandan Island, Luli Island (lulubog-lilitaw), Starfish Island, Snake Island, Cowrie Island and Pambato reef.  During our tour, only 3 spots were included in our itinerary; Pandan Island, Starfish Island, and Pambato Reef where we last for hours enjoying snorkeling.  

7:30 in the morning just exactly after our free breakfast at Metrosilog (just beside Corazon tourist Inn) when La Tiara’s service van fetched us at Corazon Tourist Inn. We stopped by an aqua shoes and snorkeling gear rentals as advised by our tour guide Ate Maricel. According to her it’s advisable to wear aqua shoes because at times you will encounter too spiky corals and stones. We rented aqua shoes and snorkeling gear for 150 each and as what we have experienced, you can eliminate renting aqua shoes because it is more enjoyable if your feet will feel the cold water and sand.

For our first stop, we docked at a holding area of Pambato reef where you can enjoy snorkeling. After dipping into water with our life vest on, our group was guided by a “kuya” who’s also the assistant of our boatman. He made sure that we’re safe under his supervision. He allowed us to hold a big float while gradually pulling us to the reef.  We really enjoyed our snorkeling at Pambato reef as we saw different corals and fishes. It does so relaxing to float on cold water while enjoying the scenery above and underneath.

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Snorkeling at Pambato Reef palawan

Our group and our guide at Pambato Reef

Our group and our guide at Pambato Reef

Done snorkeling - Pambato Reef Palawan

Pambato Reef Palawan

After basking the Pambato reef, we rode again our hired boat and headed Starfish Island. This is where we took our buffet lunch by the beach. Starfish Island depicts its name from the existence of various starfish in the island.  Aside from being peaceful, you will also enjoy the fine white sand and stunning view here because the island is surrounded by mountains. While Ate Maricel is preparing our lunch, we decided to walk by the beach and explore the island. We passed by a ruin which according to locals is a ruin of an old restaurant that actually contributes beauty to the island. One more thing that caught our attention is the presence of mangroves which is a sign of healthy ecosystem as it serves as a breeding ground for marine life. But where are the starfishes? Actually, we found few starfishes on the coastline near the cottages, but as we explored the outmost part of the island we awesomely found out where they rest. At the far end of the island we saw bunches of star fishes in different colors and sizes, even baby star fishes in white. So cool! 

Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

A restaurant ruin at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Cottage at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Restaurant Ruin at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Ruin at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Lovely starfishes - Starfish Island Honda Bay Palawan

Starfishes at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Starfishes at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Playing with the baby starfishes - Starfish Island Honda Bay Palawan

After playing with various starfishes, we walked back to our cottage for a hearty lunch buffet. It was indeed a feast; liempo, eggplant with bagoong, salted egg with tomatoes, grilled fish, crabs, squids, and mangoes.  A hearty meal by the stunning beach is superb!                                                                                                                                                                                            

Mangoes - Picnic by the beach Starfish Island

Hearty Meal

Feast

And for our last stop, we docked in Pandan Island. Pandan trees are all over the island that’s why it is called as such. Though this island is quite crowded, this is the place where we really enjoyed snorkeling and feeding fishes. After wearing our snorkeling gears we were accompanied by a Kuya who also joined us during our Pambato reef experience and brought us to a big bamboo raft.  You don’t have to go far just to see school of colorful fishes, just underneath the bamboo raft is a beautiful view of colorful fishes which is really a feast to the eye. Kuya also helped us took underwater pictures of different colorful fishes and corals. It was an amazing sight!

B4LIFE at Pandan Island Palawan

Here are some of our snorkeling shots at Pandan Island Palawan:

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Lovely fishes - Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Enjoying Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Corals & Fishes - Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Honey enjoying Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

my bff enjoying Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Fisheeeeeeeeees! - Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

And here are the magnificent underwater shots of rich marine biodiversity in Pandan Island Palawan:

Beautiful coral -  Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

Cutesy little fishes -  Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

Coral -  Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Corals - Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Corals - Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Beautiful Coral - Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

Beautiful, isnt it?! In general, our Honda Bay island hopping tour was exceptional. We have discovered how beautiful Palawan is particularly their beaches and marine life. Indeed a beautiful place that makes you want to come back over and over. Palawan is truly a paradise!