Why Bagolatao’s White Pebbles Beach Is The Perfect Summer Destination In The Philippines


Last 10 January 2016, I submitted an entry to Sir Melo Villareal of the Out of Town Blog’s collaborative post titled “Perfect Philippine Summer Getaways According to Pinoy Travel Bloggers”. I actually considered five choices.

If you are up for optimum summer adventures such as island hopping, sightseeing, mountain climbing, swimming at the beach, and camping, Anawangin Cove, Caramoan Islands, and Nagsasa Cove have everything conducive for you. Any of these places turns into a squatter’s area most of the time. That speaks of how popular they are to tourists and travelers.

Zambales

Anawangin Cove

Camarines Sur

Caramoan Islands

Zambales

Nagsasa Cove

On the other hand, if you are craving less visited places, Puting Buhangin and Bagolatao’s White Pebbles Beach will greet you with open arms.

Quezon Province

Puting Buhangin

Believe me when I say, if you are exposed to the hurly-burlies of a modern citied life, your stay to either of these places will redefine your appreciation of discovering places off the beaten track. You will surely come back for more of that something less world-beating but quieter.

Camarines Sur

White Pebbles Beach

Browsing the archive brought back so many fun and romantic memories. It also reinforced the reputation of the country’s tourism slogan: “It’s indeed more fun in the Philippines!” Each time I look at those pictures and the others in the archive, I still feel  stunned. The country, beyond question, radiates an irresistible beauty.

I had to come up with just one though in the end. This post serves as a validation of that decision.

If you are familiar with what I have been posting (last year and the current) on the blog and on its Instagram, Facebook page, Tumbler, Pinterest, and, the latest, Path, you could predict what I had chosen. But if not, any of the four places in the series (i.e., from first to fourth) is probably what you would think as my pick, and that should have been right. However, I was not much of a skilled storyteller, so to say, during that time. I could only write notes or literally short and feeble stories about my travels. The absence of a micro four thirds system camera was also a factor.

The perfect summer destination I picked, with the help of my GF2 (Panasonic Lumix), was the fifth in the series and it is actually the least when it comes to popularity as it belongs to one of those what we usually call underrated, less touristy, or not really known places—to date. Having said that, I would be a lot happier if it stays that way.

I am talking about the three kilometer shoreline of White Pebbles Beach at Brgy. Bagolatao, Minalabac, Camarines Sur.

It is just approximately a forty-minute drive from Naga City. The place offers an unscathed scenery that will force you to put your mobile phone down, especially when you get to that hilltop in the East where you can appreciate the encompassing view of the shoreline.

The white pebbles here are guaranteed more picturesque than that of Schoolhouse Beach’s on Washington Island in the United States.

You would not hesitate to dip in the cerulean, clean waters as well.

There are other numerous, interesting, and adventurous activities of course. What makes it all the more inviting though is the absence of fancy real estate developments like hotels or air-conditioned native houses in the area.

It literally defines a laid-back yet quaint beach, which makes a summer getaway easy on the pocket.

Finally, the beach’s relatively obscure name makes the place sparsely populated even during peak season.

Related Articles

8 beautiful white PH beaches perfect for barefoot walking (rappler.com)

Snorkeling in the Awesome Water Kingdom of Moalboal (chasingpotatoes.wordpress.com)

10 Most Beautiful Beaches in the Philippines (hubpages.com)

24 Unusual Beaches You’ve Never Heard Of Before (whenonearth.net)

WI Getaway Ideas: Washington Island (travelwisconsin.com)

Washington Island (barbarakolson.com)

45 Stunning Philippine Beaches to Visit in 2016 (pinoytravelfreak.com)

20 Tourist Destinations to Visit in the Philippines in 2016 (faq.ph)

8 Reasons A Trip To The Philippines Should Be In Your Future (huffingtonpost.com)

34 Comments Add yours

  1. Wow that sunset at the end is epic!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      Oh, I heart that pic too. Sunset is effin’ insane in a good way. It just hypnotizes me always.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. aysabaw says:

    OMG ang ganda. Nakakainlab yung sunset huhuhu. Ang ganda sa CamSur. Gusto ko pumunta now na ha ha ha

    Like

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      Punta na, Aysa. I’m sure CamSur will not disappoint you. It has so many tourist spots na sobrang magaganda.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. aysabaw says:

        Hihihi pupuntahan ko yan pag nabigyan ako ng mahabang bakasyon. Lagi naman kasing 2-3weeks lang

        Like

      2. Sony Fugaban says:

        Ang post aabangan ko…

        Liked by 1 person

      3. aysabaw says:

        Toinks. Matagal pa yan bago ko mapuntahan *__*

        Like

      4. Sony Fugaban says:

        Ayos lang, Aysa. It is better to have something to look forward to than none.

        Disclaimer for my Inability to Catch Up for the next Few Days: I will be on vacation 12 days from now. Other than posting photos on IG, I am using most of the remaining time (before my vacation) trying to facilitate the transfer of work to my reliever.

        Rest assured that I will get back to all of you as soon as I can. Thanks for the love as always!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. aysabaw says:

        ha ha ha may disclaimer? oh sya enjoy Sir 😀

        Like

  3. Mabel Kwong says:

    White pebble beach. That is something I have never experienced and from your photos, it looks divine, at least Camarines Sur in the Philippines. What a brilliant sunset shot, too. It must have been a great day to spend at the beach, and with great company too I hope. All of your photos in this post are wonderful. Don’t need to be shy about your photography skills 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      Yes, Mabel. The time I spent there was with a great company. Sunset has always been a favorite. It is just magical.

      Thank you for the compliments! What’s helping me turn the photos better than ever are apps.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Boots says:

    I also prefer the less touristy, less traveled destinations. When I first went to boracay it was that way. There were no hotels, just huts. But I am also interested to see the touristy Boracay now. Great pics Sony! Btw, is your camera a small one? I’m looking for a great point and shoot camera.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      Yes, Boots. I have the small camera. Mine is a dslr equivalent–without the optical viewfinder.

      Glad to know we appreciated the less visited places. There’s something in them.

      Like

      1. Boots says:

        There’s always something wonderful and mystical with places that are less traveled.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Sony Fugaban says:

        I couldn’t agree more, Boots.

        Like

  5. Lani says:

    Looks magical. Got to get out there…the beaches look amazing.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      That would be lovely, Lani. Seeing you frolicking in that beach.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Nandini says:

    Beautiful colors here, Sony. Great places and great photos. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      Thanks, Nandini. Want to become close to your photography skills. Your photos constitute an essential portion of my inspiration.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Nandini says:

        Oh, I am humbled. Honestly I don’t consider myself with a lot of skills. But I’m so happy to hear that from you. 🙂

        Let’s keep learning! Cheers!

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Sony Fugaban says:

        Yes, Nandini. I actually planned to take formal classes for this but it’s really difficult to squeeze it in.

        In any case, experience is the best teacher. I’m relying on that for the time being.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Nandini says:

        Experience is the best way to learn. And it’s true that time is a big factor when we are only amateurs. Sometimes, the urge is to do this professionally. Ha ha ha. But that feeling is only for a fleeting moment, and it then goes away. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Sony Fugaban says:

        I know! Maybe soon. Fingers crossed

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Cam Sur is one of the province who have so many hidden beautiful spots. I am speechless with all of your photos. Thank you very much for sharing.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      Truly, Will! Seems like when heavens poured a celestial bucket of tourist spots, CamSur was in perfect place.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Zel Ram says:

    A Summer getaway that is easy on the pocket! I like that part, thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      Yeah. You just have to bring your own food, as much as possible, because there are but sari-sari stores in the area.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. AESANTOS says:

    Oh, I miss Philippines 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Sony Fugaban says:

      I do too, Ann. I so can’t wait for March 24 to come.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. AESANTOS says:

        Wow! Enjoy then 😆

        Liked by 1 person

Feedback is most welcome!