5 Unusual Philippine Beaches

written on August 13th, 2013 by Jean Del Mar

I can never get enough of beaches. That’s where I go whenever I want to unwind. Nothing beats a cold refreshing swim in the sea.

But not all beaches are the same. It’s always a good idea to explore and discover other beaches that have certain uniqueness to them. The white sand beaches with the diving, parasailing, banana boats and the like get all the press.

What about the unusual beaches in the Philippines? Do we have anything as unique as the Dead Sea in Jordan? Let’s explore our beloved country and find out.

With the help of my trusty Google skills, here they are:

Sunken Cemetery, Camiguin

Divers usually dive to see underwater creatures and shipwrecks, but this is no ordinary dive. Just by the name, Sunken Cemetary, you can guess what people see under the water. Gravestones. Creepy!

How did the Sunken Cemetary come to be? Camiguin is home to seven volcanoes. A long time ago, Mount Vulcan erupted and caused a portion of the island (Catarman) to submerge. That was where the main cemetery was located.

Today, it is one of the creepiest places to go swimming.

Palaui Island, Cagayan

At first glance, Palaui Island looks just like any other typical white sand beach in the Philippines. It’s an unspoiled beach in a rural area. It looks like an ideal beach haven. But how did it make my list?

Just a walk away from the beach is a hidden waterfall and a century old lighthouse called Farol de Cabo Engaño. The lighthouse was built by the Spaniards in the 18^th century and offers a beach view like no other. If you’ve had enough of the sea, take a dip in the waterfalls. It is cooler and more refreshing than the seawater.

Biri Island, Northern Samar

A quick glance at all the rock formations in Biri Island and you would think you weren’t in the Philippines. The island is blessed with six magnificent rock formations that were sculpted by the continued crashing of the waves to stone.

Because of all  the strong winds and gigantic waves, a natural pool of sea water has formed in one of the rock formations, Bel-at.

Valugan Boulder Beach, Batanes

We’ve all fallen in love with white powdery sand beaches because it provides the ideal beach experience. But try to exploring the total opposite.

In Batanes, there is a beach called the Rocky Shore. The name says it all. It doesn’t have the ideal white powdery sand. Instead, it is full of boulders or andesite rocks. It’s amazing in its own right.

 

Laswitan Lagoon, Surigao del Sur

There are many waterfalls in the Philippines, but have you heard of the saltwater waterfall? Is there such a thing? Yes, there is.

In Surigao del Sur, you can find one in the middle of the rocky Laswitan Lagoon. It’s not really a waterfall. It’s basically a rock that get ferociously splashed by wind and waves coming from the Pacific Ocean. The splashes create an imitation of waterfalls. Think of it as fake waterfalls. It’s enjoyable to watch.

Have you discovered unusual beaches in the Philippines? Let us know and share it with us.