Tingloy, particularly Masasa Beach, was never part of our travel plan, not even as a backup. But I kid you not: ending up here turned out to be one of my best travel experiences. We stepped off the boat with zero expectations, and honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Before I get all teary-eyed (happy tears, I promise!) scrolling through photos from this all-girls summer escape in Batangas, let me share how this spontaneous trip unfolded. It was chaotic (in the best possible way), full of big laughs, and 100% unleashed my inner kid.
So, How Did We End Up at Tingloy?
There we were, slouched on a cold bench at NAIA Terminal 3, sighing in sync every few minutes. Our thumbs were busy scrolling through our phones, checking where we could go. And no, we didn’t just show up at the airport planning to wing it. We’re not that brave and that spontaneous, I’m sorry.
We got denied entry. We were late for check-in. Goodbye, East Samar.
To make matters worse, there was a row of self-check-in kiosks in front of us that kept spitting out boarding passes that were definitely not for us. How cruel is that!
But, as the saying goes, life goes on. And so would we, though with slightly bruised hearts.
It was around 9:00 in the morning, and booking another flight wasn’t an option anymore. So, we began searching for other destinations that we could reach by land.
Zambales? Decent option, but we couldn’t find any accommodation we liked. Rizal? Not ideal for commuters, especially with our heavy backpacks. Subic? Honestly, what’s there to do? La Union? My mom’s from there; I can still taste its salty water back at home.
I even joked about just staying at the Airbnb we booked in BGC early last year, so that we wouldn’t have to go home with pitiful faces. I know it’s pretty sad; I’ve already patted my shoulder three times as I type this.
Then, just as we were about to settle for the lamest Plan B ever, I remembered a friend once mentioning Masasa Beach. I showed my friends photos of it, and guess what? One of them had actually been there years ago.
Our logic was simple: If one of us has been there before, surely getting there would be easy, right? Right.
How We Got There with Zero Research
From East Samar to Batangas, it is. Since our original trip was cut short, we decided to invite another friend.
“May Php 2,000 ka ba?” MJ asked over the phone.
“Yes!” Erica answered. Turns out, Masasa Beach was also on her bucket list. So, the trip was set, just like that.
(TMI: She was initially part of the Samar trip, but there was a conflict with her work schedule. Since this Batangas escapade was just overnight, she managed to hop along.)
We still had a few hours to kill before Erica got off work. Instead of sitting there, listening to everyone else’s luggage roll past us, we decided to head back to our Airbnb.
This is one of the rare times I thank Mark Zuckerberg for his existence. If he hadn’t designed Facebook Messenger with a “delete chat” option, Angelica (also one of us) wouldn’t have been able to unsend the message she sent our host, saying we’d already checked out. Thank God our host hadn’t seen it yet. Thank God the door passcode still worked. Phew!
I don’t know if I actually fell asleep or if I just shut my eyes off to cut down screen time, but the next thing I knew, we were ready to go.
First agenda: Arrive at Buendia and board a JAM Liner bus to Batangas City Grand Terminal. (Isn’t that the default? If it isn’t Cubao, it’s Buendia, Pasay, or PITX.) The ride took about 2–3 hours and cost us about Php 250 per person.
Unnecessary pro tip: Tell them you’re allergic to it.
If you’re used to riding buses in the Philippines, or even just in Metro Manila alone, you’ll know how pushy some vendors can get when trying to sell their pastillas or peanuts. If you’re too soft to say “no” more than once, well, here’s a tip for you: If “busog pa po ako” or “wala po akong budget” doesn’t work, hit them with “allergic po ako diyan, eh.”
I swear, it works; at least during this trip. Just make sure you and your friends hold your laughter until the vendor walks away. (It’s harder to keep a straight face than you think, so try to rehearse it with your barkada first!)
From Batangas City Grand Terminal, we asked around and found a jeepney bound for Anilao Port. You can find the jeepneys right within the terminal premises. This one took about 45 minutes to an hour, with a few winding turns along the way. The fare is about Php 70 per person. Just note: they won’t leave until the jeep’s full, so adjust your schedule as necessary.
After a few bumpy naps, we finally arrived at the port of Anilao. It was hot. Okay, maybe not scorching hot, but there was definitely sweat forming on my temples. And my back. And my neck. Fine, even my underarms, but I didn’t smell, okay?!
Then, I spotted the ferry. I suppose this is where all the fun and chaos begin. Or…maybe not just yet.
Key route summary (part 1):
• From Manila: Take a bus from Buendia to Batangas City Grand Terminal (2 to 3 hours)—about Php 250 per person.
• From Batangas City Grand Terminal: Ride a jeepney to Anilao Port (approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour)—about Php 70 per person.
Jumping Through the Hoops (and Fees) of Anilao Port
It was my first time riding a ferry, so there was a lot of pangangapa. (If riding a Pasig River ferry when I was barely 5 feet tall counts, then okay, this is my second time. Yay!)
So, what can you expect in Anilao Port?
First off, note that there are scheduled ferry trips. You can board as early as 7:00 am and as late as 5:00 pm, with departures every 1 to 2 hours. There are several port staff assisting with ticketing, so you’re less likely to miss a trip.
When we arrived, one ferry was already ready for boarding.
But before hopping on, we decided to grab some snacks from the nearby 7-Eleven and sari-sari store, plus some meat from the local market right beside the port.
Once we were set, we headed to the Tourist Center. It’s a small building right at the port with an open lobby. We paid for environmental fees, terminal fees, and ferry tickets. I’m not sure if they accept cards and online payments (though I doubt it), but we paid cash. You can also walk in like we did, but if you’re visiting during peak season, it’s best to book in advance.
FYI, you’ll also be asked to go to Window 4 and share your accommodation details. Just state the name of your homestay or resort for their record. If you haven’t booked one yet, they’ll gladly recommend one.
Port fees breakdown:
• Ferry ticket: Php 160 per person
• Environmental + terminal fees: Around Php 100 total per person
Once we had our tickets, we hopped on the ferry and sat in the VIP row (not really VIP, but we felt like VIPs sitting there), a.k.a. the first center row right by the entrance.
I admit, it was a bit awkward to constantly try to avoid eye contact with every passenger who entered. But, hey, the view and breeze from our spot once the ferry had sailed were so relaxing. So relaxing that I even dozed off for a few minutes.
About 45 minutes later, we arrived at Tingloy Port.
And yes, Masasa Beach — probably the main reason you’re here — is on the other side of Marikaban Island (the largest and main island of Tingloy municipality).
To get there, you’ll need to ride a tricycle or wait for your pick-up service, if you booked one with your accommodation. Thankfully, there’s a tricycle terminal right at the port, so you won’t have to hunt them down.
P.S. Locals are prioritized as passengers, so a little patience and understanding will go a long way, especially during peak hours.
Our accommodation (more on this later) was near Masasa Beach. The ride took about 10–15 minutes — and wow, was it bumpy. We hired two trikes since we had big backpacks, and I volunteered to ride on the back seat.
It was amazing, I mean, the view, but my butt and back paid the price. There were also a few winding and uphill roads, and, oh boy, let me tell you that I held on to the trike’s handrails like my life depended on it. One uphill spot, approaching the coast, has a stunning view of the sea. I wanted to capture it so badly, but I couldn’t even reach my phone from my pocket, afraid of falling off!
Anyway, we got dropped off at our homestay and paid Php 60 per person.
Key route summary (part 2):
• From Anilao Port: Ride a 45-minute ferry to Tingloy Port—around Php 160 per person.
• From Tingloy Port: Ride a tricycle to your destination. The fare to Masasa Beach and its nearby homestays is around Php 60 per person.
The Best Parts of Our Tingloy Trip!
We took this trip to see Masasa Beach, thinking it would be the highlight of our dear vacation. But nope! It was only the tip of the iceberg, and Tingloy had a few more surprises waiting for us.
Unpacking the Day (and Our Woes) at Masasa Beach 🏖️
After an hour of rest at our homestay, we hopped on a short boat ride to Masasa Beach. Our place was right along the shore, so getting into the boat was no hassle at all.
The ride was super quick, about 2–3 minutes tops. And there were still a bunch of people at the beach when we got there.
P.S. This boat ride was actually part of our group tour for the next day, but our homestay host and tour guide offered to take us out before sunset. So, why not?
The plan was just to watch the sunset. So we laid out a makeshift picnic mat and sat on the shore.
The sand was as fine and white as promised, and the water was so clear and blue you could spot schools of tiny fish darting beneath the surface. But, we didn’t bring swimwear (we swore we’d swim the next day), so…no dipping for now. You can also see some local vendors carrying styrofoam boxes with ice candies and bottles of buko juice.
Sure, we’re stuck on the shore. But hey, it turned out to be its own kind of fun. We enjoyed watching strangers swim, feeling the breeze, and indulging in some rather juicy girl talk (nope, I’m not sharing a thing!).
It felt good to pour my thoughts and feelings out to them, especially after everything that had happened a few months back. I felt supported, understood, and seen. I’m just so glad to have these wonderful people by my side.
After about an hour of tea-spilling and laughter, we decided to move closer to where our boat was docked so we wouldn’t miss it after dark. Just then, our tour guide showed up. He said he had been looking for us as he wanted to bring us to a more scenic spot to watch the sunset.
Who were we to say no? We climbed aboard and put on our bright-red life jackets, not knowing where we were headed. (I know — that’s how people in movies get kidnapped. But, what’s a girl to do?)
Catching the Sunset at Balatang Bato 🪨
After another quick two- to three-minute boat ride, the turquoise waters of Balatang Bato a.k.a. Blue Lagoon greeted us. Honestly, we had no clue this spot even existed in Tingloy! We thought we’d just spend the whole trip swimming at the beach.
The giant rocks here form a tiny natural pool along the shore. Saying it tempted me to jump in is an understatement. But, as luck would have it, we had no spare clothes. Boohoo.
There were far fewer people and boats here than at Masasa Beach. I’m pretty sure most travelers miss it unless they book a boat tour, so if you’re heading to Tingloy, ask your homestay or find one online.
If you want that I-spent-my-summer-swimming-in-crystal-clear-waters kind of IG photo, this is the spot. The lagoon is calm, the water is almost see-through, and the view from the rocks is nothing short of cinematic.
We snapped some of our best group shots here. And I highly recommend you do, too. Just don’t push anyone off the edge, ‘kay?
This is also the spot where I wrote my Tingloy travel note…ok fine, I lied. I didn’t actually write it here, but I drafted it in my head while I was here. Sometimes my brain just autosaves thoughts; don’t ask me how.
The sun began to dip around 5:45 pm (we visited in late April), and watching its warm, orange light reflect on the water was truly therapeutic. Its serene and breathtaking scene surely set the perfect tone for the rest of our trip.
Exploring the Marina Cave (and Slipping on Wet Rocks, Ouch!) 🦇
The next day, we woke up early and headed to our first stop: the Marina Cave. It sits near the northern tip of Maribakan Island, which means sailing halfway across Tingloy from Masasa Beach. Naturally, the boat ride felt longer than yesterday’s, about 15 minutes.
Along the way, we passed several striking rock formations, including the one visible from the Balatang Bato. Seeing them up close was such a treat.
We docked on a quiet, secluded beach with a shore as beautiful as Masasa’s — only this one was much more peaceful. The water was so clear you could see your feet underwater .
I’m not sure if it’s less popular than the Blue Lagoon or if we just came too early, but there wasn’t a single soul around.
Our tour guide led us to a rocky formation right by the shore, where the famous Marina Cave hides. As the wise philosophers of the internet say, “The best things never come easy.” True enough, we had to climb over slippery rocks and endure a few heart-stopping slips before finally reaching the cave’s entrance. Worth it, though!
Safety tip: Wear water shoes or non-slip footwear to stay steady. And maybe practice balancing at home; kidding (but not really).
To get inside, you’ll need to jump from the rocky platform into the cold water (I can still feel that icy shock!). Please be cautious, as the water is above-waist-deep and can rise even higher during high tide. Our tour guide lent us a hand, but if you’re exploring solo, sit down first and lower yourself slowly to avoid hitting any sharp rocks.
The cave itself is small — you can cross it in under a minute — so don’t expect a Palawan-style adventure here.
Still, it’s an excellent spot for photos, especially if your guide doubles as a pro photographer like ours. He didn’t just point and shoot, but even took panoramic shots without us asking! And if you’re shy in front of the camera, he’ll gladly direct you until you become comfortable.
Want aesthetic silhouette shots? He’s got you as well.
Oh, and here’s a fun tidbit: it’s called “Marina” because it was one of the filming locations for the TV series Marina; specifically, the dugong’s lair. It’s your opportunity to strike your best mermaid pose.
Trying Not to Drown at a New White Sand Beach 🌊
Our second stop for the day was apparently a new white sand beach — new as in, recently added to most group tour itineraries. (Apologies, I didn’t get the chance to ask our guide for the name of this stunning spot.)
Compared to Balatang Bato, which is just a stone’s throw from Masasa Beach, this beach had way fewer people — so few that you could point your camera in almost any direction and not have a single photobomber. I swear!
We were instantly amazed. The water was very pristine, the sand so white and fine, and the view — chef’s kiss. The mountains on the horizon made for such perfect backdrops. It’s like Masasa Beach’s calmer, more peaceful twin.
We scouted around for a good swimming spot and decided the westernmost part would be best since no one else was there. It really was a great spot with big rocks you could sit or pose on, endless ocean views, and boats passing by in the distance. BUT the waves were quite strong that we had to wear our life vests just in case the ocean decided to adopt us.
Our tour guide saw us and kindly advised us to move to a safer location. We didn’t argue, as the waves were already pushing us against the rocks, and you could hear us letting out random “Ouch!” and “Ah!” every few seconds.
So, we walked about halfway back to where our boat was docked and settled in the same area as most people. This spot still had rocks, but they were spaced much farther apart — unlike our first location, where we looked like human pinballs bouncing between them.
We took another round of group photos here and swam around, pretending we were pros (we absolutely were not). Everything was going great until Erica suddenly pulled out a lip tint from her pocket in the middle of the ocean and started applying it. You can guess what happened next: we burst out laughing! Sorry to everyone around us for breaking the calm of this peaceful paradise.
Still, it was one of the best beaches I’ve swum at so far. Batangas is known for its beaches, and this one definitely checks off all, if not most, of the boxes.
Feeding Tiny Fishes in the Middle of the Sea 🐟
I asked our tour guide, “Kuya, pwede ba tayong bumaba sa gitna ng dagat?” half-joking, half-hopeful, as we were hopping on our boat for the next stop. To my surprise, he said that’s exactly what we were about to do! The way my face lit up after hearing that, I swear…
It suddenly reminded me of a family outing way, wayyy back, when we did the same thing. I’d been wanting to experience it again, so yes, I was so excited.
We sailed for a good 5-10 minutes until we reached the open sea, where we could jump off (with life vests, or else—well, let’s not find out). We splashed into the water and pretended we actually knew how to snorkel properly. There were tons of tiny fish swimming below us, and we fed them with crackers and a bit of our baon bread.
For some reason, I could stay underwater longer without using the snorkel’s mouthpiece. Don’t ask me how, I don’t even know!
It was such a beautiful sight, and it was definitely an experience I’ll remember forever. Being with my friends made it even better — the laughter, the silly moments, and of course, when Erica again pulled out her lip tint. LMAO. (She’s never without it, I swear.)
We floated, swam, and laughed around for about an hour, thinking this was the grand finale of our adventure. I’m pretty sure this is also where I got my deepest tan, and it was totally worth it. I also love how our tour guide didn’t rush us. He actually joined in and swam with us, too!
But oh boy…we had no idea what was coming next.
Getting Dragged by a Boat to Spot Giant Sea Turtles 🐢
Our tour guide suddenly announced we were going to see sea turtles! We had no idea that was part of the itinerary — it wasn’t even mentioned in the tour details. Holy crap!
We sailed for another 10 minutes toward a pristine beach. I was very hyped and was ready to help row with my hands…but yeah, it’s a motorboat. Welp.
When we arrived (not on the shore, but close enough), our guide gave us three simple instructions:
- Hop off the boat with our life vests on.
- Hold tight to the katig (the boat’s wooden outriggers).
- Look down — and be amazed.
And just like that, we were literally being dragged by a moving boat. I’m not even kidding, I felt like a bright red buoy floating helplessly in the middle of the ocean! To make it even funnier, I was alone on the left side of the boat. Terrifying at first, but once you get used to it, it’s actually so much fun. Imagine wake surfing…but face-down in the water!
The first time I saw a sea turtle, my heart stopped. It was majestic, gliding gracefully beneath me like it owned the sea. We spotted around five turtles (and one sea snake, yikes!) during the trip. The biggest one was as wide as our boat. No kidding.
We tried to capture videos, but honestly, nothing compares to seeing them with your own eyes. It easily made my list of top travel moments ever. I can compare it to watching grand fireworks, and I’m a total sucker for fireworks.
P.S. Filming underwater while being dragged requires strong arms — so maybe train those biceps before you go. You’ll need to hold your camera upright, or the water pressure will yank it straight out of your hands. Expect plenty of cut-off clips, too; the force is no joke!
My tip: take lots of shots and videos. You can never guarantee a good shot unless you snorkel or dive deeper.
Shoutout to the Real MVP: Our Tour Guide
I don’t think we would’ve had this much fun if it weren’t for our super-accommodating and friendly tour guide (I forgot his name, sorry!). As I’ve mentioned, he took us out on our first night — even though our booked tour was supposed to start the next day — just so we could experience the island’s sunset. That alone was already a big plus for me.
Aside from taking us to all these stunning spots, he made sure we were safe and comfortable the entire time, from literally lending a hand as we climbed up and down rocky platforms to snapping the best group photos we had.
I’d recommend him to anyone visiting the island, because honestly, I have nothing but good things to say about him. Sadly, I forgot his name (yes, again) and didn’t get his contact details since we booked the tour through our homestay. But I’m definitely coming back here soon, and I’ll make sure to book him again — and update this once I do!
Anyway, we paid Php 2,000 for the entire tour as a group, which came down to Php 500 per person. In my not-so-extensive experience, that’s a great deal, especially since our guide already took us out the night we arrived without charging anything extra. (Don’t worry, we tipped him well!)
We also had the boat all to ourselves, which meant we could decide how long to stay at each location — and laugh, sing, and goof around as much as we wanted.
Fun tip when riding the boat: sit at the back.
Pros: it feels freeing, your hair won’t smack anyone in the face, and you can pretend you’re the tragic girlfriend from a movie montage traveling across the Pacific.
Cons: the boatman will keep asking you to stand up so he can restart the engine; you’ll end up in everyone’s random candid photos; and you’ll get way more tanned than your friends (not that it’s ugly, but who likes cancer? Not me). Expect to have skin that’s not just sun-kissed, but sun-swallowed.
No Place Like Home (Unless You’re at Ate Dhora’s)
This was a spontaneous trip, but our stay at the homestay never once felt rushed, cramped, or unwelcoming. It was cozy and homey, like how it feels when you and your cousins sleep over at one of your aunts’ houses. Ate Dhora went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and well taken care of.
Here’s a quick rundown of our stay at Dhora & Nhonie’s Guest House in Tingloy:
- Our room was air-conditioned. It was summer, so this was one of our non-negotiables, and thank God we found this place! Plus points because Ate Dhora already had the aircon running before we arrived. After a long commute under the sun, stepping into that cool room felt heavenly.
- The bunk bed in the family room was huge. We booked the family room for the four of us. From the photos, I thought we’d have to squeeze in a bit, but it turned out the bed was spacious enough that all four of us could fit in the lower bunk alone.
- The house itself was roomy and airy. The living area was presko, with lots of windows and open spaces. I personally loved hanging out there before and after our island tour.
- They have free Wi-Fi (via Starlink!) We didn’t really need the internet since we wanted to unplug, but it was a nice bonus. And it was actually our first time trying Starlink.
- The bathroom was clean and spacious. I’m picky when it comes to bathrooms, but this one passed with flying colors. The only thing missing was a shower heater, and it would’ve been perfect.
- The guest kitchen was well-equipped. We were glad we could cook our own meals instead of eating out. We bought some meat and supplies at Anilao Port, and Ate Dhora even let us store them in their fridge.
- They had karaoke! Before booking, I asked their daughter (who manages their Airbnb listing) if drinking was allowed — it is — so maybe that’s why Ate Dhora set up the karaoke machine when we arrived. Sadly, we didn’t get to use it since we were exhausted from the commute.
- They lent us towels. It’s a small thing, but you’d be surprised how many homestays skip this. Definitely a thoughtful touch.
And the best part? Even though we only booked their family room, we were the only guests during our stay, so we practically had the entire house to ourselves! 10/10 would stay again.
Would I Travel Again to Tingloy?
Definitely! I personally enjoyed our trip to Tingloy, and I’m sure my friends did too. It was spontaneous, but undeniably fun and memorable. Aside from wanting to finally swim at Masasa Beach and Balatang Bato (which we missed this time), there are still plenty of spots I’d love to explore.
One of them is Sombrero Island, known for its powdery white sand, turquoise waters, and rich marine life. It’s a popular snorkeling and diving spot, and I’d love to try that next time. I also want to visit the Hagdang Bato photo spot at Masasa Beach, hike Mag-asawang Bato (if I can find the courage), and maybe even sail around the whole island just to take in its views from the sea. And of course, I’d love to swim with sea turtles again! Our host mentioned that the local community released hatchlings last summer, so witnessing that someday is now on my list.
Overall, Tingloy easily ranks as one of my top picks for a quick beach-hopping escape — it’s close from the capital, charming, and perfect for both planned and spontaneous trips. In fact, I’m already planning to come back soon with another group of friends!
If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know my answer: yes, go visit this beautiful island. Planned or not, you’ll never regret it — or forget it.
And if you’d like to know more about the island, feel free to drop a comment. I’d be happy to share what I can. Happy travels!
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