Talicud Island: The Other Part of Davao

09 September 2015: Day 0

Me and my colleague, Nash had been very excited about this trip for it's both our first time to visit Davao. Since most of the people would like to enjoy the city, we decided to go the nearby islands of the province. We planned our itinerary months before and we were researching for the best things to do, best places to go in Davao.

Our flight was via Cebu Pacific on a Sunday at 5:00 in the morning. Our flight got delayed for about an hour but it then it was a smooth flight. We arrived at Davao past 7:00am. Our first stop was Samal Island and according to our research, there are several ways on going to this known island. Sasa and Sta. Ana wharves were our options but we opted for the later since there are several trips from Davao City to Kaputian (a part of Samal Island that this less developed). We walked towards the front part of the airport where the cabs are waiting. People were right, cab drivers are fair drivers though the once we rode with was a bit quiet or maybe shy. Anyway, the wharf was about a 20-minute ride from the airport. We arrived before 9:00am which I thought just in time to catch the boat to Kaputian. But to our surprise, the boatmen (I don't how to call those people who are in-charge of each boat) said that the next boat will be arriving by noon! (Oh my, that's 3 more hours of waiting!) The Sta. Ana wharf was not the usual port that has a ticketing office so you have to talk to the people there to know which boat to take for each destination. To cut the story short, we opted to take Andro, a boat heading towards Isla Reta. Isla Reta is located in Talicud Island which is just beside Samal Island. The boat was large enough to accommodate about a hundred passengers and during this day, many people are on board for their Sunday getaway. For this more-than-an-hour trip, we paid 80php per head.

Isla Reta Beach Resort is indeed one of the best beaches in Talicud or maybe in the Philippines. With their shore of white sands and clear waters, many people are visiting to relax and to enjoy the nature. Isla Reta Beach Resort has several types of accommodation and you may approach their Reception for inquiries. Budget travelers may opt to bring or rent a tent for overnight stays. Check their Facebook page for more details!

Docking at Isla Reta Beach Resort

Isla Reta

While we were at the boat, I was already contacting Dayang Beach Resort where we opted to stay for one night. Good thing that there was an internet signal in the middle of the sea. (haha!) I spoke to Ms. Laura, the resort's caretaker, which was helpful when I asked for their availability and resort details. She even gave me a contact number of a habal-habal driver to pick us up at Isla Reta. However, due to a motor problem, a different driver picked us up named Kuya Ryan. He met us at the gate of the resort and from there, we rode a habal habal. I can say, he was a very good driver because some roads a VERY steep and at the same time, rocky too! He was able to drop us safely in Dayang Beach Resort and we paid him 160 PHP for that one-way ride.

We arrived at the resort around 11:00am and headed to a sari-sari store which happened to be the "reception" area for guests. Ms. Laura was there and we asked for the cheapest room that they have.

(c) Nash :)

Rates starts from 500php and up. We chose the second cheaper room which is 700php per night. While waiting for our room, a fisherman approached us to sell his fresh catch of fish. I am not sure what you call that kind of fish but it was big and enough for 4 people to eat for only 100php. Good deal right?

The facade of our home

From the inside

Dayang feels so comfortable and relaxing to be at. If you want a run away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is one place to go to. Just like Isla Reta, this resort offers white sands and beautiful waters. However, there are a lot of small rocks and shells near the shore so be careful while you walk along. But this did not lessen the beauty of the island. 

Since it is still lunch time and the sun is very striking, we ask Ms. Laura to have our fish be cooked while we rest inside our mini home. Yes, you can ask help from the resort staff to cook food for your with just a small fee. There are no other source of food aside from the fishermen or the sari-sari store in the resort. So before you go here, you may buy some food to be cooked or cooked food in the market near the Sta. Cruz port which is the main port in Talicud. It is a short walk outside Isla Reta. Going back, when you want the staff to cook food for you, better tell them an hour before you want to eat to save time and also that you stomach would not get angry. Haha!

Let's eat! (Fish - 100php + Rice - 50php + Cooking Fee - 50php)

We roamed around the island around 5:00pm just the before the sunset. From Dayang, we walked toward Babu Santa Beach where the usual stopovers of tourists that go island hopping during the day.

Ruins of an old port

Babu Santa Beach (c) Nash

Waking up with the sound of the waves and the birds humming was a kind of morning that I missed about this. Having limited signal made me connect more to nature. 

To those who are planning to go here, please take note of the following:

- Can only be reached via habal-habal where only 2 persons can ride at a time

- Contact Ms. Laura at 0999 459 1319 and ask for availability

- Bring some canned goods or cup noodles to save money for food

- Bring power banks for your gadgets. No socket in the huts. BUT you may bring socket adaptors and use it on the light bulbs

- No electricity from midnight up to 9am

- You can buy drinking water, rice (to be cooked) and other quick goods at the sari-sari store

- Water from the faucets at the common restrooms are pumped from the beach. You may buy water for brushing your teeth and taking a bath at the sari-sari store.