Aside from Isla Reta where we opted to stay for the night, there are two other popular beaches in Talicud island- the Babusanta and Dayang Beach. These two resorts are located just beside each other and are about 20-minute habal habal ride away from Isla Reta.

After enjoying the sand and the waters of Isla Reta for two hours, my friend and I decided to make a quick visit to these two beach resorts. We went out of Isla Reta and walked for 5 minutes to Sta Cruz, the main barangay of Talicud island and were immediately approached by several habal habal drivers at the wharf. “Papunta kami Babusanta (we’re going to Babusanta,)” I said. One of them was quick to say “Singkwenta pesos lang po, papunta dun.” (Fare is P50, going there)”. “Para sa dalawa? (P50 for two?)” I asked. “Hindi po. P50 pesos bawat isa (P50 each,)” he replied. “Balikan na ba yun? (round trip?)” I again asked. “Hindi po. P100, bawat isa, balikan (P100 each round trip)” he shot back. We agreed and from the look and smiles of the other drivers, I knew that was a generous amount.

The road was mostly rough and there were times when we had to get off the habal habal (motorcycle) and walk past several dangerous parts to make sure we avoid accident. Our driver later parked the car at the entrance of Dayang beach.

Dayang Beach Resort. We told the lady caretaker we only wanted to see the beach and won’t stay longer than 15 minutes but she still charged us with the entrance fee (P50 each.) The resort has nipa hut cottages at very affordable prices. They have rooms that can accommodate 5 persons at P500.

I wasn’t impressed with the beach though. It was rocky and was mostly consist of broken dead corals and during our visit it was littered with piles of dried leaves and twigs.

Babusanta Beach Resort. Although Dayang and Babusanta share the same shoreline, the beach fronting Babusanta was well-maintained with less dead corals and and it looked cleaner and better.

As we entered Babusanta from Dayang Beach, we were welcomed with a big smile by Mang Bebot (pronounced as bee-bot 🙂 ,) the resort’s caretaker, and asked us if we wanted to buy coconuts, which we did for P35 each.The scenery at Babusanta was very relaxing and Mang Bebot was very accommodating and so nice to speak with.

They only have open cottages as accommodation though which is more suited for a day tour. Those who wish to stay overnight may choose to stay in these open cottages, or rent a tent from Mang Bebot for P75 only, or stay in one of the nipa hut cottages at Dayang beach. There was no entrance fee at Babusanta.

I really liked the laid back mellow atmosphere at Babusanta. The scenery was very refreshing. I could imagine myself just sitting under the shades of the trees and being lulled to sleep on one of the papags (makeshift bamboo beds) by the gentle sound of the waves and the wind softly rustling through the leaves.

Our visit to Babusanta maybe short, but it sure was sweet, and I know that each time I would look at the few pictures I’ve taken of the beach, I would always feel the urge to go back.

For rates you may contact the following numbers:

Babusanta Beach Resort: Mang Bebot 0919-239-8308
Dayang Beach Resort: 0999-459-1318/0918-3868793

How to get there:

From Sta. Ana Wharf, there are boats going to Babusanta and Dayang beach at 1:30PM. Monday to Saturday only. The boat leaves the beach at 7AM the following day. Another option is to take a boat going to Sta.Cruz wharf, just beside Isla Reta and then take a habal-habal to Babusanta or Dayang beach. The earliest boat going to Isla Reta or Sta.Cruz wharf leaves at 9AM. Last trip is at 3PM.

For first time readers, this post is the 4th of the series of destinations I visited during my trip Davao. You might also like to read, Part 1,Part 3, of this series. Thanks!

Continue Reading