2019 • 3 • 14
Over the past couple of years, Masasa Beach has emerged as a favorite hideaway among the Manila crowd. What used to be a best-kept secret has become a go-to weekend destination especially for campers.
Although relatively remote, Masasa Beach is quite accessible, even if you’re taking public transportation. If you’re used to switching modes of transportation multiple times in one journey, you probably wouldn’t mind spending 3 hours on the bus, another hour in the jeepney, and 45 minutes on a passenger boat.
1. Ride the bus going to Batangas City Grand Terminal.
- You’ll find buses going to the Grand Terminal at terminals in LRT-Buendia and Taft in Pasay, and Cubao and EDSA-Kamias in Quezon City.
- If you want a shorter travel time (and I know you do), ride the bus with the sign CALABARZON. That bus will bypass the cities of Tanauan and Lipa, which means no traffic.
- Speaking of traffic, leave early. Leave in the early morning, if possible, to avoid the horrendous Manila traffic.
- Fare: P185 from LRT-Buendia (higher if from Cubao, lower if from Alabang).
- Travel time: 2-3 hours, depending on your point of origin.
2. At the Grand Terminal, take a jeepney to Anilao.
The jeepney area is located a short walk from where the buses drop off passengers. Just make your way on foot toward the area where the small canteens and stores are located. The jeepney queues are behind these stores. If you can’t find it, just ask anyone where the jeepneys to Mabini/Anilao are parked.
- Travel time: 40 minutes – 1 hour.
- Fare: P40.
3. Get off at Anilao Port or Talaga Port.
- Anilao Port (aka Mabini Multi-purpose Port) is used from the start of amihan season, sometime in December, until the end of Philippine summer, sometime in June. When habagat season kicks in, they move it to Talaga Port in Brgy. Talaga. There is no fixed date because it depends on the conditions of the waves and currents. But you may call the Mabini Tourism Office to be sure: (043) 410 0607.
- The Gulugod Baboy stop is different so don’t get off when the jeepney stops next to a corner along the way and other tourist-looking passengers alight. They’re probably going to Gulugod Baboy, which is NOT your stop. I’ve done this route many times and a lot of people make this mistake. Get off when you’re at the port.
- There is a Tourism Office on the other side of the port so if you need assistance, you can pay a visit.
4. Take the public boat to Tingloy Port or Masasa Beach.
You have two options:
- Option 1: Catch the boat to Tingloy Port. Fare: P80. Travel time: 45 minutes – 1 hour. At the port, ride a tricycle to your homestay or to the start of the hiking trail to Masasa Beach (P80 per ride or P20 per person).
- Option 2: Catch the boat that goes straight to Masasa Beach. There are public boats that go directly to Masasa Beach, but they are fewer and their sched is even more unpredictable. Fare: P100.
Tingloy Boat Schedule
Below is the schedule of boats going to Tingloy Port from Anilao Port or Talaga Port.
ANILAO / TALAGA PORT to TINGLOY PORT
10:30 AM
12:00 PM
2:30 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
TINGLOY PORT to ANILAO / TALAGA PORT
6:00 AM
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
2:30 PM
However, based on experience, the schedules above are not always followed. The boat usually only leaves as soon as there are 80 passengers onboard, so during off-peak season and weekdays, prepare to wait longer.
Note that the last trip from Tingloy to the mainland is at 2:30pm. This means that if you’re on a day trip, you need to catch that last boat or you’ll be stuck in the island or forced to charter a private boat, which is waaaay more expensive.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, you might be overwhelmed by the crowd. Visitors tend to stay and camp on the main beach. But Masasa Beach is long. You can find quieter spots in the farther corners in the area.
Find resorts near Masasa Beach!
If you’re not camping and you don’t do homestay, you may stay at one of the many resorts in Anilao and just visit Masasa Beach on a day tour. Search for a resort below.
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Is this post helpful to you?
is overnight camping allowed?
Is there any place where we can rent snorkeling equipment?
Yes meron po, try to visit din po camaya coast in mariveles bataan, the mini boracay in bataan, full equipement din po dun. meron po sila free day tour na inoffer. :)
Hi if possible may i share t new rates 2019 for masasa beach….ur blog helped me to budget n for travel information…the beach is awesome n water is super clear n cold…
1. The ride from lrt gilpuyat / lrt buendia to batangas grand terminal its 185 pesos per head.
2. Jeep from batangas grand terminal to anilao port is 40 pesos per head.
3. Once u reach anilao port u have to pay 30 pesos environmental fee as its written in ur blog but starting 2019 u have to pay additional 50 pesos for municipality fee so total of 80 pesos per head.
4. Passenger Boat schedule is same as per ur blog 80 pesos per head.
Note: the rate for private boat is high now.
5. Once u reach at tingloy port get a tricycle going to beach we paid 80 pesos.
6. There are lots of homestay available we paid 400 pesos per head but good thing cooking n usage of gas is free n they have everything available..
Night camping is not allowed in beach area…
Note: even if there is power cutoff they have generators so u can charge ur gadgets hehe..
For me i recommend to visit masasa beach…will bs visiting soon..
Hello…this is Mei Mandanas-Aldovino, daughter of Coun. Florencio Mandanas of Mandanas’ Homestay the house where you stayed before during your visit in our hometown tingloy. Mandanas’ Homestay, Masasa beach and Tingloy Island’ Batangas became known worldwide because of you. In behalf of Mandanas Family we would like to say thank you…you are a blessing not just to our family but to Tingloyeños as well. By featuring Masasa Beach, you have helped the locals in so many ways. Words are not enough to thank you and to let you know what you have done by mentioning Mandanas’ Homestay on your blog, the house that you have tried then. Our accomodation became famous and trusted because of your recommendation. In return we would like to offer you free accomodation on your next visit to tingloy island and hopping to meet you in person. We would be glad to let you see the blessings we have because of you. Thank you. More power. God bless…
—Mandanas’ Homestay
(09178255513 / 09178414715)
Thanks, Mei! It’s been years since I stayed at your homestay. Tagal na! Nakaka-miss tuloy. haha
Thanks for this lrfan! Will include! :)
hi, is it crowded at masasa beach?
Yep, pag weekends lalo ngayong summer. Halos lahat ng beach near Manila ay crowded pag weekends pag summer.
sa metrodeal po 2 days and 1 night ang offer na deal. meaning overnight stay po.puede ba talagang mag over night stay sa masasa beach?ano ang accomodation tent po ba?
Hi Naomi, sa beach itself? Di po allowed mag-overnight dun.
I am excited to visit Masasa beach! Pero how to get here kung galing tagaytay rotonda???
This is what I know, but I’m not sure if there are still vans from Tagaytay to Lemery.
Ride a van from Tagaytay to Lemery, then ride a jeep bound for Batangas City and ask the driver to drop you off in Bauan, at the junction to Anilao. Then take another jeep to Anilao/Talaga Port. From the port, boat to Masasa Beach.