Calatagan is best known for its beaches. This peninsular municipality in Batangas boasts cream-colored shores, fringed by shallow, calm waters, making it a choice destination for beach lovers. Lining much of its western coast are beach resorts that cater to different types of travelers, from beach campers to posh vacationers.
Calatagan is also popular for its sandbars, which can be reached by renting a floating cottage or taking a boat tour offered by one of the many resorts along its shoreline. These offshore attractions provide tourists with opportunities to swim, snorkel, and revel in the area’s clear waters.
But Calatagan is more than just a beach destination. The town also cradles a Spanish-era lighthouse, adding a touch of history and heritage to its coastal charm. In this article, we list some of the best things to do and places to visit in Calatagan.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If you have a trip in Bacolod soon, please also visit our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Here, we compiled travel essentials, including all our recommended hotels and attractions. Just visit this page: TPT Masterlist. Then, scroll until you see the section about Bacolod. We also have a compilation for other destinations around the world.
Aquaria Water Park
Located in Barangay Sta. Ana in the municipality of Calatagan, Aquaria Water Park is part of Calatagan South Beach (CaSoBe), a vast seaside residential and resort community that is continually being developed by Landco Lifestyle Ventures. It is a full-service resort with rooms, cabanas, and three dining places. It also has swimming pools with varying depths and features a thrilling water slide. Although it bears “water park” in its name, don’t expect a great variety in the slides. Think of it as a more exciting family resort.
While it has an exciting water slide and several swimming pools, the resort lies along the beach, so you can also bask in the company of nature as you laze on the supple, cream-colored sand and watch the gorgeous sunset.
If you wish to spend a night or two, you may book a room through the resort’s accommodation partners — Crusoe Cabins, Cocoons, Apollo Aeropods, Cupola, and Chairman’s Cabin. Whichever you choose, your room booking already includes access to the resort’s amenities, the water park, and the beach.
Location: Aquaria Water Park, Calatagan South Beach, Barangay Santa Ana, Calatagan, Batangas
Open: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday. The park is closed on Tuesdays for weekly maintenance.
Day Tour Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Day Tour Pass: The rates depend on the season. Peak season rates are different from the lean or off-peak season rates. For more details, you can check it here: Aquaria Water Park Travel Guide
Stilts Calatagan Beaches
Located next to Manuel Uy Beach, Stilts Calatagan has established itself as one of the sought-after beach wedding destinations near Manila. It is best known for its iconic overwater bungalows, which resemble the water villas of the Maldives. This sprawling private beach property boasts not just one, but three beaches: Serenity Beach, Harmony Beach, and Destiny Beach.
Harmony Beach
Harmony Beach is the longest of the three and features fine, fair sand. It hosts the water villas and the resort’s Infinity Pool.
Serenity Beach
Serenity Beach, the closest to Manuel Uy Beach, is the area designated for guests who wish to go beach camping.
Destiny Beach
Destiny Beach normally accommodates the resort’s day tour guests. It has an interesting combination of sandy and rocky shoreline.
Location: Stilts Calatagan, Barangay Santa Ana, Calatagan, Batangas
Day Tour Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Day Tour Pass: Peak Season, P800/person; Off-Peak Season, P700/person
More info here: Stilts Calatagan Travel Guide
Manuel Uy Beach Camping
Nestled on the west coast of the Calatagan peninsula, Manuel Uy Beach features a long, wide stretch of cream-colored sand that caters to beach campers. This is perfect for those who have no problem roughing it out. It is devoid of luxury and offers only basic amenities, including shower and toilet rooms, grilling stations, a paluto (cooking) station, a small sari-sari store, the management office, and a staff station.
Although rugged in appearance, the property is well-maintained, with parking space and a lifeguard station positioned near a steep drop-off in the water several meters from the shore. During our visit, the staff would use a megaphone to warn swimmers whenever they got too close to the edge.
Manuel Uy Beach also serves as a jump-off point to Starfish Island, a sandbar, and a snorkeling site.
Location: Manuel Uy Beach, Barangay Santa Ana, Calatagan, Batangas
Entrance Fee: Day Tour – Adult, P250; Senior Citizen/PWD, P178; Children (6 y/o and below), FREE; Overnight – Adult, P350; Senior Citizen, P250; Children (6 y/o and below), FREE
Day Tour Hours: Daily, 5:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Boat Tour Rates: You can check the complete rates in the next section below. For more details, you can read here: Manuel Uy Beach Travel Guide
Calatagan Boat Tour
Calatagan’s shallow waters have also given rise to several sandbars, attracting tourists seeking adventure beyond its shores. Among the most popular are Little Boracay, Starfish Island, and Tiktiko Sandbar, all situated around 10 to 15 minutes off the western coast of Calatagan. These sandbars are best experienced during low tide, when more of their powdery strips emerge above the water.
You have two options to reach these sandbars: by a floating cottage or through boat tours. Floating cottage rentals abound along the shores of Barangays 1, 2, and 4, while most boat tours are arranged by nearby beach resorts.
Floating Cottages
Here are the usual rates and inclusions:
- Regular Rafts: P4000 – P4500 (1-10 pax)
- With a Viewing Deck: P5000 – P6500 (Good for up to 15 pax)
- Duration: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Inclusions: Entrance Fee, bangkero, life guard fee, floating cottage rent, islang hopping, grilling equipment & life vest
- Destinations: Sandbar Island, Starfish Island, Little Boracay & snorkeling site
Boat Tour
The rates below are from Manuel Uy Beach Resort:
- Little Boracay: P1500/hr (Good for up to 4 pax)
- Starfish Island: P1500/hr (Good for up to 4 pax)
- Tiktiko Sand Bar: P2000/hr (Good for up to 4 pax)
- Additional Pax: P300/person
- Additional Stop: P150/stop per person per hour
- All 3 Stops: P2700 – P3200 (Good for up to 4 pax)
Little Boracay
Little Boracay flaunts fine white sand and clear, turquoise water, making it a favorite spot for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing in the shallow area. Most tourists also enjoy having their lunch aboard floating cottages amid the calm water.
During our last visit before the pandemic, this place had no name yet. We did not even realize it was a sandbar until our boatman pointed it out. We happened to visit during high tide, so we just waded through the shallow waters. From where we were, the shoreline and the nearby seaside village were still visible.
Starfish Island
Although called an “island”, Starfish Island is actually another sandbar. As mentioned earlier, it was already high tide when we set out for our boat tour, so the sandbar was submerged and no longer visible at the time. Even so, the water was clear enough for us to spot numerous starfish scattered across the area.
There were only two groups visiting then, including ours, so we almost had the place to ourselves. We took photos of the starfish in their natural habitat, making sure not to pick them up or disturb them.
Tiktiko Sandbar
We did not make a stop at Tiktiko Sandbar (Tiktok Sandbar) during our last sandbar-hopping tour in Calatagan because it was already high tide, so we assumed it would no longer be visible. Instead, we just opted for a quick snorkeling session before heading back to Manuel Uy Beach Resort.
Again, at that time, the locals just referred to it as the “sandbar”. We are not exactly sure where it is located within the area, but using Manuel Uy Beach as a reference point, it seems to be much farther than the other two sandbars, which probably explains the higher boat rate. Anyway, if you’ve been here before, let us know your thoughts in the comment section!
Cape Santiago Lighthouse
Calatagan is not just about beaches and sandbars. It is also home to one of the oldest lighthouses in the country.
Cape Santiago Lighthouse (Faro de Cabo de Santiago), also known as Punta de Santiago Lighthouse or simply Calatagan Lighthouse, was once part of the Zobel clan’s hacienda. The area where the lighthouse stands was later donated by Don Santiago Zobel, after whom it was named.
Built in 1890, the 51-foot-tall white-and-red structure overlooks the Verde Island Passage and continues to guide seafarers to this day. This was also one of the filming locations for Green Bones, the Best Picture winner at the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival. Aside from the tower itself, another recognizable feature of the site is the nearby acacia tree, now popularly called the “Tree of Hope”. You’ll also find a decommissioned Coast Guard helicopter displayed within the grounds.
Address: Cape Santiago Lighthouse, Cape Santiago, Barangay Bagong Silang, Calatagan, Batangas
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entrance Fee: P50/person
Museo de Enrique Zobel
If you want to learn more about Calatagan’s past and heritage, head over to this small yet culturally rich community museum. Founded in 2013, the Museo de Enrique Zobel, also known as the EZ Museum, offers a glimpse into Calatagan’s history through a curated collection of artifacts dating from the pre-colonial period to the 20th century. These include ceramics, musical instruments, textiles, religious items, as well as ancient tools and weapons. A dedicated section also showcases heirlooms and memorabilia from the Zobel family, generously donated by its members.
Before it became a museum dedicated to Enrique Zobel, his family, and the town of Calatagan, the place previously served as the headquarters of a charitable foundation established in his name.
Address: Museo de Enrique Zobel, EZ Mart Compound, National Highway, Poblacion I, Calatagan, Batangas
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Entrance Fee: FREE
Where to Stay in Calatagan
If you’re into camping, you’ll find several options, including Manuel Uy Beach. Stilts Calatagan also offers this type of lodging, but among its many overnight accommodation options, the water villas are the most popular.
Meanwhile, Calatagan South Beach (CASOBE) is has five concept hotels, each offering a unique experience: Cocoons, Crusoe Cabins, Apollo Aeropods, Cupola, and Chairman’s Cabin.
With Calatagan’s wide selection of resorts, finding one that matches your preferences and budget shouldn’t be difficult. Below are just some of the top-rated hotels in Calatagan according to online traveler reviews.
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- Cocoons Casobe. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- UNWND Boutique Hotel Calatagan. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Crusoe Cabins Casobe. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Nawa Wellness. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Lago de Oro. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Paradores Filipinas Calatagan. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
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