Travel Guide to Subic Beach, Matnog, Sorsogon

 PARADISE AT THE END OF LUZON

I have no idea that there is another Subic in the Philippines. All along I thought the only Subic is in Olongapo. I just knew it when Sky Scanner featured it on their Facebook Page and after few hours Sir Ronie Santiago of Plan B (Beachneering) posted an event which includes exploring Subic Beach and Biri Island! I really got excited and immediately joined the said event. 

Subic Beach is part of the Calintian Island which is under the jurisdiction of Matnog, Sorsogon and few minutes away from Matnog Port.

It was around past 10 in the evening when we arrived in Subic Daco (Big Subic). We were all exhausted by the time we arrived in the island because it took us 24 hours just to get there. 

This view welcomed us in Matnog Port

I was thrilled the moment I smelled the ocean breeze! I said to myself "Subic Beach here I come!" After a 30 minute boat ride we arrived in the said beach and this what welcomed us. It was cloudy because of the LPA but it didn't blocked the moon to shine. 

Subic Beach during night time

On the following day, it was raining hard and some of the tents were not able to endure it including ours, so we relocated to another place near the police station. We were joking that it is the safest place in the area. 

Finally Haring Araw showed up

HOW TO GET TO SUBIC BEACH:

Matnog, Sorsogon is the Southern Tip of Luzon. It is literally, end of Luzon. Too bad I was not able to take a picture with a sign that says "You are now leaving Luzon". They say it the gateway of Luzon and Visayas.

Via Air

The nearest Airport Terminal that can be your drop - off point going to Matnog, Sorsogon is Legazpi. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. 

From Legazpi Airport, you have to go the Daraga Bus Terminal and ride a bus bound for Matnog, Sorsogon, which is 4 hours away.

Total Travel Time: 5 - 7 Hours



Via Land

There are several bus companies which are bound for Matnog, Sorsogon e.g. Philtranco, Peñafrancia, DLTB, Eagle Star, C.U.L Transport. Actually you can ride any bus going to Samar or Leyte, all of them are passing through Matnog Port. 

Total Travel Time: 12 -14 hours



Via Water

From Matnog Port, look for boatmen in the bay and haggle a ride going to Subic Beach. If you are going with a group, better have reservation ahead of time for proper coordination. You can contact Honey Hilao with this number +63-927-215-9098. She is from Subic Beach and  organizes boat ride and tours around Calintian Island and Biri Island. She said that for a group of 10, you can avail a boat for 7,000 Php inclusive of the said tours. 

Total Travel Time: 30 - 40 minutes

WHAT TO DO IN SUBIC BEACH:

1. Beach bumming

You can laze on their pinkish white sand and enjoy the ocean breeze! 

See it's pinkish white! :)

2. Have fun with friends!

Most of the people are drinking, some are playing cards, frisbee, basketball and volleyball.

A very crowded Subic Beach on a Black Saturday!

3. Meet new friends!

Travelling will let you go into places and meet different people. Subic Beach is an upcoming tourist attraction. You can meet locals and foreigners. I met a cool backpacker who has been traveling the Philippines for months! His name is Yotam Kaspin, I will do another post about him.

Also, I got the chance to socialize with the people of Plan B. Plan B is a very diverse group but all have the same goal, to explore the beaches in the Philippines. I will also do another post about it.

Don't be scared to mingle with other people you will definitely learn from them, just be cautious on whom you talk to.


4. Island Hopping

You can go to Subic Liit (Small Subic), Light house in the Middle of the ocean, Hidden Cave Lagoon, Cathedral Cave, & Juag Fish Sanctuary.

Smaller version of Subic but less trash

Our boatman trying to dock in an islet.

 Lighthouse in the middle of an ocean! According to the locals, it used to be an island but through the years it submerged into the ocean.



Below are different caves but we were not able to explore it because of the strong waves.

Cathedral Cave

There is a lagoon inside the cave but we were not able to go through it because of the mighty waves!

A very crowded Juag Fish Sanctuary. 

So there you have it! Subic Beach is fine but I think not worth it for a 12 hour travel, to make your stay worth it, but if you have a side trip to Biri Island, it will definitely make your trip a memorable one! Their marine life is also not that rich, their corals are destroyed. Good thing the beach is still clean but they do not have proper waste disposal. The houses nearby and the waste that tourists create, generate pungent smell which is not healthy! Eeek! Hope the local government could do something with this.

Anyhoo, yea Subic Beach is a nice place to visit. Its pinkish white sand is a must see and plunging in their clear water is very refreshing plus the salinity is low compared with Calaguas Islands. I recommend this place for those who wants to visit Biri Island, this should be your base camp, like what we did.


Ano, TARA GUMALA?


CIAO.
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GABRIELA