Summer is for beach lovers

The heat of summer is both punishing and seductive, according to my friend, Rudy Sho, a Korean beach addict. Summer heat in the city is horrid while summer is the best time to bask under the heat of the sun on beautiful beaches around the country where beach lovers don their indispensable beach wears like shorts, swim suits, sunglasses, and sandals while frolicking with their beach balls and surf boards and getting their much coveted tan.

I love going to the beach! In fact, I go to Boracay whenever my hectic schedule allows me. I love Bora’s white sand, its majestic sunset, the sand castles created by the locals, the new ordinance that requires everyone to arrive in one designated area in the island that has made swimming in the waters of Boracay a lot more fun and safer from speed boats and jetskis. In Boracay, moviestars, celebrities, tourists, locals watch the colorful sunset like one big family.

The Philippines has magnificent beaches. Whether you simply want to unwind or take an adventurous trip, going to the beach is a perfect summer getaway. Our beaches are some of the most spectacular places in this whole wide world. Here’s a list of some places you can visit this summer.

Pagudpud is a coastal resort town situated on the northernmost tip of Luzon. It lies 45 miles north of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. It is the perfect location for panoramic films and photoshoots for travel magazines. The place remains quiet, un-crowded, and unspoiled. Its mighty winds and strong waves can be compared to that of Hawaii. For the adventurous types who want to throw their caution to the wind and dare the South China Sea, they can indulge in their favorite water sports like kayaking, scuba diving and surfing. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Pagudpud is Saud Beach with its long stretch of white-sand beaches and crystal blue water.

Maira-Ira Point is also gaining popularity with its secluded beach known as the Blue Lagoon. You could reach the beach from a secondary concrete road on the north side of Maharlika Highway, Laoag City. The Patapat Viaduct is elevated 31 meters over sea level and 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge connecting Maharlika Highway to the Cagayan Valley Region. The bridge boasts of scenic view of Pasaleng Bay — a view that leads towards wide and pristine beaches towered by mountains with breathtaking waterfalls and cool, refreshing springs waiting to be discovered.

Discover the beauty of Luzon’s northeastern-most tip in Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Cagayan has golden and grayish fine sand beaches found along its coastal towns and islands such as Palaui. The island is still almost untouched by developments and commercialism. Palaui Island is an idyllic destination when you are in the mood to bask and marvel the serene beauty that nature offers.

Then there’s Siargao Island, the surfer’s paradise. Surfers are ecstatic with Siargao’s divine waves that soar from nine to twelve feet high. Siargao, located in Surigao del Norte, is the country’s surfing capital. Siargao Island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming from the Pacific Ocean which is intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait. The surfing wave in Siargao famous worldwide for thick, hollow tubes is Cloud 9. This right-breaking reef wave is the venue of the annual Siargao Cup, a local and international surfing competition supported by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte. The wave was discovered by traveling surfers in the late 1980s and named and made popular by American photographer John S. Callaghan who published the first major article about Siargao Island in the US-based SURFER Magazine in 1993. There are other exciting waves in the island but Cloud 9 is the most renowned. Aside from the mighty waves that await the travelers, there are also beaches that remain unspoiled by urban conquistadores.

Camiguin is a volcanic island and the smallest province in Northern Mindanao. The island is said to be "Born of Fire" because of its seven volcanoes including the still-active Mount Hibok-Hibok. Eruptions and land movements created the island which is full of natural wonders. Camiguin’s rich volcanic soil makes the ground fertile that produces various crops. Camiguin boasts of majestic scenery like lush forests, volcanic splendor, hot and cold natural springs, pristine patches of black and white beaches, majestic waterfalls, and blue-ridge mountains. Camiguin is often described as a unique combination of unspoiled beauty and old charm. Camiguin beckons you to visit the island since it is best experienced than described as you get enthralled with its mystic charm. Fine weather is from April to June while the coolest is from November to January.

Another surfing paradise is Calicoan Island, Samar. Bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the east and Leyte Gulf on the west, Calicoan Island is Samar’s best-kept secret. Calicoan is among the numerous islands and islets that circle Guiuan, a town at the southernmost tip of Samar. With its rugged landscape, virgin tropical forests, unspoiled white sand beaches, crystal clear water and surf waves, Calicoan is a must-see for the adventurous surfer. Its Surf Camp is a tranquil tropical getaway located in ABCD Beach, Calicoan Island’s prime surfing area. Surf Camp is a resort on the island that faces the Pacific Ocean. On the other hand, ABCD Beach has both left-hand and right-hand waves. Surfing season is from April to November. Summer months are ideal for learners with gentle 2 to 3 foot waves while latter months offer bigger and more challenging waves. Calicoan Island is just an hour away from my hometown of Borongan, Eastern Samar.