Wanna have a taste of a colorful summer? Take Zamboanga City’s the Pink Sand Beach at Sta. Cruz Island for this will definitely paint your ordinary vacation right!
The recently hailed as one of the top 10 best beaches in the world by NatGeo and it is totally a must-see, must-visit, must-swim beach with your friends and even fambam!
People
During my stay of 4 Days in Zamboanga, I believe that most of the locals can speak and understand Tagalog and English while it is mainly Chavacano, Bisaya, Tausug, and Yakan are their native tongue. It would be best to get a trusted tour guide along your way. And of course be always careful of your things, don’t be too flashy but still you can manage to stay cool as a tourist.
Going to Sta. Cruz Island
Our trip was arranged beforehand for it is advisable to book with City Tourism Office first because there are limited number of person allowed to stay in the island in a day. Overnight stay is not allowed, only day tours.
Head over to Paseo Del Mar seaport and upon arrival, register at the log sheet, pay for the terminal fee, and the boat fee.
Before the passengers start to board the banca (boat), there is a short briefing about safety precautions and policies by PAMU(Protected Area Management Unit) of Zamboanga. Be reminded of such policies as “leave no trace”, “get nothing but pictures” and quite a few more to maintain the order and beauty of the island.
All passengers will be provided with life jackets and it is required to wear it. Also, notice anything on the bancas? It has no balancer so be careful in boarding, it maybe shaky but it is rock steady when running. The ride is about 20mins on a stable to mild sea current.
Stay at Sta. Cruz Island
There are a lot of trees around that you can stay under its shade, lay your things and go ahead, take a dip! But make sure to keep an eye on your belongings while there are policemen in the area, be always responsible with your own belongings.
I literally died of colors and dreamed of riding at this boat in the water but there’s no one available to paddle for me so I just managed riding like it’s in the water and of course, I took a lot of pictures on it.
Why Pink Sand Beach?
In the afternoon or if it’s a bit dimmer environment, you will notice from afar that the sand is pinkish, for it is because of the presence of crushed red organ-pipe corals washed ashore.
Expenses and Notes
Make sure you register ahead of time in your preferred schedule of visit because there is a maximum number of registrants per day of up to 400 only.
Terminal Fee: Php 5
Boat Fee: Php 1,000 (1-10 Person)
Note: You can wait and join on another boat, just give a fare share to a maximum of 10 person per boat.
Entrance Fee(Payable at the Island): Php 13
Cottage Rentals:
Small(up to 6 person): Php 100
Large(up to 10 person): Php 200
Pavillion(up to 10-15 person): Php 500
For Reservations and Inquiries:
Contact No: 09272835684
What to bring
- Packed Meals (lunch) or Snacks because there is no restaurant in the island although the locals may offer fresh crabs and boil it for you.
- Drinking Water (In a water jug or maybe water container with faucet)
- Sunblock
- Toiletries
- Brave heart with inner peace (bring it with you or possess it when you’ve already stepped the island)
- Extra clothes (optional, so you can change after swimming, or go spontaneous)
- Dry bag (it’s recommended to waterproof your things)
- Pocket money
- Plastic for trash (Remember, leave no trace policy. So you’ll be bringing all your trash back to city)
[…] We’ve just arrived at Port of Basilan! (Yey!), and while our ferry is docking at the port, I’m fascinated(quite a scene) by how these boys dive under the sea and catch coins in a jiff. Notice also that one banca, it has no balancer just like what bancas we saw in Zamboanga going to Pink Sand Beach. […]