It didn't take a minute for me to fall in love with Dahican Beach. It was "love at first sight". Its long white sandy beach is certainly "to die for". As we walk barefooted along its shoreline dotted with tall coconut trees, I felt the fine sand on my feet. It's so soft that my feet leaves a mark with every step I make. The "raw-ness" of its seven-kilometer stretch of pure white sand beach facing the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean is simply amazing!
Upon arrival, a group of skim boarders (mostly kids) welcomed us. We sat on the the shore and just enjoyed our time watching them showcase their talents. They are really amazing! No doubt, Dahican beach is dubbed as the "skim boarding capital of Mindanao"!
Our original plan is to rent a tent and camp at the beach. But the heavy downpour on our way here made us decide to find a place to stay.
Upon asking the locals, they pointed us to Botona Beach Resort, which is about 500 meters away from what they call "Amihan". I didn't mind walking as the beach is really so lovely!
At the reception, we inquired for a room. We got a room for 1,800 pesos per night, good for 4 persons. Quite expensive, but we don't have a choice, that's the cheapest they have. Haizt! Anyway, we proceeded to our room and fixed our things.
NOTE: You may opt to go back to downtown Mati, if they are fully booked or if you wish to get cheaper rooms
At around 7:00 PM, we had dinner by the beach. We ordered fried chicken and rice, for 200 pesos.
After about an hour of lounging at the beach while enjoying the cool breeze of the air and the sound of the waves, we called it a night.
We woke up early the following day and walked along the beach. It was sunny and so nice to get a tan.
While walking, we saw nursery pens where pawikan turtles lay eggs. I wish, I could witness a pawikan turtle laying her eggs here, but it usually happens at night and maybe it's not yet time for me see it. Nonetheless, I'm quite happy to see the conservation and protection efforts of the locals here to preserve the pawikan.
We then walked back towards Botona Beach Resort as we have a scheduled surfing lessons with their surfing instructor by 9:00 AM. I will create a separate post on this later.
Dahican's open beach is ideal for a one-of-a-kind, laid-back and inexpensive escapade with family and friends. There are no modern facilities or high-end resorts unlike other developed beaches in the country, but the superb view of the clear turquoise water with huge and raging waves and the friendliness of the people will definitely make your vacation in Mati City truly memorable.
Raw, peaceful, not crowded and unexploited, Dahican beach is certainly one of my favorite beaches in Mindanao!
How to get to Dahican Beach in Mati, Davao Oriental
From Davao City's Ecoland Terminal, take a bus bound for Mati, Davao Oriental. Air-conditioned Bus fare is around 250 pesos, travel time is about 3.5 - 4 hours. From the town center, take a tricycle or a habal-habal (single motorcycle) to Dahican Beach. Fare is around 40 pesos each and travel time is about 20 minutes.
This trip happened on June 8-9, 2012 during my "6-day Davao Region + North Cotabato trip". Davao Oriental is the 65th province on my list. COMPOSTELA VALLEY DAVAO ORIENTAL
NORTH COTABATO
DAVAO DEL SUR |
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I miss that beach. We were there 2 years ago and stayed in Botona Dahican too. Magaling ng mga local skimboaders dyan!
ReplyDeletesarap talaga dyan sa Dahican! sarap balik-balikan! :) Thanks Earl! :)
Deletepupuuntahan ko to this year! <3
ReplyDeleteAng ganda! Very Virgin! Ang sarap sa feeling makakita na marami pa tayong unspoiled paradise sa bansa. :)
ReplyDeleteI will be there this coming November for three weeks. I hope surfing is awesome so that next visit I will bring my son. He like to surf Big waves. He travel to Mexico just to surf. We live in Texas so not too far from Mex.
ReplyDelete