Nagtabon Beach

Most beaches - if not all - around the city centre of Puerto Princesa are shallow for an enjoyable swim, and seaweeds clings to your legs if you're lucky to get to a deeper-than-your-knee waters.  I’ve been to the long sandy beaches of BM and Hartman and it's fun for kids, will pass for a local family picnic during weekends but won't satisfy a good swim.  Soaking your feet would be fine, sun-bathing perhaps.

Being a local immigrant, with a year of residency in Palawan, I wander around every now and then to discover the beauty of the city in a forest, and perhaps discover some hidden beaches, coves and hideaways not far from the city centre.  One of those is the Nagtabon Beach.

Confined to what's popular on the internet search or the dictates of tour operators who offer packages, most tourists comes to Puerto Princesa contented with couple of beaches like the ones in Honda Bay. But for some people, travelers who shun away from the customary route, this cove is an alternative.

Tucked away among some stunning green mountain ranges, away from the tourist crowd, serene and unexploited, this piece of paradise is worth the one hour or so trip from the city centre.

Nagtabon Beach is an off-the-beaten path, a bit away from the usual tourist trail but the more adventurous really takes their time and effort finding this place.  The road to there - in my recent visit (November 2015) the road is mostly concrete already making it convenient, except for the last kilometer or less going down the beach area which is still a bit rough and bumpy.  

But before you take the bumpy road, try going up pass it on your right just to marvel at the breath-taking view of the beach cove below from the top of the mountain edge, spend a couple of minutes, soak in the serenity of the spectacular view down below.  It might take your breath away, literally speaking.  Then head down for the beach fun.  It’s unspoilt, chances are, you’ll be sharing the beach with only few tourist, mostly foreign tourists who love places like this.

If you plan to stay overnight, there are some thatched-roof huts, simply furnished with bed, a bathroom and a small veranda facing the beach, set among lush garden under coconut trees and fine bermuda grass lawn where you can just sit and relax.  An alternative, and if you have one, bring a camping tent, you can set it up on the sands or pay P200 for an open hut within the private resort area and put up your tent in the neater grassy lawn beside it.  That entitles you also of the use of their bathroom, and fresh water to rinse yourself after a swim.

As the place is not yet spoiled by mass tourism, do not forget to bring food and drinks, perhaps some fresh fish or meat to grill, the place lack restaurants or food shacks, you may find a small store perhaps for limited drinks and biscuits.

How to get there:

You have to have your own vehicle to get there, either rent a van or a multicab or motorcycle your way to the beach.  Drive through the highway of Puerto Princesa North from the city centre and turn left on the Bacungan Elementary School, passing by local villages who for sure will stare at a passing vehicle somehow thinking – another tourists who got lost.  But you’re on the right track, don’t worry.  Roads here are already concrete, convenient pass, a little river here and there, don’t hesitate to ask the local villagers, they’re friendly.  When you reach the forked road up, you have to take the left road going down, you'll find a "small" sign that says "Nagtabon Beach", that's the last part which isn't concrete, the road is narrow and a bit dangerous ravine on your left so be careful driving, in less than a kilometer you'll reach the beach. 

Entry Fee: P200 to rent a picnic cottage.