The only island municipality in Batangas, Tingloy harbors a pristine, sparkling natural treasure. Its whale-shaped main island, Maricaban, appears to be swimming between Batangas Bay and Balayan Bay. Masasa Beach is the whale’s belly, a curl of powdery paradise.
A few years ago, it was barely disturbed because not many people knew it existed. Fast forward to the present, the beach may have caused quite a stir, but it still maintains its raw beauty. You’ll find that there’s hardly any man-made structure in the area, and honestly, we hope that it stays that way. For us, Masasa Beach is one of the best beaches in Batangas. Getting here is quite a journey. But if you take on the challenge, you will be welcomed by its gentle waves, hugging your tired body and soothing your weary soul.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
How to Get There
Nearest Airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as Manila International Airport (Manila)
Manila to Anilao Port
- From Manila, take a bus going to the Grand Terminal in Batangas City. The fare is P250 – P260, depending on the point of origin. Travel time is two to three hours.
- From the Grand Terminal, take a jeepney to Anilao Port (Mabini Multi-purpose Port). The fare is P70 per person, and travel time is more or less 40 minutes.
Anilao Port to Masasa Beach
- From Anilao Port, find the booth for terminal fee, environmental fee, and trash bond fee payment. You need to pay these first before purchasing a ferry ticket. You’ll find the rates in the next section — Entrance Fee and Other Charges.
- Buy a ferry ticket to Tingloy. There are two ferry companies available: Tingloy Ferry and Montenegro Lines. Tingloy Ferry has bigger vessels, while Montenegro Lines has the earliest trip schedule to Tingloy (7:00 AM). Here are the fares:
Tingloy Ferry – Regular, P160; Student, P116; Senior/PWD, P104; Child (3-12 y/o), P72
Montenegro Lines – Regular, P162; Student, P130; Senior/PWD, P116; Child (3-12 y/o), P81 - Board your ferry to Tingloy Port. Travel time is 40 minutes to an hour.
- From Tingloy Port, take a tricycle to your accommodation (overnight trip) or to the jump-off point of the trail to Masasa Beach. At the tricycle terminal, you will be given a number for the tricycle queue. Wait for your number to be called. The fare is P80 per tricycle.
If you are traveling using a private vehicle from Manila, you can take the SLEX. Continue driving onto the STAR Tollway, then take the Batangas City Exit. It’s best to turn on your Google Maps or Waze App to help you navigate easily. You can find a parking spot around the Anilao Port area. Leave early in the morning, especially if you are only going on a day tour.
Where to Stay in Tingloy
Camping used to be the choice of most weekenders as Masasa Beach have yet to have resorts. However, overnight camping is not permitted anymore. You may opt to spend your night in one of the homestays or guesthouses instead. If you prefer to book your accommodation in advance online, here are some of the choices:
- TRES MARIAS TRANSIENT HOUSE
✅ Booking.com | Agoda - BALAY INTON
✅ Booking.com | Agoda - SEALOVERS’ PLACE MASASA BEACH
✅ Booking.com | Agoda - JEREMIAH HOMESTAY
✅ Booking.com | Agoda
Here are other homestay information we got on our recent visit. For transparency, we have not tried any of these and just including them here if you need more options.
- Mandanas Homestay
Contact Number: +63 917 825 5513 - Lorie & LN Homestay
Contact Number: +63 947 173 0355 - KC-Neth Homestay
Contact Number: +63 936 282 5618 | +63 910 532 1471 - Carmen-Ruben Homestay
Contact Number: +63 926 522 4463 | +63 927 824 2716 - Kuya Garry Homestay
Contact Number: +63 926 322 4463
If you are planning to explore Anilao in Mabini, Batangas or are only planning a day trip in Masasa, here are some of the recommended resorts in Mabini according to online users, in no particular order.
Top Hotels on Agoda
- CAMP NETANYA RESORT AND SPA
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - EAGLE POINT RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - BENTRINA DIVING RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - VIVERE AZURE RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - ALTAMARE DIVE AND LEISURE RESORT ANILAO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Top Hotels on Booking.com
- THE PHILIP ANN RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - SOLITUDE ACACIA RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - BLUE RIBBON DIVE RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - SALTITUDE DIVE & BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - CASITA YSABEL
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
If you want more suggestions with more details about each hotel, you can also check our Top 10 Beach & Dive Resorts in Anilao article.
Find more Batangas Hotels!
Entrance Fee and Other Charges
- Entrance Fee: FREE
- Camping Fee: Overnight camping is not allowed anymore, but you can still pitch your tent during the day until 6:00 PM. Tent rental is around P200 per tent.
- Cottage (Kubo) Rental Fee: P500. You’ll find these huts or cottages near “I <3 MASASA" sign.
- Island Hopping Tour: P2,000/boat (good for 4 pax). This rate is for tours departing from Masasa.
- Sombrero Island Entrance: P200/person
- Environmental Fee: P50/person (Mabini); P50/person (Tingloy)
- Terminal Fee: P5/person
- Trash Bond: P100/2 pax
Don’t Miss
- Swimming and beach bumming of course! It’s a long beach; don’t just stay on the main beach. Go further and enjoy other pockets of sand where crowds are few.
- Snorkeling! Tingloy lies within the Verde Island Passage, dubbed as the center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity. For those who are not really into scuba diving, the clear water of Masasa Beach makes it a great snorkeling spot. Appreciate the colorful marine life without the need to go deeper into the ocean.
- Go island hopping. Itinerary usually includes Sombrero Island, Blue Lagoon, Dugong Cove, and a snorkeling site.
- Take lots of photos! You’ll find several Instagram-worthy spots, including a man-made concrete stairway outlining a rock formation. You can also snap photos with the “I <3 Masasa" sign in the background.
- Trekking. Mag-asawang Bato are two gigantic rock formations that await you on top of a nearby hill. Go brave the slopes and get up close and personal with the hard rock couple.
Don’t Forget
- Bring an extra battery for your camera or bring your trusted power bank. This is a must-have especially if you are staying overnight as electricity is unpredictable on the island.
- Masasa Beach is beautiful when it’s sunny. You can see the waters’ different shades of blue. However, the waters are not as blue when it’s cloudy.
- There’s a restroom area for a minimal fee. It has toilets and wash areas. It’s located near the “I <3 Masasa" sign and the cottages for rent.
- Bring sun protection. Don’t forget to pack your sunglasses, cap/hat, umbrella, environment-friendly sunscreen, etc.
- Wear protective footwear. It’s important to note that some parts of the shore are strewn with coral stones and sharp rocks.
- Bring a first-aid kit, medicine, insect repellent lotion, and other life-saving gadgets and tools. These are beneficial, especially when spending a night on the island.
- Ask first before pitching your tent. Some areas don’t allow tent pitching. If ever you are pitching under the shade of the coconut trees, be careful of the falling coconuts. Again, tents are only allowed until 6:00 PM.
- Leave nothing but footprints. Bring your trash with you if there’s no trash bin. Observe proper garbage disposal.
If You Have More Time and Budget
- Go on an island hopping tour around Maricaban Islands.
- Stay in one of the many dive resorts in Mabini, Batangas and avail of its dive amenities and packages.
- Go on a day tour at Sepoc Beach. Although Sepoc is located in Tingloy, note that the only access is by boat from Eagle Point Resort in Mabini, Batangas.
- After your adventure in Tingloy, you might also want to consider trekking to the summit of Mount Gulugod Baboy in Mabini. The jump-off point is located at the junction of the main road and the side street leading to Philpan Dive Resort and Bentrina Dive Resort.
Watch Related Videos on YouTube
You can watch our Masasa Beach Travel Guide video below. You can also find other related videos on our YouTube channel.
Updates Log
2024.10.23 – Updated information (fares and fees), process, format, and photos
2019.07.24 – Updated fares in How to Get There section
2018.05.09 – Updated information (fares and fees), process, and format; added photos and items
2014.02.21 – First uploaded
Written by: Astrid Alvarez
Additional Writing by: Yoshke Dimen
Related Article: MANILA to BATANGAS Bus Schedules & Fares
More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Ive been here ganda jan sa tingloy meron mini cave near the stair jan kami natulog camp for 2 days sulit na sulit ..
Is it possible to go there for a day tour?
does the boats still set sail around 4pm from tingloy to mabini? or they only do morning Sails?