Taytayin Cove, also known as Etayo Cove, is a set of twin coves sharing the same coast. This unique feature is probably the reason why some people refers to it as Taytayin Cove, while others call it Etayo Cove. It’s like a package deal. Both are actually correct because they occupy the same coast — Taytayin in the north and Etayo in the south.
Anyway! Located in Barangay Papaya in Nasugbu, Batangas, it used to be open to the public and tour boats can dock at the beach. Now that it’s part of Hamilo Coast, access is now limited, if not restricted, just like other coves in the area. In place of the beach, the cove offers its Barracuda Cave for cliff jumping experience. This has become one of the usual stops for island hopping tour in this part of Nasugbu. The jump-off point is either Barangay Calayo or Barangay Papaya.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
How to Get There
Nearest Airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as Manila International Airport (Manila)
By Land
- From Manila, get on a bus bound for Nasugbu, Batangas (P160-250). DLTB (Buendia), San Agustin Bus Line (Taft), and St. Gabriel Bus (PITX) have direct routes to Nasugbu. The travel time is 3-4 hours, depending on the route and the traffic condition.
- Get off at Nasugbu Bus Terminal (town proper), you can ride a tricycle or a jeepney to Barangay Calayo. If your group is composed of two to three persons, you can hire a tricycle (P400-500) to take you to Calayo Beach. But if you took the bus from PITX to Nasugbu via Kaybiang Tunnel, alight at Barangay Looc court. From the court, you can hire a tricycle (P100/max 3 pax) to Calayo. The journey is around 10 minutes. This route is much shorter and cheaper compared to coming from the town center.
- From Calayo, you can book an island hopping tour package to get to Taytayin/Etayo Cove. The travel time to the cove is around 30 minutes from Calayo Beach.
If you are traveling using a private vehicle from Manila, you can take the SLEX or the CAVITEX. Whichever route you want to take, it’s best to turn on your Google Maps or Waze App to help you navigate easily. Leave early in the morning, especially if you are just going on a day tour.
Entrance Fee and Other Charges
After becoming part of Hamilo Coast, Taytayin Cove is now private property and its activities are under the control of the management. However, Barracuda Cave, located at the northern entrance of the cove, is one of the possible stops during island hopping in the area. Below are the island hopping rates and inclusions for Calayo island.
Calayo Island Hopping Rates
Rates may vary depending on the number of stops, inclusions, group size, and duration — day tour or overnight. For more details about island hopping in Nasugbu, you may check out our CALAYO Island Hopping Guide article. For quick reference, here’s a summary of the details we gathered during our last island-hopping trip in Calayo in Nasugbu, Batangas:
Island Hopping Tour Package
- Rate: P3,000
- Capacity: Up to 5 Pax
- Additional Fee: P500/head (if more than 5 pax)
- Stops: Covers three (3) stops/destinations
- Calayo Environmental Fee: P20/head
- Calayo Parking Fee: Day Trip, P50-P100; Overnight, P100-P200
Island Hopping Stops/Destinations
You can choose from any of these stops or destinations:
- Santelmo Cove
- Taytayin Cove
- Kayraang Cove
- Layag-Layag Beach
- Bituin Cove/Hannukah Beach
Calayo Beach Boat Stations
- Hulo
- Centro
- Sampaguita
Contact Information
Kuya Marvin – +63 948 254 3131. Note that cellphone signal in Calayo is patchy at best, so please be patient if he can’t reply right away. You can also message his wife Annelyn Bilan via Facebook.
Don’t Miss
- Cliff jumping! This is a must-visit for adrenaline junkies. Most island hopping tours include a stop here for this thrilling activity. There are two available platforms — the lower one is 10-12 feet in height, while the higher spot is 15-17 feet.
- Swim through the Barracuda Cave. The cave is more like a thick archway on the southeastern side of the islet. After cliff jumping, you can also explore the other side of the cave. Just a reminder that the waves can get strong, especially in the afternoon, so make sure you wear your life vest.
- Snorkeling. If the waters are calm, the other side of the Barracuda Cave can also be a good spot for snorkeling. It’s still best to let your boat operator know if you want to go snorkeling here, so they can plan your itinerary well.
- Marvel at the view of the Elephant Rock. Resembling an elephant, hence the name, this interesting rock formation is located on the southern entrance of the cove. You can ask your boatmen to make a quick stop if you want to take photos. You can also search “Elephant Rock Nasugbu Batangas” on Google Maps.
Don’t Forget
- Be patient with other cliff jumpers. Some people might take time gathering up their courage to jump. Be patient. You can also give encouraging words to help them relax.
- Be considerate of other people’s time. Don’t take TOO MUCH TIME, eventually causing delay and holding up others who want to jump. Let them go first if you’re not ready to jump yet.
- Respect marine life. When you go snorkeling or freediving, please avoid stepping on the corals.
- Wear protective footwear or aqua shoes. The rocky cave entrance serves as the natural diving platforms. Be careful of the sharp corals and rocks when you go up the platforms to jump.
- Wear a life vest if you can’t swim. If you can swim but the waves are strong, it’s best to wear a life vest to be safe.
- Pack life-saving gadgets and tools. First-aid kit, medicine, flashlight, whistle, swiss knife, and rope are just some of them.
- Bring sun protection. It can be a hat, a scarf, and/or a marine-friendly sunscreen (those without oxybenzone, parabens, and benzophenone).
- Be a responsible traveler/tourist. Keep in mind the “Leave No Trace” principle: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos, and kill nothing but time.
If You Have More Time and Budget
- Visit other attractions in Nasugbu like Fortune Island, Punta Fuego, Hamilo Coast, Tali Beach, and Canyon Cove.
- If you have a car, you can do a stopover in Tagaytay before heading back to Manila.
- If you are into hiking, you can scale Mount Batulao or Mount Talamitam; both are located in Nasugbu, Batangas. Mount Palay-Palay or Pico de Loro, which reopened to the Public in 2023, is also a possible hike. The jump-off point is in Ternate, Cavite (DENR Station).
Where to Stay in Nasugbu
If you are not into camping, you can check out the rooms for rent at Bituin Cove. Also, Calayo Beach is lined with resorts — from budget to mid-range. You may opt to spend the night in one of the resorts here. Other recommended resorts in Nasugbu according to online users are listed below, in no particular order.
Top Hotels on Agoda
- PICO SANDS HOTEL
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - CLUB PUNTA FUEGO
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - CANYON COVE HOTEL AND SPA
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - FOREST CREST NATURE HOTEL AND RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - CASITAS DE VICTORIA
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Top Hotels on Booking.com
- RSAM BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - SHORELAND BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - AS ILAYA RESORT AND EVENT PLACE
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - SEABREEZE BEACH LODGE
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - SANDS HOTEL NASUGBU
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
If you want more suggestions with more details about each hotel, you can also check our Top 10 Resorts & Hotels in Nasugbu article.
Find more Nasugbu Hotels!
Watch Related Videos on YouTube
You can watch our Calayo Batangas Island Hopping Guide video below. You can also find other related videos on our YouTube channel.
Updates Log
2024.09.04 – First uploaded
Related Article: Top 10 Beaches in Batangas
More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️
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