Upon getting to Port Barton Beach, you’re bound to hear “White Beach“ and “Coconut Beach” all the time by a great many touts and boat owners who aspire to offer you a tour to those beaches. I get why would someone want to hire a boat to go to the islands out in the bay: because they are islands (although, even in this case, we preferred to hire kayaks and go on a 3-day paddling trip around the bay). But to hire a pricey boat to take you to a beach that you can reach within an hour on foot… I find it downright irrational.
We decided to take that hike to the White Beach late in the afternoon for sunset. We followed the beach southwards and crossed a little brook at the end of it. Then followed a narrow trail through a scenic mangrove forest, along which we got to wonder at some really picturesque views of Port Barton. Then we came to another beach, at the end of which we met the dirt road leading to the White Beach.
A few hundred meters later, we reached the Coconut Beach. After having seen the White Beach, I may say that I actually liked this one more. It is quieter, for one thing, and the coconut plantation occupying its entire, broad stretch of sand gives it a unique character. As so often in the Philippines, this beach is private and you are required to pay a fee in order to enter. There was a small wooden booth by the beginning of the path to the beach where the fees are submitted. At the time, the girl keeping it was fast asleep and one could just walk straight down. Even if she was awake, one may easily bypass the booth or trespass to the beach through the woods. In our case, we just had a look at it from up the road and continued straight to the White Beach.
We reached the White Beach after about a km’s walk. This beach is also private, of course, belonging to the White Beach Resort. They have some nice Bungalows, a bar-restaurant, and plenty of hammocks. It surely must be pretty pricey, but if you fancy staying in some distance from the crowded beach of Port Barton, it could be a good option for you.
In order to get to the beach as a visitor, they will request you to pay a fee. This is again easily avoidable. We got to the beach by crossing the fence at its northern end. No-one noticed us or said anything even when we walked through the resort to exit the normal way.
The beach itself was nothing extraordinary. Beautiful, sure, but not in any way special in comparison with any other beach in Palawan. Furthermore, the sea was very shallow and full of rocks; far from optimal for swimming. At least that was the case at the northern half of the beach; maybe some other spot is better.
If you go to the White Beach over land, on either foot or motorbike, you shouldn’t omit to check out the Jungle Bar. That is located 1.3 km after the White Beach, on top of a lush hill wherefrom you can marvel at some really gorgeous views of Port Barton Bay.
Accommodation and Activities in The Philippines
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