HOW TO GET TO MASASA BEACH, BATANGAS

Last updated: MARCH 14, 2019.

Over the past couple of years, Masasa Beach has emerged as a favorite hideaway among the Manila
crowd. What used to be a best-kept secret has become a go-to weekend destination especially for
campers.

Although relatively remote, Masasa Beach is quite accessible, even if you’re taking public
transportation. If you’re used to switching modes of transportation multiple times in one journey,
you probably wouldn’t mind spending 3 hours on the bus, another hour in the jeepney, and 45
minutes on a passenger boat.

1. Ride the bus going to Batangas City Grand Terminal.

 You’ll find buses going to the Grand Terminal at terminals in LRT-Buendia and Taft in
Pasay, and Cubao and EDSA-Kamias in Quezon City.
 If you want a shorter travel time (and I know you do), ride the bus with the sign
 CALABARZON. That bus will bypass the cities of Tanauan and Lipa, which means no
 traffic.
 Speaking of traffic, leave early. Leave in the early morning, if possible, to avoid the
horrendous Manila traffic.
 Fare: P185 from LRT-Buendia (higher if from Cubao, lower if from Alabang).
 Travel time: 2-3 hours, depending on your point of origin.

2. At the Grand Terminal, take a jeepney to Anilao.

The jeepney area is located a short walk from where the buses drop off passengers. Just make your
way on foot toward the area where the small canteens and stores are located. The jeepney queues are
behind these stores. If you can’t find it, just ask anyone where the jeepneys to Mabini/Anilao are
parked.

 Travel time: 40 minutes – 1 hour.

 Fare: P40.

3. Get off at Anilao Port or Talaga Port.

 Anilao Port (aka Mabini Multi-purpose Port) is used from the start of amihan season,
sometime in December, until the end of Philippine summer, sometime in June. When habagat
season kicks in, they move it to Talaga Port in Brgy. Talaga. There is no fixed date because it
depends on the conditions of the waves and currents. But you may call the Mabini Tourism
Office to be sure: (043) 410 0607.
  The Gulugod Baboy stop is different so don’t get off when the jeepney stops next to a corner
along the way and other tourist-looking passengers alight. They’re probably going to
Gulugod Baboy, which is NOT your stop. I’ve done this route many times and a lot of people
make this mistake. Get off when you’re at the port.
 There is a Tourism Office on the other side of the port so if you need assistance, you can pay
a visit.

4. Take the public boat to Tingloy Port or Masasa Beach.

You have two options:

 Option 1: Catch the boat to Tingloy Port. Fare: P80. Travel time: 45 minutes – 1 hour. At
the port, ride a tricycle to your homestay or to the start of the hiking trail to Masasa Beach
(P80 per ride or P20 per person).
 Option 2: Catch the boat that goes straight to Masasa Beach. There are public boats that go
directly to Masasa Beach, but they are fewer and their sched is even more unpredictable.
Fare: P100.

TINGLOY BOAT SCHEDULE

Below is the schedule of boats going to Tingloy Port from Anilao Port or Talaga Port.

ANILAO / TALAGA PORT to TINGLOY PORT

10:30 AM
12:00 PM
2:30 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM

TINGLOY PORT to ANILAO / TALAGA PORT

6:00 AM
7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
2:30 PM

However, based on experience, the schedules above are not always followed. The boat usually only
leaves as soon as there are 80 passengers onboard, so during off-peak season and weekdays, prepare
to wait longer.

Note that the last trip from Tingloy to the mainland is at 2:30pm. This means that if you’re on a day
trip, you need to catch that last boat or you’ll be stuck in the island or forced to charter a private
boat, which is waaaay more expensive.

If you’re visiting on a weekend, you might be overwhelmed by the crowd. Visitors tend to stay and
camp on the main beach. But Masasa Beach is long. You can find quieter spots in the farther corners
in the area.