What to do on a weekend? When in Davao, try the Islands Banca Cruises and off you go island hopping!
First Stop: the Coral Garden at Angel’s Cove. If you’re a diver/swimmer, put on those goggles, swim to the top of the corals and take pictures with your waterproof camera. The colors are so amazing from red, yellow, blue, gray and cream in different shapes and sizes. Flower shaped and cone-shaped, sponge-like, circles and rectangles.
If you cvan't swim don't wrry, just put on a life vest and snorkel, and then simply gaze at the corals. If you have spare bread with you, feed the fish! They are as varied in shape and size as the corals surrounding you and them.
Being a none-swimmer, I enjoyed the crystal clear blue green water while floating. Even had the guts to go to the coral garden and marvel at the corals. Even without snorkel and goggles on, you can see the corals. The water was that clear J
Second Stop: the calm and gentle water in the middle of Davao Gulf on our way to Babu Santa Beach. I never thought that I would dare go down open water. Even if the shore was nearby, stopping in the middle of the deep blue sea and jumping never appealed to me. But with life vest on and the egging of my kiddie cheering squad, I dared go down and float! One fear conquered!
Third Stop: the soft white sand shore of Babu Santa for lunch. Cottages under coconut trees provide shade which is a good area for having a picnic. What’s for lunch? Grilled fresh fish, prawns, cucumber salad, eggplant salad, chicken adobo and hotdogs!
The sea breeze and the swim whetted our appetites so lunch was done in minutes J
What to do after lunch? Swim, take pictures, lie on the sand, gather the starfishes, go beach combing for shells and appreciate nature.
There’s a good spot in between Babu Santa Beach and Dayang Beach with the relics of a jetty. With Mount Apo and the blue sea and sky, it’s the perfect photo ops spot! So do take pictures.
After all the swimming done, as the boat speeds back to the city, lie down on the beanbags and relish a cold drink.
One day of the weekend is gone but full of memories of sun, sand, sea and fun.
WHAT TO DO AND BRING:
Camera with underwater casing if you don’t have an underwater camera.
Lots of sunscreen/sunblock.
Swimwear!
Goggles, Snorkel, Aqua shoes are a must!
Life vests are provided by the boat. So are towels.
Food! (Corkage: PhP1,000)
Lots of drinking water for proper hydration.
If you want to stay out of the water, a good book might help J
Don’t bring home the starfish and the shells and the corals. Always observe the dictum of: take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints; kill nothing but time.
Open yourself to endless fun and adventure both in and out of the water. Conquer your fear of the deep or of not being able to stand on firm land J I did! J
HOW TO GET THERE:
Talikud Island is 45 minutes to an hour away from Davao City. The Islands Banca Cruises can be reached through (082) 284-2066 and they have packages/tours to Samal Island and Talikud ranging from PhP4,450(max of 10pax) to PhP8,450(max of 25 pax)
