I was looking for a quick getaway roughly two months ago when one of my associates recommended Coco Beach Island Resort in Puerto Galera. I immediately looked it up online and I was mesmerized. I can’t believe there’s still lush greens and deep blues tucked just nearly 4 hours from Manila! I was about to book a room when I learned about the Surf and Music Festival. I opted to join the latter because some of my friends will be there too. I bookmarked Coco Beach Island Reort though since it was a place I would love to visit sometime soon.

photo via Coco Beach Island Resort

A month and a half after doing that “vacay research”, my junior high classmate, Shaz, invited me to join them to celebrate Coco Beach Island Resort’s 25th anniversary. I think you can tell that I signed up in a heartbeat! :)

Going to the island via the Coco Beach Express will set one back $18/way. This covers the land and sea transportation from their booking office in Manila to Batangas then to the island. Two and a half hours in the resort’s shuttle then an hour on the boat, this 10-hectare paradise welcomed me:

My deluxe room was 250+ steps off the ground:

The view: PRICELESS

I took a nap and woke up to the fattest chicken and the most savory ham and cheese sandwiches. LOVE the thick, hand-cut fries!

After merienda, I went snorkeling the shala way.

LOVE my very versatile Avon Manzinni tote!
Stay tuned cause I’m giving one away soon :)

To basque in a beautiful underwater landscape, one has to hang on to the bamboo rafts of a smaller boat. The boat will go around the island and all you need to to is hang on and be mesmerized.

After snorkeling, I just hung out by the shore. Without the pebbles, the white sand is soft and cushy. See how my feet’re sinking in!

Away from the urban noise, pollution, and mayhem, the sunset I caught took my breath away.

What makes every sunset better:

To commence the month-long anniversary celebration, there was fire dancing, fashion show by Sesa and Kali, and more food!

Totally spent from lots of activities in one day, I was grateful to see what my service family did to prepare me to be whisked away to dreamland:

The following day, I checked out the rest of what the island has to offer for me. I was told that there were 101 Activities one can do during their stay. I wish I had more time to do all 101 of them! For starters, the shopping mall is worth the visit to get souvenirs, get your massage done by the spa, and get your tresses primped in a salon. There’s also the dive shop for certified divers where you can also bring the kids (and kids at heart) to witness hornbill turtle feeding every 10:30am.

For the adrenaline junkie, there’s also wakeboarding and water skiing (Php 620/15mins).

Not feeling well? Don’t fret cause there’s a doctor and nurse in town the island.

Last two snaps before leaving the island:

LOVE my Safety Stop drink! It has the right amount of caffeine, cocoa, and liqueur!

now you know where I got my fresh tan ;)

Coco  Beach Island Resort’s a beautiful and blissful place, everyone’s very warm and friendly making it a vacation spot very much worth going back to season after season. :)

Coco Beach Island Resort
Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
(+63) 917 883 9334 (this number can not receive sms/text)

Manila Booking Office
Unit A Ramona Apartments, 1555 M. Adriatico St., Malate, Manila, Philippines.
(+63) 2 521-5260 or (+63) 2 526-4594