Black sand beaches
are rare and very fascinating. The distinct black sand is created from the
natural erosion of volcanic rock and which evolved from ground lava. The Big Island in
Hawaii is famous for this attraction. But one need not go to Hawaii
for this, as black volcanic sand beaches are also plentiful in Albay.
Located mostly on the eastern and northern part of Mayon volcano, black sand beaches can be found along the coasts of Bacacay, Sto. Domingo and Tiwi. The black sand is usually a little grainy but it is easy to walk on, if not too hot. Local folks believe that it has therapeutic benefits.
Explore Black Sand Beaches by location:
* Bacacay * Sto. Domingo * Tiwi
The small town of Bacacay
lies on the eastern slope of Mayon volcano. It has 143 kms. of irregular
coastline of mostly black volcanic sand and smaller white sand beaches in
the Cagraray Island. Most of these black sand beaches are to be found in
Brgy Sogod, which is less than 5 kms from the Poblacion.
There are several resorts offering day and overnight accommodations as well as other amenities. See Bacacay Resorts
Getting
there with own car:
Driving
to Bacacay is not a problem as the turns are clearly marked. From Legazpi
City, Bacacay is approximately 20.3 kms, about 30 minutes of travel. There
are two marked entry points to Bacacay, in Brgy Bonga and in Brgy. San
Jose. To get to the beach Resorts, make a right at Brgy San Jose Junction.
A marker “Beach resorts” will be sited before the said junction. Then
drive straight about 3 kms to reach Brgy. Sogod.
Getting
there via Public transport:
From
the Legazpi
City terminal at Tahao Road, ride the jeep (Fare: P20.00) going to Bacacay.
Ask the driver to let you off at Brgy San Jose junction. Then hop in to a
tricycle to take you to the resort of your choice. Tricycle Fare is P7.00/
person and P 50.00 for special trip. Or wait for the Jeep going to Sogod
for P 7.50/person.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The beaches in this
area are best for viewing. Resorts along the Sto Domingo coastline offer a
wonderful view of the black beach, the Albay Gulf and a part of the
Legazpi City area. It is also the best place to watch the rising of the
full moon. On a full moon, you will have the unobstructed view of the
water, moon, night sky and the city lights. Some resorts offer
entertainment facilities like videoke and billiards. Some have private
pools. This is the perfect escape from the hubbub of the city life.
Getting there with
own car:
Drive approximately
11 kms north of Legazpi. The marker for the turn to Sto. Domingo is
visible on your right. From the turn to the Church is another 2 kms. From
the church just go straight and make a right heading towards Kalayukai
beaches, where you can find a string of resorts.
See
Sto. Domingo Resorts.
Getting
there via public transport:
From
the Legazpi City Terminal, take a jeepney or van going to Sto. Domingo
(Jeepney:P15.00/person and Van: P 20.00/person). Get off at the last stop
at the Poblacion. From the town proper get a tricycle to take you the
Kalayukai Beaches. Fare is P20.00 for special trip or P 7.00/person.
Before going there make sure that you have a specific resort in mind. Tell
the driver exactly which resort you want to go to. The last trip to Sto.
Domingo is at 8:30
p.m.
Jeepneys going back to Legazpi are not available after 6:30
p.m.
So, if you intend to go at night you might as well spend the night there
in one of the Resorts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIWI
Tiwi lies on the
northern part of the Mayon volcano and is approximately 40 kms from
Legazpi City. Beaches in this area specifically those in the Joroan shore
are best for swimming as the water on this part is not too rocky. On this
portion you will have a superb view of the Lagonoy gulf and the islets of
Camarines Sur. The scenic drive to Joroan is also a big plus on this
travel. For a really satisfying black sand beach swimming experience this
is the place to go.
For now, only three resorts can be found in the area. See Tiwi Resorts.
Getting there with own car:
Legazpi City to Tiwi is about 45 minutes to an hour of travel. If you reach the poblacion just go farther north about 2 kms to reach the turn for Joroan. Signage can be spotted. Another 5 km drive on paved and winding road will take you to the resorts.
Getting there via public transport:
From the terminal in Legazpi City, take the van going to Tiwi for P40.00/person. Get down at the Tiwi poblacion or at the final stop. From there ride the jeep (fare: P7.50) going to Joroan crossing which is right in front of the San Isidro Labrador chapel. Then get on a tricycle to take you to the Resorts for P 5.00/head and P 30.00 special trip.
