DavaoEye: Beach Bums in world-renowned Zamboanga’s Pink Beach

Part 3

The pink beach of the Great Sta. Cruz Island would be the highlight of our Zamboanga visit.

This island has become popular after National Geographic featured it as one of the best 21 beaches in the world, with its rare pink sand. It was opened to public only in 2014.

We had our reservation weeks ahead by a friend who lives in the city. Early booking should be arranged because guests are limited only to 200 a day.

(Tip #1: Ask Assistance from friends who live in Zamboanga City to personally make the booking in your behalf to make sure .)

On the day of our visit, we were already at Paseo del Mar, (the port going to the island) even before the gates were opened. So, instead of being reserved for Boat 6 (meaning the 6^th boat for the tour, we were moved to boat no. 1! Just got lucky.

Zamboanga City’s Protected Area Management Unit (PAMU) Operations Officer Richard Aliangan gave a fun and quick orientation. It was a sweet reminder that the place is a protected area, that cleanliness must be observed and maintained. Trash in, trash out policy. A “stern” warning though “it is illegal to take anything from the island, even a rock, but especially the pink sand."

(Tip #2: During reservation you can also arrange for a tour at the Sta. Cruz Island lagoon.)

Each boat is assigned at least two boatmen and one security detail. Joining us on this tour was Ramil another friend. (Lucky to have lots of friends here!)

After a ten-minute boat ride, the beautiful Great Sta. Cruz Island welcomed us with its serene and peaceful beauty. Its pristine water glimmers in shades of cerulean to turquoise as it forms soft foams on the beach. As we disembarked the boat, our feet landed on the soft sugary white sand with bits of pink pixels. That was gorgeous!

The sand. (credit: National Geographic.
My own shots didn't quite give justice to it :)

The I “heart” Zamboanga was standing on the ‘pink beach’ an attractive addition to what seem an undisturbed island, save the some cottages built since it opened three years ago. The cottages are for a fee, but very affordable. One would even feel to pay much more just to make sure the place is maintained. The bathroom, though, uses salt water.

If you want the out-there rustic vibe, you can also stay on the makeshift table and stools from cut-down trees under the shade of the lush green covers of naturally grown trees. As it gave a more stranded-on-a-virgin-island feel so we settled on it. Best thing is, it was free of charge! Got lucky again!

Sta. Cruz Island has a long white sand embellished with red or pinkish particles. Those beautifully colored grain of sand were actually from the pulverized red coral washed to the shore by the tides. Over the years, it has made pink particle on the beach.

There are other two smaller islands near it. One is occupied by the Philippine Marines (or Navy) who stand as patrol around the area. And the other one is inhabited by the muslim tribe Samal Banguingui.

Since we were the first ones to arrive, we had the entire island as beautiful backdrop to our pictorial, and unlimited selfie for my wife including the obligatory pose before “I heart Zamboanga.” The classic jumpshot, we sure did.

(Clockwise from the top: Me, on beach, the waters,
and holding the display of the red coral, source of the "pink sand"

The island has limited facilities but I liked it that way. It was more natural. As mentioned, it had at least 6 huts for a very affordable rate. There were lots of trees around which provide a large shade cover. At the back area were some stalls of persuasive Samal Banguengue women selling souvenir items.

(Tip #3: Buy souvenirs in the island as they are cheaper than those in the mainland or in the Barter Trading Center. Even their pearls are 50 percent lesser compared to the prices in the city.)

Luck stroke (again) just before noon. Even if we did not book for the lagoon tour, we were offered by sir Richard to join another two guests (as the other 34 members of their group did not pursue the trip). We did not let the opportunity pass. All in all, we were six guests for the tour, the two Librarians from Dipolog and Ozamiz (part of the original touring group) and the two lady-navy personnel stationed at Western Mindanao Command.

The tour was very cheap as well, one big boat costs P200.00 and another P200.00 for each yellow boat that can carry three people for the tour.