island resort , island getaways , davao resorts , davao beaches , beach , samal island , davao city , beach davao , resort in davao city , beach in davao city , Isla Reta

I‘ve always considered myself a big beach bum ( a person who habitually loafs or idles on beaches .) I find it relaxing and soothing both physical and mentally. Just hearing the waves , feeling the sea breeze and sands on my feet is enough to washed up all the problems and stress I have from a tiresome week.

Last week , me and a group of friends decided to have an island getaway. And since Chin and I are celebrating our 2nd anniversary we both pick a particular spot that we haven’t been before. Samal Island in Davao City is known for its beautiful beach resorts. Actually we have a lot of resorts to choose from especially for occasion like this. We could try visiting Pearl Farm Davao for a romantic anniversary or Hof Gorei for a private getaway. But since we were going along with a number of friends we prefer to have a barkada/economical type of celebration instead.

With that being said we started to pick our prize beach for the getaway , we decided to celebrate in Isla Reta. An hour ride from Sta. Ana Wharf.

Isla Reta is located at Talicud Island , one of the small islands situated in Samal or known as IGACOS (Island Garden City of Samal).

All you need to prepare is Php80.00 per head for the boatfare - From Sta. Ana Wharf ( located in Magsaysay Ave.) to the Island directly. Basically the route would be Sta. Ana Wharf to Kaputian Island :(a short stop-over) then Kaputian to Isla Reta.

After arriving at Isla Reta I was amazed how quiet and how peaceful the place was even though it’s only an hour away from the buzzing streets of Metro Davao. It is truly an isla.

Entrance Fee for daytour are around Php75.00 per head and children ranging from 4 to 10 years old will be charge for Php35.00 per head while 3 years old and below are free of charge.

For those interested in spending the night on the beach like we did , you have the option to choose your packages:
Overnight Fee w/out cottage : Php150.00 per head/night ,
Overnight Fee w/out cottage – 4 to 10 years old : Php75.00 per head/night
Picnic Hut : Php150.00/night/day
Tables under the talisay tree : Free of Charge

Accommodation:
Concrete Room – Php800.00/room/night (2 persons excluded from entrance/overnight fee)

Native Room – Php700/room/night (3 beds | 3 persons excluded from entrance / overnight fee )

Dormitory Type – Php6,500.00/night (22 persons excluded from entrance / overnight fee )
I think this is the dorm , the top level of that building : below that is a store.

For additional beddings :
a. Complete bed – Php80.00/set
b. Mattress – Php40.00/set
c. blanket – Php20.00/set
d. pillow – Php20.00/set
e. mat – Php30.00/set

Corkage:
Softdrinks & Beer only (25% of resort price per bottle) not sure with the hard drinks though like rhum.We brought some during our stay and we weren’t charge of any corkage. They didn’t check the bags during entrance as well. As expected the prices of drinks on the island were almost doubled; so as much as possible bring your own bottled water.

Aside from drinks you don’t have to worry about paying food corkage since you could bring your own meat/rice or whatever it is that you’re planning to cook on the Isla. They also offer cooking services wherein your just gonna pay like Php30.00 for every meal that you’d like to have (provided you have the meat and ingredients of course) and they will cook it for you , hassle free. I’m pretty satisfied with their cook – the food they presented were delicious. But if you’re not comfortable with that kind of service you could just go ahead and use any available “sugbahanan” … hihi

Other than that you don’t have to think of anything else. Just relax and feel the water and sand. Hope you visit this place. You would definitely enjoy ;especially if you’re spending it with your friends or loved ones.Oh and by the way Isla Reta is one of the Dugong Sanctuary located here in Mindanao. According to the caretaker of the Isla , “Dugong” usually appears during full moon. Unfortunately we just missed the last full moon during our visit, but anyway it’s just an hour away from the city. We could always come back to see them.

Let’s appreciate the beauty of Samal Island and let’s grab the chance while this gift of nature is still around. Take time in admiring them guys.

I’ve posted more pictures so you could take a look.

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