Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
by huge
sand dunes
. The area has become a favourite among Manila film crews; the
Suba
dunes to the south - close to the
Fort Ilocandia
resort (see p.149) - are where
Oliver Stone shot segments of
Born on the Fourth of July
.
Pagudpud and around
Seventy kilometres north of Laoag along the coastal road is
PAGUDPUD
, a typical
provincial town providing access to several wonderfully picturesque
beaches
. he
Pagudpud area is increasingly recognized as having all the beauty of Boracay, but just
a fraction of the tourists and none of the nightlife.
Saud Beach
Tricycles from Pagudpud P50 (15min)
Saud Beach
(“Sa-ud”), a few kilometres down a narrow road to the north of town,
is a beautiful long arch of white sand backed by palm trees. Resorts on the beach
rent out snorkelling equipment, and can provide bangkas (P400/hr) so that you can
head to the best spots.
3
Kabigan Falls
Daily 7am-5pm • P10; compulsory guide P100 • Tricycle from Saud Beach P200 (35min), from Blue Lagoon P200 (25min)
About half way between Saud Beach and Blue Lagoon are the
Kabigan Falls
, a beautiful
cascade of water flowing down a steep incline of 34m and nestled in a pretty stretch of
thick vegetation. There's a refreshing pool at the bottom of the falls, perfect for a swim.
At the main road, where tricycles drop off, you'll have to register and hire a compulsory
guide who will lead you to the falls - a beautiful 1.5km (30min) walk through
picturesque rice paddies and lush mountain scenery.
Blue Lagoon
Tricycles from Pagudpud P300 (40min)
About 18km east of Saud is the glorious
Blue Lagoon
(also known as Maira-ira Beach).
The setting is stunning, with dazzling water lapping a sugary crescent of sand; the
breaks also attract surfers from July to January. One stretch of the beach has been
overdeveloped with a large and incongruous resort, but it's possible to get away from
that and still enjoy the sand and sea.
Kingfisher Beach
Tricycles from Saud Beach P150 (20min)
Kingfisher Beach
, a gem of a place just 6km north of Saud Beach, is one of the
country's best kitesurfing spots, its strong northwest or side shore winds making it an
ideal spot for advanced surfers, especially between October and March. The waters are
so clear that you're likely to spot flying fish, sea turtles, jackfish and even tuna as you
surf. The 250m-wide reef with a flat lagoon is perfect for snorkelling, stand-up
paddling and kayaking. You can rent equipment from the well-stocked
Kingfisher Resort
just on the beach.
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and around
Daily 8am-5pm • Free • To get here from Pagudpud take a jeepney or local bus (both P35) towards Laoag and ask to be let off on the
National Highway near the lighthouse; from here you can walk 900m up to the lighthouse (30min) or catch a tricycle (P50; 5min)
Some 36km west of Pagudpud is the
Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
, just outside the town
of
Burgos
. Built in 1892, at 19.90m the lighthouse is the tallest in the country, and
from the base there are unobstructed views of the coastline and across the South China
Sea. It's still in use and its keeper, Vicente Acoba Jr, will be happy to answer any
questions you may have.
