Philippines, Aurora

Baler Series: The Way To The Stunning Dicasalarin Cove

(Updated March 2018) This 2014 trip is my 3rd time to Baler. You can see how I’ve grown in the photos. Ha!

Checking in early at the Pacific Waves Annex, Sabang Beach, Baler
Checking in early at the Pacific Waves Annex, Sabang Beach, Baler

 

My annual affair with Baler

The first time was in July 2012. It was then when I first learned to surf, and explored the rest of Aurora in just a weekend.

My annual affair with Baler – 1st surfing in 2012

The 2nd time was with the Geek Squad in September 2013 which then spawned a series of trips with the most familiar faces. All of my friends also got to try riding the waves of Baler (read the blog here). I had to tour Aurora again, so everyone else can bear witness to the untouched beauty that was Aurora (blog includes Ditumabo Falls, Balete, Baler Museum, etc)

Bus Stop to Baler (Almost 8 hours via Genesis Bus)
Bus Stop to Baler (Almost 8 hours via Genesis Bus)

This time, we opted to skip the tour and focus on surfing, and going to Dicasalarin Cove, which we missed the last time we were there.

While bonding with the locals, we learned that the summer of 2014 was the busiest for them thus far because of the sudden influx of foreign and local tourists, thanks to KrisTV for featuring the place. I noticed that a lot of things have changed and improved in 2 years, and the locals supported this with stories of their own.

Mary and I went to Dicasalarin again in 2015 and she also loved it.

Baler Hanging Bridge – a short stop from Dicasalarin to Sabang (2015)

On a side note, on the way back to your resort from Dicasalarin, you may also want to drop by the Hanging Bridge.

How to get to Dicasalarin from Sabang, and other details:

We rented a motorcycle and a tricycle to take the 4 of us to the famous Dicasalarin Cove.

The Motorcycle Ride to Dicasalarin Cove
The Motorcycle Ride to Dicasalarin Cove

Only motorcycles and 4-wheel drives can go to the cove because of the steep and narrow roads. A tricycle won’t reach it. If you negotiate outside of your resorts, you can get as low as PhP 1,000 for an entire afternoon with a side-trip to a few other places if you like. If there are more in the group, it’s more ideal to hire a van at PhP 2,800.

The trip is too good to be taken inside a van. It is better to feel the cold afternoon wind on your face...the road to Dicasalarin Cove.
The trip is too good to be taken inside a van. It is better to feel the cold afternoon wind on your face…the road to Dicasalarin Cove.

The entrance to the cove is PhP 300, and those checked in at Costa Pacifica get a discounted rate of PhP 100 with a parking fee of PhP 50 per vehicle. This property is privately-owned and closes at 5pm. The trip from Sabang to the cove takes about 20-30 minutes.

Gate passes can be purchased from Costa Pacifica or the gate itself (the hotel won’t collect the fee).

View of the Dicasalarin Cove from the Entrance (unedited using the iPhone 6)
View of the Dicasalarin Cove from the Entrance
(unedited using the iPhone 6)

 

Dicasarlarin Cove – Exploring the rocky beach

There is a food stall there where you can buy drinks, order pansit and take a rest from the hike to the lighthouse. Except when we went there as everyone was busy watching the Pacquiao-Algeiri match.

Dicasalarin Cove - refreshment area
Dicasalarin Cove – refreshment area

The beach is calmer than Sabang, and perfect for beach-bumming. But don’t be deceived, because the water gets deep almost after waist-level. But it is probably the white-sand beach you’re craving for after mastering the waves of Sabang, and hitting hard its grayish-black sand.

Dicasarlarin Cove – A quiet beach away from Sabang’s surfing scene

 

Dicasalarin Cove - and the 171 steps to the lighthouse
Dicasalarin Cove – and the 171 steps to the lighthouse (2015)

 

View from the top – Dicasalarin Cove and Lighthouse

An entire day of camping is also not a bad idea since they allow guests to bring their own food without a fee. The sand is cream-colored unlike Sabang.

The view both down there at the beach and right on top of the hill near the lighthouse is breathtaking – literally!

The Beach and the Lighthouse (in the distance) - Dicasalarin Cove
The Beach and the Lighthouse (in the distance) – Dicasalarin Cove

 

Up The Steps to the Dicasalarin Lighthouse
Up The Steps to the Dicasalarin Lighthouse

 

Dicasalarin Cove - A View from the Lighthouse
Dicasalarin Cove – A View from the Lighthouse

 

Dicasalarin Lighthouse in Full View
Dicasalarin Lighthouse in Full View

 

Dicasalarin Lighthouse

Here, I will let this video do the talking. And if you’re not convinced, you better make your way there on your next Baler visit!

Rumor has it that investors are already looking into turning the property into an adventure park with zip-line and what-nots.

Photos and videos taken from iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 and GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition.

Dicasalarin Cove – a hidden gem in Baler (unedited)

6 thoughts on “Baler Series: The Way To The Stunning Dicasalarin Cove”

    1. Hi Michael, are you hiring a local tour guide or are you bringing your own car? i can suggest that you hire a tricycle driver to take you there on a single motorcycle. Most of them are licensed tour guides too. If you’re bringing a car, i may not be accurate as I’ve only gone there using the help of locals. if you ask around, they would be happy to give you directions. Good luck and enjoy Dicasalarin.

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