Dahican Beach - Davao Oriental's Best Kept Secret
When people here in the city hear that I am from Mati, Davao Oriental, the first reactions that I usually get are questions regarding the many white sand beaches around the place. My answers to those questions would most of the time be something like "Oo, gwapo didto" (Yes, it's beautiful there) and "O, layo lang ang beach sa siyudad" (Yes, you can't even compare them to the city beaches). I could elaborate more on my responses, but you get the idea -- the place has some great beaches. Among the many white sand beaches of Mati is Dahican -- my personal favorite.
People living in nipa huts, fishermen catching fish, and coconut tress swaying towards the direction of the wind -- Dahican is a little-known beach tucked in one of the many coves of Davao Oriental. It is known for its serene environment, white sand, and beautiful waves. It also sports a breathtaking view of the horizon.
How to get there:
Book a flight to Davao International Airport and from there you can either take the Van (which will take around 3 hours) or the Bus (5 hours give or take a few depending on whether or not it takes terminal stops) going to Mati. Upon reaching Mati, you can either take a near 10-kilometer jog to the beach or you can simply take the motorcycle ride. Mati is a small place, and motorcycle drivers almost always know every single name of a store or a building. Simply say "Dahican public beach" and you're off to go.
Book a flight to Davao International Airport and from there you can either take the Van (which will take around 3 hours) or the Bus (5 hours give or take a few depending on whether or not it takes terminal stops) going to Mati. Upon reaching Mati, you can either take a near 10-kilometer jog to the beach or you can simply take the motorcycle ride. Mati is a small place, and motorcycle drivers almost always know every single name of a store or a building. Simply say "Dahican public beach" and you're off to go.
Things to try:
Surfing -- Though absolutely not in par with the waves of Hawaii and the like, Dahican offers some pretty big waves especially if you come during peak seasons. Surfing is usually the reason why tourists pay this beach a visit and local surfers can be seen enjoying in the waters day in and day out.
Surfing -- Though absolutely not in par with the waves of Hawaii and the like, Dahican offers some pretty big waves especially if you come during peak seasons. Surfing is usually the reason why tourists pay this beach a visit and local surfers can be seen enjoying in the waters day in and day out.
Fishing -- Just outside the cove of Dahican are fishing boats that stay on their spot for a whole day or two. Local fishermen sure would love to have a helping hand with their job. Fishing with them is fun, but that is if you can swim towards the deep blue waters where the boats stay.
Botona Beach Resort -- A kilometer or half away from the shoreline of the public beach, this beach resort, though you might have to bring your own food, is one of the better beach resorts in Mati. The resort sports a swimming pool-like look to its shoreline, having walls of stone around the edges of the water and a cemented beach floor.
Budget:
Php1600-2200 Manila-Davao plane ride.
Php 350-400 for the van/bus ride from Davao-Mati.
Php60 for the motorcycle ride to Dahican.
Php1600-2200 Manila-Davao plane ride.
Php 350-400 for the van/bus ride from Davao-Mati.
Php60 for the motorcycle ride to Dahican.
Personal Tip:
When on the inverted p-shaped fence of Botona, try tucking yourself outside the left side of the fence and just below the square-shaped head of the letter "P". It is my personal favorite relaxation spot in the beach as it is essentially free of rocks, the waves are just enough to sway you gently because it first passes through two lines of fences before it reaches you, and the height of the water is perfect for sitting down. Also, the rock-free part slopes down to about half of a meter, giving you the feeling that you're sitting on a chair. This is a nice spot to have a chat with someone, or to simply relax while taking time to enjoy the breathtaking view of the horizon.
When on the inverted p-shaped fence of Botona, try tucking yourself outside the left side of the fence and just below the square-shaped head of the letter "P". It is my personal favorite relaxation spot in the beach as it is essentially free of rocks, the waves are just enough to sway you gently because it first passes through two lines of fences before it reaches you, and the height of the water is perfect for sitting down. Also, the rock-free part slopes down to about half of a meter, giving you the feeling that you're sitting on a chair. This is a nice spot to have a chat with someone, or to simply relax while taking time to enjoy the breathtaking view of the horizon.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mikel_Steven_B_Luy
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