MANY OF US are so consumed by thoughts of visiting the more popular beaches that we forget to notice the equally beautiful ones surrounding us.

There’s nothing wrong with heading to the Philippines’ world-renowned beaches — they’re not popular for nothing. But after checking them out, take the time to see the others too. This Southeast Asian country has more than 1,700 islands, and it would be a shame to visit just a few. We mean it.

In this post, we’re bringing you to some of Mindoro’s unexplored beaches, all found at the southernmost tip of Oriental Mindoro: Bulalacao. Made up of several scenic islands — Alibatan or Target, Aslom, Buyayao, Liawagao, Maasin, Pocanil, Sibalat, Suguicay, and Tambaron — Bulalacao is the place to be on the day your soul feels weary and needs a break.

The toxicity of city life — the blinding lights, the noise, the pollution, the heavy traffic, everything artificial — sometimes seeps into our bones, making an escape necessary.

The remoteness of the Bulalacao islands offers a peaceful environment where you can rest, recharge, and regenerate for the decades ahead. If you’re feeling it now, it’s high time to plan your next getaway and let Bulalacao be your destination.

On the island, you can simply pitch a tent or stay in one of the secluded bahay kubo (nipa huts) and enjoy every passing hour breathing in that crisp provincial air or watching the sun set at day’s end. It’s these small simplicities of life that remind us we’re human beings, not just money-making machines.

Basking under the sun on a shoreline of yellowish corals and sand is another way to take in the island’s tranquility. Whether you’re alone, with someone special, or with friends, you’re bound to feel loose and relaxed here. If you only have 2 to 3 days in Bulalacao, prioritize visiting these islands:

Aslom Island

A Cebuano word, ‘aslom’ means ‘sour.’ The island earned its name from the abundance of tamarind, or sampaloc, trees. It has a crescent-shaped sandbar, crystal-clear waters, and warm blue skies on sunny days.

Suguicay Island

Bulalacao’s beaches vary in sand type. In Suguicay, the shoreline is lined with fine beige sand, while bamboo, coconut, and mangrove trees along the shore give visitors a view that feels almost nostalgic. There’s a certain magic to this scene that seems to heal weary souls — as the trees sway slowly in the wind, they exude a calm that reaches something deep within us.

Silad Island

The island has more coral-filled, yellowish sand, which suits its bone-like shape. Rock formations and hills here offer breathtaking views, though the island is privately owned, so you’ll need permission to visit and stay.

The blend of blue and green seawater with coconut trees dotting the hill in the background makes for a view that’s not only pleasing to the eye but also soothing, capturing the essence of island life.

Tambaron Island

With rocky, hilly terrain and majestic coconut trees, Tambaron Island is another must-see. Rich in marine life, it’s perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving, and indulging in fresh seafood here is practically a given.

Target Island

Alibatan Island is also called Target Island, having once been a target of Japanese forces during World War II. What was once a scene of destruction has since become a place worth visiting — having survived non-stop bombing, it’s now one of the more peaceful beach islands in Bulalacao.

What to do in Bulalacao?

Island life here is more than just lying on the beach waiting to tan. Activities you can enjoy in Bulalacao include, but aren’t limited to, camping, caving, celebrating the Biniray Festival, interacting with the Hanunuo (one of the seven Mangyan tribes), hiking, trekking to waterfalls, beach bumming, island hopping, snorkeling, scuba diving, and water sports.

How to get there?

From Manila, you can reach Bulalacao by plane. The nearest airport is in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. After around 45 minutes of flying, take a jeepney for another 45 to 60 minutes to finally reach Bulalacao.

If your schedule allows it, you may want to travel by land and sea instead, though it will take around eight hours to reach Bulalacao that way. From Manila, ride a bus to Batangas Port, the jump-off point to Calapan City via ferry. From Calapan, take a van bound for Bulalacao.

Where to stay?

Bulalacao remains unexploited by big business, which means there are no luxury or expensive hotels on this side of the country yet. Still, there are lodging houses, beach resorts, and budget inns to choose from, including San Rosa Inn, Saints Peter and Paul Lodging, Felipa Lodge, Bulalacao Southdrive Grill and Homestay, Tambaron Green Island Resort, Thelma’s Paradise, and Southdrive Beach Resort.

The minimum budget for an overnight stay in Bulalacao is around P3,000 if traveling by land, food and lodging included.

Photos from: ormindoro.gov.ph, bulalacaomindoro.com, xplorra.com, damngoodtravels.com, and roamulofied.wordpress.com.