Weekend in Dahican Beach of Davao Oriental

Date of travel: April 2010

Dahican Beach, Davao Oriental

Davao Oriental has some of the best beaches in the Davao region, whether for surfing, island hopping or just for swimming and simply for beach bumming. I’ve been to Davao Oriental for a lot of times. My grandmother is from Dawan, Davao Oriental. It’s a small barangay that you will pass by on your way to Mati City and most of my childhood was spent there. That is why Davao Oriental has a special place in my heart.

Just a typical summer trying to beat the summer heat, me and my friends planned an out of town beach getaway in Dahican, famous for its beach perfect for skim boarding and surfing. Weeks before the trip, everyone was so keen and interested in pursuing the trip. The day before the trip, ayun na, dami nang nagba-back out. Urgh! I hate last minute cancellations. So from 8, only 3 of us pursue the trip.

What to expect in Dahican? Turquoise water and big waves.

Our meeting place was the Davao City Overland Terminal, aka Ecoland terminal. We’re taking the bus going to Mati City because we were considering comfort.  Airconditioned buses ply the Davao- Mati route via Bachelor Express which usually takes 3 and a half hours of travel time. Fare is P280 for the a/c buses while its cheaper if youll take the non a/c buses. But in the long run, taking the bus was the wrong choice. The bus has a lot of stops along the way which makes the trip longer. We left Davao by 8:00 am and we arrived by almost 1:00 in the afternoon. 5 hours. HAGGARD!

The moment we arrived Mati City, all we wanna do is eat. We were so hungry like weve not eaten for days. Dagdag pa dun yung stress that we got from the bus trip. We went to Seaside restaurant which is near the bay walk in the city. Food is good and delicious too. And did I mention it’s inexpensive too. But what I loved most was their Empanada. Probably the best empanada in Mindanao. I reserved 2 boxes at 120 each that ill pick up the next day. Sure na ang pasalubong. Haha

Lunch at Seaside Restaurant. Hungry much.

After taking our lunch and buying some food for our baon and necessities (which included alcoholic drinks of course. Haha), we then looked for our habal- habal driver that will take us to Dahican Beach, which is a 20 minute drive from the city center. Price for the motorcycle ride was P40 per person which is reasonable enough. On your way via the habal- habal, youll get to appreciate the rural setting of the place which is so laid back. Probinsya kung probinsya ang peg.

Just arrived. AT LAST!

The smile on our faces. Happy beach bummers!

We told manong to take us to the cheapest resort there. We still have no reservations for that night. Walking in wouldn’t hurt that much. That’s the fun in backpacking. There were rooms available but at P1500 per night. HUWAATTT?!?! Its out of our budget. This trip we were completely on a shoestring so as much as possible wanted to make tipid. We walked a couple of meters along the beach and found this retreat house which was managed by nuns. We asked if we can stay in one of their rooms because we don’t have anywhere to stay. With the nagmamakaawa effect, ayun, sister offered a small room at P800 only. Not bad again. But heres the catch! No smoking, NO DRINKING, there’s curfew and that they will close the gate by 8pm. HUWAAAAAT?!?! “ Para tayong nasa kumbento. Maususnog tayo dito” We told sister that well just be back and get some things. In the back of our mind, “ KALOKA! Wag tayo dun, saying ang beer natin.”

Just beside is the Amihan sa Dahican camp. Its like a small camp where you can bring your bring and pitch your own tent and enjoy the laid- back atmosphere and just chill. The boys of Amihan were so friendly and helpful that they offered us one of their tents at only P300. They even helped us in preparing our dinner. They have a small bar (thank God) that sells soft drinks and beers. Well just what we need. Just in case kulang ang beer. Haha. We pitched in our tent that evening had our dinner and just enjoyed the night. Nothing beat a couple of beer plus a good conversation with good friends in ending the night.

Afternoon stroll in the beach.

Pero ang di ko talaga malimutan. We were already inside our tent when we heard outside the voice of sister. She was asking some people outside if they saw 3 young adults from Davao.

" Sabi kasi nila makikistay sila sa amin dahil wala silang matutuluyan. Gabi na and dapat andito na sila"  OMG! Sister was looking for us. So tahimik lang kami para di kame marinig. Good thing kuya never said anything that we were there sa tent. Haha. Sorry sister. 

Sunrise in Dahican. Photographers in action. 

The morning after, we had our leftovers from last night as our breakfast. Today is the time to enjoy the beach. The weather was good. Sun was shining bright, the sky was so clear and the waves of the clear, turquoise beach was calling and tempting us to take a dip. The boys of Amihan, especially Kuya ( the eldest of the brothers, forgot his name ) even offered us a free surfing lesson. He lends us their surfboards for free. They were so mabait and kind talaga. That is what I loved about them, friendly and genuine. What matters to them is that their guests would have a great time and that they will share their great experience with them to others.

Good morning. Whats for breakfast?

The entire day, we just enjoyed the sand and the beach. The shore plus the surf and skim boards were great props for a photo shoot. Haha

The long stretch of white sand beach of Dahican. A beach lover and surfers paradise.

Surf- surf din pag may time.

Surfer kung surfer ang peg. 

With kuya of Amihan sa Dahican, the best surfing teacher

Kristine, me and Grace. Surfers in the making. Chost.

Skim boarding like a pro. Chot. Haha

Bye! Gotta hit the waves. Haha. 

By noontime, its time to leave Dahican. We have to back in Davao City by afternoon. Good thing they have a friend who has a van that is going back to the town proper. They offered us a free ride back to Mati City. We cant say no of course. We left and bid them goodbye. And we told them that soon well be back.

Loving my curls. Haha

The small bar at Amihan sa Dahican with the awesome Amihan boys

In Mati City, we picked up our empanada and had a quick lunch in a nearby carinderia. Theres also a van terminal near the carinderia that offers a ride back to Davao at P230. We don’t wanna waste our time again in another bus ride so we took the van. We left Mati City at 1230 noon and arrived Davao at 330 in the afternoon.

Van ride from Mati to Davao. Bye Mati.

Dahican is a place that I will never forget. Not because of its beautiful beaches but because of the people I’ve met there. For sure I will be back. Im not sure when but for some day, ill experience Dahican again.

See you again Dahican. You brought the surfer in all of us.