POO SANDBAR: Budget Travel Guide to Baganga’s Summer Paradise

Baganga is a diverse town that boasts of not just waterfalls, rivers, and pristine lakes but it also flourishes with long stretches of white sand beaches and islands. Among these is Poo Sandbar which rose to fame due to its seemingly endless bar of white sand that stretches to the far end of the bluest horizon. Located in Brgy. Kinablangan and connected to Poo Island that were popular among locals for the freshest seafood, Poo Sandbar makes the perfect summer destination that only spells fun and good times under the sun.

OUR POO SANDBAR STORY

I’ve been to Poo Sandbar many times since I started exploring Davao Oriental. On several occasions, I visited this place while disguise as a local since I only live in Brgy. San Antonio in Cateel, which is only 30 minutes drive away. I gotta say, it doesn’t take much to enjoy the beauty of this place. That is if you’re a local. Things are different when you visit this little paradise as a tourist and that’s what I’m going to tell you about in this blog.

The first time I visited Poo Sandbar was in January 2020, just 2 months before the pandemic. And at that time, P1000 pesos can already afford you a whole day on the boat and unlimited seafood dishes for 2 people. The other times I visited, I opted to board the boat that transfers local passengers to Poo Island to which Poo Sandbar is connected. That had always cost me P10 for a return trip. From Poo Island, I would just walk my way to the sandbar and simply take my time exploring and appreciating the scenery. (Note: It’s during the low tide hours)

It was due to these encounters that I was truly baffled when I visited Poo Sandbar with my family on the first week of July this year (2022). The first thing that got me was when I was apprehended by one of the local officials and asked if I had already paid the fees at the barangay. Perhaps, the word “tourist” was spelled all over me. It also didn’t help that the rest of my family was ridden on a Toyota Hilux that my brother borrowed from a co-worker. Maybe that’s the reason they didn’t even give it a second guess despite hearing me talk to my riding buddy in the local tongue. Although I had no qualms about paying the entrance fee, my jaw dropped when I learned it was P100/person.

The second surprise was that tourists were not allowed to board the passenger boats. Instead, it was mandatory to hire tourist boats for 75/head for 3 hours and 25/head for every hour in excess. And the third? Well, seafood was pricey. A kilo of lobster was P1400 and a kilo of crab was P700. It was a good thing that I always travel with Pani (best buddy/cousin) who got us a big tuna fish for less than P300 otherwise, we would have spent another P600 on it. But, as costly as the lobsters were, they were cooked to perfection so no regrets there.

Oh well! My family seemed to have enjoyed one of the rare occasions we were out enjoying a trip to the beach that the price tag didn’t really matter. This is one of those priceless moments since we don’t get to do this often due to varying schedules. The times we’re always almost complete were only on Christmas and New Year.  This trip, I must say, is one of the many more trips I look forward to spending with my family.  Ultimately, I guess P175/head (entrance + boat) isn’t so bad in exchange for a precious time with my loved ones frolicking under the sun with sugary sands on my feet and a clear blue sea as our infinity pool.

From Manila –  Fly to Davao. Once at the Davao Airport, ride a taxi to Ecoland Terminal then ride a bus to Baganga (5 Hrs | P500/way). If you are on a Bachelor Bus, you can ride all the way to Brgy. Kinablangan. At the junction, you can choose to walk to the tourism office and then ride a tricycle to the docks.

TIPS ON VISITING POO SANDBAR

• Poo Sandbar just like other sandbars is best visited during the low-tide hours. This is everchanging so better get yourself some app to track the low-tide hours such as My Tide Times.
• Summertime in Davao Oriental normally starts during the month of June. November to May is rainy with the most rain falling between the months of February to April. These times are best for chasing waterfalls though which are plenty in Baganga.
• Buy your supplies in the town before going to the Poo Sandbar to save time and money.
• Reservation is not necessary. Camping overnight is allowed on the island adjacent to Poo Sandbar.
• Seafood Paluto is offered by most vendors selling seafood free of charge. The cooked dish will then be delivered to your boat for an additional fee of P100.
• Most boats are equipped with grills if you wish to cook your fish and/or meat while on the boat.
• There are vendors who sell a variety of affordable fish and seafood dishes (sea urchins & octopus ceviche) in Poo Sandbar.
• Poo Sandbar Entrance fee is P100/head and the boat fee is P75/head/3 hours. The safe budget per person including food is P300-P500.
• Leave no trace (LNT) to keep the place clean.