Yet Another Paradise at Punta Sebaring, Balabac, Palawan

The boat ride lasted for an hour and all I could think of was to look for a school where I can teach and settle there, right away.

Onuk Island is such a paradise that we didn’t wanna leave it that soon. But then, we needed to check out some of the nearby islands to fully experience Balabac at its best. I didn’t quite know these certain islands but my travel blogger friend, Julius, actually researched a bit and took notes on some nice islands after Onuk Island (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Palawan).

So after coordinating with Mayor Shuaib Astami himself (with the help of Ma’am Lorna Gapilango), they instructed Kuya Benjie (one of the caretakers at Onuk Island) to assist us on the boat ride going to Bugsuk Island. We’re more than happy that Kuya Benjie was our captain for this trip.

We volunteered to buy some petrol for the outrigger boat (that has no shade) we used. No whining happened even if we knew the chance of us getting baked in the sun for we really wanted to see the beauty of this island.

Walang trapal, walang katig, rakenrol!

Punta Sebaring is a barangay at Bugsuk Island (still at the town of Balabac). There’s a Pearl farm here that’s owned by a famous pearl shop in the country and is located somewhere here. The place is highly protected and visitors wanting to visit the farm should directly contact the management.

The boat ride to Bugsuk Island was very calm (in spite the isolated thunderstorms). The clear waters provided a great view of the underwater world. There’s this time when we had to turn off the motor from the boat so as to not cause some harm to the very healthy corals.

One hour passed and then we reached Barangay Punta Sebaring at Bugsuk Island. Again, amazement filled our eyes as we started to dock on the island.

The island is inhabited with locals whose lives are dependent on the sea. We saw this man who was carefully placing some fish on a huge woven bamboo tray which will be traded after a few days of exposing it under the sun, dried fish it is.

Huge amounts of seaweed were also left hanging on poles to have its own time in the sun. In the next few days, this will be the nori we enjoy in our maki and sushi.

After the chitchat time with the locals, we explored Punta Sebaring’s blindingly white sand beach. The long stretch of white sand seemed endless and the sand here is very fine that it can compete with the fine sand of Quinale Beach in Anda, Bohol.

Carla, ano kaya 'to sinadya nilang ilagay dito?
Ha? Seryosong tanong ba 'yan Julius?

We were looking for some company on our leisurely stroll on the shore but no, there were nobody. We owned the beach for about an hour or so. The simplicity and beauty of this place is just stunning. This beach is so lovely that I was thinking of settling somewhere here. No steady electricity, no reliable cellphone and internet signal, no malls and restaurants, no nothing. This is your paradise waiting for you. The escape you’ve been looking for.

And then the dreaded nik nik (sand flies). On my previous trips to Palawan, I’ve been bitten once or twice by these tiny creatures. I would just leave it and let the scars heal on its own but this time around I was attacked. I will feature this nik nik story of mine on a separate post (and how to deal with it), yes, it was that serious that it deserves its own post.

Moving on, we reached the sandbar and were gasping for more air, this beauty is not happening, it's all a dream. Punta Sebaring is beautiful beyond words. The mangrove trees on one end and the rippled sand on the other. Everything in its perfect placement looked like a desktop wallpaper. Really awesome.

We really intended to just have a daytrip on this island but for those who want to stay here for a few days can do so by coordinating with the local government on some homestays.

Kuya, 'san ang High School dito?
Bakit?
Dito na 'ko magtuturo eh...

Our stay in Bugsuk Island was short and sweet but the memory lingers on in my mind. And it got me thinking, if Balabac has 30 or so islands and islets, and the first two islands were really great, how much more if we could get to visit all of it? Hmm…

*Contact updated February 2017*

Balabac, Palawan, Philippines

Point Person - Ronald Astami
Family Owner

Contact Number: (+63) 935.155.6264