Isla Reta is the most accessible beach in Talicud Island. It’s located right beside the Santa Cruz Pier, the main seaport at the northern tip of island. After visiting Babu Santa Beach, the habal-habal driver dropped me off at the entrance of Isla Reta Beach Resort (entrance fee: P75). I headed straight to the beachfront passing by the spacious overnight cottages.

Isla Reta had a lengthy white sand beach with a gorgeous view of mainland Samal. I was surprised when I finally saw the  beach up close. The sand was remarkably white and fine. To me, it was comparable to Station 1, White Beach in Boracay in those aspects. I’ve always been in search of beaches in the Philippines that could trump Boracay’s White Beach. Isla Reta doesn’t have Boracay’s 4km end-to-end measurements but that can easily be overlooked since there aren’t any huge crowds hogging the beach at Isla Reta.

Far end of Isla Reta Beach Resort in Talicud Island, Island Garden City of Samal

Beachfront of Isla Reta

Workers transferring roof materials for the cottages

Cool boat design

Natural Beach Umbrella at Isla Reta

The umbrella-like trees along the beachfront were one of my favorite parts of Isla Reta :) It was really nice to walk along the shore under the generous shade, cool breeze, and refreshing sight of greens and blues. It was the perfect beach to bum around.

Small pier at the northern end of Isla Reta

It was only around 3:15pm but I was worried I might not be able to catch a ride back to Davao if I stayed too long in Talicud Island. I walked back to Santa Cruz Pier. It took less than 10 minutes by foot.

Boats and houses along the shoreline

THE steep hill going in and out of Santa Cruz Pier … an exhilarating ride on the back of the single motorcycle

 
Habal-habal parking area 

Talikud Island to Kaputian Ferry

I was told earlier that the passenger ferry crossing from Santa Cruz Pier, Talikud Island to Kaputian in Mainland Samal should only cost P10. Unfortunately, there weren’t many other passengers that afternoon. The boatmen told me I could push my luck and wait it out … or rent the whole boat for P300.

I noticed another passenger waiting at the pier and proposed to split the P300 boat rental for the crossing. That’s how I met Ferdie (short for Ferdinand). He was in Talikud to visit relatives and was hoping catch the 4pm ferry back to Davao from Kaputian. The two of us, Ferdinand and Marcos :) paid P150 for the 20-minute pumpboat ride.

Santa Cruz Pier in Talikud Island

Kaputian to Babak Bus

When we got to Kaputian we were having trouble finding the ferry back to Santa Ana Wharf, Davao City. We asked a few people and discovered that there were no 4pm trips that day. I shared my plan to Ferdie and asked if he would like to join me. I was planning to visit the Monfort Bat Colony, the largest bat colony in the world, in Babak and cross over to Davao City from there. The Babak to Sasa Wharf, Davao City has more frequent ferry crossings and most importantly, a lot of night trips.

Bus Ride aboard the Island City Express from Kaputian to Babak (forgot the exact fare but it was only around P30-P45)

Highway entrance to Pearl Farm Beach Resort

Samal Public Market

Me and Ferdie ended up spending the rest of the afternoon and dinner together. Traveling solo doesn’t necessarily mean traveling the whole time alone. You’ll eventually meet other fellow travelers or friendly locals. Ultimately, we decided if we want to continue trudging the lonely road or open up to people around us.