HomeAsiaPhilippinesMindanaoDavaoDavao del NorteIsla Reta Beach: Talicud to Kaputian, Mainland Samal By Marcos Detourist on January 12, 2012Isla 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 RetaThe 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 RetaIt 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 FerryI 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 BusWhen 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 MarketMe 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.Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Babu Santa Beach in Talikud Island, Samal by Habal-habalDavao to Samal Ferry & Talicud Island DIY Trip - Sta…3 Days Davao and Samal Itinerary - DIY Travel Tips & Guide"The Beach" Journey to Maya Bay in Phi Phi Islands, Thailand6 Days in Davao & Zamboanga - First time in Southern…Guisi Beach and LighthouseComments Pinoywanderingboy saysJanuary 12, 2012 at 11:43 pmWow, what an excellent find. stephanie saysJanuary 13, 2012 at 12:39 pmGandaaaa!!! Inggit ako!!! Marcos saysJanuary 15, 2012 at 11:03 pmmaganda nga :) inggit ka dyan, hehe. Grace saysJanuary 14, 2012 at 11:05 amI MISS ISLA RETA!! ^.^ harley carbonell saysFebruary 4, 2012 at 3:59 amIve been there. hehehe sana ginawan ko un ng journal. puro picture2 lng kinuha ko. Raymund saysJune 9, 2012 at 10:30 amThe beach is awesome – white sand, bagay na bagay sa pangalan talicud kaputian. ian saysJuly 24, 2012 at 4:27 amwow.. sana mameet din kita minsa. hehe Michelle Mujer saysSeptember 30, 2012 at 10:08 amHi! I will be visiting Samal next week. May I ask how will I go to Isla reta coming from kaputian island? Thanks! pretty aranzado saysNovember 26, 2012 at 1:22 ami love this place ever . its so nice and adventure place:) Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
harley carbonell saysFebruary 4, 2012 at 3:59 amIve been there. hehehe sana ginawan ko un ng journal. puro picture2 lng kinuha ko.
Raymund saysJune 9, 2012 at 10:30 amThe beach is awesome – white sand, bagay na bagay sa pangalan talicud kaputian.
Michelle Mujer saysSeptember 30, 2012 at 10:08 amHi! I will be visiting Samal next week. May I ask how will I go to Isla reta coming from kaputian island? Thanks!
pretty aranzado saysNovember 26, 2012 at 1:22 ami love this place ever . its so nice and adventure place:)