Western Pangasinan Coastline and Beaches

Culebra Island Beach at Culebra Island

Western Pangasinan has its share of beautiful coastline and beaches that are relatively unknown to visitors and tourists. The stopping off point to access these beautiful and secluded beaches is a small community located between Dasol and Equia known as Hermosa. Hermosa means beautiful in Spanish and the people in the old Spanish days of long ago knew what they were talking about when they gave the place this name.

Hermosa, Dasol is located approximately 30 kilometers south of Hundred Islands National Park in Lucap. Along the way, you pass the Cacupangan cave complex, located near the town of Mabini. A small sign shows the turn-off road to the caves. The unpaved road leads a couple of kilometers to the cave entrance where picnic tables await the few travelers that visit these caves. A small entrance fee is charged to enter the caves and the better part of a day can be used to fully explore the caves. It is best to have a gas lantern to fully illuminate stalagmites, underground rooms containing crystalline structures, and the subterranean pools found in the caves. The caves have a variety of small endemic creatures that are found nowhere else, including blind crayfish, sightless fish and other natural oddities.

Dasol Bay is a semi-protected body of water that faces the South China Sea. Several rivers and Mangrove estuaries flow into the bay, making it a safe haven and nursery area for all types of marine life, including crabs, shrimp, fish, and lobster. These same rivers give the sand along the coastline a light tan color, while the water along the beach remains clear for swimming and snorkeling. The snow-white sand beaches of Tambobong, Osmenia, Culebra Island, and Hermana Mayor Island are only a short boat ride away from Hermosa. Tambobong white sand beach can be reached by jeepney or automobile, but the road is currently not very well developed and the bumpy trip can take an hour and a half from the highway.

It is best to plan your outing early in the morning before the sun becomes too hot. Also, the water in the bay is usually calmer in the mornings before the land starts to heat up and the cooling breezes begin to blow in from the South China Sea. October through May is usually the best time to visit, as weather can be unpredictable during the rainy season, which is usually June through September.

Tambobong White Sand Beach Beach at Isla Hermana Mayor

Banca type boats can be rented for a small fee in Hermosa to take visitors to visit these pristine white sand beaches. It’s best to bring your own drinks and snacks with you although they can be purchased locally from sari-sari stores if you desire. Don’t forget your hat and sunglasses as the sun and glare off the water can be hard on the eyes. A perfect family outing would be to take the whole gang for a picnic on Culebra Island. You can cool off by swimming or snorkeling in the crystal-clear water and after lunch maybe do a little beach combing for seashells. Where else can you have your very own tropical island to enjoy and explore for the day?

Small caves to explore along Dasol Bay’s northern coastline

Nice spot for camping near Caiman Point

The area is still mostly undeveloped for tourism, but there are a couple of small resorts that provide overnight accommodation between Hermosa, Dasol and Infanta. Tambobong also can accommodate visitors for overnight stays.

Photos and article by Bill Lovelock – March 15, 2003