This is what makes this place unique, you can rent one of their cottages or rooms on the resort. But it is advisable for you to just visit the place, stay the whole day and bring your own food. The time we were there we stayed for two days and they have a restaurant that offers a very limited menu. And even if you are going to order just a fried egg it takes them an hour before they are served that goes with the other orders too. Even if they don’t have any other guest the service is really bad. That is why it is advisable to just stay and look at the place and not to stay there at all.
The amenities and rooms of the place is also not very comfortable and sometimes water doesn’t work at all. But all in all the place is nice for swimming and dipping. If you have small kids with you it is also not advisable. If there is high tide there is no place for them to play in the sand since it is under water t and surely they wont enjoy it there.
Going there from Mati City is 15-20 minutes with car and if you don’t have one, only motorcycles go there since the road is not paved.
BOTONA BEACH RESORT 1
BOTONA BEACH RESORT 2
Aside from the curse of typhoons scare every now and then, Mati also abounds with gifts for being situated facing the open Pacific Ocean. These gifts come in the form of wonderful beaches. In fact, these beaches are renowned tourist destinations and come as a more affordable substitute for other popular beaches like the ones in Boracay and in Palawan. One ofthe recommended places to go to is the Botona Beach Resort. Even if the resort is more budget friendly, it still gives you the best kind of summer and holiday experience.
The white sand, thecrystal clear beach, and the peaceful serenity of the place are more than you can ask for. Surely,this is something that you do not get anywhere else especially in more crowded resorts. Thus, if you are planning for a road trip adventure and very willing to spend some time away fromhome, the Botona Dahican Beach Resort in Mati is definitely a must-try for you.
PUJADA ISLAND
“Another thing I like to do is sit back and take in nature. To look at the sceneries, listen to the sound of waves, walking along the beach, playing games and sometimes being alone with the great outdoors. It’s very special to me.” Larry Wilcox
Heard Pujada Bay? You will notice an island with lush forest located in the eastern part Davao Oriental facing Pacific Ocean. The island is a lot bigger compared to Waniban Island.
30-35 minutes boat ride from Waniban Island you will reached Pujada Island, the water is a bit rough but still manageable. Great scenery as we have to see the mountains of Davao Oriental as well as the shores of the island it self.
Oak Island or the vanishing island can be visited if not in time constraint while on the way to Pujada Island.
Pujada Island has 156 hectares in land area and rises to a height of 558 feet. Our guide said that it has inland natural ponds. There are inhabitants in the area of about 5 families at the back portion of the island.
CITY OF MATI ENTRANCE
This is the entrance gate of the City Office
DAHICAN BEACH
Finally, I am back on my own shores. I have been missing exploring Philippines since the year started. So, when the chance to go to Davao came, I hopped on a flight and headed off to one of the burgeoning destinations in the South, the emerging city of Mati in Davao Oriental. Dubbed as the new backpackers haven, the relatively small city of Mati offers beach excursions and island adventures.
The trip to Mati from Davao took 3 hours, though our driver was wild. You can take a bus to Mati from the Northern Terminal of Davao City. We sped over concrete and "under construction" roads. Arriving in Mati, we were treated to a great view of the peninsula. We left at 7:30 AM in Davao City and arrived in Dahican Beach, our first stop, at the east coast of Mati at 10:30AM.
Dahican Beach was dubbed as another Boracay of the South (I really hate it when people say Boracay of their area). Truth is, Dahican Beach is more like Pagudpud. There were locals swimming, and I only spotted a few tourists. We were supposed to stay in Botona Beach Resort, the only resort there, but after surveying the place, we decided to head back to Davao at the end of the day. We wanted to make most of our time in Davao.
The wide sandy coastline was met with huge waves coming from the Pacific Ocean. There were two young skim boarders who ran the sea. The waves weren't as huge though I think for a great surf ride.
It is good to note that the beach was clean, considering that it was undeveloped and a lot of locals resided in the area. I do hope the locals are aware of keeping their beach clean for tourists to come. The beach is around the length of 2 kms from end to end. There were some abandoned huts also.
