Beach Bonding on White Pink Sand of Sta. Cruz Island

This was the day I was waiting for, our visit to Santa Cruz Island. What makes me excited to visit Santa Cruz Island? Well, it’s pink beach. Yes! The beach has pinkish sands. Only rare beaches has this shade of sand.

Pink Beach in Sunshine

We woke up early, ate our breakfast and prepared for our trip to Santa Cruz Island. It was drizzling and I was worried if how the sea waves are since my Aunt Maria told me we’ll not pursue the trip if the waves are notorious. Good thing we still pursue the trip despite the on and off drizzle.

How to Go to Santa Cruz Island?

It was my cousin who coordinated days ago from the Philippine Tourist Authority located in the Lantaka Hotel front side for us to get to the island. Two military escorts were assigned to us to accompany us on our visit. There’s no charge for the escorts but a little tip can be given to them as a courtesy. It’s a must to have military escort for safety purposes.

Military Escorts to Sta. Cruz Island

The pick up point to the island is located at Fort Pilar terminal. One need to rent a boat to get to the Santa Cruz Island. A boat can fit up to 10 persons which costs about PHP 1,000 back and forth. Since we’re 14 who’ll go to the island, we rented 2 boats. It was just 20 minutes boat ride to get to the island. The island can actually be seen from the mainland.

Pick Up Point at Fort Pilar

Looks like a resort is on construction. We boarded the boat and then we’re off to go the island. I was really excited to see its pinkish sand. We can saw the pink beach from afar as we approached the island.

Santa Cruz Island

We reached the island by around 9:00 AM. It was raining. There are some covered huts around for picnicking and adequate toilet facilities. There’s also an entrance fee to the island for about PHP 20.00 per person.

Sta. Cruz Island

We rented a covered hut and dropped our things there. Some prepared food for lunch while I waited for the rain to stop. The pleasure of travelling with host, no worries! Minutes after, the rain stopped. Of course, we did a lot of photo moments! Look how crazy and fun we are.

Welcome to Sta. Cruz Island!

Family Picture at Sta. Cruz IslandJumpshot at Sta. Cruz Island

The sand doesn’t look pinkish nearby. I took a closer look at the sand but it’s a combination of white sand and red pulverized corals making it looks like pink.

White-Pink Sand

For me, I think it’s appropriate to call its sand as a white pink sand.

Beach Bonding

The sun came out. Yehey! It’s time to hit the beach! Of course, we couldn’t help but to capture a lot of moments. Looks like everybody was enjoying the beach.

Group Shots - Pink Beach (1)Group Shots - Pink Beach (2)

The sand became more pinkish when there’s sunlight. Thus, it’s more pinkish when the sun is up. Some played volleyball, some did snorkeling and some just enjoyed their moment at the shore.

Fierce Shot at Sta. Cruz Island

Fierce ala survivor daw huh!

Group Shots - Pink Beach (3)

I took a dip on the water. I swam a few strokes away from the shore and I couldn’t reach the sea bed anymore. So if you don’t know how to swim it’s advisable to put a life jacket on as the sea bed is steeply. My cousin told me that the island is like a cone below. There are sharp rocks and coral shards on the sea bed so be cautious on where you step on. It’s advisable to wear a water shoes or slippers.

It was around 11:00 AM when we ate our lunch. We ate along with our boatmen and escorts.

Lunch at Sta. Cruz Island

Afterwards, we went at the back of the island and checked the mangroves. It’s muddy and slippery so better be cautious when getting here.

Mangroves in Sta. Cruz Island

Then, we went back near the shore and explored the rest of the island. The island is a long stretch of white pink beach.

Pink Beach in Gloomy Weather

We didn’t go far anymore. We went back to our cottage and packed our things for our departure. We left the island at past noon. We arrived Fort Pilar terminal in 30 minutes sailing.

Boat Ride from Sta. Cruz Island

It had been a great day on the beach. Nothing defeats a beach bonding with the family. I couldn’t help but recall my younger years when we always have summer family outing every year. I wish I could stay longer on this island but nevertheless, our short stay was yet enjoyable. We really had fun and got amazed on Sta. Cruz Island has to offer, a beach of white pink sand. And did I mention we’re the only visitors of the island that day!?

Trip Tips:

  • All trips to Sta. Cruz Island must be coordinated with the Philippine Tourist Authority located in the Lantaka Hotel. Military escorts will be assigned during the visit
  • Facilities on the island include toilets, picnic sheds, and cooking areas. There’s no accommodation for overnight stay.
  • I haven’t noticed any store in the area aside from those who sells souvenir items. But there are some roving around offering seafood to cook (paluto).
  • Seabed has a sudden depth. It’s also rocky due to sharp rocks and coral shards.
  • Enjoy the beach and share your experience. Let’s promote Zamboanga City!

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29 Responses

  1. marxtermind says:

    Yes, so far I haven't heard any security issue in the island.

    Well, I would like to go to Mindanao and explore the rest of its provinces.

  2. marxtermind says:

    Yes, so far I haven't heard any security issue in the island.

    Well, I would like to go to Mindanao and explore the rest of its provinces.

  3. Anonymous says:

    its an open island, siguro naman in any open island we can't avoid aliens… in fact mas unsafe nga ang natural cause like big waves (if taal lake nga gives big waves late in the pm what more this open island..).

    i like the blog, so detailed.. we are from here but did not get the chance to visit the island yet though we are scheduling a trip next week. the authorities know when to and not to allowed visitors in open islands of mindanao. for safety precaution, they give you escorts.

    we are quite worried but there isn't any security issue reported there kaya we feel safe these days to roam around mindanao and tulad nga ng sinabe ko aside from the purpose of the escorts, big waves are more dangerous.

    hope we can all visit and enjoy the "beauties" of our country.

  4. Anonymous says:

    its an open island, siguro naman in any open island we can't avoid aliens… in fact mas unsafe nga ang natural cause like big waves (if taal lake nga gives big waves late in the pm what more this open island..).

    i like the blog, so detailed.. we are from here but did not get the chance to visit the island yet though we are scheduling a trip next week. the authorities know when to and not to allowed visitors in open islands of mindanao. for safety precaution, they give you escorts.

    we are quite worried but there isn't any security issue reported there kaya we feel safe these days to roam around mindanao and tulad nga ng sinabe ko aside from the purpose of the escorts, big waves are more dangerous.

    hope we can all visit and enjoy the "beauties" of our country.

  5. marxtermind says:

    Yung tita ko ginaya ako nung sinabi ko na mag-pipink ako sa pink beach. Ayon nag change outfit for the last minute. hahaha!

  6. pinakamaganda ung last shot marx! I love it. Ako din, gustong gusto ko ang mga family outing. Never pa namin na try mag fly altogether.

    chaka isa pa, yung mga elders lamigin yan kaya sila ang naiiwan at nagbabantay ng mga gamit sa cottage. hahaha! worry-free. Ang kulit, may escort. hahaha! Nabasa ko nga din sa blog ni Dong ho ata yun, ganun daw talaga ata sa mga ibang parts ng mindanao.

    at ang dami nyo ngang naka-pink. Nag usap usap?! hehehe! kakaiba ang beach na to. buti napuntahan mo. Ikaw na!

  7. pinakamaganda ung last shot marx! I love it. Ako din, gustong gusto ko ang mga family outing. Never pa namin na try mag fly altogether.

    chaka isa pa, yung mga elders lamigin yan kaya sila ang naiiwan at nagbabantay ng mga gamit sa cottage. hahaha! worry-free. Ang kulit, may escort. hahaha! Nabasa ko nga din sa blog ni Dong ho ata yun, ganun daw talaga ata sa mga ibang parts ng mindanao.

    at ang dami nyo ngang naka-pink. Nag usap usap?! hehehe! kakaiba ang beach na to. buti napuntahan mo. Ikaw na!

  8. marxtermind says:

    Yup I think yan lang. OK naman sa Zamboanga City pati may escort naman.

  9. yan lang ba ang pink beach dito sa pinas? zamboanga pa? hay talagang dapat ko ng dayuhin ang zamboanga kahit na mejo takot ako.. hehehe

  10. yan lang ba ang pink beach dito sa pinas? zamboanga pa? hay talagang dapat ko ng dayuhin ang zamboanga kahit na mejo takot ako.. hehehe

  11. marxtermind says:

    True! Too bad I wasn't aware of the cemetery when we got there. Maybe if I could visit the beach again, I'll explore the island more.

  12. marxtermind says:

    True! Too bad I wasn't aware of the cemetery when we got there. Maybe if I could visit the beach again, I'll explore the island more.

  13. Anonymous says:

    tourists police are provided for your safety. Even locals are provided escorts when visiting Sta. Cruz island, which is a protected area. There is a Badjao cemetery in the island which is a place of interest for tourists. Hopefully when you go back to visit, some of the facilities there are already developed and a birdwatching walkway in the mangrove area is already built.

  14. Anonymous says:

    tourists police are provided for your safety. Even locals are provided escorts when visiting Sta. Cruz island, which is a protected area. There is a Badjao cemetery in the island which is a place of interest for tourists. Hopefully when you go back to visit, some of the facilities there are already developed and a birdwatching walkway in the mangrove area is already built.

  15. marxtermind says:

    Tama! I feel safe when we have escorts, parang VIP lang talaga ang dating! Hehehe! =)

  16. marxtermind says:

    Tama! I feel safe when we have escorts, parang VIP lang talaga ang dating! Hehehe! =)

  17. ganda nung beach…. and I don't mind kahit may military escort… parang VIP lang ang datin… hahahaha

  18. ganda nung beach…. and I don't mind kahit may military escort… parang VIP lang ang datin… hahahaha

  19. I'm going there this march. I think very wise idea yung may escort. Where can I find lataka hotel?hehe

  20. I'm going there this march. I think very wise idea yung may escort. Where can I find lataka hotel?hehe

  21. marxtermind says:

    @Hoobert the Awesome, Yup last December, dami pang backlogs! 🙁

    I don't feel unsafe, for security purposes land siguro kasi malapit na sya sa Basilan. Hehehe! But overall, we felt safe during our stay.

    @Ian | Going Places, Go na sa Zamboanga! OK nga na may military escorts eh!

    @Pinoy Adventurista, Wala bang ibang group na magpunta dun for you to join? Sayang! It's worth a visit! 😉

  22. marxtermind says:

    @Hoobert the Awesome, Yup last December, dami pang backlogs! 🙁

    I don't feel unsafe, for security purposes land siguro kasi malapit na sya sa Basilan. Hehehe! But overall, we felt safe during our stay.

    @Ian | Going Places, Go na sa Zamboanga! OK nga na may military escorts eh!

    @Pinoy Adventurista, Wala bang ibang group na magpunta dun for you to join? Sayang! It's worth a visit! 😉

  23. eto yung na miss ko when i went to Zamboanga… mahal kc ng rent ng boat pag pag mag-isa ka lang… i will definitely visit it pagbalik ko ng Zamboanga.. 🙂

  24. eto yung na miss ko when i went to Zamboanga… mahal kc ng rent ng boat pag pag mag-isa ka lang… i will definitely visit it pagbalik ko ng Zamboanga.. 🙂

  25. Wow Pink Beach… first I heard this in Trip na Trip when they feature it in Zamboanga episode. Medyo discouraging nga lang yung military escorts kasi parang lumalabas unsafe yung lugar… gusto ko pa naman sana makita sya. At cheap ang entrances, affordable.

  26. Wow Pink Beach… first I heard this in Trip na Trip when they feature it in Zamboanga episode. Medyo discouraging nga lang yung military escorts kasi parang lumalabas unsafe yung lugar… gusto ko pa naman sana makita sya. At cheap ang entrances, affordable.

  27. Awww ang nice naman 🙂 Grabe ang family bonding niyo. & sa Zamboanga pa talaga. Ang nice. Di`ba heto yung last year? At last, nai-blog mo na din 🙂

    In fairness, ang sosyal. May military escorts pa talaga? Bakit delikado ba yung place?

    Nakakatuwa yung ibang pics esp yung pic na Survivor lang yung peg. Hahaha. 🙂

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