There are few places on earth where travelers haven’t stepped foot, where guidebooks haven’t exposed every nook and cranny. But one those very few places does exist. Nagsasa Cove, Philippines, on the west coast of Luzon, is a place few know of, until now of course. The secluded, calm, and mostly secret cove in the waters of the South China Sea stayed hidden mostly because it is too new. Some locals don’t even believe it is real. It has only existed for 20 years. The cove was born out of the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991, protecting the cove from the violent sea. But, as peaceful as it is, another feature will leave travelers doing a double-take. Where palm trees should stand along the shores have been replaced by pines. An unusual sight to behold, especially in the tropics, the pines are also a result of the eruption that sent seeds into the area. Although the secret is out, courtesy of bloggers, most travelers are still welcomed to an empty beach to camp, sit back, and absorb the setting.
The path less traveled to Nagsasa Cove
Although a handful of people knew of Nagsasa Cove in the 90s, very few were willing to write about it. Boatmen who traveled there urged them to keep it secret. Even though more travelers are catching wind of the hidden cove, it definitely isn’t on the tourist trail. Getting there will involve a 3 to 4 hour bus trip to San Antonio, followed by another 1.5 hour boat trip. The cove is home to only one shop for some food and drinks, so you’ll have to pack your own, including the tent.
