Unforgettable Getaway to Dasol, Pangasinan’s Stunning Hidden Beaches

We have never heard of Dasol until a friend who hails from Pangasinan told us about it. Apparently, Pangasinan is not only about the popular Hundred Islands in Alaminos, or its beautiful beaches in Bolinao and Anda, it also boasts of Dasol, a coastal town west of the province.

Dasol coastal municipality

The residents of Dasol thrive in small scale fishing and commercial salt making. For years they have been known to produce commercial salts- with 14 major salt producers found in the municipality. And maybe it is because of their success in the livelihood that they have kept quiet when it came to tourism. Or perhaps it is due to the fact that their most beautiful destinations, pose quite a challenge to reach. 

For those who love a challenge, you know the results can also be rewarding. In the last few years, the beaches of Dasol are quietly making waves in travel blogs and other social media platforms thus stirring curiosity among travelers. If you’re up to it, you’ll discover Dasol’s, Tambobong beach, Osmeña beach, Macalang beach and the islets of Colibra and Crocodile off the coast of Tambobong.

In this guide, we feature the details of our trip to Tambobong Beach and its nearby islands, Colibra and Crocodile islands. 

How to get to there

To reach Dasol, you can either go by private car which is the easiest way, simply key in the name of your accommodation on the Waze app or the name of the beach and it will show you the directions.

However if you are commuting, you can try these options:

A. Take a Victory Liner Bus bound to Sta.Cruz, Zambales via Alaminos. Buses with this route passes directly through Burgos and Dasol. There are scheduled trips as early as 12 midnight or 2:00 AM.

B. Another option is to take a bus going to Alaminos City. Then once in Alaminos, transfer to another local bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Zambales. Buses leave Alaminos terminal every 30 minutes so you wouldn’t have trouble at all. Tell the driver that your are going to Dasol and that you intend to alight at Burgos Market. 

We opted to take the Burgos route since we needed to buy food and supplies at Burgos market. I strongly suggest you stop over the market as well if you need to buy your food. There are smaller markets nearer Brgy. Tambobong but they may not have everything you need.

Once in Burgos, you have to rent a tricycle for another 1 hour or so. The rate is usually Php300 per way.

Tip: Ask for the driver’s contact number so that he can pick you up when you leave the resort. 

The road going to Brgy. Tambobong

From Burgos, it will take you an hour to reach Tambobong. It is not an easy trip though. There are road sections still unpaved and so it can get bumpy and dusty going there by a tricycle. But once you reach Tambobong, it will be a different view. 

We found the beach of Tambobong with glistening, cream-colored, fine sands and clear, turquoise waters under the morning sun. After the bumpy ride, it was just refreshing. Going there kind of evokes a promise of an oasis after a long drive in dry land.

The shores of Tambobong are lined with resorts, home stays, accommodations of various types. You can rent a room or a “kubo” for the duration of your stay. (We listed the accommodations that you can book online below.) But for those who prefer to camp, you can setup your tents at Colibra island.

Island hopping

A half-day island hopping at Dasol costs Php1,500 and includes a tour of 3 islands namely, Colibra, Cabacungan, and Crocodile islands. The cost also includes the environmental fees at Colibra.

Boats or operators that offer island hopping tours are easy to find for most of them roam around the resorts. For us, we were casually approached by a boatman while we were swimming at Tambobong beach.

They have the kind of small boats that have no shade or anything to keep you covered from the sun, you are better off carrying your umbrella, hats or lather on enough sunblock on exposed skin.

Colibra Island

It’s a small island off the coast of Tambobong beach. At first glance, it looks like a typical tropical island of cream sand, remote and undiscovered. But the closer we got to the island, we recognized a throng of tourists, waiting to pay for the environmental fees, or waiting for their boats. It was about 9AM on a Sunday.

Related: Boracay, Philippines: Exciting Things To Do

Despite the crowd, we were able to find some spot leave our things and swim. The water is clear and shallow although there are parts of the island that were rocky and some others were packed with tourists. 

Cabacungan Cave

We found Cabacungan with rocky shores and slightly elevated outcrop. It has a small cave that you can enter from a tiny entryway of rocks and within it you’ll see a small pool of emerald-colored water. The waves also enter the cave from the outside, the crashing of sea water into the cave can be violent at times especially when the tide is high.

Crocodile Island

Our supposed last stop was Crocodile island but unfortunately, we only passed by it because we were unable to enter due to the rising tides. According to the operator, the island was aptly named such because its shape resembles the reptile. On a good day when the tide is at its lowest, one can walk there from Cabacungan.

Sample 2D1N Itinerary

Day 1

12:00 AM – Departure from Quezon City
4:00 AM – Arrival in Alaminos
5:00 AM – Stop-over at Burgos Market to buy food and supplies
7:00 AM – Arrival at Tambobong Beach
8:00 AM – Food preparation
11:00 AM – Check-in / Lunch
1:00 PM – Free time to explore the beach/Swim/Photos/Socials
6:00 PM – Dinner/Socials

Day 2

7:00 AM – Island hopping: Colibra, Cabacungan, Crocodile islands
11:00 AM – Back to Tambobong Beach/Lunch
12:00 PM – Check-out
3:00 PM – Stopover for snacks
8:00 PM – Manila

Other tips

• The best time to go is during the dry months (December to May).
• Bring enough cash with you.
• Buy all your food and supplies in Burgos market. There are smaller markets nearer Tambobong Beach but they may not have everything you’ll need. 
• At Tambobong beach, you can also buy the town fishermen’s fresh catch. 
• If you’re coming from Manila, it is ideal to leave at midnight.

Related: Cabangan, Zambales: Hidden Beach Gem for a Relaxing Getaway

Dasol is slowly gaining attention among travelers. While the town is primarily known for salt production, its quiet shores and challenging-to-reach destinations are well worth the effort. For those looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, Dasol’s beautiful beaches and nearby islands, such as Colibra and Crocodile, provide a rewarding escape. Whether you arrive by private car or public transportation, this coastal town is sure to offer an unforgettable experience.