Puting Buhangin (Lukang Beach)

Puting Buhangin in Pagbilao, Quezon is a wonderful discovery. We used to rack our brains silly when we had the beach itch because of two considerations: budget and travel duration. An over the weekend beach getaway requires short travel time and must be easy on the pocket. Thanks to Dubs for suggesting that we check out this place and thanks to Claire of lakwasteradeprimera for blogging about Puting Buhangin.

Town of Pagbilao, roughly 35mins away from Lucena GT

If arriving early in the morning at Lucena Grand Terminal, take an ordinary bus headed to Unisan (AB Liner). From Lucena GT, trips to the nearby towns via jeep or van start at 7am. Tell conductor that you are getting off at Pagbilao bayan. Fare will cost you Php12. Your landmark is the town's welcome arch and a Catholic church just across the road. Ask the locals for the Polo terminal. It is just a short walk from the main road and is near the market place.

Fare matrix from Pagbilao to Ibabang Polo

First trip headed to Barangay Ibabang Polo leaves at 7am. Full capacity or not, the trip leaves as scheduled. This was a pleasant surprise after what we have experienced in Palawan going to Sabang.

Ibabang Polo, or simply Polo, is the last stop of this ride. Get off in front of the Power Plant gate and take a tricycle going in to the Lukang property. Going into the beach is roughly a 30-minute hike. A local volunteered to bring us and we gave him a hundred as thank you which he accepted only after we insisted.

first part of the hike is by the perimeter of Team Energy

then the rocky shores

and a bit rocky downhill nearing the entrance

take a shade under the trees instead of renting a cottage

coconut trees and cottages past the shore

coconut trees

one end of the shore

the stretch of beach 

sand quality

the other end of the shore, Kwebang Lampas 

Kwebang Lampas entrance

inside the cave

view of Puting Buhangin from inside the cave

view of Kwebang Lampas at the sea

took the banca on our way back to the jeepney terminal

had our late lunch here

highway crossing

Team Energy landmark

A banca ride on our way back to the jeepney terminal is roughly a 20-minute ride to the daungan at Sitio Gapalos then a short tricycle ride to the main street where the terminal is at. If you want to grab a bite try Cherry's Restaurant just across the terminal. Again, the jeep does not wait for a full load before leaving the terminal. It leaves as soon as another jeep arrives. The trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour and last trip leaves Brgy. Polo at 5pm.

This little piece of information is shared to everyone with a little hesitation. For as much as I want everyone to experience Puting Buhangin I'd rather have it remain a natural, uncommercialized beauty.

Plan your trip to Quezon and explore Puting Buhangin before everyone flocks there for the summer. Lastly, share with me your adventure. Enjoy and halong!