Changing Tides at Calatagan’s Starfish Island and Sandbar

As our motorized outrigger breezed through the western Batangas coast of Calatagan away from Manuel Uy Beach, we passed several now-familiar coastal landscapes on the way to our morning destination. We had passed this way before not more than two months ago. Years ago we would expect to encounter the same half-submerged sandbar surrounded by clear, transparent waters we last saw in February.

Beating the Summer Heat at Calatagan’s Manuel Uy Beach

Much of the Philippines is currently feeling the effects of an unusually hot dry season with heat indexes in some areas reaching an alarming 53°C. The latter figure is classified as extremely dangerous and could result in heat stroke for some people. (Four people had already died from heat stroke in Pili, Camarines Sur recently.) As a result, we had to think twice about going to a beach in Calatagan, Batangas to accompany a nephew here on a short vacation from his work overseas.

Calatagan’s Starfish Island and Sandbar

We had scarcely settled into our seats on a balmy Thursday when our sea taxi broke the mid-morning silence at Edna’s Beach and Campsite. Swiftly motoring across the mildly turbulent blue waters, we were soon on our way to our first destination. In less than 15 minutes we found ourselves in the middle of a vast sandbar, with patches of white sand rising slightly above a now calm, crystal-clear turquoise sea.

More Calatagan Seascapes: Edna’s Beach and Campsite

We’ve had the beaches of Calatagan, Batangas on our bucket list for some time but it was only late last year that we finally got to visit one. Despite its proximity to Metro Manila, it was only in recent years that it had begun to draw more visitors to its nearly white sand beaches.

A Quick Visit to Manuel Uy Beach

We have not been to a beach in nearly seven months, but with the end of the habagat or southwest monsoon season recently we were on the lookout for a break in the weather to resume our beach bumming. When that came a few days ago we headed out for a beach in Calatagan on the western coast of Batangas province.