What are the best things to do in Tablas Philippines?
Tablas is a must-visit island while exploring the Philippines that not many other travelers, or locals, get the chance to experience. Located within the Romblon Province, the pristine island of Tablas Philippines is relatively undiscovered by tourists. With only 20 resorts on the island and the tourism industry just beginning, visiting the island sooner than later will give you a real taste for authentic philippine culture.
We stayed on Tablas Island for 2 nights and spent our days exploring the islands remote beaches, hidden waterfalls, and local villages. Although we didn’t tick every Tablas hot-spot off our bucket list, here are our three must-see spots for things to do in Tablas Island:
1. Spend the day at Aglicay Beach
Located on the windy side of the island in Alacantra, Aglicay Beach is another semi-private beach located on the grounds of one of Tablas first Resorts, Aglicay Beach Resort. Admission is 70 Pesos for the entire day and options of things to do for the day are far from limited. If you’re feeling active, the resort rents snorkeling gear and paddleboards to enjoy on the cool blue waters. On the beach there are frisbees, a volleyball net, and tennis free to use at your leisure.
You’re sure to work up an appetite, so grab a beer and lunch from the resorts restaurant where everything is made to order. After lunch, take a hike up the kilometer-long trail right beside the resort to reveal stunning views of the beach and it’s two coves. Keep in mind, this is the sunrise beach, so you may want to head out before sunset to avoid traveling in the dark. We didn’t take this advice and got a flat tire on our bike while attempting to drive home in the dark! Luckily, the friendly owner at Aglicay Beach Resort helped us figure out a way back to our hotel. Watch this video to see our experience of getting stranded on Tablas Island after dark.
2. Adventure to one of Tablas’ Secret Waterfalls
Finding waterfalls in Tablas takes determination, a motorbike, and the help of local philippine residents. We were on the hunt to find the infamous Mainit Falls located just east of the main town, Odiongan. If possible, ask around and hire a local guide to take you directly to the falls which shouldn’t be anymore than a few hundred pesos. We made the mistake of “going it on our own” and it took about 4 hours of searching before we found the right(ish) path. Even then, we wouldn’t have found the falls if we didn’t get lucky and stumble upon a local family who was heading to their homestead nearby.
Although not an incredibly tall waterfall, the pool of the falls is bright teal and even flows during dry season. “Mainit” Falls meaning “hot” in filipino, flows at a warmer temperature than most waterfalls as it is located downstream from a natural hot spring. When you finally arrive at Mainit Falls, make sure you jump off the natural rope swing on the left hand side! Our suggestions is to pack a lunch, enjoy the company of a few local filipinos and budget a half day for this amazing adventure. For more information on how to find Mainit Falls, read this in depth article (coming soon).
3. Visit Binucot Beach for Sunset
A semi private beach in the town of Ferrol is our #1 destination while visiting Tablas. The beach itself is absolutely stunning, with large limestone rock formations set within a cove draped in crystal clear water. The sand itself is coarse, as washed up shells and coral have found their way to mix in with the clean yellow sand. If you choose to spend the entire day here, don’t forget to pack up your snorkel gear and water shoes! Swimming just offshore, we were greeted with blue starfish, sea urchin, and jellyfish presenting the perfect opportunity to whip out your Go-Pro (which we forgot… classic.)
The ultimate draw to Binucot Beach is the beautiful sunset which dips just behind the free standing limestone island which sits on the coves point. Grab a pint of the only draft beer served on the island from the Binucot Beach Bar and park yourself in the sand to see one of the most unforgettable sunsets you will ever experience. If you can’t pull yourself away (we couldn’t), enjoy a fantastic dinner at the Binucot Beach Resort and wait for sundown… the stars shine so bright it feels like you’re sitting in your own private planetarium.