Dicasaralin Cove – Baler, Quezon
Posted By philippine evolution staff on December 22, 2011
DICASALARIN COVE
Dicasalarin Cove in Baler, Aurora province (Luzon, northern Philippines) is a secluded white sand beach where the verdant Sierra Madre foothills meet the Pacific Ocean (Source: Waypoint).
Dark, thickly forested hills contrast with the striking white shoreline.There are no resorts, no facilities on this fine stretch of sand. A freshwater river, flowing from the mountains beyond, trickles out to the sea. Dicasalarin Cove’s stunning beauty and relative isolation certainly make it one of Baler’s best-kept secrets.
Though it is possible to take a short boat ride along Aurora’s rough coastal waters, hiking to Dicasalarin is the way to go. The adventure will entail passing through most of Baler’s barangays, climbing up to a hilltop weather station where the vistas are breathtaking, tramping through lush forests, scrambling across rocky shores and finally to the desolate beach where the beauty is as rough as the crashing waves of the Pacific.
Photo from: baylerviewhotel.com
Aside from a boat trip, adventurous visitors to this cove say that hiking to Dicasalarin is one of the best ways to go. The adventure will bring the visitor through most of Baler’s villages, a climb to a hilltop weather station where the vistas are breathtaking, through lush forests, along rocky shores and finally to the desolate beach where the beauty is as rough as the crashing waves of the Pacific.
Visitors can charter a motorised boat from Sabang to Dicasalarin Cove. The trip takes about 45 minutes and offers a view of the Baler coastline.
Photo from: flickr.com/photos/japsalem/5687346736/
One of Baler’s most well-kept secrets is Dicasalarin Cove. It is privately owned by Senator Edgardo Angara but is open to guests staying in Bahia de Baler. A gate pass should be secured from the resort before heading to cove grounds, which can be reached by land or by sea, with either method of transportation offering a unique view of Aurora’s natural wonders.
Photo from: travelfillers.com
The cove serves as a rest house for the Senator and his guests. Visitor cabins and huts can be found in the area, as well as a mini complex called Ifugao Village composed of Ifugao-inspired guesthouses. Picnic tables shaded by thick foliage from surrounding trees are available for al fresco dining and for day trippers to rest from the hot beach sun.
Photo from: travelfillers.com
Beyond the visitor’s area is the cove itself. This white sand beach lies along the foothills of the Sierra Madre and is continually pounded by the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. The cove is bordered on both sides by rock formations that add to its rough, unspoiled charm. It is worth taking a whole morning off to explore Dicasalarin Cove. However, visitors are discouraged to visit after 2PM, when the waves become bigger and may pose a threat to those coming in by boat.
Photo from: maluafable.blogspot.com
Other attractions include a river delta, where a river joins the ocean and it is possible to walk across the mouth of the river and wade by the shallow parts of the ocean at the same time; a scalable (if somewhat scary) cliff where a lighthouse is being built; as well as an Artists’ Village that is set to showcase different artifacts, artwork, and antiques. Dicasalarin is being pushed not only as a thriving natural attraction, but also as a sanctuary for Baler’s cultural treasures.
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