Puting
Balas island, situated off the coast of this city, is included in the top 5 must-see
sandbars for tourists in 2015, according to Gael Hilotin of the travel blog Pinay
Solo Backpacker.
A
sandbar is a low ridge of submerged or partially exposed sand built up in the
water along a shore by action of waves or currents.
Hilotin
describes the powdery-white beach island as “a much-needed respite from the
harried metropolis…ideal for swimming.”
“Undoubtedly,
the Philippines have some of the best coasts in the world…but more than that,
our bountiful country also harbors idyllic sandbars that beckon sun-seekers,”
the article reads.
Her
list includes Vanishing Island in Davao del Norte, Snake Island in El Nido,
Palawan, Manjuyod Sandbar in Negros Oriental and White Island in Camiguin.
In
DOT’s website, Puting Balas was listed as an ideal tourist destination in
Pagadian City along with Dao Dao Island, the Mabait Beach in Barangay
Poloyagan, Kendis Cave, Mt. Susong Dalaga and Baka Falls in Lison Valley and Mt.
Palpalan,
James
Annjo Facultad Salomon, in his blog “It's Annjo, with a double N,” described his
experience in Puting Balas.
“The
sand in Puting Balas may not be as pure as Boracay’s but it is one place a
Pagadianon can be proud of. It can already compete as a tourist destination,” Salomon’s
entry went.
“Truly,
the Puting Balas is very admirable. Just be sure that when you go there it
would be low tide because you just can’t enjoy it that much,” he said.
Puting
Balas can be reached by chartering a boat from San Pedro port in Pagadian for P350
roundtrip. (MICHAEL MEDINA)