6 Exciting Activities In Batangas
2022 Feb 10 | by Apple Barretto
What are some exciting activities in Batangas?
- Swimming at the beaches and island hopping
- Hiking
- Scuba diving
- Heritage trip
- Glamping
- Attend local fiestas
Batangas remains to be one of the top travel destinations in the Philippines. More than a rapidly thriving city and its accessibility to pristine beach resorts, Batangas also boasts of plenty fun-filled activities. From de-stressing activities to adrenaline-rushing sports in Batangas, the locale surely has a lot to offer. What’s even better is Batangas is less than two hours away from Manila, making it an ideal residential address. If you want to explore new adventures in this Southern city, here are six exciting activities in Batangas worth trying!
Swimming At The Beaches and Island Hopping
Try asking any local in the Philippines about where the best beach resorts near Metro Manila are. They would surely mention Batangas. Having one of the longest coastlines in Southern Luzon, Batangas is blessed with many beaches, islands, and islets. Whether you’re looking for secluded beaches or fully developed ones — you’ll find them all in Batangas. Take a dip in the clear blue waters, lay on the sand, and enjoy the scenic views. Visit Anilao Beach, Laiya Beach, Nasugbu Beach, or Fortune Island for the perfect island-hopping getaway.
Hiking
For true thrill-seekers , hiking is the best activity in Batangas for you. Aside from getting a much-needed exercise, you will also feel fulfilled once you reach the peak of the mountains and see the beautiful landscape of Batangas.
There are a variety of hiking trails in Batangas and each one has different climbing difficulty levels. The Taal Volcano is perfect for first-time hikers because of its well-marked 2km trail. The hike will only take about 45 minutes to 1 hour, but a prior 30 minute boat ride should be completed first. Other beginner-friendly trails in Batangas include Mt. Batulao, Mt. Maculot, and Manabu. For those looking for a challenge, Mt. Makiling is a must-hike with its altitude of 1,090 m above sea level. Be prepared to see lush forest, clean natural spring water, magnificent rock formations, a mud spring, and the largest flower in the world known as the Rafflesia while hiking to the peak of Mt. Makiling.
Scuba Diving
Want to get a glimpse of the rich marine life of the Philippines? Then, you shouldn’t miss out on scuba diving in Batangas. Anilao is a world-renowned diving spot in the area because it is home to a wide array of fish and coral species. In this marine-protected sanctuary, you will commonly see shrimps, crabs, nudibranchs, squid, cuttlefish, frogfish, pipefish, seahorses, bobbit worms, and blue-ringed octopus. On other occasions, you may also see larger marine creatures like turtles, large schools of jack fish, barracudas, reef sharks, giant bluefin trevally, and rhinopias.
You can dive all year round in Batangas. However, the main scuba diving season is from November to May, which is the dry season in the Philippines. Scuba diving during the rainy season, which is from June to October, can cause choppy and cold waters, and poor diving visibility.
Heritage Trip
If your idea of exciting is visiting old town centers and other historical spots, visiting Batangas will surely be fun-filled for you as well. Batangas is rich in culture. Take a tour to the town of Taal and you will feel like you’ve been transported to the Spanish colonization era with the presence of ancestral homes. Batangas is also home to some of the oldest lighthouses in the Philippines with the Malabrigo Point Lighthouse and Cape Santiago Lighthouse.
Clamping
In Batangas, there’s an adventure waiting for every kind of camper. You can always go to a no-frill campsite on a deserted island. But if you prefer a more luxurious experience, glamping is for you. The term “glamping” is a compound word between glamorous and camping, promising a hassle-free experience for its patrons. This is the perfect activity for those who want to spend a much-needed time in nature’s splendor.
You can go glamping in the Nayomi Sanctuary Resort in Balete, Domescape in Nasugbu, Noni’s Resort in Alitagtag, or Casa Antonio in Calatagan.
Attend Local Fiestas
Almost every barangay in the Philippines has some form of fiesta or festival. Try visiting Batangas during their fiestas. This is the time when their barangays come alive with many activities. Don’t miss out on the Parada ng Lechon Festival which is held every June 24th to celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist. Other notable festivals include the Ala Eh Festival, Sublian Festival, Balsa Festival, and Kambingan Festival.
Key Takeaway
In this article are just some exciting activities in Batangas. However, this list is not at all exhaustive as there are many more things to do in Batangas such as food tripping, trying water sports, and stargazing. The next time you think about where to go for your vacation, visit the beautiful Southern city of Batangas. Here, you will never run out of things to do with your loved ones.