My Favorite Isla Reta!

I was in college when I first visited Isla Reta Beach Resort. I fell in love with Isla Reta. A love at first sight indeed! From then on, I kept on coming back with different friends and company. Every visit is perfect. And a single day visit is always not enough for me. An overnight stay is good but I always wanted to stay longer. Its not a posh resort yet I love its simplicity and the splendor of the beach.

ISLA RETA BEACH RESORT is located in Talikud Island. It's a 45 minute to an hour ferry boat ride from Magsaysay Wharf. Sometimes it will take longer when the waves and ocean currents are strong. They have their own boat that docks at their own wharf at the resort.

Ferry docks at Isla Reta's own wharf

Ferry waiting the visitors to leave in the afternoon

Boat fare is only Php80.00. Affordable, isn't it?

The first trip to the resort is at 9am and leaves the resort around 3pm or 4pm. So a day tour is not enough to enjoy the beach because to exactly count the time you are going to spend there is like four and half hours only. An overnight stay or more will be satisfying.

Trips after 9am are for the locals and will dock at Sta. Cruz wharf but no worries, it is just a five minute walk to the resort.

Rules & Regulations

RESORT RATES:
Day Tour:
Adult Php 75/head/day
4 to 10 years old Php 35/head/day
3 years old and below free of charge

Overnight fee without cottage
Adult Php 150/head/day
4 to 10 years old Php 75/head/day
3 years old and below free of charge

And believe me, the moment I step out from the boat, I was mesmerized all over again by the clean and clear blue waters. The fresh sea breeze made me breathe so deeply.

Mother & Son gathering empty shells

Lowtide

The clear and clean blue waters will make you stay in the water longer and swim to your heart's content even when the sun is angry. You can even see the corals in the ocean floor. Please don't forget to bring your goggles and snorkels because it will be a sin there without those.

The Clear Blue Waters of Isla Reta

The powdery white sand felt so therapeutic that you want to go barefoot all the time. I just love walking barefoot there.

Walking barefoot

Powdery White Sand of Isla Reta

ISLA RETA is sorrounded with mature and lush talisay trees that will protect anyone who wants to hide from the scorching sun. The trees are perfect to put your hammock on and read your favorite book or just have a relaxing sleep.

One of the best site to hide from the heat of the sun

Talisay Trees lining at the shore

Hammock in between Talisay Trees

Lots of tables under the Talisay trees are free of charge. You will enjoy your lunch here. They also have picnic huts for Php 150/day.

Concreted Tables under Talisay Trees

Wooden Table For Free

Hut for Rent


Big Huts

Talking about lunch. Bringing food is recommended but not a requirement since they have a restaurant. Since they only have few in their menu, bringing food is the best option. You may also want to bring beverages. They have corkage charges but in minimal amount.

Restaurant

If you want to enjoy the catch of the day, just visit the wet market outside the resort. It is near the the town's dock. There you go, you can have them cook for you with a minimal pay or grill it yourself at the barbeque stand around the resort.

No fresh water available for drinking so bringing bottled water from the mainland will save you some pennies.

As what I have said, ISLA RETA is not a posh resort. They don't have the amenities that other resorts have. This resort is basic and left untouched with commercialism. In this case, they don't have airconditioned rooms. They only have the following rooms:

Concrete Room Php800/night (good for 2 persons)
Native Room Php700/night (good for 3 persons)
Dormitory Type Php 6,500/night good for 22 persons
Rates are inclusive of entrance fee and overnight fee.

Concrete Rooms

Huts for Rent

Huts for Rent

Voila for the campers! Isla Reta is the perfect spot. I have done this many times few years back. I always love to pitch my tent under the Talisay trees near the wooden tables where we arranged and made our meals. Most of all, tie our hammocks to chill.

Pitching Tent near the shore is perfect

Campers love it here

Tents under the Talisay tree with wooden table

Tent charge per night is only Php100. If you don't have a tent of your own, you can rent it for only Php400 per night good for two persons. Beddings like mattress, pillow, blanket and complete bed are also available for rent.

When rinsing after swimming, do not be surprise when your soap will create less or no bubbles at all because the water is somewhat salty.

Comfort and Wash Room

The resort is safe with lifeguards and security personnel at sight.

Electricity in the island is run by a generator set. They have this daily sched for the island's consumption. It is turn on at 3pm and turn off at 6am.

The visitors that you are with in the boat in going to the resort are the same people you will be with in leaving the resort. Except when you stay overnight.

WHAT ELSE TO DO?
1. Snorkelling
2. Diving
3. Rent a boat and explore Talicud Island

For me, it's the best beach near Davao City. No other resort could fill that space in my heart... The best and my favorite beach in Davao!

contact number: (082) 2347903, 09282141487, 09335187346