Beach Escapade: Hermits Cove

Last weekend, we had an impromptu beach getaway with the family. It was quick, because it was just a spur of the moment decision. We just wanted to de-stress and take a quick dip at the beach. Based on our friends recommendations, they suggested Hermits Cove, because the entrance fee is cheap plus we can bring our own food. So we traveled all the way to Kantabogon Road in Aloguinsan and see for ourselves what it looks like.

Here are the things that I like and I don't like about Hermit's Cove:

👍 Likes:

• No need to pay for the cottages or tables. It's free of charge, so long as you pay the entrance fee of PHP 100/adult and PHP 50/kid
• Being managed by Kantabogon Eco-Tourism Association (KEA). You have to pay to the lady assigned to collect the money and not from elsewhere or anybody
• You can bring your own food, free of charge. No corkage. 
• There are vendors there selling barbecue, mango shake and chips. Mango shake costs PHP 50
• They have people who were assigned to assist you in looking for cottages and if it's full, they will provide tables and chairs for you to use while waiting for the cottages to be vacated or vacant
• You can setup a tent if you have, free of charge
• Parking space is available but limited

👎 Dislikes:

• The road going there is challenging especially for compact cars, because it really is a rough, dirty road. It surely is a one tough bumpy ride. Good luck if it's raining, because the road gets to be so muddy and the road becomes slippery 
• At that time, the nearest toilet for shower and changing doesn't have enough water anymore. We had to pay someone to get us some water in a deep well just so we can take a shower. You have to shower in an open area, because there's no toilet near the deep well. Price ranges from PHP 15 to 30
• Not suitable for PWDs especially those on wheelchairs or those who couldn't walk, because you have to take the stairs going down. The flight of stairs going to the beach is steep. For those with kids, you really have to hold them as there were instances that the steps become slippery. Though, there are railings made of bamboo that you can hold on to. 
• Expectation vs reality. Totally different from what you see in the pictures. Though it's clean, less to no trash, because they have a staff who cleans up the place from time to time
• Another expectation vs reality. Even if it was managed by the tourism of Aloguinsan, still they can't do anything about the beach. It is similar to a public beach only that you are paying an entrance fee. There were parts of the beach where you get to step on a seashore or seaside plants, and some parts of the beach where you'll step on rocks and some parts where you'll step on pure sand
• The beach closes at 4PM or 6PM, if I'm not mistaken.So you can't stay there overnight even if you have a tent, unless if you are one of the locals or a resident nearby. 

It was already low tide when we arrived 

Exact location: Hermits Cove is located in Baranggay Kantabogon, Aloguinsan, Southern Cebu — only 1-2 hours away from Cebu City

Please take into consideration the travel time which would always depend on the traffic situation. 

BY V-HIRE or GT Express via Toledo:
– Go to Junquera St. in Colon and look for the vhire going to Toledo. Fare is PHP100 and travel time is approximately 1 to 2 hours. Alight in Toledo Terminal and from there take a jeep going to Aloguinsan. Fare is 35 ot 40PHP. Once you are in Aloguinsan, look for any habal-habal or motorcycle drivers that will transport you directly to Hermits Cove. Fare for the habal-habal or single bike motorcycle drivers would cost around 50-80PHP

BY BUS: Go to South Bus Terminal located at N. Bacalso Avenue near Elizabeth Mall. In the terminal, look for a bus going to Aloguinsan. Fare is PHP80 to PHP100. Estimated travel time is approximately 1-2 hours. Tell the driver or the ticket collector to drop you off in Aloguinsan Public Market and from there, look for any habal-habal or motorcycle drivers that will transport you to Hermits Cove directly. Fare for the habal-habal or single bike motorcycle drivers would cost around 50-80PHP

BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps, and set your destination to “Hermits Cove" in Aloguinsan

BY GRAB/TAXI: Highly discouraged as this is the most expensive type of transportation going to Aloguinsan. Some taxi drivers would give a price ranging from 1,000 to 5,000