Our Trip to Isla Reta, Talikud
Island near Davao City
Boat Transfer to Isla Reta
It was December 22, 2012, Saturday morning, when we took a
taxi from our house in Matina going to the wharf for the boat transfer.
It was a 15 minute travel to Davao Magsaysay Wharf, but for everybody, it felt
like the longest ride ever as everyone was very excited to hit the beach.
We arrived at the wharf at around 7:30 AM, but the boat didn't leave until 9:AM
(It was our first time so we weren’t aware of the boat transfer schedule). The boat ride took about 40 minutes and I
remember checking on my kids and observing the expressions on the face. I felt a great sense of pride & joy
knowing I’d given them a “WOW” experience – and that was just for the boat
ride.
The view from inside the pump boat
It was December 22, 2012, Saturday morning, when we took a taxi from our house in Matina going to the wharf for the boat transfer. It was a 15 minute travel to Davao Magsaysay Wharf, but for everybody, it felt like the longest ride ever as everyone was very excited to hit the beach. We arrived at the wharf at around 7:30 AM, but the boat didn't leave until 9:AM (It was our first time so we weren’t aware of the boat transfer schedule). The boat ride took about 40 minutes and I remember checking on my kids and observing the expressions on the face. I felt a great sense of pride & joy knowing I’d given them a “WOW” experience – and that was just for the boat ride.
 |
| The view from inside the pump boat |
Boat Transfer Rates & Schedule (As of April 11, 2013):
Boat Transfer Rates & Schedule (As of April 11, 2013):
Adults P 160 Round Trip
Children 4-10 y.o. P 80 Round Trip
1st Trip 9:00
AM
Last Trip 4:30
PM
How to get to Magsaysay Wharf for the boat transfer ?
From any Davao hotel, take a taxi and tell the driver to take you to Magsaysay Wharf. When you enter the gate, the pump boat for the resort is on the far left. Taxi fare is between P100 and P200 (Depending where your hotel is located) OR you can take a PUJ (Public utility Jeepney) and just ask the driver how to get to Magsaysay Wharf. You might need to take 2 or more rides depending where your hotel is located. Minimum Fare is P8.00 . I recommend you take a taxi instead- saves you a lot of trouble and headache if you get lost.
 |
| My Daughter in Blue & my back :-) |
Getting Settled
When we arrived at the resort, we were all ecstatic and
personally I felt years of stress blown away by the gentle breeze.
 |
| Welcome to Isla Reta! |
We saw wide-open spaces. No industrial depots or buildings in sight. Clean Blue-green water. White sand.
 |
| Is that clean or is that clean? |
The Talisay and Acacia trees
provided a natural shade and added to the magnificent view. The resort grounds were very clean.
I headed to the reception area. Got ourselves an open hut. Got settled and prepared Lunch and whatnot
(it was already 10:30 AM when we got settled).
.jpg) |
| That's not me! It's my brother cooking! |
Isla Reta Accommodations, Rates & Service
The best so far! If I
have to hit the beach, I’d rather travel all the way to Isla Reta. Period.
Service is very good. Rates are
affordable. Toilets are clean (there’s a
janitor who cleans the restrooms every after somebody comes in). I had no difficulties preparing lunch, dinner
and breakfast. They had hot water (for coffee, milk, tea, etc.) ready and
available 24/7. My family slept in a
tent. I forgot to bring mattresses and
blankets. To my surprise the resort had mattresses
for rent at P40/set and blankets at P20.
When we ran out of paper plates and plastic cups, they had spoons,
forks, plates, mugs available. In the
evening I was too tired to cook dinner so I asked the kitchen staff to cook
rice for us for P30/Kg. Early in the
afternoon, I bought 2 kilos of Pork and chicken at a nearby market and had it
cooked by the kitchen staff (adobo of course) at P75/Kg. Couldn’t get any more convenient than that! Makes the travel from Davao all worthwhile.
 |
| Rates & Accommodations |
The breathtaking beach
I went snorkeling most of the time. Everywhere I looked there were fish of
different sizes and color and variety.
My kids were in the water almost all the time we were there. It was as if there was no low tide unlike in
the resorts in Samal.
 |
| Can you see the whale ? |
The water was very clean and you could see the
white sand and some fish swimming by underneath. Across from the resort is Barangay Kaputian
in Samal Island. No industrial depots, buildings
or squatters in sight – just a big island of greens and browns. The view all around was simply breathtaking!
 |
| Isla Reta white sand beach & crystal clear water. And Lance, my son. |
Out trip to Isla Reta was one of the most memorable and satisfying trips we had last year. I highly recommend you visit this resort when you travel to Davao.
Have you been to Isla Reta? Please share your Davao travel experience at the comments below.
© Copyright
April 2013, Travel to Davao
