If you have never been to Davao, then you might rethink going here especially during summer and visit Samal or Talicud Island.
As a Filipino, we all know that Mindanao is still under Martial Law and Davao is a part of Mindanao. Yes, there’s tightened security and there’s military personnel almost everywhere but it also feels like they don’t exist at all. From my observation and own experience, Mindanao became much safer than Manila. So you have nothing to worry about if you are traveling to provinces in the south of Philippines.

Talicud Island

We head to Samal Island as part of Jane’s family trip to Davao, their hometown. It has been years since they last saw bits of Davao. I actually never researched anything for our Davao trip as we are a group of family and I know for sure that Jane’s mom has her own ways to make the best of the trip.
Fast-forward, we head next to Talicud Island after staying for a night at Samal Island. Talicud Island is by far one of the best beaches I’ve seen in Mindanao. I’ve seen lots of beaches in Luzon, not too many in the Visayas area, and very less in Mindanao.
We are only about to stay here for a day as we have to head back to Davao City to catch a bus for Tagum City. On our day tour, we decided to spend our day at Isla Reta Beach Resort. There’s quite a crowd in the resort as there were company outing and few families spending the day at this beach.
Our pictures should show you how fascinating the beach is in this area of Talicud Island. It’s even named as a beach with presumably the bluest water in the Philippines.

How to get to Talicud Island

From Davao City:

Talicud Island is approximately an hour trip from Davao City. There are a few boat trips from Davao City’s Sta. Ana Wharf near Magsaysay Park to the Talicud Island on a daily basis. The schedule below is usually being observed usually on weekdays. On weekends, the vessel departs as soon as it is full.
9:30 AM – M/BCA Isla Reta (9AM on weekends)
Fare: P80
This is a boat owned by Isla Reta Beach Resort and it will directly go to the resort.
10:00 AM – M/BCA Pacific
Fare: P60.00
This boat goes to Sta. Cruz.
12:00 NN – M/C Palbros 2
Fare: P60.00
This boat goes to Kaputian. Take this if you are planning to Kaputian beach.
12:30 PM – M/C Jessa 3
Fare: P60 for Sta. Cruz and P80 for Isla Reta
1:30 PM – M/L Z-Enryh 2
Fare: P60.00
This boat goes to Mansod. If there are over 20 passengers going to Dayang, this boat can take you directly to the resort.
1:45 PM – M/B Talicud Express
Fare: P60.00 for Sta. Cruz and Kaputian and P80.00 for Isla Reta
3:00 PM – M/C Grace 1
Fare: P60.00 for Sta. Cruz and Kaputian and P80.00 for Isla Reta
4:00 PM – M/c Hof Gorei 5
Fare: P60.00 for Sta. Cruz and Kaputian and P80.00 for Isla Reta
If you want to charter a boat, there are boats that you can rent at Sta. Ana Wharf. Rates depend on the capacity and the destination.

How to get to Talicud Island from Samal Island

Once you’re already in Samal Island, you need to ride a tricycle or habal-habal (whichever you prefer) and head to Kaputian Beach. From Kaputian Beach, ride a boat heading to Talicud Island.
Fare: P30.00

How to get to Isla Reta from Talicud Island port

From the port in Talicud Island, ride a motorbike heading to Isla Reta Beach Resort.
Fare: P10.00

How to get to Davao City from Talicud Island

There’s a boat from Isla Reta Beach Resort to Davao City.
Fare: P80.00

WHERE TO STAY IN SAMAL ISLAND / TALICUD ISLAND

Isla Reta Beach Resort [fees and charges]

Entrance Fee:

• Daytour – Php 100.00/head
• Overnight – Php 200.00/head
• Overnight(Kids) – Php 100.00/head
• 3 years old and below – Free
• 4 to 10 years old/half – Php 50.00

Cottages:

• Picnic Hut – Php 250.00/night
• Camping Tent – Php 400/night

Bedding’s Rental per night:

• Foam Set – P90
• Foam Set – P80 (small)
• Foam – P50
• Foam – P40 (small)
• Pillow – P20
• Blanket – P20

Rooms:

• Concrete Room(max of 2 persons) – Php 900.00/night
• Native Room(max of 3 persons) – Php 800.00/night
• Dormitory Type(max of 22 persons) – Php 6,500.00

Corkages:

• Beer and Soft drinks 25%
• Lechon Baboy – P250/pc
• Tent Corkage (bringing of own tent) – P100/tent/night

Boat Fare

• Fare per Trip – Php 80.00/pax

More photos on our Talicud Island

If you have any questions or corrections, please do not hesitate to comment below.