Experiencing Anda, Bohol’s Fine White Sand – Quinale Beach

January 28, 2019July 25, 2021 Rex Lim Lim ADVENTURE, ANDA, BEACH, BOHOL, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, PINAS, QUINALE, TRANSIT, TRAVEL

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In a peninsula that juts southwest, Anda is fast becoming a piece of paradise in Bohol. Seaweeds, shells, leaves, broken branches strewn all across the long stretch of fine white sand, apparently no plastics nor trash, only sea birds flocking the area are in sight. That’s how I came into liking this beach, less tourists, and I have it all to myself.

Quinale Beach on a fine almost overcast afternoon.

Anda, Maganda

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From Cabagnow Cave Pool, we ambled towards the beach after seeing a signage saying “To Talisay Beach”. What welcomed us is just a few fishing boats dragged back to the shore, some locals having their afternoon coffee, kids playing along the shore, and coconut trees fringed along the coast.

I noticed that this leads to the more visited Quinale Beach so we just walked going there, it was quiet, videoke songs roaring from afar is not evident, no stalls, just the beach to ourselves. The town of Anda was initially named Quinale, but was later changed into Anda, in honor of Simon de Anda y Salazar who resisted British occupation in 1762-64, becoming governor general in 1769, the town was created in 1876 and the parish in 1885.

I was actually expecting Quinale Beach to be more secluded, but because of Anda’s reputation as one of the emerging tourist destinations in Bohol, commercialism is slowly creeping up into this far side of the province.

The cream colored, yet powdery sand can feel good to the feet. There are some few rocks and pebbles, while some areas have sea grass. I was told that there are very few sea urchins and its something that one shouldn’t worry about. The shores have shallow waters that even walking a little bit far, it will just be below the knee, but some portions will change in color meaning the depth already changed.

This is owned by the Local Government of Anda, which maintains the cleanliness of the area. No fees are collected which makes this more welcoming to everybody. Unusual huts are placed along the shore, together with some peach colored flags with the “Anda, Maganda” slogan fluttering along the cool sea breeeze.

You really can’t miss Quinale beach since it just in front of the municipal hall and church, this is also where the large open space where a plaza and a statue is erected. This is also where the WWII soldiers landed, that is why a marker is erected in here.

Santo Nino de Anda Church

Speaking of the Anda Church, it is impossible to miss this landmark int his sleepy town beacause of its imposing single belfry that is somehow similar to the one in the town of Alburquerque (Read: Blood Compact Shrine and the Church of Alburquerque, Bohol)

Anda Church’s Belfry hiddne amidst Mala-talisay Tree leaves and the cross peeking at the apex

But this one has its belfry erected on top of its arcade, while the whole church is cruciform in structure. It’s rather plain and austere façade is enlivened by doors and windows.

The church ceiling was painted by Ray Francia, who is also called as the Michaelangelo of Cebu. The murals and paintings still exist today.

But upon entering the church, the ceiling is painted in hues of brown, gold and blue that is over a hundred years old as painted by Ray Francia. The retablos use some Greco-Roman motifs, and the Art Deco confessionals.

How beautiful is that? The church’s main ceiling right above the retablos.

Trivia: In this peninsula prehistoric sites have been discovered, one intriguing site yielded countless jawbones of pigs, carefully arranged. It was probably a ritual site, considered by the National Museum of the Philippines as an important archaeological site. (Source: Bohol-Philippines.com)

Coming up! The complete travel guide for this Bohol Trip. Bohol 2D1N Travel Guide| Itinerary, Tips and Budget Friendly Adventures

How To Get There

From Tagbilaran City, take a bus or van bound for Anda, the terminal is in Dau Terminal right across the Island City Mall (Fare starts at 130php/pax for van, 100php/pax for bus). Alternately one can take the ones going to Jagna or Ubay, then drop off at the Guindulman-Anda Junction then charter a motorella going to Anda Town Proper (50php/pax). No entrance fee is collected.

Bohol: Into the Tarsier Republic – Imagine Philippines, if not, all of its attractions all rolled into one ultimate destination, then Bohol is the place to be! From the curious chocolate colored hills, waterfalls, diverse marine biodiversity, white beaches, pristine islands, clingy Tarsiers, and rice terraces, this province is definitely your one stop shop travel destination. Follow my adventure series into this Visayan Gem, as I land into my 58th province last November 24, 2018!