The Great Amianan | Blue Lagoon, Ilocos Norte
The Blue Lagoon is at the northernmost tip of Pagudpud lies the Maira-ira Point, a once secluded cove located in Sitio Gaoa, Barangay Balaoi.
Pagudpud has a number of incredible beaches that is really perfect for relaxation after hours of touring under the sun.
Para Kang Timangtang
But right before reaching the little paradise on the shortlist of travelers, two peculiar rock formations got our attention.
One of the highlights of the northbound tour, is the Timangtang Rock. This is a piece of boulder lying alone off the shores of Maira-ira Beach. From a distance it looks like a whale stranded off the coast. Locals believe this to be the male counterpart of another rock formation on the other side of the shoreline.
Bantay-Abot Cave
Located at Brgy. Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, the Bantay Abot Cave, jutting out in the open sea, in my opinion, is really not a cave but an arch that resembles that of Mahatao in Batanes.
It used to be a hill back in the days and was strucked by an earthquake leaving a hole in the middle. Its top is covered in lush vegetation and is complemented by the Maira-Ira Beach on one side and the Timangtang Rock, its other half, on the opposite side.
They were said to be lovers by the sea as they complement each other from a distance. The calm blue sea reflects the clear blue sky, and the sound of waves crashing against the pebbly coast will surely relax all your city burdens for a little while.
The Blue Lagoon
Not that far from where the rock formations are located, we passed by a hotel full of cartoon themed statues. Some of it are from the Clash of Clans, grotesque looking superheroes, up to disfigured Disney characters. We have finally reached the Blue Lagoon in Maira-ira Point.
The Blue Lagoon once secluded paradise now became a tourist hotspot. Thanks, but no thanks, to the development done by Hannah’s Beach Resort, that perfectly ruined the white sands of the Malingay Cove.
The Malingay Cove or popularly called as the Blue Lagoon, was glorious as it can be, how I wish I could return back to a time wherein nothing was built in the area but nipa huts and the mountains at the background.
This half moon shaped cove is formed by the Nacatnagan Cliff in the east and the Dos Hermanos in the north. The sand is fine and cream colored.
When surf season is out, waves are gentle and very still, that it reflects the clear blue sky earning its name, the Blue Lagoon. But during swell months, the waves are really good for surfing as the depth of the beach is shallow mostly inside the cove.
We spent only half an hour swimming inside this laid back paradise as we have to get back to our home stay in Saud before the sun sets.
How To Get There
- From Manila, take any Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte bound buses (Partas and GV Florida), travel time takes 12 hours.
- Alight at the Pagudpud Municipal Hall and take any tricycle to your accommodation of choice at Blue Lagoon, or visit this as part of the Northern Tour Packages by the tricycle drivers.
