A Summer Diary: Memories at Sadagat Beach Camp

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How can one’s summer be complete without a fresh and cool experience in something clear and blue? Or let me say, how can you call it a well-spent summer vacation without beach camping at one of the nearby beaches in your town?

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Welcome, dearest reader. This is summer smoke bleaching across your Hive feed.

In my previous blog, I told you about the beauty hidden in Medellin, Cebu, Philippines. If you already read that post, I’m sure you know that the municipality of Medellin has a variety of beaches stretching across the town, like a natural border. In this blog, I will be sharing my second-most-favorite beach that I visited in the same town: Sadagat Beach Camp.

THE PLACE AND THE EXPERIENCE

Whenever my family plans an escapade, there is no other place we eventually go but a familiar beach. However, this getaway trip was very different, as we decided to visit a beach in Medellin instead of spending the day in Daanbantayan, the sister municipality where we often go for weekend bonding.

As with our previous trips, we always arrive early in the morning. For some reason, starting the trip with the morning sun buys us more time to prepare and helps us fully enjoy the experience. We rode a tricycle from the main barangay of San Remigio to Don Pedro, and from there we waited for a bus labeled “Kawit/Daanbantayan,” which takes passengers to Medellin spots. The travel time is approximately 45 minutes—though if you’re coming from the city, it could take around three hours. Aside from the bus, tourists can also ride a van that travels directly to the municipality. Just be sure to bring some patience during the trip, because once you arrive, everything feels reasonable—truly reasonable.

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We stopped at an unfamiliar road and walked until we felt sand beneath our feet. It’s just a five-minute walk from the highway to the entrance of Sadagat Beach Camp. A mesmerizing blue expanse greeted us, framed by towering coconut trees swaying in the cool breeze. For those who love beaches with a complementary touch of nature and camping, this resort will resonate with you. The reasons? Continue reading and take a peek at the resort through my photos.

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Sadagat Beach Camp is located in KM128, Sitio Tambo, Kawit, Medellin, Northern Cebu. You can ask the bus or van driver, or just access it through Google Maps. The entrance fee varies depending on the time of day: during daytime it’s US $1.77 per person; overnight it’s approximately US $3.00 (rates are subject to change). Table use is extra, from US $5.00 – 8.00 each. When you enter the area, you’ll see a small bar, coconut trees aligned with campers’ tents, open cottages and tables, grilling stations, and other amenities. But the first thing that greets you is the aesthetic gate, reminding everyone to be responsible visitors.

Reservations are made online—priority is given to those who book in advance. Phone calls are not accepted; you must reserve via Messenger or text. I’ve heard the owner caps attendance at 100 people for safety purposes: 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. on weekdays, and 1:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. on Sundays and holidays. There’s a parking area, too: cars pay US $0.90 for daytime and US $1.80 for overnight; motorcycles pay US $0.54 for daytime and US $0.90 for overnight.

CAMPING STYLES, AMENITIES, AND RATES

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Not only does the resort offer the memorable Kasku Camper car-camping experience (US $26.00 for two, with pillows, lighting, fan, and mattress included), but it also provides a variety of other camping options. Regular tent camping is available at US $4.50 per tent plus US $4.50 per person; the Decathlon tent runs US $5.40 per tent plus US $4.50 per person; and the triangle tent is US $7.20 per tent plus US $7.20 per person. If you’d rather have a rustic shelter, you can rent a payaw shed for US $9.00, or light up a bonfire at night for US $1.80. For a more upscale stay, Parka Glamping and Grande Glamping both accommodate 2–3 persons for US $27.00 each, while Parka Plus fits four people for US $45.00. Additional campers can join for US $6.30 each.

LAYAG BAR

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Feeling the heat of summer and want to quench your thirst? **Layag Bar **inside the resort is your rescue. Designed with wooden tables and chairs, this cute little bar is a must-visit for its aesthetic, budget-friendly food, and overarching view of the beach. They serve breakfast, afternoon snacks, and dinner. During the day, you can order shakes, cold drinks, even burgers—enough to fuel you for another round of swimming. At night, if your group wants to have fun and drink, they offer elegant liquors to match your outfits and vibes. Never doubt a visit here!

PET-FRIENDLY PLACE

A family vacation isn’t complete without a dog by your side. Worry no more—Sadagat Beach Camp is pet-friendly, with precautionary measures in place. Pets should be on a leash or in a vest at all times. The beach reminds visitors to be responsible for their pets’ behavior. Bruce, my buddy, just sat in the sand—it seems dogs really love the coolness of the sand, digging for the perfect spot. I was happy to bring him along and let him experience it as part of our family.

OPEN COTTAGES AND TABLES

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Of course, a table and chairs make the experience comfortable—especially when set up on the sand with a view of the beach. Sadagat offers open tables with umbrellas for three people (US $3.60 – 7.20) and pallet tables for six (US $3.60 – 7.20). Note that table use is required. On our visit, we used only open tables and chairs since we didn’t stay overnight—and the price was well justified.

SWING AND NET HAMMOCK

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If you get tired of sitting or swimming, you’ll find swings or net hammocks nearby—perfect for laying down under the sun. Just be aware of tan lines! Many people get more intimate conversations in the hammock, especially as the sun begins to set, when the light strikes your face magically. So grab a partner, and get ready to rest while suspended over the rocks.

THE MAIN POINT: THE BEACH

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Visiting Sadagat Beach Camp serves one purpose: to become part of the beach itself. Its crystal-clear waters offer the most cooling experience to visitors. When we went, it wasn’t crowded, so we swam without interruption. We dipped into the water after lunch and spent the rest of the day swimming. By the time we got out, we were completely exhausted—in the best way possible.

Swimming here was a one-of-a-kind experience—well-maintained from shore to water. It’s clean enough that no visitor leaves disappointed or longing. We drank alcohol in the water, breathed laughter, and sang along with the neighboring group until quiet time (10:00 P.M. – 7:00 A.M.). We witnessed a grand sunset from the shore and closed the day with smiles.

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We prepared to leave but had dinner at the same table before heading out. We checked out at 10:00 P.M., not staying overnight because we had to spend the night at my aunt’s house.

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What we paid was entirely worth it. I’m still astonished that the experience exceeded our expectations. From the aesthetic entrance to the grand sunset, Sadagat Beach Camp is pure glory. One of the reasons I don’t stop visiting random places is because I never know what beauty lies within.

Ever so often, we stumble upon places that surpass our expectations once we become part of them. Only those who have experienced and understood what it means to visit a place can appreciate the true “glory” it holds. Sadagat Beach Camp, in its crystal water and calm shoreline, tells us that the best places aren’t always the grandest—they’re the simple ones that feel like home.

The resort is not just a tourist spot but the right place where memories are made to last a lifetime. And if there’s one idea I learned from this trip, it’s that a summer vacation is full of unexpected treasures and beautiful realizations.

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