Tuesday, August 24, 2010

World Class Beaches at White Haven Resort, Gumasa Glan

Just recently, we had the pleasure of bringing another bakasyunista from the UK to this lovely place in Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani Province. The White Haven Resort has become our favorite “go to” resort whenever we are in the Gumasa beach strip.

The resort is one of the first ones in Gumasa, owned by a doctor based in nearby Gensan. They rent out open cottages for day tourists and air-conditioned or fan rooms with toilet and bath for those who wish to spend the night. Each cottage has its own grill or gas stoves if you want to cook your brought in food, or for your convenience, you could just order from their newly opened restaurant.

Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani Province

What I love about the strip of beach here at White Haven is the white, fine and powdery sand that tickles your toes as you walk barefoot along the shoreline. It reminds me of the sands in Boracay. Being a mom and all, what I also love about the strip of beach here is the fact that I could just let my toddler play along the water since I don’t have to worry about a sudden trench in the ocean (but of course I see to it that my little one is strapped to her lifevest just in case =).
 

If you are a surfer, then this beach is not for you since there are no waves to ride here. It’s the only beach I’ve literally been to that doesn’t have the “jump when the waves hit” moment. =) The only time I’ve only experienced big waves there was during the time when tsunamis hit asia.. hehe. Don’t ask me what we were doing in the beach at that moment. =) …but I’ll tell you anyway..hehe. We were there since we have bakasyunistas (yet again) and I was already thinking about which tree to hold on to in case a tsunami really did hit. But I was told it was unlikely since the reason there aren’t much waves there is because its location is in the U bend of the Sarangani bay, so there!

When it’s low tide (as in really low tide) you can walk the stretch of the beach and head to the mini-caves in the coral cliff at the end of White Haven. My toddler calls it “bikini bottom” since  it looks like where spongebob lives. Its really a place perfect for photo ops. But watch out for sea urchins hidden in the holes in the coral-rock formation since there are a few.
the coral rock formation with mini caves at the end of White Haven Resort

The kids also love to catch the soft shelled crabs walking around the beach. We even saw a few crabs that look like they’re in a meeting, probably to transfer to their neighbor’s big shell. Starfishes and small fish sometimes swim with you in the shallow water. So the kids will really have a blast here. Just remind them to return the crabs and starfish in the water since these are alive and we want to preserve the beauty if this beach.

Gumasa Beach
local kids who were playing by the banca
To get to White Haven, you can rent a van at Gensan or if you are bringing your own car, just turn right at the junction after Lagao public market, it will take you straight to Alabel, Sarangani Province and it’s provincial hall (or the white house as locals refer to it), and just follow the  road signs to Glan. Once in Glan poblacion, it takes about 30mins or so to Gumasa. White Haven Resort is right after Davak Ridge Resort.

For reservations and inquiries: White Haven Resort: 083 8950305 (Dr. Adarna's Clinic, they're the owners so don't be surprised, but they book tourists through this number :) or call 0920-9479148 (look for Cenie) they have day cottages at P150 and accommodations for overnight stays which range from 2500 and up depending on the size of the room you need.

33 comments:

G.C said...

The girls love the hermit crabs and sea stars in White Haven. Definitely a 'must-go' beach in Gumasa. :)

Unknown said...

thanks GC! with the current issue affecting the tourism industry in our country..we really need all the positive vibes. =)

MrsMartinez | xoxoMrsMartinez.com said...

ganda naman ng beach dyan!
Mag apply ka sa nuffnang at google ads para may kita ka sa site mo hehehehe
xoxo
MrsM

Unknown said...

thanks michelle.. sige try ko. =)

Unknown said...

masmaganda pa sa boracay at hindi pa adulterated like the latter.

Unknown said...

@mistah1978...correct ka dyan! and the sand is as fine and white as boracays.

lheng said...

hello..
i and my friends (there's 4 of us) want to experience gumasa because we have heard so many nice things about it. we are planning to stay there for at least 2 nights before we head to davao city..can you please give us info on how to get there by public transpo from gensan city..and please give us an idea about the rates of staying there as we are travelling on a budget..you would be a great help to us..thanks!!!

Unknown said...

hi lheng, i think you can find vans and jeeps going to poblacion, glan at the Lagao public terminal in Gensan. the jeep to poblacion is around P30 but not sure about the rate of the vans. then from poblacion glan, there are jeeps and motorcycles/habal2 to gumasa. you can get in touch with white haven beach resort at 0920-9479148 for inquiries or the isla jardin del mar at 0910-758-1239.

Anonymous said...

are there any scuba dive operators in the area?

Unknown said...

hi, most of the resorts in gumasa glan (to the best of my knowledge) caters only to other water sports like kayaking or snorkeling. but there are a lot of scuba diving operators in Sarangani, which are not necessarily in glan, but nearby like Lemlunay Dive Resort in Tinto, Maasim about half an hour drive from Gensan (will blog about this soon!) :)

Anonymous said...

thanks Lynette, its much appreciated.
i have travelled frequently to the Philippines but have yet to visit Sarangani. learning more about it recently, Sarangani and its many beautiful spots are rapidly gaining priority on where to travel next list ;-)
thanks again!

Anonymous said...

my niece and nephewhas gone there and they said the resort is beautiful white sand and and like boracay.

Anonymous said...

the resort itself is o.. nice and very cozy to the visitors who want to unwind there selves from hard work . the place was so nice and beautiful.. my niece and nephew really admire the l place.. if you want peace the place IF you want meditation then this is the place you want to is best for you.. b bet for you.. to . so.. come and visit now the resort.

Unknown said...

thanks for visiting our blog! and hope to see you again at gumasa, glan, sarangani province! :)

Anonymous said...

The family plans to go to gumasa end of june? San ba mas maganda puntahan na resort sa gumasa? Yung medyo peaceful ill bring the kids kasi....thanks!

Unknown said...

hi, june is the start of school so medyo di na siguro ganun ka crowded ang beaches sa gumasa. unless you plan to go there on a weekend. just take your pick.. White Haven is still our favorite, but Isla Jardin del Mar has better facilities. for me kasi, smaller kids are much better swimming at white haven's stretch of beach kasi mas fine ang sand and di mabato. :) hope that helps

Anonymous said...

hi, were planning to go there in october anong beach resort ma recommend mo? gusto ko sana yung maganda facilities and safe rooms..from gensan terminal anong pwede masakyan papunta sa resort and ilang oras ang travel time??

Unknown said...

hi, sana you indicated your name so i can address you properly. but thanks for visiting our blog. about your question... if you are after better facilities you can head off to Isla Jardin Del Mar (visit my other blog post to see the contact details... http://www.pinaytravelogue.com/2010/07/gumasa-glan-south-central-mindanaos.html) or you can try Davak Ridge Resort 083 5524492. White Haven though, has the best stretch of beach in the Gumasa strip for me.. so you might want to consider staying there as well since their cottages are decent, some with a/c and cooking facilities. From Gensan, there are vans plying the Gumasa-Glan route from the Gensan terminal and since it is a known tourist destination, don't be shy to ask for directions once there. They'd be happy to point you to the right direction. hope that helps.. enjoy your stay here!

Mary said...

Hello there Ms. Lyn! My friends and I (there are 3 of us) are going to Gumasa this coming April 14-15 and we are not quite sure where to stay in Gumasa. Can you give me some recommendations on the best place to stay? We're on a tight budget. :) You may email me Ms. Lyn at emjaycorsame@gmail.com. Many thanks!

Joy-

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kareen Lou P. Padilla said...

hi lynette,
my friends and I (well maybe around 5 of us) are planning to go there in white heaven, and would like to stay for a night.. is there any fee for the entrance? do you have a room for at least 5 persons? or per 2 only? any suggestions for the rooms? how much is the rate? and also, how bout the food? ano lang ang wlang bayad? pede magdala ng inumin? please email your response to this inquiries: padillakareenlou@gmail.com. looking forward sa repz mu..
thanks!

Unknown said...

hi kareen, thanks for dropping by my blog. if you are staying there for the night parang wala na entrance fee. just as long as magrent kayo ng cottage/room. and yes I think they have rooms for 2-5 pax. unfortunately, I'm not connected with White Haven resort so I can't answer most of your questions po :) but you can get in touch with them through the numbers I posted in this blog post. thanks! and enjoy your time there. ciao!

Unknown said...

Hi Lynette,

This is keen from lagao balite gensan. ask lang ako as of now san ba maganda pumunta na resort sa gumasa? bago lang kasi ako dito sa gensan :) ung maganda ang facilities at meron makakainan. di na kasi kami dadala ng fud.atska san na resort pwede magtent? we're planning to go there this 28. hope u can answer my queries.

Thanks,

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1339134049#!/hottiekeen25

pm me on fb please :) tnx again

Anonymous said...

Hi Lynette,

Thank heavens for your blog! I'm so glad I stumbled on this. Planning to visit Gumasa by last week of May or 1st week of June; with hubs, 5 y.o. and 1 yaya. Been surfing for reviews on which resort to stay, I'm torn between White Haven , Isla del Mar and Rosal.... just want to enjoy the sand & water, no diving and basically a comfy place to get a shut-eye.

By the way, ok ba ang daan to Gumasa from Gensan...? Be coming in from Davao with car.

Salamat.

Christine :-)

Unknown said...

Hi keen from lagao balite gensan: If you want better facilities, I suggest you book your rooms/cottage at Isla del Mar.. since they have excellent facilities there and a restaurant where you could just order food. Im sorry can't pm you at fb since I have a lot on my hands lately. I barely even have time to blog new places here pa. sensya na po. :) im just hoping you check this blog again.

Unknown said...

hi Christine! dont worry, the road from Gensan to Gumasa are paved na. No worries on a bumpy road. :)

about which resort.. i can't really say. If you want better facilites like better rooms book Isla del Mar but the strip of beach there is quite slippery. so don't take your eyes off your 5yo. White Haven naman..ok din ang rooms.. they also have a/c rooms and a resto where you could order food. but if you want to cook or bring food. ok lng din naman sa kanila. Plus the strip of beach there is really the best for me ha. I also have a little girl and I have no worries of her wading alone (pero w/ a lifevest) on the strip of beach here kasi the water is not too deep at nice ang sand for little feet. At Rosal naman.. ok din rooms and beach but medyo strict sa food.. sa noise.. etc. :) so just take your pick.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Lynette! Will probably go with White Haven, it sounds perfect! Can't wait to explore its strip...

:-)

Christine

Anonymous said...

hi,

i will be getting married this end of the month and i am considering gumasa as one of our getaway after the wedding, what place would you recomend us,.. ?.... we want a 2 day travel only and on a tight budget?... :D..please do email me at shanotsky@gmail.com thanks...

-shine

Unknown said...

hi shine.. read on the comments above baka you might find the resort that suits your needs. :) if you still need info.. you may email us using the contact us page. thanks for dropping by my blog.and congratulations in advance on your upcoming nuptials.

Ton said...

Hi Mam,

Ask ko lang: How long is the travel time from Gensan town proper to White Haven? My friends are planning to go sana this sunday kaso worry namin kung masusulit ung stay namin. Flight back to manila is monday 7am. we can leave gensan ng sunday morning pa. around 8 am probably.

Thank you!

Unknown said...

Hi Ton, ay you have plenty of time to get to Gumasa.. from Gensan mga 45mins to 1hour tops lng naman yun especially if you're bringing your own ride. and sayang naman if you're near Gumasa na and di pa ma-grab ang chance to visit. enjoy your time there! and thanks for reading my blog :)

Unknown said...

Hi Ms Lyn,

Thanks a million that you have a blog entry about the beaches in Gumasa. Malaking tulong talaga sa pagpili namin kung saan ang pinaka best na pupunatahan namin dun.

Thank you and God bless!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks likewise for reading my blog. :)