White Beach

Here's a detailed review of my stay at the resort formerly known as White Beach Annex, now Esmeralda Villa, still managed by Deep Moon. I'm not sure why they changed the name. I stayed overnight and here are my impressions: Cons: The response time for reservations was practically non-existent, which was incredibly frustrating. I tried booking weeks in advance through calls, texts, Facebook messages, and emails, but only email elicited a slow response with unclear information. Eventually, I had to book in person at Deep Moon a day before my stay. The beach, while beautiful, has issues with sandflies and occasional jellyfish, so insect repellent is a must. The food was just passable. For better dining options, I recommend heading to Port Barton town. Be prepared for no electricity from midnight until 5:30 PM. This means outdoor daytime activities are essential to stay cool. Charging gadgets was possible by 8 AM, but the air conditioning and water heater were not functional in the morning. Pros: The beach is the main reason to consider staying at this resort. It's stunning for swimming with its clear, calm waters, beautiful white sand, and surrounding lush greenery. Although you can visit the beach without staying at the resort by hiring a boat and paying a 50-peso day tour entrance fee, it gets busy during peak hours. Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for swimming. I wanted a peaceful and quiet stay in Port Barton, away from the loud music of the main town's beachfront bars, so staying overnight here was worth it for that reason. The room was spacious, accommodating up to 4 people, but otherwise unremarkable in terms of interior design. The staff were generally okay - not particularly rude but also not as friendly as staff in other resort hotels I've visited. As a local traveler who has been to many islands and beaches in the country, I find White Beach to be one of the best for its tranquility and natural beauty.

It's a lovely spot for a day trip, but I wouldn't recommend staying overnight. The rooms are clean and spacious, but there's a shortage of power and no fans available at night. The staff doesn't seem very interested in taking care of overnight guests. There are definitely better places in town for the price.

When you're in Port Barton, this place is a must-visit. There are two ways to get there: by boat, which costs 150 pesos per person per ride, or by road. If you choose to walk, it will take about an hour, but if you have a bike, it will only take 20 minutes. The scenery along the trek is absolutely stunning. On your way, you can also stop by coconut beach, which is just as beautiful as the white beach but lacks any amenities. If you're bringing your bike, be cautious and remember to bring your helmet as the road is quite rocky. They will charge you around 50 pesos per person for entry. The beach itself is incredibly beautiful, with plenty of hammocks available. You can spend the entire day relaxing there. There is one restaurant on-site, which may be a bit pricey, but the food is decent.

The beach's location is ideal for a peaceful escape. The rooms are simple yet spacious. I wouldn't suggest dining here as the portions are small and all our dinners arrived at different times over a span of 30 minutes, and they were all cold and had to be returned. The breakfast was identical, making it impossible to have a group meal here.

There is no electricity available after midnight, so be prepared to wake up drenched in sweat! The sand flies are relentless once it gets dark, and I'm still scratching myself even after two weeks! However, it is a stunning and tranquil secluded location with delicious food and drinks at reasonable prices. It's a great option for a day visit, but perhaps not the ideal place for an overnight stay.