SILA ISLAND’S PINK BEACH
Away from noisy nightlife is one of the prettiest beaches in the Philippines. Located on the island village of Sila in San Vicente town, Northern Samar, Pink Beach is surrounded by emerald green and turquoise waters.
The pink, powdery sand beach has been a major attraction in the province, especially during summer when the sand’s pinkish hue is more evident.
The color comes from a mixture of fragments from red-colored corals and “foraminifera” —tiny sea creatures with red shells that are washed ashore during the habagat (southwest monsoon) season.
The corals and the red shells are eventually pulverized by the waves and other elements, and mix with the original white sand grains, resulting in the sand’s pink color.
Pink Beach is reportedly not yet ready to accept an influx of visitors as the town lacks facilities and accommodations. But there are homes that take in tourists at a friendly rate.
It is a must to snorkel and scuba dive. You can collect shells, but it is prohibited to take some of the pink sand.
To get there: The four-and-ahalf-hour drive to Calbayog City from Tacloban via a van-for-hire costs P250 per person. From Calbayog, you need to take another van that will take you to San Isidro town in Northern Samar, the jump-off point to San Vicente. There is only one boat plying the San Isidro-San Vicente route that leaves at 2 p.m. daily except on Sundays.