Lounging, surfing and falling in love in Dahican

Mati City is famous for its coconuts, the Sambuokan festival, and for being Davao Oriental’s capital and only city.

 

But in recent years, Mati has also become known for nearby Dahican Beach, a seven-kilometer stretch of pure, fine white sand and shore. 

 

An American visitor was purported to have said that he has “not seen such a wonderful beach, not even in Boracay. Dahican Beach is a south sea dream come true.”

 

Walking barefoot on the white sand is a serene and tranquil pleasure, a great escape from a strenuous, busy life. There are no parties. It’s not crowded. Dahican is for the old-school beach lounger. 

 

Walking barefoot on Dahican's white sand is a serene and tranquil pleasure, a great escape from a strenuous, busy lifestyle. Photo by MICHAEL H. CHAN

Furthermore, this sand and surf veg-out heaven of a beach is just a 15-minute ride from the heart of Mati City.

 

True, the roads leading to it are a bit rough. However, put up with the short, shuddering ride and you are rewarded with a blissful beach that has no entrance fees and is open to everyone! 

 

But if straight-up lounging isn’t your thing, Dahican does offer something faster as it is a prime location for surfers and skimboarders.  Because it faces the Pacific Ocean, it’s blessed with strong winds ideal for the boardsports. 

 

“The waves are what skimboarders are looking for – not so tall and not too short,” explained Mati City administrator Richard Villacorte. 

 

Because Dahican beach faces the Pacific Ocean, it’s blessed with strong winds ideal for the boardsports. Photo by MICHAEL H. CHAN

Word of Dahican’s pleasures has spread as the beach is now very popular with backpackers, skimboarders, and surfers. Also, annual regional and national skimboarding competitions are now held in Dahican.

 

“People come to Dahican Beach to have fun: skimboarding, surfing, and swimming.  Some visit this place just to relax or just see the beautiful scenery,” says Dashiel Indelible, Jr., Mati City’s tourism officer.

 

And something more. Portuguese surfer Hugo Moura, came to Dahican two years ago, “It’s beautiful here. Look at that blue water.” 

 

He came, like other people, to Dahican and fell in love with it. — DVM, GMA News

 

How to get there: Mati City is accessible by land and sea transportation with Davao City as the entry point.  Vans can be hired at the Villa Victoria Terminal in Bajada and commuter buses regularly leave the Ecoland Bus Terminal every 30 minutes.