After spending several days in Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, I went back to General Santos for a few nights' stay. Taking full advantage of my time in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, I met up with July, a friend I first met during my trip with Meaningful Travels PH to Barlig, Mountain Province a few years back.
Road tripping to Gumasa Beach
Setting Out for Glan
During our lunch meeting, we collectively decided to take a spontaneous day trip to Gumasa Beach in Glan, Sarangani the very next day. Unlike our exhausting, strenuous trip to the mountains before, this time we were going to do it in a highly relaxed manner: windows down, feeling the coastal wind with the music on, and smoothly rolling off the highway of General Santos.
We started our road trip bright and early at 8:00 AM the next day. Accompanying us was July’s younger sister, who is a champion Taekwondo athlete. Highly enjoying a brief break from her school and intense training, she was absolutely eager-beaver for a chance to finally spend some quality time under the sun.
The Uncrowded Sands of Gumasa
We traveled for an hour and a half deep into the sleepy coastal town of Glan in the province of Sarangani. Here, we drove straight into the long, beautiful stretch of Gumasa Beach. Upon stepping out of July's car, I was immediately regaled at the lengthy shoreline completely covered in fine white sands and tightly edged by crystal-clear waters.
Gumasa Beach may appear beautifully isolated—and that's a truly great thing in my book—but come Sarangani Bay Fest (or the Sarbay Festival), every square meter of this beach becomes a packed playground to a massive crowd of beach party-goers. Held annually, this highly anticipated summer festival dishes out a festive atmosphere that can only be rivaled by Boracay's legendary #LaBoracay vibe.
Just imagining the chaotic scene of the Sarbay Festival already overwhelmingly triggers my introvert self. That’s exactly why the moment we arrived to a completely empty beach, my wanderlust heart brimmed with sheer delight. "This is a wonderful road trip destination choice," I told July in Tagalog, to which she completely agreed. "It’s been a while since we went here," she told me warmly.
Isla Jardin Del Mar
Too bad I didn’t bring any proper swimwear or any change of dry clothes; otherwise, I would be enthusiastically jumping into the azure-colored waters of the beach in an absolute instant. Right on cue, July’s little sister excitedly ran to the sands and started doing a rapid medley of athletic acrobatic moves: somersaults, high-kicks, cartwheels, and more—brandishing a pristine, young Cindy Rothrock form.
We comfortably had our lunch at Isla Jardin Del Mar Beach Resort. The property dramatically expands to an impressive 800-meter shoreline, directly leading you to short coastal hiking trails and straight into massive walls of spectacular rock formations.
We spent around three full hours just lazily lounging around the quiet beach. With every passing minute, I got further and further tempted by the cool water. Thankfully, good conversations with July and the lingering shame of sitting inside her car with wet clothes had me ultimately being content just by staring at the highly wonderful, untouched scenery of Gumasa Beach.
Stay at Isla Jardin Del Mar Beach Resort
Book your stay now at Gumasa's premier beach resort. Click the image below to view available rooms and reserve your dates via Agoda.
