Now I know there aren't any great beaches in Dumaguete but looking for a place to swim in the ocean. I know there are places with a day fee in Dauin. Anything closer in? I've heard about Melrose Beach Resort, which has a small entrance fee. And if I go to Dauin, where are the best places for a day fee person, rather than a resort guest. So any recommendations? I've hit a few of the local pools but now want to find some ocean.
Do you know Private Garden? There is free access to the beach at their entrance or you can drive in and have a meal and use their access to the ocean. In the past there was no entrance fee to customers having a meal. I don't expect that has changed.
Dauin marine sanctuary is free and great for snorkeling, you only pay for a cottage and parking, but you bring your own food and drinks. Also, Bacong has a free public beach, gets busy at weekends.
I thought all beaches were public (unless a marine sanctuary) in the Philippines. Beach resorts don't own the beach or water. They may maintain the beach in front of their area but that is their problem, not yours.
Afaik not completely correct. A resort can lease the shore lot from the government for somewhat exclusive use.
That's because you have not been stopped by security guards in front of a resort and told it is a private function and I must turn around and go back. Or been walking along the beach and found some arse who has built his seawall out into the low tide area so you cannot get around it without swimming. Or been walking along the beach and looking for a way to get off of it and found out all the access points have been fenced off so that you have to walk a couple of kilometers to get access back to the road. But other than that, yep I think they are public. Point is, its nice to find a bit of beach that does not have all that to deal with and has good access and parking also.
I finally found Andy's Private Garden. When I asked if there was an "entrance fee" for non-residents, they looked at me like I was crazy but was finally told to buy a drink at the resto and all would be good.
In my experience, if atmosphere and cleanliness doesn't matter, then the little bits of beach right here in Dumaguete will do the trick (end of the boulevard, near the public toilet building, or the Siliman beach just south of the airport). For a somewhat more pleasant experience, try a beach further south (Dauin, Zamboanguita). For a really nice beach, get on the boat to Siquijor and spend a weekend in San Juan. (Paliton Beach or Pontod Beach).
