(Credits to the backpackers who traveled a lot to known/unknown travel destinations)
This is one of the most precious gems Davao del Norte can offer to domestic and international travelers. ISLA RETA is like a treasure in a remote island at the back of Samal Island fronting Davao city, a long trip indeed as it will take 1-2 hours if you will travel thru a boat coming from Sta. Ana Wharf in Davao city (Fare around P70-P100). For sure, your sacrifice from a long travel will be paid off as the island can also be compared to the known beaches in the Philippines!
But if you like adventure going to the island you can also travel it by land coming from Babak wharf were you can rent a motorcycle "Habal-Habal" as they called it (Fare around P70-P90) depends on how will negotiate with the driver, going to Kaputian and from there you need to get into a small boat which will take you to Talicud Island which is just fronting Kaputian. There, you will able to see Isla Reta in the utmost end of Talicud in the south part of the island.
ISLA RETA is also known as a dugong sanctuary, where there is part of the year were dugong’s visit the island to consume some fats and store food as the island is also rich of seagrasses which dugongs can consume up to 88 pounds of seaweeds daily “ That’s a lot!”. How we wish we can see one during our visit to the island as that is a really a rare marine mammal that you can see especially if you are living in Davao.
The island is also rich in other marine life, you can dive or snorkeling and just near to the shore you will already see lots of fishes such as clownfish etc. There are also rare times as the community said that sometimes, Whale Sharks is seen in the area “Hope to see one as well as it is occasionally seen in Cebu.”
The resort offers an overnight stay where you can spend the rest of the night and wait for the Sunrise fronting Celebes Sea. Very nice sunrise with a cool breeze of wind far from the city, with a simple breakfast (Egg, Dried fish and rice, matched with coffee will do).
A sweet and stressful way to spend a vacation to escape the city and work at least for 2 days and 1 night!