Nagbalayong Beach - Day Tripping in Morong Bataan

Nagbalayong Beach in Morong Bataan

Morong is dotted with wonderful beaches starting from its coastline in Barangay Mabayo, right after Subic Bay Freeport Zone, down to Playa la Caleta Resort in Barangay Tikis. With roughly thirty kilometers of shoreline, Morong Bataan has many beautiful beaches to choose from for day tripping. Hotels and resorts have sprung up like mushrooms in this town for the past ten years inviting beachgoers in need of accommodations.

Nagbalayong Beach

This longshore is the pride of Barangay Nagbalayong in Morong Bataan and happens to be the nesting ground of sea turtles in the Philippines. Due to rip tides along the coasts of Morong, some prefer visiting beaches in Zambales with almost the same travel time from Manila. Though Nagbalayong Beach is underrated, it still has awesome characteristics of its own.

A small fishing boat at Nagbalayong Beach

Nagbalayong Beach has charcoal gray sands similar to Zambales beaches and is common in the Philippines. Its powdery sand is perfect for a barefoot morning and afternoon walks. Waves can become bigger in the afternoon but not enough for surfing. Simplicity is what you find at this beach; watch the locals dock their small wooden fishing boats with a big catch.

The southeastern tip of Nagbalayong Beach is rocky

Nagbalayong Beach and Bakas Higante

At the southeastern end of the beach lies the Bakas Higante where a huge footprint on a boulder of the so-called "giant" had stepped on. This is also where locals spend their time fishing using an improvised fishing pole made from bamboo as well as picking a variety of sea snails hiding in between and under small rocks during low tide. I once experienced picking snails here.

Bakas Higante's small patch of sandy shore

Crossing the rocky part of  Bakas Higante leads to the beige sandy shore and a rock formation about twenty feet high. The small beach seemed like a tip of a small peninsula facing the West Philippine Sea; to the east, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is visible. Surely I will be back to camp here for a night.

Overlooking Bataan Nuclear Power Plant

Getting There:

By Private Transportation

• From Manila: Take NLEx - SCTEx, and exit at Tipo Toll Plaza going to Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Upon reaching the intersection at SBFZ, take Maritan Highway passing Asia International Auctioneers all the way to Subic International Airport. By then you'll be at Argonaut Highway. Turn left onto Corregidor Road which leads to Morong town proper. To get to Nagbalayong Beach, take JJ Linao National Road and drive for about four minutes before turning right to Nagbalayong Beach.

• Alternatively, take NLEx and exit at San Fernando Toll Plaza. Proceed to Jose Abad Santos Avenue all the way to Dinalupihan. Turn left at Layac (WWII Last Stand Memorial) going to Roman Superhighway. In Pilar town, turn right and take Gov. JJ Linao National Road in Bataan to reach Morong.

By Public Transportation

• From Cubao: Take Victory Liner bus bound to Balanga City. From Balanga City, take a minibus or a jeep bound to Morong Bataan.

• From Zambales: Take Victory Liner bound to Olongapo City. Ride a yellow jeep and alight at SBFZ main gate. Take a jeepney bound to Morong. The terminal is inside SBFZ beside the Mini Stop Convenience Store.

Nagbalayong Location Map

Nearby Attractions in Nagbalayong Beach

Mauban Batis Falls - A forty-five-minute trek waterfall nestled in the northern-eastern part of Nagbalayong. Jump off point at Mauban Bridge along Gov. J.J. Linao National Road. This waterfall never dries up.

Kairukan Falls - located in Mt. Silangan, a part of Bataan National Park. A two to three-hour trekking from its jump-off point at Sitio Kanawan. It has a nice water torrent year round like Mauban Falls.

Pawikan Conservation Center - located along the stretch of Nagbalayong Beach. It is a government-administered conservation of endangered marine sea turtles.

WestNuk Beach Cove - located on the western side of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, this beach can be your perfect weekend getaway that offers a nice beach front and peaceful environment.