Why I like white sandy Quinale Beach in Anda

You can’t miss Quinale Beach. It’s there, a stone’s throw from the municipal hall. It can be seen just across the wide open space infront of the heritage church and with its stands of mantalisay trees, its white sandy shore is just perfect that I can hardly resist to dip at its warm waters.

Anda is fast becoming Bohol’s tourism hub with primarily, its beaches as its main attraction. Though almost a 100 kilometers from Tagbilaran, where the provincial airport is but no flights to USA. Its more laid back than Panglao Island, less touristy and on a weekday, you can have the beach all to yourself.

A little trivia: it was where WWII soldiers landed. A bust of a soldier marks the site. And that is what I like my beach to be. Less people, less trash and you can just swim, relax and bum.

Seaweeds, broken shells and dead leaves are strewn on the sand but less plastic. When you do wade into the water, it is shallow, ideal for those bringing children. A couple of meters into the sea, where the white sand is still apparent, its just above the knee. Although where there is a color transition, that portion gets deep.

But, oh, the cream colored, yet powdery sand can feel good to the feet. There are a few rocks and pebbles and a portion has some sea grass. I was told that there are very few sea urchins and its something that one shouldn’t worry about. If you tire of being swayed in the water? Its really nice to just sit under the unusually styled huts or the trees and feel the strong breeze.

But what makes this more special? Some people would argue a very pristine, virginal kind of place but less, to no amenities at all. But for a visitor like me who would just want a dip, a small amount of convenience, even if no frills can be a boon.

Quinale Beach is owned by the local government unit (LGU). So that means you don’t pay exorbitant entrance rates. Although I saw some P10 signage, that is dirt cheap, I wasn’t asked to pay. For a government owned facility, this one is in good condition.

It has a bar, yes, it serves affordable food and drinks served by friendly and smiling staff dressed in floral shirts and shorts/skirts. It has several open showers lining up a few meters from the water and there are changing rooms and comfort rooms. What more can you ask for? Its a cheaper alternative that I actually found useful and budget friendly.

After swimming? I had lunch of lechon kawali with crispy skin dipped in a mix of soy sauce, vinegar and siling labuyo and a freshly opened buko (young coconut) with its refreshing juice and tender white meat while playing my feet in the sand.

Small pleasures.