Lakawon Island

Another favorite excursion spot is Lakawon Island in Cadiz, Negros Occidental. Only 30 to 45 minutes away from Bacolod, it is frequented by the locals and a must for the first time visitor. The island is small, a large sandbar really, but the pure white sand beach rivals that of Boracay. The beaches around Bacolod and the neighboring towns and cities are not very good, mostly muddy or rocky. To the south, there are better beaches in Sipalay and Hino-baan, 4 to 5 hours drive from Bacolod. To the north, I haven't seen any good beaches on the mainland coast but there are also similar islands and sandbars in Sagay and Escalante, 1 to 2 hours drive from Bacolod.

The following pictures were taken when my brother-in-law got married in Bacolod about 7 or 8 year ago. My sister-in-law, Amaya Bilbao Del Castillo, came with her daughter, Sarah, for the occasion and we did a side trip to Lakawon.

The Bride and the Groom

Amaya and Sarah

Miren, Inaki and the flower girl, Timmy

Joey in barong

From the national road in Cadiz, you will be directed to enter a dirt road which will lead you to the shore after a distance. There is a secured parking lot where you can leave your car and arrange for a banca to take you to the island. The is no wharf and the beach there is shallow so you will have to wade to the boat and carry you bags and packages.

Nina and Sarah walking to boat

Wading to boat

Sarah,Amaya and her friend from Canada

Timmy and Inaki walking to boat

You can see the island in the distance and the boat ride in not very far. The water is usually calm in the morning when one would normally go there but it tends to get choppy and rough in the afternoon on the way back.

Boatride for Amaya and Sarah

Boatride for Nina

The island was not very developed at the time. There was a fishing village on one side of the island with the resort occupying the rest. There were sevaral beach huts for rent and there were a few cottages for overnight stays. There also was a dining area and a restaurant. I believe there is a fully operational resort now. Thank God because there was scant little shade on the island and it could get really hot by noon.

Miren, Inaki and Timmy

The troop

Timmy in the shade

Amaya in the shade

The best part is the clear blue water that everyone enjoyed.

Nina in water

Kids swimming

Miren on Lakawon beach

Swimming in clear water

Cadiz, Philippines