Sabtang Island | Lukoy Beach: Hidden Beauty and Healing Waters

Lukoy Beach, the secret white beach of Sabtang Island
Lukoy Beach, the secret white beach of Sabtang Island
Lukoy Beach, the secret white beach of Sabtang Island

Much can be said already about Sabtang Island, Batanes. It may be the the most accessible island from Batan island and host to many day trip tours, but there are still spots that remain untouched by visitors on the tourist trail. Lukoy Beach is one of those white sand beaches that people often pass by when doing a tour in Savidug and Chavayan. Often called the Secret Beach of Sabtang, the inviting white stretch can be viewed from a cliff. My native guide Mael, knew the way though. So coming from the Savidug Idjang Fortress, we rode back to the village to borrow his improvised snorkeling gear and rode towards this pristine white beach.

The white beach seen from the cliff
The white beach seen from the cliff

Lukoy Beach and the Healing Waters

Often times, remote places have an element of mystery and enchantment. Lukoy Beach is no exception. Mael draws in from his childhood experience to share his memories of this place. He remembered the time when he would suffer from illness like high fever or flu, his parents would bring him to this beach. They would burrow through the sand near the rocks and find the warm clear waters underground. This is the underground fresh water stream running from the hill slopes toward the sea. He would be bathed with this water and miraculously be healed. I can’t verify whether this water truly has healing qualities but it was an interesting story.

Sand patterns of flowing streams
Sand patterns of flowing streams

White Beach and Snorkeling

We made down a short steep rocky stairway down the beach. With the mid-morning sun, we found some large rocks to take shade in and put our things. The beauty of Lukoy Beach is in it’s isolation and rawness. The sand quality is grainy white and one could notice the nature lines of the underground stream flowing through the shores to the sea. We swam on the rocky part of the beach where Mael told me there were many fishes. Couldn’t agree more as I found more fish here than in Vuhus Island. Even with only my goggles and old snorkel gear, I was just delighted to see a number of fishes here. Mael was with his daughter who was gleefully riding on his back. Occasionally going underwater and laughing her heart out when the surface back above water.

It was my last day in Sabtang Island and I was glad to cap-off my activities here with this snorkeling activity at Lukoy Beach. I could already see the potential of this place being a snorkeling and beach stop for tours. But then again I want this place to remain unspoilt as it is.

For a tricycle hire and guide in Sabtang Island do contact Mael at 09394750654.

Snorkeling the clear waters
Snorkeling the clear waters
Some of the fishes found at the site
Some of the fishes found at the site
Searching for some lobsters
Searching for some lobsters
Headed towards the rocky part of the beach
Headed towards the rocky part of the beach