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Legendary Lakawon Island: A Paradise off the Province of Negros

Discover Lakawon, the up and coming white sand beach destination of Negros Occidental.

By: Paul T. Lizares | September 03, 2016
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partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod
Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

When in central Bacolod, one does not readily feel the sea breeze. It feels quite landlocked. Aren’t we supposed to be in a provincial island? Where are the beaches and the sunset views?

But, don’t feel so disappointed just yet. Here is one of the best beaches in Negros Occidental.

There is one island in Negros that Bacoleños can claim as truly their own—a paradise close by for quick weekend getaways. A mere 1.5 hours away, Lakawon Island boasts of its prime white sand and crystal, blue waters.

Excited to visit Lakawon Island this summer season? Read the article below.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

A majestic aerial view of Lakawon Island

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Back in the 1970s, when the youth of Bacolod needed a quick sojourn to the beach, friends would gather in the sugar farms near Cadiz and Manapla. They would bring in their friends and ice chests filled with booze, usually in a Volkswagen combi-van. Permission from their respective parents would take several days of planning. Cadiz from Bacolod then was not a mere hop away with its unpaved roads leading to the boat docks of Cadiz Viejo, the drop-off point to get to Lakawon. So, ideally, it was better to stay at some friend’s hacienda (estate) overnight prior to the boat ride to paradise.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

A bangka amidst the blue-green waters of Lakawon Island

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Early to arise, the youngsters would gather dockside for the next available bangka, or local outrigger boat, to ride to the island. Most already get giddy on the way. Once on the island, some would settle under the shade while the rest frolic in the sun, sand, and sea all day. Food was usually brought in as well, depending on who organized the party. It usually involved grilled pork chops, squid, and crabs. But ubiquitous to the menu were the cases and bottles of San Miguel beer chilled in giant coolers with floating blocks of ice. Another menu staple was Tanduay Rhum, mixed with a bit of Coca-Cola. It was beach and booze all day long.




partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Umbrella huts dot the shore of Lakawon Island.

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Still in the early days, the only activity to do in Lakawon Island besides drinking, eating, sunbathing, and swimming was taking a short walk to the northern and more secluded part of the island, where there is a spectacular view of Gigantes Island, Panay. There used to be a community of inhabitants in the village to the west. However, not many people went to that side, except for those who wanted to find snacks and cigarettes in the tiangges or small local stores. Visitors usually found that there were enough attractions and frolicking to do on the white sand and crystal, blue waters in the rest of the island. At the end of the day, intoxicated beach bums were usually dragged out of the beach and carried into their waiting boats.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

A scenic sunset at Lakawon Island

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Revelers would typically leave Lakawon Island before sunset. In those days, it was considered unsafe to stay outdoors past dark due to the volatile political situation, not to mention the overprotective parents awaiting their children onshore.



Sunsets over the sea were phenomenal and much sought after. It has become an unspoken tradition among the locals to be on the 25-minute boat ride back to the main island during sunset, where one can have an unobstructed panoramic view. On the way back to the docks of Cadiz Viejo, travellers can see ahead the northern Negros mountain range. To the west, where the sun sets, are the islands of Panay, and back south is the island of Lakawon.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Bamboo houses for overnight use at Lakawon Island

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

As the years progressed, jet skis and speed boats started to frequent the island. People would stop by Lakawon on their way to nearby Sicogon in the north, or Bantayan Island in the east. A simple restaurant and overnight lodging huts were constructed to accommodate these visitors. And such developments made provisions from the mainland unnecessary.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Squid in black ink is a popular dish when in Lakawon.

Photo courtesy of Maybell Marasigan

As for food, squid cooked in its own black ink was usually the most sought-after dish in the menu. Shrimp marinated in soda, ginger, and garlic were also usually prepared. Grilled fresh fish of the day was always recommended.

Finding ice and cold beer, however, was still a bummer. There was no electricity on the island. It was still best to bring in that giant cooler with floating ice blocks and San Miguel beer. Revelers still had to be hauled out of the island onto their jet skis, speedboats, bangka or—when it was still brand new and in optimum condition—the resident island owner’s miniature hydrofoil. Those were the days.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Players compete in a professional beach volleyball match in Lakawon.

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Fast forward to 2015, the owners of the island decided to open up its resort management to interested developers—after taking care of the property for 30 years. So, comes in Mr. Vladimir Gonzalez, resort management and operation lessee of Lakawon Island. For the past year, there has been ongoing construction in the island to accommodate a new generation of tourists and revelers belonging to Generations X, Y, and Z. Lakawon is now a place where professional beach volleyball competitions are held, where DJs from Manila play their clubbing music, and where high-end super jet skis and speed boats can be found, not to mention the occasional yachts.




partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

TawHai Floating Bar is one of the main attractions of the island.

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Enjoy soaking in the sun

Photo by Writer

Lakawon is bound to be dubbed as the “Ibiza of Asia” when it is completed and fully operational. There will be suites and bungalows. A special stage for DJs and events has been erected. A big clubhouse and restaurant will be waiting to be filled with visitors and diners.

But what is now ready for action is TawHai Floating Bar. Made of fine wood, the boat has lounge chairs, cushions, sunbathing decks, and a fully stocked bar that can accommodate over a hundred guests. From a distance, it resembles Noah’s ark, but instead of animals, it will be filled with human passengers geared up for party. It currently costs PhP250* to hop on board; fee comes with complimentary drinks.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

The clear blue waters and pristine white sand of Lakawon Island.

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

From the days of old up to the present time, Lakawon Island continues to attract the heartiest of beach party goers. Its proximity to Bacolod is still its biggest draw, next to its pristine white sand and clear waters. The latest developments to the island will surely bring in a dawn of new stories and adventures for the fresh generations to wander off the legendary place in Negros called Lakawon.


How to Get to Lakawon Island:


From Bacolod City, take Ceres Liner bus at the north terminal going to Cadiz City. Then, take tricycle going to the port of Barangay Cadiz Viejo. There are available boat rides that are provided by the management which will take you to Lakawon Island when you arrived at the port.


Price may change without prior notice.



partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod
Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

When in central Bacolod, one does not readily feel the sea breeze. It feels quite landlocked. Aren’t we supposed to be in a provincial island? Where are the beaches and the sunset views?

But, don’t feel so disappointed just yet. Here is one of the best beaches in Negros Occidental.

There is one island in Negros that Bacoleños can claim as truly their own—a paradise close by for quick weekend getaways. A mere 1.5 hours away, Lakawon Island boasts of its prime white sand and crystal, blue waters.

Excited to visit Lakawon Island this summer season? Read the article below.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

A majestic aerial view of Lakawon Island

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Back in the 1970s, when the youth of Bacolod needed a quick sojourn to the beach, friends would gather in the sugar farms near Cadiz and Manapla. They would bring in their friends and ice chests filled with booze, usually in a Volkswagen combi-van. Permission from their respective parents would take several days of planning. Cadiz from Bacolod then was not a mere hop away with its unpaved roads leading to the boat docks of Cadiz Viejo, the drop-off point to get to Lakawon. So, ideally, it was better to stay at some friend’s hacienda (estate) overnight prior to the boat ride to paradise.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

A bangka amidst the blue-green waters of Lakawon Island

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Early to arise, the youngsters would gather dockside for the next available bangka, or local outrigger boat, to ride to the island. Most already get giddy on the way. Once on the island, some would settle under the shade while the rest frolic in the sun, sand, and sea all day. Food was usually brought in as well, depending on who organized the party. It usually involved grilled pork chops, squid, and crabs. But ubiquitous to the menu were the cases and bottles of San Miguel beer chilled in giant coolers with floating blocks of ice. Another menu staple was Tanduay Rhum, mixed with a bit of Coca-Cola. It was beach and booze all day long.




partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Umbrella huts dot the shore of Lakawon Island.

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Still in the early days, the only activity to do in Lakawon Island besides drinking, eating, sunbathing, and swimming was taking a short walk to the northern and more secluded part of the island, where there is a spectacular view of Gigantes Island, Panay. There used to be a community of inhabitants in the village to the west. However, not many people went to that side, except for those who wanted to find snacks and cigarettes in the tiangges or small local stores. Visitors usually found that there were enough attractions and frolicking to do on the white sand and crystal, blue waters in the rest of the island. At the end of the day, intoxicated beach bums were usually dragged out of the beach and carried into their waiting boats.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

A scenic sunset at Lakawon Island

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Revelers would typically leave Lakawon Island before sunset. In those days, it was considered unsafe to stay outdoors past dark due to the volatile political situation, not to mention the overprotective parents awaiting their children onshore.



Sunsets over the sea were phenomenal and much sought after. It has become an unspoken tradition among the locals to be on the 25-minute boat ride back to the main island during sunset, where one can have an unobstructed panoramic view. On the way back to the docks of Cadiz Viejo, travellers can see ahead the northern Negros mountain range. To the west, where the sun sets, are the islands of Panay, and back south is the island of Lakawon.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Bamboo houses for overnight use at Lakawon Island

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

As the years progressed, jet skis and speed boats started to frequent the island. People would stop by Lakawon on their way to nearby Sicogon in the north, or Bantayan Island in the east. A simple restaurant and overnight lodging huts were constructed to accommodate these visitors. And such developments made provisions from the mainland unnecessary.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Squid in black ink is a popular dish when in Lakawon.

Photo courtesy of Maybell Marasigan

As for food, squid cooked in its own black ink was usually the most sought-after dish in the menu. Shrimp marinated in soda, ginger, and garlic were also usually prepared. Grilled fresh fish of the day was always recommended.

Finding ice and cold beer, however, was still a bummer. There was no electricity on the island. It was still best to bring in that giant cooler with floating ice blocks and San Miguel beer. Revelers still had to be hauled out of the island onto their jet skis, speedboats, bangka or—when it was still brand new and in optimum condition—the resident island owner’s miniature hydrofoil. Those were the days.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Players compete in a professional beach volleyball match in Lakawon.

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

Fast forward to 2015, the owners of the island decided to open up its resort management to interested developers—after taking care of the property for 30 years. So, comes in Mr. Vladimir Gonzalez, resort management and operation lessee of Lakawon Island. For the past year, there has been ongoing construction in the island to accommodate a new generation of tourists and revelers belonging to Generations X, Y, and Z. Lakawon is now a place where professional beach volleyball competitions are held, where DJs from Manila play their clubbing music, and where high-end super jet skis and speed boats can be found, not to mention the occasional yachts.




partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

TawHai Floating Bar is one of the main attractions of the island.

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

Enjoy soaking in the sun

Photo by Writer

Lakawon is bound to be dubbed as the “Ibiza of Asia” when it is completed and fully operational. There will be suites and bungalows. A special stage for DJs and events has been erected. A big clubhouse and restaurant will be waiting to be filled with visitors and diners.

But what is now ready for action is TawHai Floating Bar. Made of fine wood, the boat has lounge chairs, cushions, sunbathing decks, and a fully stocked bar that can accommodate over a hundred guests. From a distance, it resembles Noah’s ark, but instead of animals, it will be filled with human passengers geared up for party. It currently costs PhP250* to hop on board; fee comes with complimentary drinks.


partying at Lakawon Island Bacolod

The clear blue waters and pristine white sand of Lakawon Island.

Photo courtesy of Lakawon Island

From the days of old up to the present time, Lakawon Island continues to attract the heartiest of beach party goers. Its proximity to Bacolod is still its biggest draw, next to its pristine white sand and clear waters. The latest developments to the island will surely bring in a dawn of new stories and adventures for the fresh generations to wander off the legendary place in Negros called Lakawon.


How to Get to Lakawon Island:


From Bacolod City, take Ceres Liner bus at the north terminal going to Cadiz City. Then, take tricycle going to the port of Barangay Cadiz Viejo. There are available boat rides that are provided by the management which will take you to Lakawon Island when you arrived at the port.


Price may change without prior notice.



author

Paul T. Lizares was born and raised in the island of Negros (Bacolod). He studied high school and college in University of California Santa Barbara, California, USA and has lived and traveled abroad for 17 years. Returning to Negros in the year 2000 to raise a family, he worked in the family real estate business and in power distribution. An advocate of environmental conservation, he is also a trustee of Philippine Reef and Rainforests Conservation Foundation Inc. and Negros Forests. Paul continues to travel and raising his children in Bacolod. He hopes to one day open a resort that caters to wellness and outdoor activities.

getaway beach island Bacolod City

Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.

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