Sarangani is a beautiful province that is located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao. It is part of the (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (SOCCSKSARGEN) region. The province is subdivided into 7 municipalities which include the town of Alabel, the capital town of the province.
The town of Alabel is known for the Kawas beach which is a favorite weekend getaway of the locals and tourists alike. It is just a 20 minute ride from GenSan. The beautiful beach is perfect for tourists and backpackers who want a quiet paradise. It has a cove that attracts the calm waters that gently touches its shores.
Tourists who want to see the beach should pay an entrance fee of P10.00 because it is privately owned. There is a resort inside the beach where one can rent some cottages that costs P100. Near the cottages are huge trees where one can have their picnic under it.
Alabel’s Kawas beach is well-maintained by the resort management. They prohibit outsiders to gather marine resources and collect seastones. The management also prohibits owners not to have their animals bathe in the beach.
Kawas is under the municipal ordinance of Alabel which is known as the “Coastal Zone Ordinance”. The ordinance allows traditional fishing and bangus fry gathering. It does not allow commercial fishing vessels to anchor on the coast. The ordinance also regulates, floating beach, fish cage, seaweed culture, fish pen and use of nets.
Ordinance like this are important to maintain a sustainable environment that each of us can enjoy. Aside from the blue and pristine waters, the main attraction of Kawas is the mangroves that play a major role in our ecosystem. It aids the fishes to produce more eggs.
Guests can be fortunate to have a glimpse of the wonderful sunset on the beach. It is truly a wonderful experience to have your weekend getaway here. The mangroves, calm waters, breathtaking sceneries and the cleanliness of its shores are just one of the many reasons why you need to visit Kawas beach.
It is located in Brgy. Ladol, Alabel, Saranagani. Visitors can reach the place through jeeps, tricycle, van or you can take a ride at the public market of Brgy. Lagao in General Santos City. The beach is suitable for outings and bonding moments with your family, friends and colleagues.
How to get there
From Manila, one can take a direct flight to General Santos. From GenSan International Airport, you can have a twenty (20) minutes ride going to Alabel, If you’re from Davao, you can take air-conditioned buses or public utility vehicles (PUVs) that is bound to General Santos City.