Place to visit
White Sand, Philippines: what it is and when to go
White Sand is a reef (Puting Balas) in Philippines (Ozamiz). Interests: Beaches and Diving. The best time to visit is December to April. There are about 12 h 29 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Reef · Beaches, Diving
- Local name
- Puting Balas
- Where
- Philippines
- Best time
- December to April.
- Nearest airport
- CEB Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City, 225 km as the crow flies
- Coordinates
- 8.29486, 123.87214
What it is and where
White Sand is a reef (Puting Balas) in Philippines (Ozamiz).
It is in Ozamiz, where this site lists 5 more places to see, 17 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are 8.29486, 123.87214; the nearest main airport is Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB, Cebu City/Lapu-Lapu City), 225 km as the crow flies. How to get around Philippines (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
It is one of the Beaches and Diving places in Philippines. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit White Sand is December to April.
- JanBest time11:34
- FebBest time11:44
- MarBest time11:57
- AprBest time12:11
- MayPossible12:23
- JunBetter not12:29
- JulBetter not12:26
- AugBetter not12:16
- SepBetter not12:03
- OctBetter not11:49
- NovPossible11:37
- DecBest time11:31
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
There are about 12 h 29 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
| What you come for | Best time | Possible |
|---|---|---|
| Beaches | December to April | May and November |
| Diving | December to April | May and November |
It is not the same trip whatever you come for: White Sand has a different season depending on what you want to do here, and Kokai puts it in the right month for you.
When to go to Philippines in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Philippines
To enter Philippines there are 9 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Passport with six months' validity and two blank pages”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Philippines checklist. Currency: Philippine peso (PHP); plugs: Type A, B and C · 220 V · 60 Hz (European voltage with American sockets: you need an adapter); emergencies: 911 for everything.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Fuerte de la Concepcion y del TriunfoFort in Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental17 km
- Iligan BayBay in Philippines21 km
- Mount CatmonMountain in Lanao del Norte, Philippines28 km
- Panguil Bay BridgeLongest bridge in the Philippines29 km
- Panguil BayBay in Philippines33 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Philippines guide.
More in Philippines: Beaches
- Scarborough Shoal: atoll and reef in the South China Sea
- Apo Reef
- Johnson South Reef: reef in the People's Republic of China
- Second Thomas Shoal: Reef in the South China Sea
- Cape Engaño: cape in Philippines
- Ardasier Reef
Every Philippines place under Beaches, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is White Sand?
It is a reef (Puting Balas in the local language) in Philippines.
When is the best time to visit White Sand?
December to April. There are about 12 h 29 of daylight all year round: this close to the equator the days barely change.
How do you get to White Sand?
The nearest main airport is Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB), 225 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Philippines is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Philippines map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo, Iligan Bay, Mount Catmon. The rest is in the Philippines guide.
Keep reading
- Ozamiz5 places to see in and around Ozamiz, Philippines: Panguil Bay, Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo, Panguil Bay Bridge. Best time: December to April.
- Beaches98 places for beaches in Philippines, from Scarborough Shoal to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: December to April. Each with its own season by altitude and daylig
- PhilippinesBefore travelling to Philippines: 9 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. No visa is needed for tourism stays of up to 30 days, but you do have to register o…
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.