Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort 후기

Not even a day after I arrived in the Philippines, we flew to Davao so I can check out my brother's newly acquired beautiful home in the city — and let me tell you, the man knows how to invest! So happy for him! After admiring his little empire and getting settled, we decided to spend the next two days exploring the Crown Jewel of Mindanao. Naturally, that meant crossing over to the legendary Samal Island — and where better to begin than Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort? Getting there was half the fun! We hopped on a colorful banka (water taxi) from the mainland — those bright, slender boats that look like they were designed by a tropical rainbow. You can rent one privately for ₱400 or wait for other passengers, which is fine if you enjoy counting grains of sand while you wait. Luckily, after about eight of us had gathered, the crew decided we finally looked “worth sailing for,” yanked the anchor, and off we went! As we docked, we were greeted by fluttering flags and that postcard-perfect island vibe that screams “vacation mode: ON.” The resort itself? Impeccably clean and impressively managed — I swear, their staff has a sixth sense for spotting litter. You drop a leaf by accident and poof — it’s gone faster than your Wi-Fi signal in the province. Major props to the crew for keeping the place spotless! Souvenir shops and snack stalls line one side of the covered pavilion, while rows of tables face the beach — ready for the wave of hungry, sun-kissed tourists. There’s also a live band that performs on stage, and let me tell you, these musicians are no joke. They're so good you might forget you’re supposed to be relaxing, not dancing in the sand with a coconut in hand. Speaking of coconuts — before lunch, we had fresh buko juice straight from the shell. Nothing hits quite like that combo of sea breeze, sunshine, and chilled coconut water. Lunch was equally heavenly: Nilagang Baka (comfort in a bowl) and Lechon Kawali (a crispy, golden, guilty pleasure). Salamat Chef! It was delicious! Now, I was tempted to take a dip — the beach was crystal-clear with powdery white sand divided neatly between the swim area and the boat/kayak zone — but of course, I forgot to bring extra clothes. With a few more planned stops when we get back to the mainland, the thought of walking around Davao looking like a drenched puppy convinced me to stay dry (for now) lol. By noon, we reluctantly waved goodbye to Paradise (literally) and headed back to the mainland for more exploring. It was a short but absolutely delightful escape — great food, crystal waters, spotless surroundings, and genuinely warm people. Would I come back? Absolutely. Maybe next time, I’ll bring a swimsuit... and less common sense to resist that inviting water. 😆 5 glittering stars – Paradise truly lives up to its name.