Spot Stays: This Beach Resort Remains a Crowd Favorite Even After Three Decades

Dakak Beach Resort
Barangay Taguilon, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte
Rates start at P9,000

At a Glance
Rooms: Spacious, clean, and practical with a view of the Sulu Sea and surrounding mountains.
Food and drink: A great selection of restaurants and bars offering different cuisines.
Staff: A call away.
Why you should stay: You're guaranteed a pleasant stay in a secluded corner of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

(SPOT.ph) If you watched Eat Bulaga as a bored child in the '90s, chances are you heard of Dakak Beach Resort through a TV ad. It's also possible that you have no clue where it is, but you do know that it conjures images of a tropical paradise: lush mountains, white sand, and turquoise waters. The name (and the voiceover) was probably deeply embedded in our memories, sometimes popping up in our heads after all these years. And 34 years on, we’re happy to know that this property in Zamboanga del Norte continues to deliver on its promise of being paradise on Earth.

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Over Three Decades of Dakak Beach Resort

The resort's name is a blend of the Visayan phrase "dakong kakahoyan," which loosely translates to "big forest." In the ‘80s, the 15-hectare beachfront property was initially intended to be fully residential until it was converted into a recreational resort in 1988.

As of 2022, the complex has 158 fully furnished rooms in native duplex bungalows made of bamboo outfitted with capiz window panes. There are 64 bungalows with 100 Deluxe Rooms; 16 Prime Deluxe Rooms; 12 Beachfront rooms; a Family Pavilion with 30 rooms; and one Presidential Suite. Rates for two guests range from P7,500 for a Deluxe Room to P10,500 for a Garden Room that has views of the Sulu Sea. Bigger groups may opt for Dakak’s Family Pavilion for P18,000. All rooms come with air conditioning, cable television, phone, a mini bar, a shower with hot and cold water, and a dressing area. After more than three decades, the rooms and facilities are well maintained, the staff is warm, accommodating, and always ready to assist; plus the complex is clean, green, and serene.

As in many properties of a similar nature, the management of Dakak has also pivoted toward more sustainable tourism through their "Go Green" and "Grow More Trees" programs, both of which started in 2019. They have been using recyclable materials and renewable solar power, plus they've ramped up their energy and water conservation, and proper waste disposal practices. Their corporate social responsibility currently emphasizes coastal cleanliness and a plastic-free environment.

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What to Do

Dakak Beach Resort has plenty of activities for guests of all ages. Lounging around their 750-meter white-sand beach is the most common, for obvious reasons. Families are in for a delightful time as the resort has three swimming pools in different sizes and depths.

Amateur and professional divers will be happy to know that Dakak is considered one of Mindanao’s best dive spots, with its surrounding waters home to a vibrant marine ecosystem. A dive session brings you to a world of coral gardens, basket sponges, sea anemones, and clownfish. If you’re lucky, you might just come across elusive blue-spotted rays and octopuses.

Aside from diving, other water activities include jet-skiing, parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and banana-boat riding.

Dakak’s Adventure Park features a selection of dry-land activities, such as rappelling, rock climbing, airsoft games, and horseback riding. They also have all-terrain vehicles and one of the longest dual ziplines in Asia.

The property boasts a 50-hectare, 18-hole golf course with a total yardage of 6,500 yds/par 72. The area affords sweeping views of the sea and nearby mountains, and is one of the best places in the province to view the sunset.

Dakak Beach Resort offers island tours, including one where guests can go around the complex on a bamboo bike. They can also arrange island-hopping activities and a tour of Dapitan, considered the “Shrine City of the Philippines” for its many well-preserved heritage spots.

Foodies need not worry about going hungry as the property houses 13 restaurants and bars that serve different cuisines such as Italian, Mediterranean, Chinese, Japanese, and of course, Filipino and local Dapiteño dishes.

Dakak Beach Resort also offers day tours that cost P1,000/adult and P500/child. The fee includes access to the beach, dolphin and kiddie pools, Adventure Zone, Aquasport Center, and restaurants. Not included are rental fees, the golf course, and access to Villa Angelina.

Looking Forward

Dakak’s success over the years is due largely to the management being hands-on. They have always thought of new offerings: newly-renovated villas, new facilities such as an aqua center, and regular menu upgrades.

With their newest Villa Angelina expansion, the resort has further expanded its market: from families to couples, to business travelers to sports enthusiasts.

Now that the tourism sector is close to being back to pre-pandemic levels, the resort is excited to welcome more guests once again.

Check out our TikTok video of Dakak Beach Resort:

@spot.ph If you grew up watching Eat Bulaga in the 90s, then you've probably heard of Dakak Beach Resort. Here's what this Zamboanga del Norte getaway looks like now. #SpotPH #SpotStays #DakakBeachResort #ZamboangadelNorte #DapitanCity ♬ Tropical country resort and beach Cheerful summer BGM - MATSU

Dakak Beach Resort is in Barangay Taguilon, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.
Rates start at P9,000. It is part of the Department of Tourism Region IX’s L4D: Laag Na! Dali sa Dipolog, Dapit sa Dapitan Caravan Program, which aims to boost tourism in Zamboanga del Norte.