Maira Ira Beach (The Blue Lagoon) of Ilocos
Maira Ira beach is part of the famous blue lagoon of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. According to our tour guide, it used to be owned by the same people that run Hannah’s Beach, which by the way, still exists.
Entrance to the beach was PHP 300. Our tour fee with Byaheros PH already included the hut rental fees, so I don’t really know how much it cost. But they were spacious enough to have lunch at and stay at.
There weren’t too many people when we were there, in fact, our tour group was the only ones there, perhaps because tourists and guests were discouraged of the typhoon-like rains the week before. It was Amihan season (trade winds) in Pagudpud that time of the year (we were there on December 31) , after all, so rains and high tides were expected.
A friend of mine who purposely went to the blue lagoon with her family the week prior was so disappointed with her experience. She said that the beaches were dirty and ill-maintained, and the rains and waves were too strong. They went to a different beach from ours.
Our experience was the exact opposite. The waters were beautiful and blue, and the beach was clean and well-maintained.
Not too many paparazzi moments
We wanted to take the opportunity to really enjoy the waters since the kids had been asking to go to the beach for a long time now, so we just took a few photos before leaving all our phones and cameras in the van which was parked right across the hut where our tour guide and his wife stayed.
It was my first time at the Blue Lagoon, so I’m not really sure if the sea changes in dynamics as the seasons change, but when we were there, they were surf waves that I felt were a tad strong.
Our kids can swim in pools, but they’re not surfers or experienced ocean swimmers, so we took extra caution.
So, we stayed mostly near the shores and kept close watch of our kids. Jay, my husband, started this game he used to play as a kid, the one where you wait for the big waves, then jump on your chest as they pound on you and pull you back with it. The kids were thrilled!
Maira Ira Grill
You’re not allowed to bring food to Maira Ira, just snacks. If you’re eating lunch or dinner, you’ll have to order from their menu which they sell by the kilo.
It’s fine for groups and family, not so much for couples only. I could see that the prices didn’t quite sit well with the two duos we were with, but they got together to order a set meal for PHP 1,380.00, which included a huge, huge bowl of Sinigang, Sweet & Sour Blue Marlin, and grilled squid and rice.
We ordered Grilled Blue Marlin, Steamed Shrimp, Pocqui Pocqui and rice which I shared in my Food of Ilocos blog post a few weeks back. We paid PHP 1,280 for our food and we finished it all. That’s how boys work when it comes to food, their mantra is NO FOOD LEFT BEHIND! Hahaha!
(READ: The Food of Ilocos)
A little water trouble
The only problem we encountered was the water system. I think that someone turned off the water supply in the boys’ communal bathroom.
(READ: Getting to know Ilocos in 3 Days)
I was okay with the women’s bathroom. What do you expect from a public bathroom at the beach, yeah? Ours was fairly clean, though I couldn’t wait to get out of there, but I’ve accumulated so much sand in my hair and swim wear, it took a while to wash them all off me.
I think we stayed for about 5-6 hours at the beach, which was just enough time to enjoy it. The sun was up the entire time and it only started drizzling just as we were about to drive off. God is so gracious to have let us enjoy the beautiful blue lagoon on our beach day.
31 Comments
randommommyph
Looks like a nice place
to visit
Hazel
Good thing you have a much better experience with the place than your friend who was there a week before. 🙂 Looks like a great place to just chill and eat yummy seafood!
– Hazel https://hazywanders.com/
MARYCOR VALENCIA
Wow, the kids surely enjoyed their vacation here.
May De Jesus-Palacpac
In Ilocos? Yes, they really did.
berlin
Always wanted to go back to Ilocus and spend two days to three. We went there before when husband and I were just college sweethearts and seems going back there will be more romantic and fun considering that we now have five boys in tow.
Purple Pieces
We’ve been to Pagudpod, hindi ko lang maalala yung resort. I also want to take my kids there, ang ganda ng place.. perfect for kids!
Adam Belda
Something to take note of when I visit Pagudpud this summer! Ang ganda sobra!
May De Jesus-Palacpac
Yes, super. I could have stayed on the shores forever had it not for my little kids who want to go to the waters.
Dawn
Haven’t stayed in any of the hotels at the blue lagoon but I’ll consider Maira Ira when we go back. Thank you po for the information! 🙂
WanderWoMom
oooh!! this is pagudpod na pala. bakit kaya nasa isip ko pagudpod ay mamahalin. para bang el nido ganun. ang ganda at super blue ng tubig!
May De Jesus-Palacpac
kasi sikat, kaya parang mahal. I guess if you’re staying overnight at their rooms, mas mahal. we only came to swim and used one of the huts lang.
Karla
Love the honest review! I also went to Pagudpud but I already forgot the name of the resort. I’ll consider Maira Ira Beach on my next visit.
clang
Di pa ko nakakapunta sa Pagudpud. So, i-take note ko yung place para if ever na maligaw sa Pagudpud ikokonsider namin yan.
Karla Nina Mallannao
Ooooh. I miss Pagudpud. Its been years since my last visit. Sobrang ganda talaga ng water diyan. Kahit malayo sobrang worth it balikan. Last time, sa may Saud ata kami non nag-stay. Can’t remember if I’m right dun sa Saud. Haha
May De Jesus-Palacpac
ay, hindi ko alam ang Saud. sana pala nalaman ko ahead so I could look up. 🙂
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Wendy
Why was it called Blue Lagoon? Because of the blue waters? Hihihi… Sorry to hear about the men’s bathroom and I was smiling when I read the women’s bathroom was ok but you couldn’t wait to get out of there. I could just imagine public bathrooms. Otherwise, the waters look refreshing. My sons would definitely be on the water.
May De Jesus-Palacpac
Haha, yes, it is called that because of the blue waters. 🙂
Kam Olivar
Thinking of going there with my toddler. Maybe we really have to be careful with the waves, but I think my son will like the Kung Fu Panda and Ninja Turtle display. There’s even Winnie the Pooh!
Rad
Ohhh! Definitely looks like a good beach! The surf waves might be good for beginner surfers.
Abby
Alam mo iba talaga yung feeling at amoy ng dagat sa atin kesa dito sa Korea.
Mas masaya yung feeling once nasa dagat ka ng Pilipinas.
I would love to visit this place.
Christian Foremost
I miss the beach and you guys are pretty lucky that you didn’t encounter any rain despite the season. Will definitely make a stop over there when we go to ilocos. Haha
Khryz
Ganda ng color ng dagat. Buti na lang malinis na when you went there. Thank you for sharing your experience. 🙂
komal
I always wanted to return to Ilocus and spend two to three days. We went there before my husband and I were college lovers, but now it seems to be more romantic and fun given the fact that five boys are towing.
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Jennifer Bradley
What a gorgeous location! I miss going to the beach a lot right now!
Marissa Mckenna
I miss going to the beach so much! The last time my kids and I went we had so much fun playing in the waves.
Sonia Seivwright
Wow. what a nice fun place for the kids. I’d take my kids there every day.
Jennie
Ah how beautiful. I love the ocean!
Melinda Cummings
The water looks so beautiful!
It looks like a fun place to visit with kids with the sculptures.
Raining on a beach trip is always the worst, glad you had great weather!
Janella Herrera
What a nice place to visit! Heard of few great beaches known at Pagudpod. Hoping I could visit sumdaaaay