Turning 50 by the beach
Summer has always smelled like salt to me.
No matter how busy life got, my dad made sure we spent at least a few days by the sea. While most people in a tropical country look forward to cooler weather, he counts down to sunny days, house music mixing with the sound of waves, and the promise of fresh seafood.
Some of my happiest memories growing up took place on a coastal island somewhere, and I have him to thank for many of them.
A milestone that called for something new
When my dad’s 50th birthday came around, planning a beach getaway felt like the most natural way to celebrate.
The easy choice would have been to return to one of the destinations we already loved. But milestone birthdays have a way of making you think differently about time. They make you realize that while favorites are comforting, the best way to honor the years behind us is by choosing to experience new things as we grow older.
That is how we found ourselves on a boat bound for Puerto Galera.
What made our choice even more meaningful was knowing it had long been on my dad’s travel list. He had mentioned wanting to visit years ago but never got around to it.
My grandmother preferred nearby destinations and calm waters, so Puerto Galera became one of those places he always talked about but never got to see, a plan reserved for “someday” until this year, when someday finally arrived.
Warm days on the island
As a family, we quickly settled into our usual beach routine—taking our first walk along the shore to soak in the place. We stayed in White Beach, where everything seemed conveniently within reach.
Accommodations, restaurants, souvenir shops, water activities, and the shoreline itself were all within walking distance. The beach had a laidback atmosphere, with a coastline wide enough for morning walks and afternoons spent waiting for the sunset.
My dad walked a few steps ahead. I found myself wondering if he was seeing the beach as it was, or as he had long imagined it.
What we didn’t expect was that, for all its natural beauty, it was the people who stood out most. Everywhere we went, we were met with warmth that felt genuine, from boatmen sharing stories of island life to locals offering recommendations on where to eat.
At a time when many destinations feel increasingly commercialized, Puerto Galera still felt largely shaped by the people who call it home, and that authenticity gave the place its charm.
A highlight of the trip was a surprise island-hopping day for my dad, who has always enjoyed spontaneity.
From White Beach, we made our way across four islands. We started at Haligi Beach, with its striking rock formations, and then Long Beach where we slowed down over fresh coconuts.
At Starfish Island, which quickly became a family favorite, lunch stretched into the afternoon over freshly grilled seafood. The day eventually wound down at Bayanan Beach, with clear waters, golden light, and the occasional monkey sighting in the trees, before we made our way back.
By then, the islands already felt like part of our growing archive of fond memories.
First, and many more to come
As we moved from one island to another, I thought about how fitting the trip was for the occasion. It wasn’t just a birthday celebration, but my dad finally crossing off a destination he had wanted to visit for years, surrounded by the same people who had been with him through decades.
At 50, he could have returned to a familiar favorite, but we instead found ourselves somewhere unfamiliar, unsure of what to expect.
In doing so, Puerto Galera proved that growing older doesn’t mean running out of firsts. There is still so much to see and so much life to feel when you choose the unfamiliar over the comfortable.
As summer comes to a close, I can’t think of a better gift for the person who first taught us to love the beach.
There is still so much to see and so much life to feel when you choose the unfamiliar over the comfortable
