GREAT STA. CRUZ ISLAND
Pink Sand Beach

If Aklan in Visayas has white sand beach, Zamboanga City in Mindanao has this striking, unique pink sand island beach- the Great Sta. Cruz Island. Sta. Cruz Island is dubbed as ''Pink Sand Beach'' and is one of the best beach destination not just in Mindanao but in the whole Philippines. 

Tubipora Musica renders the pinkish sand effect of the island

The unique pinkish sand was due to pulverized rare red organ-pipe coral (tubipora musica) mixed with white sand. Take note of this, the fusion of the red organ-pipe coral with the white sand took million years to take effect the pinkish sand to emerge. Diverse marine life and magnificent water visibility [depending on weather] are ideal to do snorkeling and scuba diving along the island. The island is also surrounded by plenty of majestic coral reefs, something the scuba divers can look forward to. These are the primary activities that can be done in the island except for the usual bathing.The island's interior is covered with lushy green grass and vegetation, with some flowering trees, providing a welcome shade from the near equatorial sunshine. The island is also rich in marine plants such as mangroves, in addition, the island has also islets which the locals called Little Sta. Cruz islands and also have similar features of the main island.

Rica, my cousin along the island's shore

Honestly, I've never been in the island before. Quite humiliating but true. The island can be seen visibly even when you're on R.T. Lim boulevard or in port area of Zamboanga. The island also had a mangrove laden lagoon that serves as the habitat of marine/aquatic animals. Such beauty and uniqueness is inevitable for curious tourists to have a visit.

Getting to the Island is just 5 to 8 minutes away from the city. Boats are the only means of transportation going to the island. The boats are mainly based in Lantaka Hotel and is the jumping-off station. Sadly, the island's true beauty has been taken from it due to recent illegal coral reef mining which cause massive destruction.  All that's left are the dead skeletons of what once were glorious shells and coral reefs. No matter, the beach and water is still a thing of beauty, and well worth your endeavor.  Thankfully, the thieves of nature cannot cause the same damage to nearby Little Santa Cruz Island because it is a guarded military installation, and the coral reef there is still healthy, and a possible source for restoration of the big island. The island is a protected sanctuary but illegal activities can't be avoided since the island can't be guarded 27/7.