Over the vast stretch of black sand, the mist on certain mornings cascades down the mountains overlooking the sea. The wind has twisted the surrounding trees — such is the superb and strange setting of Pannzian Beach and Mountain Resort. The resort is located along the little coastal road from Pagudpud to Claveria, between the beach and the forested mountain.

The resort is composed of a main building and several cottages, set on a vast slightly sloping terrain facing the sea. A little one-story house is near the coastal road. Though it does not have a view of the sea, it is bright and pleasant. This house may be rented in its entirety or by rooms only.

It has a covered terrace, a drawing room with a bow-window, a kitchen and several rooms. The five-rooms are comfortably air-conditioned and three of them have their own bathroom. If you are with a large group, supplementary mattresses are also provided.

Below the house are two comfortable — but not very appealing — store bungalows. There is also a large open building which houses the restaurant. Further down below, an older bungalow made of old wood as a nice terrace. It has a pleasant view of the sea across the fields. Unfortunately, during the summer, a campsite set up on the field, obstruct this view.

Access to the wide, black sand beach is not very convenient. Strong winds battering the shore discourage swimming, but you can walk along the shore or hike (with a guide) through the mountain trail just behind the resort.

How To Get There

By air and land, 55 minute flight on PAL (4 weekly flights) from Manila to Laoag. 1.5 hours by car from Laoag to Pannzian (75km).

By land, (11 hours) 548 km from Manila, Take North Expressway at Balintawak and get off at Dau exit. Take North Diversion Road to MacArthur Highway. Heading for the coastal road, you will pass by Angeles City, Tarlac, Urdaneta, Pozzorubio and Rosario. One of the coastal road proceed further north going through San Fernando (La Union), Vigan (Ilocos Sur) and Laoag (Ilocos Norte) until you reach Pagudpud. Pannzian is 15 km away from Pagudpud, along the road going to Claveria.

More photos here