Fancy some fresh oysters with the soothing ambiance of the beach? This place might be perfect for you. In my eyes, Talabahan sa Omas may one day be the oyster capital of Biliran.

But that’s just my wildest prediction. Fingers crossed, their oyster luck holds out until then!

I discovered this place post-pandemic, circa 2022, and the resort is already established with cottages. They’re still getting strong with those oysters as of this writing.

If you want to explore one of the unique hidden gems in Biliran, you gotta check this place out!

Key Takeaways

• Talabahan sa Omas offers fresh oysters straight from the sea, served within an hour of harvesting.
• Not only oysters but you can also grill, swim, and engage in karaoke entertainment.
• Talabahan sa Omas doesn’t break the bank with cottages ranging from Php150 to Php300 and no entrance or swimming fees.

Oysters, Upgrades, and Hidden Gems

Talabahan sa Omas is one of the most surprising beaches I’ve visited recently. We had quite the oysters straight from the sea and served them to our table in under an hour!

I’ve been here three times already, and there’s always something new going on. Every time I visit, it reveals this hidden gem’s new facets.

On my second visit, I was surprised to find a karaoke station installed, adding a touch of lively entertainment. Additionally, the cottages had received a noticeable upgrade, enabling the beach to accommodate more visitors.

As the beach’s reputation for its delectable fresh talaba spread, new concrete cottages emerged, further cementing its status as a must-visit destination.

How to get to Talabahan sa Omas

Talabahan sa Omas is also known as Francis Place Beach and Fresh Talaba. That’s their official name in Google Maps. However, it’s more famously known as “Talabahan” or “Talabahan sa Omas”.

Besides, Francis Place Beach and Fresh Talaba are mouthful tongue twisters, so let’s stick with the former.

Talaba is a Bisaya word for oyster, and Talabahan means a place where you can find many oysters.

Getting here is very simple, and it doesn’t matter whether you come from the northern or southern part of the province.

If you’re coming from Naval or Biliran (the town), follow these simple steps to make your journey smooth.

Landmarks

Start your journey from Naval or Biliran and head towards the main road. That would be the Eastern Nautical Highway on your map.

Look for landmarks like Biliran Province State University Biliran Campus (BIPSU Biliran Campus).

If you’re coming from Biliran, BIPSU Biliran Campus should be on your right, and the road to Talabahan is on your left.

It’s just the opposite if you’re coming from Naval. Here’s a map of the landmark and the road going to the beach.

I made my starting point in 7-11 Biliran to get an overview of the directions.

Use online maps

Utilize online maps or navigation apps like Waze to guide you along the route. Google Maps is particularly helpful in providing accurate directions to this place.

Alternatively, you can ask the locals, and they’ll lead you right to the beach. This is what we did the first time we came here.

Along the way, you can see a glimpse of Biliran Bridge. They can be stunning if viewed on a beautiful sunny day, so watch out for this.

Distance

Talabahan sa Omas is much farther from Naval at approximately 18 km. But if you are from the town of Biliran, it’s just 750 meters away!

I love 3 kilometers north of Naval so that puts us at around 21 km from my home.

Best mode of transportation

The best way to reach Talabahan sa Omas is by private vehicle or local transportation options.

The most versatile and fastest would be by motorcycle, but cars can be a great option, especially if you want to bring lots of food and barkadas.

If you come from other provinces outside Biliran, you can check our key routes on how to get to Biliran Island.

What to expect

Talabahan sa Omas is initially famous for its readily available oysters, where the fishermen dive into the beach and gather them in a bucket.

One bucket costs around Php300. A few years ago, it was around half that price, but its popularity made a spike, bringing it to Php 200, Php 250, and then Php 300.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they increased it again as of this writing due to demand.

Cottages

Aside from the talaba, Francis Place Beach offers eight cottages, each contributing to the tranquil atmosphere. 

Prices range from 150 to 300 Pesos, providing affordable options for a comfortable stay. The expensive ones are the new bigger cottages made out of concrete. The old wooden ones are more affordable.

Upgrades

During our visit, they worked on some upgrades to enhance the overall guest experience, and I think there are still many things that can be done to improve the place.

The place can be quite far from the nearest store so better bring everything you need. Otherwise, a canteen is nearby where you can also find the only freshwater faucet.

This part is also under improvement, and I hope the next time we visit this place, more faucets will be available.

The Beach

Let’s not forget about the beach. The water is clear and serene, with huge boulders you can walk over.

Kids usually enjoy swimming nearby while the adults stay in the cottages under the trees, providing shade and comfort while bringing their karaoke machine.

Oh, and did I mention it? The place has no electrical outlet, so charge up your phones and power banks before coming here.

Things to Do in Talabahan sa Omas

Ordering oysters

Experience the freshly harvested oysters, available in both fresh and steamed options.

Depending on the order quantity, waiting time for these delicacies normally takes an hour if cooked.

But you can be very sure that the freshness is guaranteed, and the anticipation is well-rewarded with the delightful taste.

Grilling your food

Aside from the fresh oysters, you can also bring some meat and fish and have them grilled here.

There’s a grilling area nearby, and as long as you bring your charcoal, you can use either of the two designated grilling stations for free.

You can also ask for the beach staff to do the grilling for a fee, but where’s the fun in that?

Swimming

Immerse yourself in the clear waters of Omas Beach.

Enjoy a refreshing swim or simply relax on the sandy shores under the trees, taking in the breathtaking coastal views of the shores.

There’s also a mini-pier where you can get an overview of the shoreline and a fresh view of the surroundings.

Karaoke

Cap off your day with some lively entertainment. Talabahan sa Omas offers karaoke facilities in the canteen for only 5 Pesos per song.

Other than that, you can bring your karaoke machine, and this is what we did.

We had all the songs we needed throughout the day with a speaker, a microphone, and our phone connected to the internet.

The Globe network is powerful in this area.

Expected budget

Not counting your provisions, the main expense in visiting Talabahan sa Omas is the cottage, which ranges between Php150 to Php300.

That’s it! Ordering fresh talaba is optional, so you can enjoy this place on a budget.

There is no entrance fee or swimming fee either!

That’s why even college barkadas hang out here: they can bring chips and other foods and only pay for the cottage to enjoy the place.