Camaya Coast is a popular beach holiday destination and the the name of a small town in the province of Bataan on the Philippine island of Luzon. It is located 7 kilometres from the Bataan Special Export Zone. In 2010, a major developer Earth and Shore Leisure Communities Corporation invested 350 million pesos to develop a resort area on the coast of Camaya.
The name of the coast comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "water , "water crashing on rocks" or "the sound of water crashing on rocks". And the Bataan Museum there's evidence that the word "kamaya" can also mean "the place where the mythical tikbalang flies" - centaurs.
In 1573, some 3,000 Chinese pirates landed on these shores, who then attempted to conquer Luzon but lost and had to retreat. to retreat. In 1858, the Spaniards Eduardo Perez and his stepson Francisco Bien bought 200 acres of coastline and named the area the Vain Estate. Bien later bought out his stepfather's share and turned the beach and surrounding land into a recreation area and stockfish production site. As the beach became a particularly popular spot, Bien tried to restrict access to holidaymakers. But the provincial government the provincial government stepped in, and in 1908, the coast of Kamai was turned into a public beach.
Throughout the 20th century, Kamaya Coast was a small workers' settlement. After World War II, American and Japanese veterans settled here, left behind in the Philippines. And in the 21st century, immigrants continue to come here from from Germany, Italy and France who make a business out of growing mango trees.
The kilometre-long beach of Kamaya Coast is hugely popular with tourists throughout the year. Its northern part is rated at 4 on a 10-point scale of of danger, while the southern part is rated 6 due to the strong back current off the shore. The southern is reserved for skimboarding, a type of surfing. During the migratory season, dolphins and turtles can be seen in the waters lapping the beach. In 1985, the beach was included in the Guinness Book of Records - the world's largest photo shoot took place here, in which 825 girls in bikinis took part. In 2008 Camaya Coast was listed as a National Treasure of the Philippines.
Every year, there are many events held on the beach - the Surfers Festival in August, the Pawikan Environmental Festival in January, the Aquathlon Competition in May, World Conservation Day in June, and the Sand Sculpture Festival in November. There are many cafes and restaurants along the shore, and the hotels offer rooms with marvellous sea views.
