Philippines, why are you so damn pretty? 📍Binurong Point, Baras
🇵🇭CATANDUANES ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈🛳🚌 How to get to Catanduanes:
⏺ Ride a bus from Metro Manila to Tabaco City, Albay (e.g. RSL Bus; travel time is 10-12 hours depending on traffic condition and number/duration of stop-overs).
⏺ Take the RORO ferry (travel time: 3 – 5 hours) or fastcraft (travel time: 1.5 – 2 hours) en route to Virac Port or San Andres Port in Catanduanes.
⏺ Alternatively, you can fly via Cebu Pacific to get to Virac.
🏄🏝🚴 Sites to Explore/Activities:
Binurong Point, Baras
Balacay Point, Baras
Puraran Beach, Baras
Gogon Point, Gigmoto
Nupa Tidal Pools, Gigmoto
Nahulugan Falls, Gigmoto
Soboc Cove, Viga
Sula Island Tidal Pool, Viga
Marilima Beach, Virac
Talisoy Beach, Virac
Batag Beach, Virac
Twin Rock Beach, Virac
Mamangal Beach, Virac
Igang Church Ruins, Virac
This trip was years in the making. I’ve been meaning to visit this province ever since I started my journey as an adventure artist. And after exploring it, I could really say that it was worth the wait. 📍Balacay Point, BarasI arrived at Manila International Airport two hours before my scheduled flight. Unfortunately, it was delayed for an hour or so (it’s not news anyway). 📍Binurong Point, BarasThe airport of Virac was currently under construction during my visit so it took us passengers forever before we were able to get our checked baggage. There was no organized system and the staff just laid out the bags outside the arrival area. My tour guide, who I contacted days prior to this trip was already waiting for me outside the airport. 📍Nupa Tidal Pool, GigmotoWe headed to Virac’s Jollibee and had our quick breakfast. Together with our motorcycle driver, we hurriedly drove to reach our first stop for Day One. 📍Binurong Point, BarasOriginally, I was planning to get to the tourist spots by commuting via jeepney or bus. Then my guide told me that I won’t be able to follow my itinerary if that’s what I wanted to do. After all, modes of transportation in Catanduanes are quite scarce. Usually, the schedule of vans to and from Virac, which is the capital of the province, is just twice a day. I had no choice but to hire a motorcycle. Besides, it’s the best way to help the locals as well. 📍Mamangal Beach, ViracI was lucky that I was able to get cheap roundtrip plane tickets for this trip. If my budget didn’t permit, I would opt for the longer route which meant riding a bus from Metro Manila to Tabaco City then taking the ferry to Catanduanes. But thank the gods I got my plane tickets on promo. 📍Balacay Point, BarasThe motorcycle ride for roughly about an hour may be quite uncomfortable but we were rewarded with picturesque and scenic views en route to the municipality of Baras. 📍Marilima Beach, ViracAs soon as we reached the jump-off, I was surprised to see quite a number of visitors at the registration area of Binurong Point. I was only expecting a few people but it turned out that this tourist spot of Catanduanes has now become famous.These rolling hills of Catanduanes known as Binurong Point became popular when this tourist attraction was featured by a local magazine TV program.For a seasoned hiker like me, the trek to get here was relatively easy.The sun was scorching hot but I was so thankful that Mum Nature gifted me the perfect sunny weather for my pictorial.After a few minutes of walking, I was welcomed by the vast Pacific. I didn’t mind the heat at that time. The hills really were alive even without music in the b-g.It seemed to me that most of the bystanders at the registration area had already gone to Binurong Point early that morning and they were just resting since I saw only a few tourists when I reached these rolling hills. The jump-off point was busy when we arrived considering there were stores selling refreshments to the visitors.The week before my trip here, I just got back from my backpacking adventure in Batanes. The land of Ivatans set my standards higher but I still enjoyed my visit in Catanduanes. I could never compare because I believe that every place is beautiful and amazing in its own right.Boy was I fortunate that Binurong Point was already discovered right before my Catanduanes adventure leg. At least I was able to include this awesome place in my itinerary.Some more tourists started arriving so my guide and I moved to the other side with no crowd to capture more pictures. This part somehow reminded me of the landscapes of Itbayat, Batanes.It was getting hotter so we capped off our pictorial before heading back to the jump-off.We came across this Instagrammable spot of tall grasses on our way to the registration area.My guide then introduced me to two backpackers who are also from Manila. They would be traveling with me and we would be sharing the cost of our guide fee for our three-day stay in Catanduanes.Next on our list was this beach known among surfing enthusiasts. We chilled at one of the cottages while waiting for our lunch to be cooked. 📍Puraran Beach, BarasSadly, there were no waves for surfing at Puraran during our visit. We just took photos and had our lunch before continuing our journey in this town.Together with my newfound friends, we drove towards this popular view deck in Baras, Balacay Point.I had to wait for my turn to get some solo shots here since there were other tourists taking their pictures as well.I like Binurong Point way better than this hilly terrain of Balacay Point but it still is beautiful in its own right.I had some more photos taken with these carabaos then we finally agreed to leave for our next stop. We passed by the house of our guide’s aunt in Gigmoto where we would be staying so we decided to leave our heavy backpacks first before driving to another viewing deck.Compared to the picturesque curves of Binurong, there’s not much to see atop Gogon Point except this plain grassland overlooking the ocean.We chilled out while having snacks by one of the wooden huts here at Gogon Point then shot some more pictures before concluding our day at the last destination in our itinerary.“Are we there yet?” I kept asking my guide. The roads leading to this attraction are rough and my bum was already getting numb. Good thing we didn’t need to trek to get closer to the waterfall. 📍Nahulugan Falls, GigmotoIt was so serene upon our arrival. The waterfall was surrounded by this lush vegetation. Our short stay was more than enough for me to enjoy the rustic atmosphere of this place.
⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY:
DAY 1
9:00 AM ETA Virac
9:30 AM ETD for Baras
11:00 AM ETA Binurong Point
12:30 PM ETA Puraran Beach / lunch
2:00 PM ETA Balacay Point
4:00 PM ETA Gogon Point, Gigmoto
6:00 PM ETA accommodation
DAY 2
6:00 AM Wake-up call
8:00 AM ETA Nupa Tidal Pools
11:00 AM ETD for Viga
1:00 PM Soboc Cove
2:00 PM Sula Island Tidal Pool
3:00 PM ETD for Gigmoto
4:30 PM ETA Nahulugan Falls
6:00 PM ETA accommodation
DAY 3
5:00 AM Wake-up call
6:00 AM ETD for Virac
8:30 AM ETA Virac / breakfast
9:00 AM ETD for Virac’s beaches
Talisoy Beach, Virac
Twin Rock Beach, Virac
Marilima Beach, Virac
Batag Beach, Virac
Mamangal Beach, Virac
Igang Church Ruins, Virac
5:00 PM ETA accommodation
DAY 4
6:00 AM Wake-up call
7:00 AM ETD for Manila
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 8,000 – Php 10,000
***Expenses may vary depending on the type of accommodation you will avail and personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the guide fees, tricycle/motorcycle transfer and tour rates and boat transfer rates.
We woke up early the next morning to prep for our itinerary that day. Hooray! It was time to swim! 📍Nupa Tidal Pool, GigmotoWe boarded our motorcycles and trekked for a few minutes from the main road to get here at Nupa Tidal Pool.We were lucky that the tide was low so we were able to witness this beauty surrounded by rock formations. And how could I forget this part of my trip in this province? I was stung by a sea urchin while swimming in this tidal pool. Good thing I drank lots of water before we left the house so I was already feeling the urge to pee at that moment. I didn’t know if urinating on it could actually alleviate the pain or it could just be a myth but it worked! The area where I got stung hurt but I didn’t let the pain ruin my mood and excitement.The town of Gigmoto was not yet included in the tourism map during my visit so I was not surprised to see only our group enjoying this place.After swimming for quite a while, we agreed to go to the other side of the beach to check out this part of Nupa Tidal Pool which is larger than the first one.I always pack my snorkeling gears when I go to the beach just in case. And voilà! The tidal pool may be too shallow at the moment and it may not be populated with lots of corals but I still enjoyed swimming nonetheless.Thank the gods my cheap action camera was still functional. At least I was able to get some decent underwater shots just like this one.Some locals who are friends with our guide arrived to swim with us. We captured some more pictures before walking back to the jump-off.We didn’t notice that it was almost lunch time when we returned to our homestay. We enjoyed our meal then left for the second half of our itinerary that day.We traveled for more than an hour to get to this beach which serves as the jump-off point to the tidal pool of Sula Island. Boy was my bum so numb aboard our motorcycle. 📍Soboc Cove, VigaMy bad, I didn’t get any photos at Sula Island. The tide was already high so the tidal pool didn’t look as promising as its photos online. The overcast weather also made the ambience quite boring but we still frolicked and swam before heading back to Gigmoto late in the afternoon. The scenic views along our route were also worth the long motorcycle ride.
📜✏ Tips/Reminders:
📌Please be reminded that Binurong Point has been closed to the public indefinitely by its private owners.
📌Allot at least three days if you plan on exploring Catanduanes. It is much better if you hire a motorcycle to tour you around the province. The schedule of van trips from Virac to the towns of Catanduanes usually is only twice a day.
📌Beaches in Virac are easy to explore since you can just hire a tricycle to get to the beaches.
📌Expect rain and rough sea condition during monsoon season (June-February).
📌Please take note that getting to the rolling hills of Catanduanes such as Binurong Point would require trekking. You would also need to hire a boat to get to some of the tidal pools.
📌You can join organized travel events online to save on time and cut on costs.
📌You may inquire with your guide for available accommodations in nearby towns such as Gigmoto.
📌If you’re planning to explore Catanduanes DIY-style, it is advisable to contact their tourism office and hire a guide who can arrange your tours. You can contact me so I could refer you to the tour guide who accompanied me during my visit in the province.
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
We spent two nights at the house of our tour guide’s aunt since there are no available lodges or hotels in the far-flung municipalities of Catanduanes. After all, this province is not yet a mainstream tourist destination frequented by lots of travelers that’s why most of the inns are only located in Virac. We got up early the next day and the passenger van which we booked the day before picked us up to take us to Virac. The van has a roof rack and together with other passengers, we saw an opportunity to sit at the top of the vehicle on our way to the capital of Catanduanes. The views along the way that morning as the rays of the rising sun slowly touched its surroundings made our road trip so memorable. Upon arrival, we then made our way to the lodge where we would be spending our last night. My guide already contacted our tricycle driver beforehand and he would be touring us around the beaches of Virac. This was the first one on our list, Talisoy Beach.Talisoy Beach was really not included in our itinerary of beaches to visit that day. Even my guide had not yet seen what this beach looks like. He just heard about it from some locals and friends. Thanks to some residents along the way who gave us directions and helped us find this pristine gem.According to the locals, the rock formation on the left part of this picture resembles the side view of Jesus Christ’s face.This is by far my most favorite beach in Catanduanes. The shoreline of Talisoy Beach may be short, but who was I to refuse taking a dip amidst the heat of our tropical sun? We found a spot under the shade of a huge rock wall and enjoyed swimming before continuing our inland tour.We reached our second beach for the day which is famous among travelers. It was a weekday so there was only a handful of tourists at that time. 📍Twin Rock Beach, ViracThe tide was already low that morning so we just took a walk along its shoreline.This may look like an off-the-radar spot but Twin Rock Beach Resort is actually the most developed resort I have seen in this province. We strolled to this part of rock formations to capture some cool shots just like this one.I didn’t miss this chance of jumping off their diving board before our group decided to head back to the town proper to have lunch.On our way to our next beach that afternoon, I saw the ruins of this church along the road in Virac and I quickly saw an opportunity to take photos of it. 📍Igang Church Ruins, ViracI asked our tricycle driver to pull over so I could take some pictures of this bell tower for a few minutes before we headed to the rest of the beaches we were supposed to visit in our itinerary.This next destination of ours is called Marilima Beach. It was in the middle of the day and the scorching sun was not that friendly so we just took a few pictures by this estuary.We took a breather under the shade of these trees before leaving Marilima Beach.We proceeded to our next beach, Batag Beach, popular for this natural arch which is great for pictorial.We were lucky that the tide was low so we were able to walk from the shore to get closer to this arch. The huge stone wall also sheltered us from the sun’s rays.We stayed for quite a while and enjoyed the view of the ocean amidst the refreshing tropical vibe.To be honest, spending three days in this province was not enough. I was only able to visit a few of their tourist attractions so if you have more days to spare, I suggest you allot 5-6 days in exploring Catanduanes.The sunlight was already directional when we parked by the road leading to this place known as Mamangal Beach.You could see Mayon Volcano from afar if you go to this beach. I was not able to get any pictures of it though since I could only see its pointy crest for it was covered in clouds that day.It was nearing sundown when we wrapped up our inland tour here at Mamangal Beach. I suddenly remembered that we didn’t have to pay for any entrance fees in almost all of the beaches we visited that day. Sweet! We headed back to our lodge to rest before agreeing to walk around town as soon as night fell.After my visit in Catanduanes, I have proven that cliffs and rolling hills facing the Pacific Ocean such as the ones found in Batanes, Aurora and Catanduanes really are worth visiting. They will always leave you speechless yet wanting for more.
***For other destinations in Bicol, you may visit this link.
I am booked going to Catanduanes on the 1st week of November. I would like to ask if you can refer to me your guide during your stay there. Hoping for your positive response.
You may contact my FB friends Kelly Barcelon or Kim Alejandro Aguilar. Ask them for the contact number of possible guides. Here’s the link to my FB https://bit.ly/2qd4dDT.
2 Comments
Rose Leyson
Hello Riley,
I am booked going to Catanduanes on the 1st week of November. I would like to ask if you can refer to me your guide during your stay there. Hoping for your positive response.
Thank you in advance.
Rose
Riley
Hello,
You may contact my FB friends Kelly Barcelon or Kim Alejandro Aguilar. Ask them for the contact number of possible guides. Here’s the link to my FB https://bit.ly/2qd4dDT.
Thank you!