Carabao Island, Romblon Travel Guide

Bugtong Bato Cave, Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines — What do the provinces of MIMAROPA region have in common? Huge waves. Whether it’s southwest monsoon or northeast monsoon or even during summer, the sea condition is usually rough. Thank the gods I hailed from one of these provinces. At least I no longer get dizzy since I’m already used to bumpy boat and ferry rides.
📍Bugtong Bato Cave

🇵🇭CARABAO ISLAND ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭

✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Carabao Island, Romblon:

⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Caticlan (e.g. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia).

⏺ Hail a tricycle to get to Tabon Baybay.

⏺ Ride the public boat bound for Port of Said (travel time: approximately one hour).

⏺ Hire a motorcycle for your tour.

🏄🏝🚴 Sites to Explore/Activities:

Said/Inobahan Beach

Kuding-Kuding Point/Cave

Cathedral Cave

Bugtong Bato Point/Cave

Maglahob Beach, Lanas

Angas Point/Cave

Tagaytay Point/View Deck

Said Beach, Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines — Visiting Carabao Island or locally known as Hambil was originally not part of the plan. We were supposed to see Boracay Island as a side trip to our Negros-Panay adventure leg but since Boracay was closed for rehabilitation, we had to alter our itinerary.
📍Said/Inobahan Beach

Kuding-Kuding Cave, Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines — My friend and I boarded the public boat bound for the island of Hambil that morning. It was the month of May but the weather in this part of the country was still being affected by the northeast monsoon. After a half hour of waiting inside the boat, it started to rain. I kept my fingers crossed for a good weather by the time we arrived in Carabao Island.
📍Kuding-Kuding Cave

Maglahob Beach, Lanas, Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines — After battling the ginormous waves en route to the island for about an hour, we finally arrived at the port of Said.
📍Maglahob Beach, Lanas

Kuding-Kuding Point, Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines — The captain of the boat would be our motorcycle driver and tour guide as well. He drove us to our accommodation so we could check in our stuff.
📍Kuding-Kuding Point

⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY:

DAY 1

8:00 AM ETD for Tabon Baybay

9:00 AM ETD for Port of Said

10:00 AM ETA Carabao Island

11:00 AM Check-in / early lunch

12:00 PM Start of tour

6:00 PM ETA lodge

DAY 2

5:00 AM Wake up call

6:00 AM Explore Said/Inobahan Beach

8:00 AM Check-out

9:00 AM ETD for Tabon Baybay

10:00 AM ETA Tabon Baybay

💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 2,000 – Php 2,500 (exclusive of airfare)

***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 motorcycle tour rates.

Cathedral Cave, Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines — Our second destination was Cathedral Cave. My friend and I were guided by a couple of young boys as we entered this cavern.

Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines — This is the cliff-diving spot outside Cathedral Cave perfect for adrenaline junkies.

Bugtong Bato Point, Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines — Beside Cathedral Cave is this spot where you can also take a dip.
📍Bugtong Bato Point

📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:

📌Carabao Island is also known as Hambil while the official name of the municipality is San Jose.

📌There are available accommodations in the island where you can spend the night.

📌The boat bound for Port of Said from Tabon Baybay leaves at 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM every day while the boat en route to Tabon Baybay from Port of Said leaves at 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

📌Get to the port an hour before the estimated time of departure to ensure your seat. The passenger boat sometimes gets full quickly.

📌Once you board the boat, confirm with the boat crew if you’re off to Port of Said since there are boats bound for Lanas and Tablas.

📌You may include the island of Panay in your itinerary when you visit Carabao Island.

📌Expect rain and rough sea condition during monsoon season (June-February).

📌Always observe the LNT principles.

☎️ Contact:

📌Motorcycle Driver/Tour Guide: Kuya JR (09081651866) – he is also captain of the boat that plies the Tabon Baybay-Hambil route in the morning. You can contact him in advance to have your seat reserved.