Survivor Series: Caramoan Underwater Adventure

Caramoan is often compared to Coron (Palawan) in terms of the beauty of its beaches, islands and reefs. So when we went to Caramoan, we couldn’t help but compare which is really better of the two.

If you are in for underwater adventure, then Caramoan is better than Coron. Though if you want to see both corals and different kinds of fishes, I must say Coron is the place to be.

According to my hubby, he finds the corals in Caramoan more colorful and have the most number of varieties than in Coron. Although, we both agree that there are fewer fish wherever we go in Caramoan.

In Coron, just throw a small piece of bread and you will see fishes crowding the clear waters. In Caramoan, it seems that they (the fishes) are not interested in bread, or rice, or anything for that matter. They just swim, swim and swim.

In Coron, even if you do not go to the snorkeling sites and just swim near the shore, you will see a bunch of fishes. In Caramoan, you need to go to a snorkeling site (this one is near Bag-ing) to see small fishes. I haven’t seen a fish bigger than my palms here.

There’s a snake! Now I’m scared. We even saw a stingray again. 

Sea urchins? 

Survivor Series: Caramoan Island Hopping Day 2

On our second day in Caramoan, we left Villa Julianna Inn as early as 6:00 am so that we can catch the low tide at Manlawi Sandbar. 

Our first stop: Cotivas Island

Of all the islands we’ve been, this is the only island where we did not see a single wave. As in nada. It is so quiet here as we had the island all to ourselves again. The sand though is not as fine as Matukad’s or the most famous sand benchmark, Boracay. Cotivas is about an hour and a half boat ride from Bikal port.

During peak season, a caretaker will ask you to pay Php 50/pax. Since we were the only ones there, we had the island for free.

We just stayed for like 30 minutes in Cotivas because we really wanted to catch the low tide at Manlawi, our next destination.

En route to Manlawi, our boatman showed us these amazing stones. It looks as if it were a flat panel of stones stacked together. These are naturally flat stones and was not built nor assembled.

So now our next stop is probably the highlight of this trip – Manlawi Sandbar

You want sand? Here, your wish is granted!

Even from afar you will see the clear shallow water and the fine white sandbar. 

As in SANDBAR!!!

It’s the broadest sandbar I’ve been to in my life!

In the island, there were two ladies who sells shells for Php 5 and up. They are also the caretaker of the nipa huts in the island. Nipa huts can be rented at Php100. However, I was able to haggle it at Php50, provided that I will be some shells worth Php50. Not bad, eh?

Here is the nipa hut. Our boatman told us that during summer, the island is full of huts to accommodate the influx of tourists in the sandbar.

Would you believe that during high tide, water can go as high as the roof of this hut? In the afternoon, you can also stay here and have snacks while your feet are submerged in water. They also have a floating cottage that you can rent during high tide at Php300.

We stayed in Manlawi longer than planned because I was so mesmerized by the sandbar. I just wanted to sit, chill, relax and sniff fresh air.

To give you an idea how broad the sandbar is, here is a photo where you can see where our boat docked.

After lunch, we stayed for another hour and finally said goodbye to Manlawi.

On our way to our next destination, I saw a lighthouse! You know how important lighthouses are to me and hubby. =)

Our next destination: Bag-Ing and Sabitang Laya Islands

Our final destination is a V-shaped island is a combination of two beaches, Bag-Ing and Sabitang Laya. Our boat docked in Bag-Ing.

The water here is calm and clear, but the shoreline has big rocks along the shoreline.

Footprints in the sand?

Again, what we liked about Caramoan is that it is not crowded (as in we were the only ones in the entire 2-day trip) and the activities are not extraneous. You can just sunbathe, swim, snorkel and have the time of your lives.

From Bag-Ing, we walked towards the other side of the island, the famous Sabitang Laya.

This is so Survivor-ish! Cliffs, sand, water, fishes, crabs. So like Survivor! No wonder Caramoan is a famous shoot location for the international reality series.

Btw, this is our boat, San Antonio 2. You may inquire about the rates from Lola Ason Berunio, who owns the most number of boats in Caramoan. Her number is 09291614844. You may also reach Kuya Antique, Lola Ason’s grandson and our boatman, 09216175942. I highly recommend Kuya Antique and his younger brother Chad who is so kind, witty, accommodating and helpful. I remember Chad even carried all my stuff anywhere we go. And the good thing is, they will let you enjoy each island at your own pace. No need to hurry going from one island to another.

So there, that ended our Caramoan birthday bash. Adios Caramoan! Hope to be back again (I hope there’s an airport in Caramoan)

Survivor Series: Caramoan Island Hopping Day 1

 After lunch, we were brought to Bikal port, a small port about 20 minutes away from Centro. There awaits our boat, San Antonio 2, which is by the way part of a group of boats owned by Lola Ason. So if you happen to decide to do DIY, get a boat from them because their boats are mostly new and the boatman and his assistant is so accommodating. They even have a boat for big groups. 

Our first stop: Matukad Island. 

Matukad Island is said to be the best beach island in Caramoan as it has the finest white sand among others. 

We were the only ones in the island. It is very, quiet and breathtaking. I just wanted to lay down on the sand and watch the clouds above. Seriously, I submitted myself to serenity for a moment.

Although if you have been to Coron (my benchmark for “paradise” being the Malcapuya Island), you might find this island small. What I really like about Matukad is that it is very peaceful, unlike in Coron where you will batches  boats coming in and out of the islands.

Our next stop: Lahos Island

Lahos means “lagusan” or “passage” because it is believed that boats can pass through the middle of the rock formations of this island before white sand has piled up and formed a sandbar.

Look at the sandbar, it’s like a hill of sand in there. I cannot even see the other side of the island from where I stand.

Third Stop: Kagbanilad Island

This is my favorite island so far. the sandbar here might be short and small, but the waves here are calmer and the water is so clear! Plus, it is just across the luxury resort Hunongan Cove. We stayed here longer.

We saw a lot of crabs at Kagbanilad Island.

Here’s Hunongan Cove where celebrities usually stays. Even former PGMA stayed here for a vacation.

Then Kuya Antique, our boatman brought us here in a secret cave where the current is so strong that i did not even go to the end. But hubby did and took this photo for me.

We initially wanted to have a day tour of Gota Village Resort (day trip is Php300/pax), but when we saw the shoreline, we said it is not worth it. The sand is darker and it looks like, well, a village, not a resort. But it is where the cast of Survivor from all over the world stays. The rumor is that Survivor India did not push through this year while Survivor US will occupy the resort the whole year next year. I am crossing my fingers that the rumor remains just a rumor. So that Filipinos will be able to enjoy OUR treasures.

Our last stop is the Minalahos Island, the smallest shoreline for the day, yet the most mysterious. Why? Behind those rocks we saw another paradise.

Here it is. A lake comparable to Kayangan Lake in Coron. To be able to see this, you have to hike the sharp rocks. I hope there is a ladder there just like in Coron so that I can climb, too. =)

Survivor Series: Villa Juliana Inn, Centro, Caramoan

 Since we wanted a hassle-free trip this time, we booked a 3d2n package in Villa Juliana Inn, Caramoan, the cheapest I’ve seen so far. I have considered doing a DIY trip here, but the computation looks super close, so we opted to book the package.

Our 3d2n package costs P3,500 per pax (minimum of 2 pax) and includes roundtrip transfers from Guijalo port, roundtrip transfers from inn to Bikal port, 2 days island hopping, 6 meals and accommodation.

Our sundo, was promptly at the Guijalo port when we arrived. Do not expect an aircon van or car to fetch you from the port because in Caramoan, I swear I’ve only seen less than ten 4-wheeled vehicles during our 3-day stay, as the major means of transportation are pedicabs and motorcycles.

From Guijalo port, it took us about 20 minutes to the Centro, where Villa Juliana Inn is. You will pass by some zigzag roads, of which some are still undeveloped.

We arrived at the Villa Juliana Resort a little before 11:00 am. No one was at the reception area. So the pedicab driver called the owner, Kuya Roger. He then asked me if we wanted to go straight to island hopping or we want to hike towards Our Lady of Peace view deck. HIKE??? As in now? So you guessed it right, we chose island-hopping. Kuya Roger told us to eat lunch first then we will be brought to Bikal port, our jump off point to Caramoan Islands.

So while waiting for our food, we went inside our room for a quick wash-up. This is the lounge area outside our room.

And this is the dining area for guests. Very homey indeed.

Our colorful beds. The room has three beds actually, but what are we gonna do with three beds? We’re a couple right? LOL

 The bathroom is decent enough, though the water heater is not functioning. What’s with the water heaters in CamSur??? Remember, the water heater at the Golden Leaf Hotel in Naga isn’t working, too.

And here comes our lunch!

The serving is good for four, I guess. Two big chicken quarters, pork adobo, rice and pineapple. Yumyum!

Food is homey, too. We are so pleased with serving (obviously). =)

Survivor Series: En Route to Caramoan

After our food tour of Naga City, we set our alarm clocks at 4:00 am (and actually got up at 5:00 am) and checked out from Golden Leaf Hotel to catch the van going to Sabang port, the gateway to Caramoan, Camarines Sur. Fare is Php100/pax. 

When you are off to Caramoan, make sure to leave Naga City as early as 6:00 am for you to catch the public boat which is  scheduled at 6:00-11:00 am daily. The travel time from Naga to Sabang is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Once you missed the last trip in Sabang, you will be obliged to charter a boat that would cost you a fortune. You might just opt to stay overnight at a hotel beside the port. The downside is, you’ll miss a day in paradise, because there’s nothing much to do in Sabang.

This is one of the hotels I saw beside the port.

There is also another port in Nato, where Ro-Ro to Guijalo is. I am not familiar though with the schedule. If you are the type who gets dizzy with the waves, the best option would be to catch the Ro-Ro to Guijalo.

When we arrived in Sabang port, we were approached by red-uniformed guys who offered to carry our stuff and reserve a seat on the boat. We refused. When we reached the shore, the boat was like meters away from it. So,  how the hell are we going to ride that boat? Then I remembered what my friend Ayee of http://biyahengpandesal.blogspot.com/ told me years ago that when they went to Caramoan, they were literally carried by those guys to the boat. 

Well, seems like the porters have become more sophisticated already and they now have a floater to bring the passengers to the boat. You just need to pay Php 10/pax and do the ultimate balancing act of your life for you to board the boat alive.

I wonder why the local government of Sabang build something like a wharf here so that it won’t turn off guests? It will also help our beloved senior citizens to board the boat at peace.

I was told that the boat ride is approximately 2-3 hours, depending on the intensity of the waves of the sea. En route, I saw this island. I wonder if this is already part of Caramoan.

And I saw the majestic Mt. Mayon. (Dito ka lang pala sa akin magpapakita. Sa Legazpi nagtatago ka pa!)

The boat we boarded was full that time. Here’s another thing, the boats bound to Guijalo needs some improvements. I wonder if the local Coast Guard  approved the design and features of these boats. Why? First, the passengers’ only way to get into the boat is through its windows. And its windows are too narrow that an oversize person wouldn’t fit in. How about evacuating the boat in case of emergency? I guess the passengers will just grasp the last breathe of their lives trapped inside the boat. Second, while they have plenty of life vests onboard, these orangey buddies  are tied together. Imagine detangling these in case of emergency, huh? Lastly, I saw boatmen smoking cigarettes a foot away from its engine, which is by the way fueled by gasoline and is flammable.

We also saw a falls halfway our journey.

And some greenery! 

When we docked at Guijalo port, we saw the Ro-Ro (from Nato port) leaving the area.

I thought disembarking the boat won’t be much of hassle since the port here has a wharf. But I am wrong. Since it is low tide already, the boat cannot dock again. So we have to ride an uber small boat (the size of a kayak) to bring us closer to the wharf. And again, I felt I fainted for a second. This started our vacation ala Survivor in Caramoan.