1000’s of idyllic tropical islands make up the Philippines. Nonetheless, essentially the most well-known (Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan) are actually overrun with vacationers. Off the overwhelmed monitor, unspoilt, and above all, the Philippines’ final frontier, the Caramoan Islands are a secluded and largely unexplored space within the area of Bicol. In case you’re in search of pristine seashores, powdery-white sands, marine life and gorgeous rock formations, then this remote jewel on the sting of the Camarines Sur is your supreme tropical vacation spot.
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The place is Caramoan Island within the Philippines
The Caramoan Islands are situated on the North-Japanese portion of Camarines Sur within the Bicol area of the Philippines.
While the journey doesn’t look far on a map, it took us half a day to get to the Caramoan Islands from Manila, and the journey included a number of modes of transport.
Find out how to get to Caramoan Islands Philippines
Our day started at 2.30am, we headed to the airport and boarded an hour lengthy flight to Legazpi at 5am, then drove three hours to Sabang Port earlier than driving the waves on a speedboat for one more two hours.
We lastly arrived and have been welcomed by a spectacular view of Tugawe cove and a conventional Bicolano lunch.
Not for the faint hearted, the journey to the Caramoan Islands actually is laborious in comparison with journey round the remainder of the Philippines.
Nonetheless the inaccessibility ensures the islands white sand seashores and turquoise waters stay unknown to most.
For example, in the course of the two nights we spent within the Caramoan, we didn’t come throughout every other overseas vacationers.
For that reason coupled with the journey size, I recommend spending not less than three nights on this unspoilt area, to actually get the possibility to discover the Caramoan Philippines and all its secret seashores.
There are a number of methods to go to Caramoan from Manila:
Journey by land to the Caramoan Islands from Manila
Caramoan Island may be reached by bus or automobile from Manila.
The journey will from Manila will take between 8-12 hours to succeed in Naga Metropolis.
Then one other 1.5 hour drive to Sabang Port adopted by a 1.5-2 hour speedboat journey to Caramoan Bicol. Complete journey between 11-15.5 hours
Journey by aircraft to the Caramoan Islands from Manila
There are three other ways to get to Caramoan Island from Manila.
Beneath particulars the journey instances and particulars of the Caramoan location.
- QUICKEST: Fly 1 hour to Virac airport, then drive 1 hour to Codon Port adopted by a 30 minute speedboat journey. Complete journey time round 2.5 hours however with solely solely 4 flights every week, you should be versatile.
- Fly 1 hour to Legazpi, then drive 3 hours to Sabang Port adopted by a 1.5-2 hour speedboat journey. Complete journey between 5.5 – 6 hours
- Fly 1 hour to Naga airport, then drive 1.5 – 2 hours to Sabang Port adopted by a 1.5-2 hour speedboat journey. Complete journey between 4 – 5 hours
The place to Keep within the Caramoan Island Philippines
We spent two nights on the stunning Tugawe Cove Resort.
Positioned on the tip of Camarines Sur peninsula.
The resort has a non-public seashore, infinity swimming pool with sea views, rooms with WIFI, flat display TVs and DVD gamers, and a lake which runs via the property.
Furthermore, water sport tools equivalent to paddle boards, kayaks and snorkelling gear are included for free for visitors, and there’s a non-public seashore in entrance of the resort.
As well as if you wish to calm down then there’s a very fairly priced spa on the property, I had a 60 minute full physique therapeutic massage for under £6.
Importantly, there are solely 23 cabanas in all, situated beside the lake, on the hillside, and on the hilltop.
Because of this, the resort feels much more non-public because the visitors are unfold out over the property.
To facilitate transport round Tugawe, there are golf buggies out there to take you across the resort if you happen to don’t fancy strolling up the steep hills.
High Issues to do within the Caramoan Islands Philippines
1. Island Hopping Across the Caramoan Islands
The Caramoan Islands are a secret Filipino paradise, little visited by backpackers and vacationers.
With impossibly white seashores and clear waters, there are unimaginable alternatives for Caramoan Island hopping excursions.
Spending the day shifting from one serene spot to the subsequent, you’ll be blown away by the sweetness.
To not point out the truth that other than a number of native fishing households, the islands are abandoned.
It’s actually no surprise Caramoan’s remoteness attracted the makers of the favored actuality TV present Survivor, and why the producers hold coming again to movie additional sequence on the Caramoan seashore.
Our island hopping boat journey lasted the entire day and we have been supplied with a picnic, snorkelling tools and towels.
In in the future we might solely go to a handful of the Caramoan Islands, nonetheless if we had the chance to remain longer, we might have visited Matukad Island, Cagbalinad Island, Hunongan Cove, and Sabitang Laya, as they’re a number of the finest Caramoan seashores.
Picture credit score: Journey-Tramp.com
Picture credit score: Journey-Tramp.com
2. Expertise Sundown at Tugawe Cove’s Lighthouse
A mere 10 minutes from the reception of Tugawe Cove (5 minutes on a golf buggy adopted by a 5 minute uphill stroll) transports you to the unused lighthouse on the island.
There lies a fascinating spot overlooking the encompassing islands and villages.
The excellent place for a picnic and panoramic view from this secluded hilltop space and definitely a gem of the Caramoan Islands.
Picture credit score: Journey-Tramp.com
3. Sundowners by Tugawe Cove’s Infinity Pool
For these of you who’re like me and like a pool to the seashore, the view from the resort’s infinity pool was fairly exhausting to beat.
There’s nothing fairly like peering out over the tropical waves, counting what number of abandoned islands you possibly can see within the distance.
On the one hand, any time of day is nice for a swim.
Nonetheless, this Caramoan sundown spot was significantly stunning particularly with a tropical cocktail or contemporary coconut in hand. Bliss!
4. Put in your Water Footwear and discover the islands in Caramoan Philippines
The turquoise waters surrounding the Caramoan Islands are unimaginable.
Because of this, I’d positively advocate taking full benefit of the situation and hiring a kayak, get up paddle board, or snorkelling tools.
To get an actual Caramoan expertise, ensure you discover the hidden coves, because it’s unlikely you’ll come throughout anybody else in your expedition!
Additionally be aware that if you happen to keep at Tugawe Cove resort, watersport tools is included for free!
The place to Go to After the Islands in Caramoan Philippines
Caramoan is situated within the Camarines Sur area of Bicol within the Philippines.
The capital of Bicol is Legazpi Metropolis, and is one other nice vacationer vacation spot to go to in Albay and the journey from Legazpi to Caramoan island takes solely three hours.
Legazpi Metropolis is famed for being residence to Mount Mayon, the Philippines most energetic volcano.
Legazpi Metropolis is due to this fact the journey capital of the Philippines, and consists of zip lining and quad biking amongst the adrenaline fuelled actions it affords.
In case you are extra of a seashore bum and wish to persist with island hopping, possibly one of many stunning islands in Asia will take your fancy.
Have you ever heard of the hidden gem of Caramoan within the Philippines? Would you courageous the lengthy journey to get there? Let me know within the feedback under!
Additionally if you happen to love seashores try this final listing of the finest seashore quotes, assured to get you within the summer season temper!
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Disclaimer: I visited the islands of Caramoan courtesy of The Philippines Tourism board, however as at all times opinions are my very own.