Caramoan Island Hopping: The Long Trip

Our second day in Caramoan was intended for another island hopping adventure to more distant islands, which is why it is called the long trip. If you read what happened on our first day, we did the short trip which took us only a half day to explore the islands closer from Paniman. The experience that we had on our first day was more than enough to say that the 12-hour road and boat trips to Caramoan were all worth it. Caramoan Peninsula is, indeed, paradise.

Beautiful countryside view along the road

We started our second day by having a breakfast at Lutong Bahay which is a 5-minute walk from Rex Tourist Inn. Our island hopping tour will take the whole day so we made sure to bring our food for lunch. And since we didn't avail of any tour package, we had to secure our own food. We requested from Lutong Bahay to prepare our packed lunch. We had fried chicken, sunny-side up egg and rice for P75 for lunch.

We rented the same tricycle that we used on the first day to take us to Paniman Beach and left Centro at around 7:30AM. On the way to Paniman, we couldn't help but noticed how peaceful and clean Caramoan is. We passed by the road that offers scenic countryside views -- coconut trees, farm animals, rice fields and lush green mountains -- showing Caramoan's natural beauty and simple living.

Clean and green Caramoan

Halfway through the trip, our driver stopped by at one of the newest branches of Rex Tourist Inn. By the way, the tricycle that we rented was under Rex Tourist Inn. He wanted to show us their newly built resort located in Brgy. Tawog, Caramoan. This new extension, specifically called as Caramoan Garden, is completely different as opposed to their main accommodation at Centro in terms of location, ambiance and facilities.

It is a gated property and basically has more amenities. We noticed a few of their exterior designs and decorations was inspired from Survivor. The restaurant is located beside the river and they have a floating restaurant on the river as well. This place is definitely more relaxing and offers "close to nature" experience with all the green scenery, beautiful garden and lots of birds.

Rex Tourist Inn (Caramoan Garden)

We didn't actually know that Rex Tourist Inn has five branches in Caramoan. The aircon room for two in Caramoan Garden branch costs P1,500 per night which is more expensive than their nightly rate (P600) at Centro. If you don't have any budget constraints, however, I highly recommend that you stay here.

After a short visit at the resort, we proceeded to Paniman Beach where Kuya Ramil, our tour guide, was waiting for us. Take note that travel time from Centro to Paniman is about 30-40 minutes. If you plan to visit 9-10 islands in a day (by combining the short and long trips), make sure to leave from Centro very early.

Paniman beach in the morning

At this point, we were more excited than the previous day! The weather was beautiful and perfect for today's island hopping adventure. Also, we were lucky that no filming of Survivor was taking place so we're free to visit most of the islands.

1. Umang Cave

Just like on our first day, we had no idea what particular islands to visit, except that we will be visiting five islands. As soon as we got on the boat and left Paniman, Kuya Ramil informed us of our first destination, Umang Cave.

According to him, Umang Cave is not part of the standard itinerary for island hopping. Since we're carrying a DSLR camera, he thought we're that kind of "photographers" who might be interested to see the cave. The cave was actually used as the location for Survivor tribal council. Umang Cave is located in a secluded part and can be accessed by passing through a river. One would still need to trek and climb the wooden stairs that lead to the mouth of the cave.

The river that leads to Umang Cave

Makeshift stairs: (left) view from above and (right) view from below

Inside Umang Cave

The cave interior

2. Sabitang Laya

Our second destination was Sabitang Laya. It is one of the popular islands in Caramoan Peninsula that got rave reviews due to its long stretch of powdery white-sand beach.

One of the best features of the island are its interesting limestone rock formations. Also, I later learned that Sabitang Laya has twin beaches. The whole island is shaped like a triangle - one side is occupied by Sabitang Laya beach and the other side is called Bag-ing beach (which was our fifth destination). We spent most of the time swimming on the other beach after getting warned about the presence of stinging jelly fish on Sabitang Laya side. Nevertheless the beach is truly superb and the island is a great spot for camping if you're planning for an overnight adventure.

The crystal clear water makes these corals in shallow area visible from the surface

Impressive rock formations in Sabitang Laya

Sabitang Laya beach where our boat docked

Huge and amazing rock formations

3. Cotivas Island

Our third stop, Cotivas Island, was about 30 minutes away from Sabitang Laya. It is situated between Guinahuan Island and Lahuy Island, the biggest of the Caramoan Group of Islands.

There is a small, unmaintained hut where you can take your lunch or chill out. Cotivas Island is somehow elongated in shape and has two beaches occupying each side. The end where boats usually dock and where the two beaches meet has a good sandbar. On the other hand, the opposite tip of the island got some rocky terrain. Cotivas is a charming island with very clear water and fine sand that is perfect for beach bumming and a leisurely swim.

The only hut found in Cotivas Island

The beach on the other side

Powdery white sand and clean water of Cotivas Island

4. Manlawi Sandbar

Manlawi sandbar, our fourth destination, was probably the biggest sandbar I've ever seen. This is one of my favorite spots because of the powdery white sand where you can frolic under the sun all day long. The sandbar is only visible at certain time of the day, that is, during low tide.

From the moment we arrived, we waited for almost an hour before the sand surfaced. While waiting for low tide, we took our lunch. There are cottages in the middle of the sandbar that you can rent for P200. Kuya Ramil told us to haggle it for P100 but eventually we have decided to just take our lunch on the boat.

The sand where the cottage stands is starting to appear

Very shallow water due to low tide

Pushy shell vendors will approach you the moment you arrived in Manlawi Sandbar

Footprints created by other tourists

5. Bag-ing Beach

Our fifth and final stop for the day was my most favorite. Crystal clear water and unspoiled beach with sugar-like powdery sand greeted us at Bag-ing beach. Even though there was a group of tourist on the beach before we arrived, it felt like we owned the island. Upon seeing Bag-ing beach, I immediately visualized Boracay without the resorts and rowdy tourists. It's probably one of the best beaches I've ever been!

It was only when I got home that I found out that Bag-ing is the beach opposite of Sabitang Laya in the same island that we visited earlier. It's just that we docked at the other end of Bag-ing beach. :-)

Long stretch of white-sand beach of Bag-ing

You can take shade under the trees

Two of the many star fish we saw on Bag-ing beach

Our second day of island hopping ended with pure joy and amazement. We never thought we would visit Caramoan soon right after our El Nido trip and be amazed by this hidden paradise in Camarines Sur. The combination of its charm, pristine beauty and seclusion is unmatched in its own way. No wonder Survivor keeps coming back to this piece of paradise in Bicol.

Read more about my Caramoan series:

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40 comments:

chyng said...

i think i should really revisit caramoan. bagets pa ko when i 1st went there. konti lang napuntahan ko due to survivor france shooting.

kurapengpeng said...

Sakto at August punta namin. Sabi nung tga Rex Inn, tapos na daw yung survivor USA by that time. hihihi! Salamat dito gabz. May idea na ko kung anong makikita ko. thanks!

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

This year until August naman ang shooting ng Survivor USA at maraming close na mga island. Kaya dapat saktohin na walang shooting para hindi sayang ang pagpunta. :-)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Haha oonga until August close yung ibang islands. Buti na lang timing yung plan ng pagpunta mo. :)

Mustachio said...

A place that's been waiting to be crossed of my list for 4 years already :( I really have to get my butt up there... Thanks for sharing. Awesome Caramoan.

Budget_Biyahera said...

Grabe! Great photography. =) And you have indeed confirmed my question (as I just recently read Pala-lagaw's Caramoan post) na malayo talaga ang kailangan lakbayin pag Caramoan bound na. Truly a hidden gem! Sana ma-cross out ko din yan sa listahan ko. =)

Swexie said...

I love your photos! They are very inviting! Saan bah yang Caramoan?? Hehehe!

Frankie Calcana said...

i love the photos. sobrang na-capture niya yung beauty ng island. i am praying na ma-visit ko din itong place na ito soon.

Francis Balgos said...

Paniman is very picturesque!
Just wonder why its not white sand beach when all the other island's and beaches here got white sand

ian l www.brownmantrips.com said...

kasalanan mo ito nahirapan akong basahin ang blog mo.... ang GAGANDA KASE NG PICTURE MO! hehehe... galing pantay lahat ng kulay!

Pinoy Adventurista said...

nakita nga namin yung location ng current survivor series na shinu-shoot nila... secured, di kami nakalapit, mabilis yung mga bantay, tinaboy kagad nila kami nung makitang papalapit kami sa island... :)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Thanks! You were able to visit CWC. Actually mga 3-4 hours na lang sya from Naga City. :)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Salamat! :) Sa Camarines Sur. :)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Thanks! Hope you can visit Caramoan soon! :)

Budget_Biyahera said...

Huhu! Ang tagal pa din ng trip.. parang noong pumunta lang ako ng Camiguin, 1 oras na lipad sa plane, roadtrip ng 2 hrs pa-pier, 1 hr na barko, 30 minutes na road trip ulit.. pero ito mas matagal. Sakit sa katawan cguro ng travel noh? I guess all worth it naman na kapag nakita na ang Caramoan. Dbale, mapupuntahan ko rin yan. =)

RC Gweniful said...

the place is so lovely and the water is so clear. i hope this stays. baka another boracay uli yan at mawala na ang ganda

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

I have the same observation :)

Jhengpot said...

All I can say is WOW!...breathtaking views!

Suyen said...

Wonderful photos! I especially want to see Umang Cave, Sabitang Laya & Bag-ing Beach in person :) Thanks for such an informative & entertaining post!

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Strikto nga daw ang Survivor. :(

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

I hope it stays this way as well. Thanks! :)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Wow indeed! I had the same reaction when I went there. :)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Thanks! :) Caramoan is a must-visit! :)

dasler said...

between gota beach and paniman beach is the outlet of Manapot river(caramoan river). everytime it floods, the river silt drains out to the sea of paniman area, hence the color of the beach.

dasler said...

there are a lot of caves in caramoan. another popular cave is the culapnit cave at barangay tabgon, close to the Our Lady of peace statue. http://residenciasalvacion.multiply.com/photos/album/7/Places_to_Visit#photo=15

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

So that explains it. Thanks for the info! :)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Yes, I've seen this cave in photos from others but we weren't able to go there during our visit. Will check it out when we return. :)

Riz said...

i adore the photos! bakit nung pumunta ako nun panget ng kuha q haha.. Bag-ing Beach is super nice!!! nde ko napuntahan yan. :(

killerfiller said...

Parang gusto ko bumalik ng Caramoan..di ko masyado na-enjoy ang first time ko dahil sa andami shooting ng Survivor.

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Haha! Thanks! :) Bag-ing beach is very nice! :)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

When did you go? The best time to go there this year is after August na which ends the filming of two US Survivor episodes.

ian | going places said...

Ang ganda talaga ng Caramoan Islands... sana makapunta ako dyan kahit hindi summertime. Beautiful pictures, nabusog ang mata ko craving for a summer vacation...

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Actually, our trip was in the month of August but luckily we were blessed with very good weather. :)

ayesha isaguirre said...

Ang ganda!

Saizen Hiroyuki said...

wow thanks po sa info about sa end ng shoot ng survivor US kinakabahan pa naman kami baka pagpunta namin dun sa october eh di namin mapuntahan ung ibang islands dahil sa survivor.. kaya thanks ulit at ngayon alam ko na na by that time wala na survivor US dun ^_^ this is really a big help.. thanks din sa blog dami ko nakuha info DIY lang din kami.. mas mahal pag may package at mas may trill pag DIY ^_^

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Glad to be of help. :) Yes, I agree about doing DIY. You can contact Kuya Ramil if you need a boat for your island hopping activities. :) Enjoy! I'm pretty sure by October free na yung islands for visitors. :)

g300 adventures said...

Ito po bang ilog sa Umang cave, connected doon sa ilog/tulay bago dumating ng paniman beach? My plan before was to paddle from that bridge papunta ng dagat. Kaya lang gabi na ako dumating kaya dumeretso na lang ako ng Paniman beach. Thanks for sharing....

jek said...

Hi, I am a tour coordinator and a native of Caramoan. I arrange all kinds of tours and give you the rate from the most expensive to the most conservative. I also send guest to travel agencies and tour operators that you may want to work for your needed tour. If you are interested, you may contact me @ 09106534561 / 09155870668 or email me at jraberiso@yahoo.com. My American husband who traveled around the world and with his worldly experience wants the best tour and I’ll give it to you.

diannerized said...

Hi. Ilang hours po kayo nagisland hopping for long tour? Kaya po kaya for 1 whole day and short and long tour island hopping? Thank you! Planning a DIY tour for November :)

Pinoy Travel Freak said...

Hi, yes you can do both tours in one day provided you start very early. :)

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