Caramoan, a group of islands in the north-eastern portion of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region is best known for being the filming location of several seasons of the hit reality show Survivor. The international TV show often chooses exotic locales with stunning scenery. With the clusters of islands lined with white sand beaches, deep gorges, limestone cliffs, coral reefs, diverse marine life, serene lagoons, subterranean river and caves, it’s easy to see why the production crew keeps choosing to film here.
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WHERE EXACTLY IS CARAMOAN:
Caramoan Peninsula is located in the lower eastern part of the province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. It is surrounded by the waters of the Maqueda Channel on the north and east and Lagonoy Gulf on the south. Though it’s part of Camarines Sur, geographically the town proper and islands are closer by sea travel from the island province of Catanduanes.
For the longest time, Caramoan was previously only accessible by sea travel because of rough roads. Those traveling with cars and motorcycles will be happy to know that as of 2018, the mainland town of Caramoan is accessible by land travel from Naga City, roughly 3-4 hours away through the newly constructed Fuentabella Highway. The province of Camarines Sur itself is an 8-12 hour drive from Manila through the provinces of Rizal, Quezon and Camarines Norte.
HOW TO GET TO CARAMOAN:
By private transportation from Naga City
- Head east on Panganiban Drive toward Sampaguita St.
- Take Gov. Jose T. Fuentabella National highway to Salogon Route in Tigaon
- Continue to San Jose
- Drive to Gov. Felix A. Fuentabella National Highway / Presentacion Caramoan Road
- You can park your vehicles near the port area or in your chosen resort in town and take a boat from Bikal Port for island-hopping tours
By public transportation
Option 1: Via Naga (Plane or bus from Manila to Naga + Bus from Naga to Caramoan)
- By air: Fly from Manila to Naga City. From the Naga City airport, take a taxi or van to the van terminal beside SM City Naga.
- By land: Ride a bus from Araneta-Cubao Bus Terminal or Pasay Bus Terminal to Naga City (Bus fare ranges from P650-1,000 depending on the bus company and class).
- You can book bus tickets online at Bicol Isarog Lines. https://bicolisarog.com/
- Travel time usually takes 8-10 hours. Buses depart every night at around 8:30 – 9:00 pm and arrive in the Bicol Central Station/Naga City Central Bus Terminal between 4:00 am to 6:00 am.
- From Bicol Central Station/Naga City Central Bus Terminal, take a Florencia, MRR or Raymond Bus to Caramoan. Buses depart at 6:30 am. Travel time is 4 hours. Estimated time of arrival in Caramoan is 10:30 am.
Option 2: Land and Sea: Bus from Manila + Van from Naga-Sabang Port + Boat from Sabang to Caramoan
- Ride a bus to Naga (same instructions as above)
- Go to the East Bound Terminal or Van Terminal located near St. Joseph School at the back of SM City Naga. Take an aircon van or Filcab to Sabang Port (Aircon Van fare is P150). Travel time is 1.5 – 2 hours. Vans depart at 6:00 am and estimated time of arrival in Sabang Port is 7:30-8:00 am.
- From Sabang Port, take the boat that goes to Caramoan Guijalo Port. Boat fare is P120. Travel time is roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes. The last trip of the ferry boat going inside and outside Caramoan is 11:00 am. It’s best to leave Naga City before 9:00 am to catch the boat.
- Special trips or chartered boat rides cost P2,500 to P3,000
| BY BOAT (Outrigger Pumpboat) | Travel Time | Fare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Sabang | Regular boat trip with 1 hour and 45 | 2 hours | Php120 |
| Port: | minutes boat rides daily from 7am to 12nn | ||
| From Guijalo Port | 1st Trip: 7:00 am Last Trip: 11:00 am | 2 hours | Php120 |
| Jeepney (Rental) one way | 30 mins | Php1,000 | |
| Tricycle | 35 mins | Php 600 | |
Option 3: Via Catanduanes (Plane or RoRo Bus to Virac + Boat ride to Caramoan)
Unknown to many, the fastest and most direct route to Caramoan is via Catanduanes. There are RoRo Buses going from Manila to Virac, but for those who don’t like long land travel and want to travel by air, this is the best option.
- You can fly directly from Manila to Virac, Catanduanes. Cebu Pacific has 4 flights a week leaving 6:55 am and arriving at 8:00 am. Travel time is 1 hour and 5 minutes.
- From the Virac airport, ride a tricycle to Codon port or van going to Pandan and get off at the Codon Port in San Andres. Travel time is about 1 hour.
- At the Codon port, charter a boat going to Caramoan. Travel time is 30 to 45 minutes depending on sea conditions.
- You can charter boats for island-hopping tours to Caramoan directly from Codon Port in Catanduanes. Boat rental ranges from P2,500 to P3,000 per day.
Option 4: Via Albay (Plane or Bus to Legazpi + Ferry to Catanduanes + Boat to Caramoan)
- Fly to Legazpi, Albay (there are more flights here than direct to Virac). Make your way to the Tabaco Port.
- Ride a ferry from to the Tabaco Port, Albay to San Andres, Catanduanes.
- Ride a tricycle to Codon port or van going to Pandan and get off at the Codon Port in San Andres. Travel time is about 1 hour.
- At the Codon port, charter a boat going to Caramoan. Travel time is 30 to 45 minutes depending on sea conditions.
- You can rent boats for island-hopping tours to Caramoan directly from Codon Port. Boat rental ranges from P2,500 to P3,000 per day.
GETTING AROUND:
Within the town proper, tricycles are the main mode of transportation. Fare costs P10.00 to nearby destinations. From the town proper of Caramoan, you will need to charter a boat from the Bikal Port at Brgy. Paniman to get around. From Bikal Port, island-hopping trips usually range P1,500 to P4,000 (good for 6 pax) per day depending on the number and distance of the islands you plan to visit. If you’re staying in Tugawe Cove Resort, they have hassle-free island-hopping packages and boats you can rent from there as well.
WHERE TO GO IN CARAMOAN:
The best thing to do in Caramoan is to go island-hopping and visit all the beaches and islands scattered on the coast. Below are just some of the spots that I’ve been able to visit on three separate trips (2012, 2016 and 2018). Some spots may not be visited if the show Survivor is being filmed, or due to varying weather conditions or tide levels. Choose which islands you want to visit to maximize your time.
Matukad Island: A small island with fine white sand and prominent limestone cliffs. The area has three beaches and a lagoon. Because of its proximity to Paniman, this is one of the more popular islands in Caramoan.
Matukad Lagoon: One of the main attractions here is Matukad Lagoon, a small lake known for being the home to “giant milkfish” or bangus swimming around the water, which locals say appeared magically in the lagoon. Getting a view of the lagoon involves a bit of cliff scrambling.
Lahos Island: A stretch of fine white sand shore facing opposite sides sandwiched between two identical rock formations. During high-tide, the beach disappears and it can only be seen again during low tide. This is where the island gets its name, as “Lahos” means to vanish.
Pitogo Island: Pitogo Island has an approximately 6-7 hectares of total land area. One side of the island is hidden in a serene almost enclosed cove where the water is so still. The water is shallow, which makes this a great spot for kids. Really beautiful and peaceful spot.
Other islands & notable spots:
- Tinago Island and Cove
- Sabitang Laya
- Tayak Lake
- Manlawi Sandbar
- Cotivas Island
- Bugtong Beach
- Guinahoan Island
- Kagbalinad Island
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES (From Tugawe Cove Resort):
HALF-DAY: Visit Katanhawan Island, Pitogo Bay, Tinago Cove and Tayak Lake (10:00 am to 2:00 pm)
WHOLE DAY: Visit Katanhawan Island, Pitogo Bay, Tinago Cove, Tayak Lake, Matukad Island and Lahos Island (8:00 am to 3:00 pm)
LONG TRIP: Visit the islands of Sabitang Laya, Cotivas and Manlawi Sandbar (8:00 am to 3:00 pm)
WHAT TO DO IN CARAMOAN:
- Island-hopping
- Swimming/snorkeling
- Stand-Up Paddleboard
- Camping (bring your own tent and equipment)
- Caving/Spelunking at nearby caves
- Kayaking
- Cliff-jumping
- Trekking/Hiking
- Climb 500 steps in Caglago Mountain up to a gigantic statue of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Mother of Peace
- Visit the St. Michael the Archangel Parish, a brick church established by Franciscan missionaries in 1619 located in the town center of Caramoan
WHERE TO STAY IN CARAMOAN:
Tugawe Cove Resort is a beautiful luxury resort hidden in a cove in Caramoan. With its family-friendly facilities, hotel amenities and well-appointed villas, this is a good choice for families, honeymooners, balikbayans and expats who don’t mind spending a little bit more for comforts. Website: www.tugawecoveresort.com
Gota Village Beach Resort is an exclusive beachfront resort where most of the Survivor crew stayed while filming the reality show. This resort is located 30 minutes away by boat from Guijalo port. All rooms are air-conditioned and come equipped with a Queen sized bed, private toilet and hot and cold shower, and the medium and large wood cabins have their own mini ref, receiving room and dining area.
- Small Wood Cabin – P3,750.00/night (good for 2 pax)
- Medium Wood Cabin- P4,250.00/night (good for 2-3 pax)
- Large Wood Cabin – P4,750.00/night (good for 2-3 pax)
Honungan Cove is the most upscale place to stay in Caramoan. They have exclusive villas for guests and tourists only and secured premises. All rooms are air-conditioned, come with Queen Sized beds, private toilet and hot and cold shower and have their own mini ref, receiving room and dining area.
- Duplex – P7,500.00/night (good for 2 pax)
- Mountain Side – P9,250.00/night (good for 2-3 pax)
- Beach Front – P11,250.00/night (good for 2-3 pax)
- Deluxe Cove – P12,250.00/night (good for 2-3 pax)
- Presidential Suite – P18,000.00/night (2 Fully Air-condition rooms, good for 4 – 6 pax), 2 Private toilets, bathroom with hot and cold shower, Kitchen and dining area, large living room
For backpackers and those on a budget, the best option is to stay near the poblacion of Caramoan and just go on a day trip. There are lots of budget-friendly inns and other accommodations in the town proper of Caramoan including Sights & Sand Tourist Inn. Contact 09216054499 / 09772779550. They also offer island-hopping tours from here.
You can also opt to stay somewhere in Catanduanes and go island-hopping around Caramoan as a day trip.
TRAVEL TIPS & USEFUL INFO:
- According to locals, the Survivor franchise has rented some of the islands for 25 years, starting 2008. If filming is ongoing, some islands may be inaccessible up to 2033.
- Some spots can only be visited during the proper weather conditions and tide level. If you want to maximize your trip and visit as many spots as possible, start early and opt for a whole-day tour.
- The best time to go to Caramoan is during the dry season (December to May).
- Expect rough waves and sudden rainshowers when traveling during the months of Habagat (September, October November).
- Check the weather forecast before you plan your trip, as island-hopping trips can be cancelled because of bad weather. The wind and waters can get pretty rough. Do not travel here if there’s a typhoon coming.
- Help keep the place clean, by bringing all your trash. Do not litter on the islands.
- Be prepared to get wet on the boat getting to and from Caramoan and during island-hopping. Waterproof all your belongings. Be sure to bring a dry bag for gadgets.
TOUR OPERATORS:
From Naga City, Camarines Sur
- For unique and hassle-free guided excursions to Caramoan and other areas of the Bicol Region coming from Naga City, contact Kaddlaggan Outdoor Adventure. Contact: Kaddlagan or Villareal Jojo – Tour Adventure Coordinator at 09198006299 or email at kadlagan@yahoo.com. Their tour package includes island-hopping to 13 islands, caving, hiking, camping, etc.
- Naga Excursions also offers a 3-day Caramoan tour package. For inquiries, call (054) 4734432 or email: info@nagax.com. Website: www.nagax.com
From Virac, Catanduanes
- Island Escape Travel & Tours is a Virac-based DOT accredited travel agency that offers package tours around Catanduanes including island-hopping to Caramoan. Facebook: Island Escape Travel & Tours. Email:
islandescape_traveltours@yahoo.com.ph Contact: 0949-4622641
- Katandungan Travel & Tours is another Virac-based tour operator who can assist adventure seekers and nature lovers who want to experience the perfect Catanduanes & Caramoan Island Vacation getaway. Facebook: Katandungan Travel & Tours. Email: tours.katandungan@yahoo.com. Contact: 0995-8832865
NOTE: This travel guide was compiled from 3 separate trips to Caramoan in 2012, December 2016 and May 2018.