Here are some of the beautiful spots in Catanduanes
CATANDUANES TOURIST SPOTS
Puraran Beach: Located on the eastern coast of the island, Puraran contains the famous “Majestics,” a surfing spot facing the Pacific Ocean that put Catanduanes on the international map. Depending on the season, you can experience impressive but deadly waves here. This surf spot is best only for experienced surfers because of the reef breaks. Non-surfers can just enjoy swimming at the beach lined with creamy golden sand, clear waves and coral reefs.
Binurong Point: One of the relatively new scenic spots which has garnered a lot of attention recently on social media is Binurong Point, reachable by a hike from a rocky beach in Baras. Binurong Point has four unique vantage points that offer sweeping views of the coast and seas. It’s often compared to Batanes in terms of the beautiful vistas, but the place has its own unique charm.
If you have a limited time in Catanduanes and aren’t planning on surfing, this is definitely the most scenic site you can visit. Plan your visit early in the morning (leave Virac as early as 4:00 am) as it can get scorching hot here by mid-day, as we found out.
Balacay Point: Another popular tourist spot for sightseeing which offers a view of the Pacific horizon with Balacay Island on the left and Puraran Beach on the right. The spot is now accessible by a concrete road going to the top of the hill reachable by cars and motorcycles. Compared to Binurong point, Balacay point has a higher vantage point, but is smaller in terms of size.
Hitoma Lake: Hitoma Lake is a rustic spot in Caramoran, a town in the northern part of the island province of Catanduanes, about 87 km from the capital town of Virac. The lake offers a peaceful spot where you can enjoy meals prepared by the community aboard bamboo rafts and cottages. Agriculture (growing rice and coconuts) and fishing are the main sources of livelihood in town and this is one of the newer offerings.
Cagnipa Rolling Hills: Another stunningly beautiful spot in Pandan with landscapes reminiscent of Batanes, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the skies and the sea, islands and coves.
Tuwad-Tuwadan Lagoon: Accessible from Cagnipa Hills by a concrete stairway, Tuwad-Tuwadan Lagoon offers a natural deep and clear pool enclosed by cliffs where visitors can take a dip.
Palumbanes Islands: Situated off the coast in the town of Caramoran, the Palumbanes group of islands is made up of of 3 islands, namely Parongpong (Palumbanes) Island, Tignob Island and Calabagio Island.
Island-hopping trips will bring you to various beaches, hills and pristine spots teeming with beautiful corals and fish. Some spots are being eyed as potential diving destinations. Palumbanes can be reached by a 30 minute to 1 hour boat ride from the sea port of Caramoran town.
Carorian: Carorian is a small village in the town of Bato where you can visit various spots fringed by rock formations and amazing marine life, a waterfall streaming from teh side of the cliff and more. One of the highlights here is Poseidon Rock, an area with unique rock formations, crystal-clear lagoons and snorkeling sites nearby.
Bato Church: The St. John the Baptist Church also known as the “Bato Church” is the oldest church in the province. This picturesque church is located right beside the highway parallel to the extensive Bato River. Built with mortar and coral limestones, the church has stood the test of time and weathered frequent violent typhoons, earthquakes and other natural calamities.
Twin Rock Beach Resort located just south of Virac is one of the best known and developed resorts in the island. Situated in a cove, the resort is called because of its twin rock formations where you can get up close during low tide. The place is ideal for kayaking because of tranquil and shallow waters, and has facilities for wall-climbing, ATVs and a short zipline over the water.
Ilihan Point: One of the most popular landmarks in the province is a phallic shaped landmass located at Bagamanoc Bay called “Boto ni Kurakog” (which literally translates to Kurakog’s Penis). The landmark is a column of earth and loose rock that rises five meters above the sea and resembles the male sex organ with a healthy shrub growing on top of it. Local superstitions abound that those who want to have children pay a visit to the rock.
Waterfalls: Catanduanes has several notable waterfalls that you can visit, including Marinawa Falls, a set of cascading cataracts about 7km north of Virac. It is possible to swim and bathe in the pools at the base of the waterfalls, and there are picnic areas.
Caramoan Islands: Caramoan is a group of islands in the Bicol Region that’s best known for being the filming location of several seasons of the hit reality show Survivor. Though it’s geographically located in Camarines Sur, the fastest and most direct route here is via Catanduanes. If you haven’t been there yet, you can also include an island hopping day-trip here during your trip to Catanduanes, as we did during our most recent trip. Tugawe Cove is just a 30 minute boat ride from the Codon port.
