Caramoan Islands: A Jaw-Dropping Paradise

Experience beauty at its grandest at the Caramoan Peninsula with its majestic limestone islands lying on irresistible pristine waters.

Each island has its own personality and a new experience is lived every time you step foot on their unique shores. More than a handful of activities may be done amid Caramoan's picturesque, jaw-dropping landscape - the perfect backdrop for all your adventures while bonding and sharing stories with friends and even strangers.

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Lahos Island

Location: Malarad Group of Islands, Ilawod, Caramoan

Travel time from Gota: 15 min.

What to do when in Lahos: Swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, picnic, sunset watching

More than its "vanishing island" profile (the island was thus named because it disappears during high tides), Lahos is a perfect snorkel and scuba dive spot. In addition to its two white sand beaches, the massive limestone rocks that populate its shores is a perfect backdrop for your island getaway shots.

Tinago Island

Location: Caramoan National Park, Ilawod, Caramoan

Travel time from Gota: 20 min.

What to do when in Tinago: Swimming, kayaking, picnic

Tinago Island, as its name implies, is a hidden paradise waiting to be explored. The cove is mostly hidden when you traverse the Caramoan coastline, and is only accessible via a narrow passageway (hence the need for high tide to reach the island). Once inside the cove though, the lagoon more than makes up for the difficult passage.

Tayak Island

Location: Caramoan National Park, Ilawod, Caramoan

Travel time from Gota: 30 min.

What to do when in Tayak: Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, trekking, birdwatching

The best attraction in Tayak Island is the blue lagoon at the heart of it. Enjoy a private swim and embrace the serenity provided by the fresh and saltwater lake surrounded by huge green boulders.

Matukad Island

Location: Malarad Group of Islands, Ilawod, Caramoan

Travel time from Gota: 10 min.

What to do when in Matukad: swimming, snorkeling, rockscrambling

More than the white sand beaches, the challenging trek up in its limestone cliffs, what visitors remember more often is the mystical tale of the giant milkfish living in the secret lagoon. Best to hear the story from your tour guides as you make your way towards Matukad Island.

Pitogo Island

Location: Pandanan, Caramoan

Travel time from Gota: 50 min.

What to do when in Pitogo: Trekking, camping, rock scrambling, swimming, bouldering

Pitogo's rock shoreline distinguishes it from other Caramoan paradise islands. Still waters in the island provides a sharp contrast to the limestone and rock formations that populate it. Climb the hills for a better view of the island's splendor.

Manlawi Island

Location: Manlawi Island

Travel time from Gota: 1hr 10 mins.

What to do when in Manlawi: Sunbathing, picnic, swimming

The Manlawi Sandbar is one of the most gorgeous and spectacular sandbars in the Philippines. Stroll, sunbathe, and build your own castles in this strip. With its anchored nipa huts, Manlawi is the best place to grill your fresh catch and work on your tan. Best to visit the sandbar during low tide.

Cagliog Island

Location: Malarad Group of Islands, Ilawod, Caramoan

Travel time from Gota: 10 min.

What to do when in Cagliog: Bouldering, deep-water soloing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, cliff jumping

Cagliog is the place to cliff dive. Huge boulders abound the island, practically challenging visitors to scale its height and jump to the waters. Entering the island is a feat in itself as boats cannot pass its entryway - guests would have to alight carefully. Swimming or kayaking are some of the fun options to reach its sandy shores.

Sabitang-Laya Island

Location: Bageing Island, Caramoan

Travel time from Gota: 45 min.
What to do when in Sabitang-Laya Island: Camping, sunset & sunrise watching, swimming, snorkeling, bouldering and rock scrambling

Frolick to your hearts content in Sabitang-Laya, a V-shaped island that has one of the longest white sand beaches in Caramoan. It is a popular island in the peninsula as it is frequently used by Survivor, a famous reality show. Its flat surface provides the perfect spot for sunrise and sunset viewing. Camping, then, is a must.

Home of the Survivor Reality TV Show

Survivor is one of the most successful, competitive reality shows in the world. With franchises in more than 60 countries, the show has engaged millions of viewers with its game challenges, compelling participants, unexpected story twists, and scenic locations.

Survivor first came to Caramoan Islands in 2008 via Koh-Lanta/ Survivor: France, with seasons from US, Israel, Bulgaria, Serbia, Sweden, India, France, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and Netherlands following suit. More countries are expected to grace the shores of Caramoan for future seasons.

History and Culture

To live in Caramoan is to experience long boat commutes; unhurried meals made from the freshest sea and land produce; sea waves and bird calls as background music; trees and rock formations as your immediate neighbors. Previously named "Gota de Leche" by Dutch traders familiar with the islands, it was discovered by the Spaniards in 1619.

The name Caramoan came from the local word "carahan", a sea turtle that populated the peninsula. Locals, upon seeing other people wearing jewelry made from shells from these turtles, usually exclaim, "Caramoan!", which translates to "What beautiful things you are wearing!"

Caramoan, with its 4,000 hectare limestone forests, underground caves, uninhabited islands, and rich marine life, is managed, protected, and developed by the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur.

What to do in Caramoan:

a.) Island Hopping

Jump from one paradise to the next!

The Caramoan Peninsula boasts some of the best island paradises around. Each island presents its own unique activities and sights to delight in and savor. You'll be pumped to see and experience all the islands' offer. Why choose when you can try them all?

b.) Rock Climbing

CamSur aspires to be the top adventure destination in the Philippines, and the best climbing area in Asia.

For that reason, the province took rock climbing to another level by using titanium bolts, the first of its kind in the country.

They will stretch your limits, but we will make sure you are safe at all times.

c.) Bouldering

There is rock climbing and there is bouldering, a budding sport performed without ropes or harnesses.

Adventure junkies only use climbing shoes to secure their foothold and chalk to keep their hands dry. There are a number of bouldering spots at the Gota Village in Caramoan and another one in Calabanig.

d.) Rappeling

Rappeling is so much better when done on real cliffst.

A 15-minute and a 350-meter trek from Gota Village will bring you to G-Peak, where you can rappel 65-meter down. The view of Caramoan from G-Peak is so heavenly, you'll think you're already in paradise.

e.) Cliff diving

Nothing can be more exhilarating than cliff diving.

The few seconds of free fall, nothing but the wind on your face and the lack of air in your lungs. The superb rock formations in the Caramoan Peninsula are perfect for this. Dozens of venues are available for the thrill seekers.

f.) Snorkeling

Wander and wonder at the treasures of the seas.

Snorkeling affords you to encounter rich marine ecosystems face to face. In Caramoan, there is no need for visitors to bring food to attract schools of fish and other marine creatures. There are islands suitable for the first time snorkelers, and for the more experienced scuba divers as well.

g.) River Tubing

Adventures in search of the perfect activity to promote teamwork will definitely enjoy river tubing.

h.) Kayaking

The crystalline waters of Caramoan make for perfect kayaking spots.

Several kayaking trails are available in the island, with varying distance and difficulty. At your own pace, you can paddle across pristine and serene waters and visit splendid islands sans the noise of motorboats.

i.) Bamboo Rafting

Travel across rivers the old-fashioned way.

Rafts made of sturdy bamboo, with a boatman/ guide paddling, provides a romantic ambiance as you traverse Caramoan's lakes and rivers.

j.) Stand up Paddle Boarding

Feel like you're walking on pristine waters through stand up paddleboarding.

Travel from one island to another, cruise along the river or just enjoy going around a serene lake with just your paddle and paddleboard. Standing at your full height, you can bask in Caramoan's picturesque landscape and be mesmerized by its dynamic marine life at the same time.

k.) Slacklining

If you've always been amazed with tightrope walkers, then this new sport is for you!

This is the act of balancing along a narrow, flexible webbing, typically nylon or polyester, usually anchored between two trees. It maybe hanging above fine, white sand or over the pristine waters of caramoan, you can pick what spot suits you best.

l.) Motorbike cruising

Most thrill seekers would say the best way to discover a new place is through motor biking.

With the use of motorcycles, one can travel fast, enter narrow streets and endure rough roads while basking in a wide view of nature's beauty.

m.) Mountain Biking

Caramoan is burgeoning place for mountain bikers.

Its hilly and mountainous terrain is drawing the attention of cyclists around the world!

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