Location: Caramoan
Top Things to do in Caramoan
Top 10 Things to do in Caramoan, Philippines
Caramoan, officially the Municipality of Caramoan, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 47,605 people.
Restaurants in Caramoan
1. Matukad Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By jblaza - Marikina, Philippines
Matukad was the second island I visited during my first trip to Caramoan. Its beach has pristine shallow waters and ivory powdery sand. Trees line the shoreline, providing shade.
Matukad island will take your breath away—figuratively and literally. Behind a vast limestone wall hides a lagoon where the two so-called “Enchanted Bangus (milkfish)” are found. To reach the lagoon, visitors have to climb the limestone wall. There are no safety harnesses, ropes, pulleys provided. Once you start climbing, hold on; any misstep will not be pretty. It is about forty feet high.
The rock surface on the usual path taken by tourists are less jagged and less sharp, but will only be passable to one or two people. During my first visit there, there was only a handful of tourists; when I returned two months later, the place was packed and there was a queue of people climbing. More adventurous guests may try the sharper but less crowded parts of the wall to avoid the queue. At the top of the rock ledge is a stunning view of the Islands. At the bottom of the other side of the rock ledge is the lagoon where the two milkfish are. Visitors can get close to the lagoon but rocks at this side of the rock ledge are sharper and looser.
I do not recommend wearing rubber shoes for the climb as the bulky shoes may be difficult to fit in small crevices. Slippers would do fine. When I climbed the rock wall, I used aqua shoes and it worked great; it had good traction and the jagged edges of the rocks were not troublesome. The compactness of the aqua shoes enabled me to anchor my foot inside smaller holes and crevices.
The lake was clear and tranquil; despite numerous trees surrounding the area, the lagoon’s surface was unobstructed by fallen leaves, etc. My guide told me the story of how there were two milkfish that lived in the lake until a local caught one and fed it to his family; the enchanted milkfish allegedly cursed the fisherman causing his son to fall ill and die. Enchanted or not, the lagoon and the entire island deserves our respect. (It is sad to note that I had to pick up rubbish thrown along the rock ledge by previous guests; some of the rocks had vandalism, too.)
2. Lahos Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By jblaza - Marikina, Philippines
The first island that I visited during my first trip to Caramoan was Lahos. When I returned two months after, Lahos was closed to the public for the shooting of a local Television series. The island is uninhabited and does not have commercial establishment nor cottages.
At each end of Lahos Island stands a towering limestone wall. In the middle, as if cutting through the island is a sandy beach, about 50 meters across. The beach itself has no shade. You can have a respite from the sun using the shade cast by the rock formations. The beach has two shores, one at the eastern side (about 25 meters wide) of the island, the other at the west (about 100 meters wide). Its sand is ivory-ish in color and is not very powdery. The waves at the eastern side were calmer than in the west. The water is clear and pristine. There were coral reefs near the west beach but I did not get the chance to snorkel there (largely because I was exhausted from the trip to Caramoan).
While on the island, my guide pointed to a distant island and informed that it was Cantaduanes. He added that Catanduanes is about four hours away from Caramoan by boat.
3. Our Lady of Peace Grotto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By GoranWembley
It's long but lovely hike to the Virgin Mary shrine some 15km away from Caramoan town (not 9-10km walk but a good 15km hike, my guide book was incorrect with this distance). You're rewarded with some amazing views, both of the coastline and the interior. Back to Caramoan town by flagging down a truck in the absence of decent public transportation.
4. Cagbalinad Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By jblaza - Marikina, Philippines
The third island I visited during my first visit to Caramoan is Cagbanilad. Cagbanilad Island is a short distance from Matukad island and Minilahos island. There are Beaches at the east and south sidses of Cagbanilad—we docked at the southern side. Cagbanilad is uninhabited and there are no stores and facilities on the island—just nature at its finest.
Sitting in the middle of its sandy beach is a gargantuan rock, which can be a good place to pose for a photo. Be careful when climbing the rock as portions of it have been smoothed out by the tides. The beach is quite small, about 30 meters across.
Around the island are towering rock formations. During my second visit to Caramoan, there were people who climbed the rock wall and jumped off. It’s not something that I would try out for myself, though.
In front of the beach a vast snorkeling area, where you can find corals and fish. The depth of the water in the snorkeling area is about ten feet deep. Unfortunately, I was not able to pack my GoPro in my dry bag for the island hopping so I have no underwater shots for this trip. Across Cagbanilad’s snorkeling area is Hunongan Cove.
5. Gota Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Larry Chase G
I really recommend everyone going here. It is a place so relaxing and calming. A must see destination.
6. Minalahos Island
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By JEmmanuelLasPinas - Las Pinas
Great white sand and good swimming in clean crystal clear water. Great photo background. Not a whole lot of shade though.
7. Tayak Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By CheParacuelles - Davao City, Philippines
the good weather let us enjoyed our stay there. Our tour guide was very helpful and attentive in answering all our questions.
8. Paniman Beach
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By aligarci2016 - Naga, Philippines
The Paniman village is a typical fishing village in the Philippines..the sand is rough and black.I don't feel swimming over there. I recommend the Paniman beach as best pick up /drop off point for going to island hopping in Caramoan. It is nearer to beautiful Islands of Lahos, Cagbalinad, Matukad, etc.and Gota beach. The best part of the beach is near the river, because the view is lovelier due to the presence of the mountain, river and the sea and there is less buildings or houses along the beach. There are good resorts, inns or lodging house in that area.
9. Guinahoan Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Steve M - Kennewick, Washington
Guide Carlos took me out there on an extended boat trip. Excellent in settled weather.
The very shirt hike to the bluff was very pleasant and the views of the three Beaches below were world class. More than a little out of the way regarding the general tours this was the best place. Shout out to the family who let me use their bench. So nice.
10. Mt. Caglago
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By CheParacuelles - Davao City, Philippines
Dizziness and tired was not included in our vocabulary when we visited these places. Every stop is a joyous and unforgettable experience.
