What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about visiting the Philippines? I sure hope its island hopping, because that’s something you cannot leave this country without doing.
The Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands! Isn’t that nuts? I do wonder if anyone has ever been to all of them or if that’s even possible. With so many islands to explore, there are always destinations that are bound to be more off the beaten path. If hidden gems are kind of your thing, you should keep reading.
Caramoan Island Hopping Overview
Majority of the tourists that go to Philippines go to El Nido & Coron in Palawan but did you know there’s another place still undiscovered by foreign tourists that’s actually just as scenic as Palawan. Caramoan has turquoise water, limestone cliffs, and pristine beaches with a fraction of the crowds.
How To Get There
First, let’s cover how you’re going to get there. There are several ways to get to Caramoan. The quickest way to get there is by hopping on a one hour flight to Virac Airport and taking a boat from there to Caramoan (40 minutes to and hour). They used to have ferries that take you to and from these islands but because of the lack of tourism in the area, this has been shut down. You will have to hire a fisherman to take you there and figure out a price you can agree on. We paid 3,000 php which is a bit steep, maybe you can get a better deal if you’re good at haggling.
What To Pack
If you plan on island hopping Philippines, expect to spend a ton of time in the water and sun.
- Sun Hat
- Snorkeling Mask (some tours don’t offer this!)
- Sunblock
- Beach coverup
- Warterproof camera
- Hiking/water sandals
- Bikini
Where To Stay
Now that you know how to get there, let’s find you a place to stay. There are only a handful of hotels in Caramoan so I thought I’d recommend a budget friendly option and a more luxurious option.
Budget: Residencia De Salvacion
Situated in the best possible location for boat tours with simple but comfy accommodations. We actually stayed here and it’s only about $40 USD a night. What you get is a hot shower, bed, patio, free breakfast, and coffee everyday. It’s a really nice bargain if you don’t need all the fancy things. We were also able to book our boat tours with them which was very convenient. Check Rates
Luxury: Tugawe Cove Resort
This resort nestled on a hill overlooking a cove is the only luxury stay in all of Caramoan. Rates start at $170 a night and you get to stay somewhere that’s truly secluded. A highlight here is their infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Check Rates
Island Hopping Tours
Lastly, let’s talk about what tours you should go on. You can pick from the short trip vs the long trip. Better yet, you can do both in one day! Pressed for time? I’d recommend the short trip to see more of the limestone cliffs.
There was a weather advisory while we were here so we were stuck in our hotel our first day. Luckily, the weather cooperated on day 2 and we were on our way to paradise. We opted for the long tour and we were very happy with that decision.
The Long Island Hopping Tour
If you opt for a long tour, you will get to visit around 8 islands and the tour is from 8am to 4:40 pm. We took a private boat out which was around $60 USD total. It was totally worth it and this would be even more of a bargain if you are going with a group.
Once it was time for lunch our guide took us to a beautiful sandbar. On the menu was fresh caught lobsters. We purchased them for around 8 for $24 USD.
During our tour, we visited a film set for Survivor, climbed a limestone cliff, and swam in some insanely gorgeous beaches. I highly recommend a visit to Caramoan for a less touristy side of the Philippines.
If you are looking for more destinations in the Philippines, Siquijor is a tiny island off the coast of Cebu and it is totally worth checking out. Read my blog for the best things to see in Siquijor.