Sabitang Laya Island, Caramoan, Camarines Sur

Sabitang Laya Island is located in the beautiful town of Caramoan. If you're in Caramoan for an island hopping trip, be sure to drop by at this beautiful island. Sabitang Laya is not a big island and it doesn't have a community, electricity nor any road network but the island boasts a lush vegetation and a long stretch of beige to light golden brown sand beaches.

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga Airport. From Naga airport, ride a pedicab going to the national highway and ride a bus or a van bound for Sabang Port in San Jose town. From Sabang Port, ride a passenger boat to Guijalo Port, Caramoan town and then from Guijalo Port ride a tricycle bound for downtown Caramoan. From downtown Caramoan, ride a motorcycle to Barangay Paniman and then from Barangay Paniman you can rent a boat to Sabitang Laya.

You can also rent a motorcycle from Guijalo to Barangay Paniman and from there you can rent a boat to Sabitang Laya.

From Naga City, you can also ride a van, jeep or a bus to Nato port in Sagñay town. From Nato, ride a ferry boat to Guijalo port. From Guijalo Port ride a tricycle bound for downtown Caramoan. From downtown Caramoan, ride a motorcycle to Barangay Paniman and then from Barangay Paniman you can rent a boat to Sabitang Laya.

You can also ride a bus from Manila to Naga City or from Manila to Sabang Port, San Jose.

Travel time:

Manila to Naga – 1 hour by plane, 8 to 10 hours by bus

Naga to Sabang Port, San Jose – 1 to 1.5 hours

Sabang Port to Guijalo Port, Caramoan – 2 to 3 hours

Guijalo to downtown Caramoan – 15 to 25 minutes

Downtown Caramoan to Barangay Paniman – 20 to 30 minutes

Barangay Paniman to Sabitang Laya Island – 30 minutes to 1 hour

Manila to Sabang, San Jose – 9 to 11 hours

Naga to Nato, Sagñay – 1 to 1.5 hours

Nato Port, Sagñay to Guijalo Port, Caramoan – 2 to 2.5 hours

Burias Island, Masbate Province

Burias is an large island located in Masbate Province, Bicol Region. The island is comprised of two municipalities: Claveria and San Jacinto. The town of Claveria is located at the south end of the island and San Jacinto at the north end of the island. There is a road network in the island but most of it are unpaved and only motorcycle will be able to navigate the rough roads.  There is electricity in the island, however, most of the time the electricity only last for 12 hours or less every day. Each town has its own diesel-powered generator that supplies electricity to some barangays.

Burias Island also boast some semi-white sand beaches. There are few semi-white sand beaches located in the town of Claveria and San Jacinto. One of the known beaches is San Isidro Beach located in Barangay San Isidro, Claveria town. It has a long stretch of fine semi-white sand beach.

Burias can be accessed through two ports: via Claveria town and via San Jacinto town. There are daily trips going to these two towns but the access point to Claveria is via Pio Duran town in Albay province and if you’re going to San Jacinto town, your access point would be in Pasacao town in the province of Camarines Sur.

San Isidro Beach, Claveria town

Claveria Port

San Isidro Beach, Claveria town

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Legazpi City. From Legazpi City, ride a bus bound for Naga City and get off at Ligao City. From Ligao City, ride a jeepney bound for Pio Duran and then at Pio Duran, ride a passenger boat bound for Claveria town in Burias Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus going directly to Pio Duran, Albay. You can also ride a bus bound for Legazpi City and get off at Ligao City. From Ligao City, ride a jeepney bound for Pio Duran and then at Pio Duran, ride a passenger boat bound for Claveria town in Burias Island.

If you’re going to the town of San Jacinto, from Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga City. From Naga City, ride a jeepney bound for Pasacao town then at Pasacao Port, ride a passenger boat to San Jacinto.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus going directly to Pasacao. You can also ride a bus bound for Naga City and get off at Pasacao junction. At that junction, ride a tricycle or a jeepney bound for Pasacao Port and then at Pasacao Port ride a passenger boat to San Jacinto.

Travel time:

For Claveria town, Burias Island

Manila to Legazpi City – 1 hour by plane

Legazpi to Ligao City – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Ligao City to Pio Duran – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Pio Duran to Claveria, Burias Island - 1 to 1.5 hours

Manila to Pio Duran – 10 to 12 hours by bus

Manila to Ligao City – 10 to 12 hours by bus

For San Jacinto town, Burias Island

Manila to Naga City – 1 hour by plane

Naga City to Pasacao – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Pasacao to San Jacinto, Burias Island – 2 to 3 hours

Manila to Pasacao Port – 8 to 10 hours by bus

Manila to Pasacao junction - 8 to 10 hours by bus

Pasacao junction to Pasacao port - 30 minutes

Calintaan Island, Matnog, Sorsogon Province

Calintaan is located in the town of Matnog, Sorsogon, in the Bicol Region. The island is famous for its semi-pink sand beach called Subic Beach. The sand in Subic Beach is a mixture of white sand and crushed red pipe corals. The island is now starting to become a tourist destination in the Bicol Region. There's also an existing community in the island. Calintaan has its own source of fresh water. There’s also an electricity in the island. The electricity source comes from a long power line connected to the mainland Luzon.

the sand texture at Subic Beach, Calintaan Island

Subic Beach

Subic Beach

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Legazpi City. From Legazpi City, ride a bus bound for Matnog town in Sorsogon. From Matnog town, look for the passenger boat bound for Calintaan or you can rent a motorized banca to Calintaan Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus directly to Matnog, Sorsogon.

Travel time:

Manila to Legazpi – 1 hour by plane, 10 to 12 hours by bus

Legazpi to Matnog – 3 to 4 hours

Matnog to Calintaan Island – 30 to 45 minutes

Manila to Matnog – 12 to 16 hours by bus

Tagauayan Island, Magsaysay, Palawan

Tagauayan Island is located off the coast of Magsaysay town, Palawan. The island is part of the Cuyo Group of Islands. The neighbouring island of Tagauayan is Cocoro. Tagauayan is part of Barangay Cocoro in Magsaysay. There are few families living in the island and there’s also a source of fresh water, however, there’s no electricity and there's no existing road in the island. Tagauayan also boasts a white sand beach but there's no existing resort nor cottages in the island.

Tagauayan Island

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Iloilo City. From Iloilo City, ride a ship bound for Cuyo town and then at Cuyo town, ride a tricycle bound for Magsaysay town. From Magsaysay town, you need to rent a motorized banca to get to Tagauayan Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a plane to Puerto Princesa City. From Puerto Princesa City, ride a ship bound for Cuyo, and then at Cuyo town, ride a tricycle bound for Magsaysay town. From Magsaysay town, you rent a motorized banca to get to Tagauayan Island.

Travel time:

Manila to Iloilo City – 1 hour

Iloilo City to Cuyo Port – 12 to 14 hours

Cuyo Port to Magsaysay town – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Magsaysay town to Tagauayan Island – 45  minutes to 1 hour

Manila to Pueto Princesa City – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa to Cuyo Port – 14 to 16 hours

Isla Grande, Pagbilao, Quezon Province

This island is located in Pagbilao town, Quezon Province. This is also known as Polo Grande, Pagbilao Grande, Volcano Island or sometimes referred to as Ibabang Polo. Isla Grande is an average size island. It is connected by a bridge from mainland Luzon.

There are several communities in the island. There's a barangay in the island. Team Energy, one of the largest coal-fired power plant in the Philippines, is located in this island. A famous tourist attraction in the island is the Kwebang Lagpas and the semi-white sand beach called Puting Buhangin.

Puting Buhangin Beach

Puting Buhangin Beach

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a bus bound for Calauag town and get off at Team Energy junction and then ride a tricycle to Ibabang Polo. To reach Puting Buhangin from Ibabang Polo, you can hike/walk or rent a boat to go to Puting Buhangin.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus to Lucena. From Lucena, ride a jeepney to Pagbilao. From Pagbilao town proper, ride a tricycle or jeepney bound for Ibabang Polo.

Travel time:
Manila to Team Energy junction at Pagbilao - 5 to 6 hours
Team Energy junction to Isla Grande/Ibabang Polo - 30 to 45 minutes

Manila to Lucena - 3 to 4 hours
Lucena to Pagbilao - 45 minutes to 1 hour
Pagbilao town proper to Isla Grande/Ibabang Polo - 1 to 1.5 hour

If you want to go to Puting Buhangin from Ibabang Polo, it is a 20 to 30 minutes walk.

Malawmawan Island, Castilla, Sorsogon Province

Malawmawan is a tadpole-shaped island located in Sorsogon Bay in Castilla town. Malawmawan is a private island and it has a brown-sand beach and a long stretch of sand bar. There is no resort in the island but there is one small hut where you can stay for the night. It is advisable to bring your own tent for accommodation. There is also no source of fresh water in the island. Only a caretaker and Bantay-Dagat personnel lives in the island. You can circle the island in a span of 2 to 3 hours.

Malawmawan Island

Malawmawan Island

the long sand bar at  Malawmawan Island

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Legazpi City. From Legazpi City, ride a bus or van bound for Sorsogon City and get off at Cumadcad Market in Castilla. From Cumadcad, ride a jeepney bound for Barangay Macalaya. From Barangay Macalaya, ride a boat to Malawmawan Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus bound for Sorsogon City and just be sure to get off at Cumadcad market in Castilla town.

Travel time:

Manila to Legazpi City - 1 hour by plane, 9 to 12 hours by bus

Legazpi City to Cumadcad Market - 45 minutes to 1 hour

Cumadcad to Brgy. Macalaya - 30 to 45 minutes

Macalaya to Malawmawan Island - 15 to 30 minutes

Malapascua Island, Daanbantayan, Cebu Province

This island called Malapascua is an average size island located at the northern part of Cebu Province. The island is part of Daanbantayan town. Malapascua is known for its white sand beaches and for being a diving destination in the Philippines.

There are a lot of resorts in the island and there are several communities located in the island. Motorcycles and bicycles are the main modes of transportation in Malapascua.

Bantigue Cove

Malapascua Beach

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Cebu. And then from Cebu Airport, ride a taxi to the bus stop near Pacific Mall, Mandaue. Ride a bus bound for Daanbantayan town and get off at Maya Port. From Maya Port, ride a boat bound for Malapascua Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a boat to Cebu City, and then from Cebu City port, ride a jeep or taxi to Cebu Northbound terminal, and then ride a bus bound for Daanbantayan town and get off at Maya Port. From Maya Port, ride a boat bound for Malapascua Island.

Travel time:

Manila to Cebu - 1 hour by plane, 18 to 24 hours by boat
Cebu Airport to Pacific Mall, Mandaue - 10 to 20 minutes
Pacific Mall, Mandaue to Maya Port, Daanbantayan town - 3 to 4 hours
Maya Port to Malapascua - 30 to 45 minutes

Magalawa Island, Palauig, Zambales

Magalawa Island is located in the town of Palauig, Zambales. The island, with its beige or light golden brown colored sand, is ideal for swimming and beach bumming. There's also a marine sanctuary near the island where you can snorkel and swim with the fishes. There's also a mangrove area in the island.

Magalawa is not a big island, but it has it's own electricity being supplied from the nearby barangay in the mainland. There are also resorts in the island for your accommodation needs. A fishing community also exist in the island and several families lives in Barangay Magalawa.

Magalawa Island

Magalawa Island, Palauig

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a bus bound for Sta. Cruz town, Zambales, and then get off at Radio Veritas road at Barangay Pangoligan, Palauig town, and then ride a tricycle or motorcycle to Barangay Luan. From Barangay Luan, ride a boat to Magalawa Island.

Travel time:

Manila to Barangay Pangoligan, Palauig - 6 to 7 hours
Barangay Pangoligan to Barangay Luan - 20 to 30 minutes
Barangay Luan to Magalawa Island - 20 to 30 minutes

Panglao Island, Bohol

Panglao is an island located in the province of Bohol, Central Visayas Region. The island is a large island which is politically divided into two municipalities: the town of Dauis and Panglao town.

The island has several white-sand beaches and it is one of the main tourist destinations in the Philippines. Panglao is also connected to the main island of Bohol by bridges. There are lots of hotels and resorts in the island. The main tourist area in the island is the Alona Beach and the Dumaluan Beach.

Dumaluan Beach, Panglao

Bohol Beach Club

Google Map

How to get there:
From Manila, ride a plane to Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol. From Tagbilaran City, ride a jeepney, tricycle or taxi to Panglao Island.

You can also ride a ship bound for Cebu City, and then from Cebu City, ride a ferry or a fastcraft  to Tagbilaran Port and then ride a jeepney, tricycle or taxi to Panglao Island.

You can also ride a plane to Cebu City, and then from Cebu, ride a ferry or a fastcraft  to Tagbilaran Port and then ride a jeepney, tricycle or taxi to Panglao Island.

Travel Time:
Manila to Tagbilaran City - 1 hour
Tagbilaran City to Panglao Island - 20 to 30 minutes

Manila to Cebu
By plane - 1 hour
By boat - 15 to 20 hours

Cebu City to Tagbilaran City - 1.5 to 2 hours
Tagbilaran City to Panglao Island - 20 to 30 minutes

Atulayan Island, Sagñay, Camarines Sur

Atulayan Island is located off the coast of Sagñay town (pronounced as Sangay) in the province of Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. The island has an off-white sandy beach. It is somewhat a medium-sized island with a barangay on the other side, a public beach on one side and a private resort on the semi rocky portion of the island. The island has a solar generator and has a source of fresh water. There are about several families living in the island. There are also several sari-sari stores in the island.

There are several small resorts in the island and most of these small resorts only have open-air cottages for rent. The private resort in the other cove has several rooms available for a more comfortable accommodation.

the view at the Atulayan Park

Atulayan Island

Atulayan Island

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Naga Airport. From Naga Airport, ride a bus bound for Lagonoy and get off at Tigaon, and then ride a jeepney or a tricycle bound for pantalan in Nato, Sagñay.  And then at the port or pantalan, rent a boat for Atulayan Island. From Naga Airport, you can also ride a jeepney that is bound for Nato, Sagñay.

From Manila, you can also ride a bus bound for Naga City, and then from Naga City ride a jeepney bound for Nato, Sagñay or if you choose to ride a bus bound for Lagonoy, be sure to get off at Tigaon town, and then from Tigaon, ride a jeepney or a tricycle bound for Nato, Sagñay.

Travel Time:

Manila to Naga

By plane - 1 hour

By bus – 8 to 10 hours

Naga to Tigaon – 1 to 1.5 hours

Tigaon to Nato, Sagñay – 20 to 30 minutes

Nato, Sagñay to Atulayan Island – 30 to 45 minutes

Basul Island, Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte

Basul Island is located in the province of Surigao Del Norte. It is the nearest island from Surigao City and its beach has a light-brown sand. Basul is a small island and there are no rooms available in the island but there are several open-air cottages that are for rent. There's an entrance fee of 50 pesos per person plus 100 pesos boat docking fee being collected by the islands' caretaker.

Basul Island

Basul Island

Basul Island

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, go to Surigao City. You can travel to Surigao City either by ship, plane or by bus. From Surigao City, go to city port and rent a motorized banca to Basul Island.


Travel Time:

Manila to Surigao City - by plane: 1  hour and 15 minutes.
by boat: 20 to 24 hours.
by bus:  18 to 22 hours.
Surigao City Port to Basul Island - 20 to 30 minutes.

Culebra Island, Dasol, Pangasinan

Culebra Island is located in the town of Dasol, Pangasinan. Culebra is a small island with no electricity, no resort, no cottages and no community. There are several coconut trees in the island. This island is also known as Snake Island or Colebra Island or Camaso Island.

Culebra Island

Culebra Island

Culebra Island

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a bus bound for Alaminos town in Pangasinan, and then from Alaminos, ride another bus bound for Sta. Cruz, Zambales and get off at Burgos town public market. From Burgos, ride a jeepney or rent a tricycle to Tambobong beach. From Tambobong beach, ride a boat to Culebra Island.

Travel Time:

Manila to Alaminos, Pangasinan – 5 to 6 hours

Alaminos to Burgos – 30 minutes to 1 hour

Burgos to Brgy Tambobong – 1 hour

Tambobong to Culebra Island – 30 to 45 minutes

Cocoro Island, Magsaysay, Palawan

Cocoro Island is one of the islands in the town of Magsaysay in Palawan. The town of Magsaysay is an island municipality. This is part of the Cuyo Group of Islands in Sulu Sea. Barangay Cocoro is located in Cocoro Island. There are several families living in the island. There are no resort in the island but there are several open-air cottages that are for rent.

Cocoro Island

Cocoro Island

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Iloilo City or Puerto Princesa City, and then from Iloilo City or from Puerto Princesa City, ride a ship bound for Cuyo town in Palawan. From Cuyo town, ride a tricycle bound for Magsaysay town. From Magsaysay town, ride a boat bound for Cocoro Island.

Travel Time:

Manila to Iloilo City or Puerto Princesa City - 1 hour

Iloilo City to Cuyo - 12 to 14 hours

Puerto Princesa City to Iloilo City - 14 to 16 hours

Cuyo to Magsaysay - 20 to 30 minutes

Magsaysay to Cocoro Island - 30 to 45 minutes