palaui island

Went there last April 2014 and the people of the island were very accommodating. The accommodation is not of the luxurious type so those seeking for luxury will not opt for this tour. Backpackers favorite.Be brave enough to battle the sudden rain and waves while traversing the sea. The erratic weather may categorize it as an extreme travel place. Not for kids who are not brave of heart. Fortunately, the boatmen are well trained to these types of weather.Bring food and water when you travel to this place. Food is more expensive because of its remote character. You may also ask the locals to cook for you.

An unspoiled island home to a few hundred locals including some Dumagate nomads. It includes the reamins of a Spanish lighthouse from the late 19th century offering fabulous views of the area.

Summer is also a season of sweet escape. Of course, there are many places you’d want to hie off to in a snap. On top of the list? Beaches!Choosing a beach destination may be the easiest part when planning a summer getaway; and sometimes, we just don’t wanna be caught up with too much of the nitty-gritty, that sticking to an established summer vacation routine can be attractive — translation: Let’s just go to where everybody else is going. But, life is no fun without a little spontaneity, dontchatink?This summer, get out of your comfort zone and visit instead some of the “other” equally enchanting beaches in the Philippines. For a change, focus on finding new experiences in these lesser-known beach destinations and forget about the specific ones in your daydreams. Don’t limit yourself to the uppity up locations everyone else is Instagramming about. My top picks do not even require you to book an airline ticket! By the way, I intentionally did not include Calaguas and Caramoan in my list, since these are already “famous” destinations in Luzon.Palaui IslandSta. Ana, CagayanPalaui Island is nestled at the eastern-most tip of Sta. Ana, Cagayan in Northern Luzon, and is easily reached by land or air through Tuguegarao City. Palaui is a postcard-perfect image of serenity, offering intrepid adventurers a much-needed solitude, while soaking in nature’s grandeur.You can take an uphill trek to Cape Engaño Lighthouse for a better view of the coast; or motorboat your way to Crocodile Island for a quick dip in its pristine blue waters; or simply, beachbum at the many coves around Sta. Ana — Anguib, Siwangag and Engaño. If you want some cardio-exercise, you may want to traverse Palaui, starting from Punta Verde — the southeast tip of Palaui — to Cape Engaño. This hike takes about 3.5 to 4 hours of trekking through verdant scenery.Apuao Grande and Apuao Pequeño IslandsMercedes, Camarines NorteBefore Calaguas became a byword among beachcombers, Apuao Grande Beach Resort was the place to be when in Camarines Norte. Sadly, the establishment — locally ran by the Swagman Hotel Chain Malate — fell on hard times and closed up shop… but, with the growing popularity of backpacking trips in the country, more and more travelers are seeking alternative beach destinations, those unmarred by commercialism; thus Apuao is slowly regaining its lost glory. As the saying goes: A thing of beauty cannot be kept forever.Just a short motorboat ride from Mercedes town proper is Apuao Pequeño, or ‘small’ Apuao (‘grande’ being big), a suitable campsite reminiscent of Anawangin Cove with its soft powdery sand and pine trees. The two Apuaos, by the way, are connected by a ‘serpentine’ sandbar, which is a sight to behold t sunrise! Taking a motorized banca around the island is definitely a major highlight when in Apuao. You can marvel at its impressive rock formations; lounge about in its white sand beaches; ogle at the magnificent underwater scenery rife with corals and a variety of seashells and fish. A visit to Canimog lighthouse and unexplored Canton Cave will surely add flavor to your trip.Apuao Grande and Pequeño, with the islands of Canton, Quinapaguian, Caringo, Malasugui and Canimog — each boasting spectacular sea and landscapes — make up the Mercedes Group of Islands.Tikling IslandMatnog, SorsogonAside from having the distinction of being Luzon’s gateway to the Visayan Isles, Matnog in Sorsogon is a haven for aquanauts like me.Hands down, the pinkish sands of Tikling Island is one of the best sights I have ever laid my eyes on! … and, apart from its strawberry milkshake-like beach, its clear torquise waters and seemingly secluded nature are some of the other things that set Tikling Island from the rest. A leisurely walk along the coast, or a quick dip in its warm waters, will reward you with breatktaking under- and above-water sceneries. A short trek inland will take you to the other side of the island and into what looks like a perfect replica of the magnificent rock formations of Biri Island in Samar.While in Matnog, don’t fail to visit Subic Daku and Subic Liit coves, and the Hidden Lagoon of Calintaan Island; the Parola along San Bernardino Strait; and Juag Fish Sanctuary.Paguriran IslandSawanga, Bacon, SorsogonHidden deep within Bacon, Sorsogon lies a pinkish-beige-sand-covered beach sprawling with corals and seashells in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes, interspersed with mangrove clumps. This sleepy coastal community of Sawanga is also home to a unique and enchanting land formation, Paguriran Island — with its charming lagoon tucked nicely within jagged rocks and massive coral architecture.A picture of tranquility, Paguriran is an idyllic hideaway protected by natural barriers of mangroves, rocks,and seas — handcrafted by God himself, offering a weary backpacker an escape from the hustle and bustle of a fast-paced urban life.BalerAuroraSo what if you don’t surf? There are a thousand and one reasons still why you should include Baler in your must-visit destinations in Luzon — a trek to Ditumabo Falls; swimming on the beaches of Ampere, Cemento and Sabang; photographing the sunset in Cobra Reef with its spectacular rock formations; or simply, take a stroll down Baler’s history-rich town proper.Baler, located in Aurora — a province bearing the name of the late President Manuel L. Quezon’s lady-love and wife (How romantic!) — is considered by many as a surfer’s paradise and Central Luzon’s last frontier.

Been to Palaui Island.My Tito Osias's friend Terry Collado owns an island in which he was able to purchase for a cool 1 million way back in 1990.While riding a boat(bangka) you would see sperm whales from afar and it was totally breathtaking.Anothere memorable moment for me was being able to see little sharks swimming along the reefs near the shore.From afar you would see China.The island itself had natural white sand and unlike Boracay,its not spoiled by commercialism.Theres no electricity in the whole island that time so Tito Terry bought a generator and said"Let there be light"hahaha... Its one of those beaches that you might not have heard off but must see before you die.For me its one of the best beaches in the whole wide world...David Dylan Malana Puzon.1V

Palaui is largely undiscovered at present and since it was mentioned in CNN World's Best Beaches, it is slowly getting itself noticed. Being the former film shoot location for Survivor, you can get the feeling you were in the show with them as it has a bit of everything for the adventure-hungry traveler.It's got beaches beaches and beaches. You can snorkel, get a marvelous tan (in a short amount of time), trek up to the waterfalls and sip some halo halo to cool yourself.For photography enthusiasts, the old Spanish lighthouse will do the trick. I reminded me of Cambodia's temples with all those windows. Be sure to be fit enough to hike at least 30 minutes to these sights.

I imagined this place as beautiful as on TV. And the place didn't disappoint. Although Anguib beach was closed for some odd reason, there were other beaches to explore. We ended up staying at beach resort in nangamoroan. Beautiful, uncrowded beach. Azure clear waters. It was delightful.

Pictures of this island which we found on the net made us want to visit this place, and the actual view definitely made us want to come back. After a 15-hour bus ride, almost an hour boat ride and a 30 minute hike, we were rewarded with a fantastic Batanes-like scene, overlooking Dos Hermanas Islands and Babuyan Islands at the far end. The lighthouse was also picture perfect! Our tour guide, Allan, was also helpful and nice. We were eyeing to see the sunset there but the guide said it would be safer if we leave the island before dark to take advantage of calmer waters. People can camp though at the island, which I think would be best if you want to capture the rising and setting of the sun at such magnificent place.

For me, this is the best thing Cagayan can have - its unspoiled beaches, particularly in the Palaui Island. It has a feeling of Batanes but not much. The view is great. Trekking up Cape Engano made the trip more thrilling.

It took us around 45minutes to get to Palaui Island's northern most part, left San Vicente Port in Sta Ana at around past 7am.The package was php1800 per boat for 8pax. The coral beach has clear water. Good thing that it is a protected marine sanctuary. It has shady areas near the Signage where we pitched Tents and had our packed lunch.There is a vendor selling pancit and junk foods and some souvenir shell made items. The Survivor spot, a makeshift of CRs and dining area remained in the area. We maximized the island by swimming and trekking Cape Engano Lighthouse for 20minutes with a tour guide, package was 300 for 4 persons and it is one of the most beautiful spots to be though its creepy. Seeing Palaui 360 degrees at the top, the Palaui Cove, Dos Hermanas islets at the back and the meeting of 2 rough seas- the waves of the Pacific Ocean splashing against the rock formations at the right side and the West Phil Sea at the left side.Truly, It's more fun in the Philippines!

We went here last year with my family and we totally enjoyed eventhough they somewhat got scared on the way there since you need to ride a small boat for 30-45mins. Your trip there will not be complete if you will not go up the light house and side trip on the small falls.!!!

This was where we spent a lot of time taking pictures and enjoying ourselves under the gloomy weather. This was the second stop of our island hopping, and this is very far from Anguib beach. I would have to warn you, before reaching the Cape Engano cove, it will be a rough 45mins to an hour of going here. You should bring a jacket, or better yet a raincoat, as the waves are very rough and your boatmen are very brave in going through this phase. We had our fever, colds and cough when we got to Manila because it's so freaaaaakiiiinggg cold!!!Before I get into the not-so-positive side, I will have to commend the view, the beauty and the richness of landscape of this place. Once you get to the top after climbing up a lot, it made it so worthwhile. Even if it was gloomy, and cold, it was really beautiful (you can see it in our pictures. ;))You also need to hire a tour guide before going up, and is worth 300 pesos (which is also expensive for a tour guide), but he was very helpful in giving me a hand to go up in those rough spots, plus he was bringing our tripod and water, so it was okay for us. It would be great though if he can give us information that is relevant or can give knowledge about the island.Anyway, the negative side will have to be the island hopping package per se. I have expressed my thoughts in the previous posts (which I think they have just informed us that Anguib and Engano is far from each other. If we have stayed a while longer in Anguib, then the trip is much better, but it seems that it's a strategy of theirs, hay.). We understand that it's quite far, but if your boatmen does not even introduce you to the places that you're already seeing with your eyes, then there's something wrong.We didnt try to go to the falls bec it's nearing 12pm and it's another 300 for the same tour guide plus another 30min trek. :(

This place in the northern Philippines is definitely worth visiting. We trekked 257 steps up Cape Engano under the scourging heat but once we reached the top, the view of the Babuyan channel was spectacular. Great photo ops! Swimming and snorkeling was so much fun , everywhere was just so fresh and clean.

Amazing Palaui Island, the beach is beautiful, really great for snorkelling and fun with underwater camera..Cape Engano Lighthouse is very interesting and the view from the top, wow --breathtaking. We went trekking to the Water falls.. very exciting..

The Palaui marine sanctuary is superb. Great for snorkelling with healthy and beautiful corals. Awesome place to practice skin or free diving mura ami. At some areas the corals are from 4 to 8ft deep. We had lots of fun here with our underwater camera. Advisable to visit during fine weather because the waves can be treacherous during bad weather. The lighthouse built during the Spanish times, although worn out has a great view similar to Batanes. The falls 5 minutes walk inside the woods is small compared to others we've seen but it is worth the shower after the 5 minutes hike up the hill of Cape Engano lighthouse. This is definitely worth the 15 hours bus trip from Manila.

Unspoiled and pristine beaches, uninhabited islands, awesome view, fantastic scenery; trek and visit the oldest lighthouse built by the spaniards, Cape Engano and marvel at its historic and antiquated structure. Friendly locals along the way too.