Catanduanes have a reputation for being a usual stopover of some of the strongest typhoons. But this doesn’t mean it’s not an ideal vacation spot. With its many stunning beaches and historic places, you’ll surely find the best Catanduanes tourist spot that will captivate your heart.
No doubt, you’ll fall in love with this tropical paradise as it boasts white sand beaches with oh-so-clear waters, rich marine life, the best barreling waves ideal for surfing, and the majestic view of the following hills that will make you want to sing the hills are alive.
Top 20 Tourist Destinations in Catanduanes
Here are the 20 must-visit Catanduanes tourist attractions for a fun-filled adventure.
- Talisoy Beach – One of the most popular Virac Catanduanes tourist spots because of its shoreline that’s covered with fine white sand and its azure waters perfect for swimming.
- Binurong Point – This place will remind you of Batanes because of the rolling hills, grassy highlands in the area, and the waves crashing so hard on the rock surface.
- Marilima Beach – It faces the mainland Bicol where you could take a full view of Mayon Volcano and Bulusan Volcano, from a distance.
- Twin Rock Beach Resort – The shoreline has cream and fine sand perfect for a walk or sunbathing. The waves here are great so it’s also perfect for surfing.
- Bato Church – It has withstood wars and calamities and became the only remaining structure of its genre in the entire island and the second-largest church in Bicol region.
- Nahulugan Falls – It is surrounded by lush vegetation and forest that filter the sunlight, giving an aura reminiscent of magical legends, and making the water so clear.
- Tuwad-Tuwadan Lagoon – This Pandan Catanduanes tourist spot is a perfect spot for swimming, cliff diving, snorkeling and sunset watching.
- Maribina Falls – This is the most famous and accessible waterfall in Catanduanes.
- Mamangal Beach – The beach is lined with trees perfect for an afternoon respite, and its marine life is rich enough that you can see lots of colorful reefs.
- Amenia Beach – It boasts powdery-white sands and unbelievably majestic waters.
- Balite Beach – The beach is surrounded by trees so it’s ideal for ultimate relaxation.
- Immaculate Conception Cathedral – This cathedral will remind you of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
- Museo de Catanduanes – This place will teach you the province’s rich culture and heritage.
- Hicming Falls – It features a three-tiered basin of waterfalls with thick foliage serving as its canopy making it a perfect destination for a quick dip.
- Sto. Domingo River – It is the longest and biggest river in the province with clear and refreshing waters.
- Soboc Cove – It’s like the Magpupungko Rock Pools of Siargao because of its rocky surface and clear blue waters.
- Luyang Cave Park – The cave served as a hiding place for locals during the Moro Raid in the early years of the 18th century.
- Mt. Cagmasoso – Waiting for you at the top is a stunning panoramic view of the beaches, hills, and rivers in nearby areas.
- Palumbanes Island – It offers peace and quiet perfect for those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
- Puraran Beach – This is famous for its clean and white beach, and the towering waves making it one of the top surfing spots in the world.
Best places to visit in Catanduanes
From pristine beaches to historic churches, we’ve rounded up the most beautiful Catanduanes tourist spots to visit.
1. Talisoy Beach
Talisoy Beach is one of the most popular Virac Catanduanes tourist spots because of its shoreline that’s covered with fine white sand and its azure waters perfect for swimming. Located in a small cove a few minutes from Virac town proper is the clean and well-kept Talisoy Beach also known to locals, as Jesus’ Face Beach because of the unique rock formation that is said to look like the face of Jesus Christ.
Beyond this unique feature, you can also go sunbathing on the fine white sand beach or swim in the cove’s clear, calm waters. The seabed is a little rocky, so make sure you wear aqua shoes if you want to take a dip.
You can rent a nipa cottage near the beach if you plan to stay in the area for the day.
2. Binurong Point
Another no-fail Catanduanes tourist destination is Binurong Point located in the town of Baras. Once you’re up there, it’ll remind you of one place—Batanes. Because of the rolling hills, grassy highlands in the area, and the waves crashing so hard on the rock surface, this Baras Catanduanes tourist spot lets you experience Batanes without having to fly up north.
To reach it, you’ll have to hike and pass some forest trails but don’t worry, it’s an easy one.
3. Marilima Beach
If you want to enjoy a crowd less island, consider visiting Marilima Beach. This unspoiled Virac tourist spot lets you reconnect with nature and have a quiet sunbathing time. What makes Marilima Beach a hit is that it faces the mainland Bicol where you could take a full view of Mayon Volcano and Bulusan Volcano, from a distance.
4. Twin Rock Beach Resort
Also known as Igang Beach, Twin Rock Beach is one of the most popular and developed resorts on the island. The shoreline has cream and fine sand perfect for a walk or sunbathing. The waves here are great so it’s also perfect for surfing.
It’s also called the Twin Rock Beach because of the huge rock formations located on both ends of the beach.
5. Bato Church
The town of Bato serves as the heritage center of the province because of its Spanish-era religious sites, one of which is the picturesque Bato Church made of mortar and coral stones. The church is not only an example of mid-colonization Filipino-Spanish architecture but serves as a historical landmark. Bato Church was built under the polo system of forced labor for a total of 53 years as the construction started in 1830 and finished in 1883.
It has withstood wars and calamities and became the only remaining structure of its genre in the entire island and the second-largest church in the Bicol region. You can see in its tower the legendary bell that once served as a warning device for incoming Japanese guerillas during the second world war.
6. Nahulugan Falls
If you want to see a majestic wonder of nature, go to Nahulugan Falls in Gigmoto, Catanduanes. It is surrounded by lush vegetation and forest that filter the sunlight, giving an aura reminiscent of magical legends, and making the water so clear. Its waters beautifully cascade on three tiers, creating spectacular sprays.
According to local legend, Nahulugan Falls got its name from the unfortunate situation of a farmer and his carabao who fell while crossing the hilltop. Since then, water began to cascade from where the farmer and his carabao fell.
7. Tuwad-Tuwadan Lagoon
Tuwad-Tuwadan Blue Lagoon is a secret lagoon in the middle of a rock formation blessed with crystal clear blue-green water filled with corals and fishes. The lagoon got its name from the species of seashells abundant in the lagoon.
This Pandan Catanduanes tourist spot is a perfect spot for swimming, cliff diving, snorkeling and sunset watching.
8. Maribina Falls
Maribina Falls is the most famous and accessible waterfall in Catanduanes. The cascading three-layer falls are located in the middle of the rustic surroundings and lush green vegetation. Maribina Falls is about 5-6 meters high with radiant spouting rapids of perfectly clear waters.
9. Mamangal Beach
Photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Another must-visit tourist spot in Virac Catanduanes is Mamangal Beach. The beach is lined with trees perfect for an afternoon respite, and its marine life is rich enough that you can see lots of colorful reefs.
10. Amenia Beach
With a mix of the sun, sand, and sea that’s sheer perfection, you can easily lose yourself and be drifted away while walking along the stretch Amenia Beach. This San Andres Catanduanes tourist spot boasts powdery-white sands and unbelievably majestic waters.
11. Balite Beach
Photo credits to catanduanes.gov.ph
Balite Beach is one of the most popular Virac Catanduanes tourist spots because of its fine white sands and stunning waters. The beach is surrounded by trees so it’s ideal for an ultimate relaxation.
12. Immaculate Conception Cathedral
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral boasts its beautiful stained-glass windows surrounding its walls. Its stunning ceiling will remind you of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
13. Museo de Catanduanes
Photo credits to catanduanes.gov.ph
If you’re looking for a Catanduanes tourist spot that will let you learn the province’s culture and heritage, Museo de Catanduanes is the best place to be because the museum gives a glimpse of the province’s history.
14. Hicming Falls
Hicming Falls in Virac features a three-tiered basin of waterfalls with thick foliage serving as its canopy making it a perfect destination for a quick dip.
15. Sto. Domingo River
Photo credits to catanduanes.gov.ph
Sto. Domingo River is the longest and biggest river in the province with clear and refreshing waters. Also, there are small cottages beside the river where you can sit and enjoy the view while hearing the sound of the gushing water.
16. Soboc Cove
Soboc Cove will remind you of the Magpupungko Rock Pools in Siargao because of its rocky surface and clear blue waters. What draws attention to this Catanduanes attraction is its unspoiled beauty.
17. Luyang Cave Park
Luyang Cave Park in San Andres takes a great part in the history of this town. The cave served as a hiding place for locals during the Moro Raid in the early years of the 18th century. You can see massive stalactites and stalagmites, other rock formations in Luyang Cave Park, and countless bats.
18. Mt. Cagmasoso
Photo credits to catanduanes.gov.ph
Popular to mountaineers, Mt. Cagmasoso is a great place if you’re looking for an adventure. Waiting for you at the top is a stunning panoramic view of the beaches, hills, and rivers in nearby areas.
19. Palumbanes Island
Photo credits to catanduanes.gov.ph
Also known as Parompong, Palumbanes Island was once a secret spot in the northern part of Catanduanes and has remained hidden from the travelers’ eyes.
This Caramoran Catanduanes tourist spot offers peace and quiet perfect for those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can visit three islands in Palumbanes: Bitaog, Tignob, and Calabguio.
20. Puraran Beach
If you’re looking for a great Baras beach resort, go to Puraran Beach. This is famous for its clean and white beach, and the towering waves making it one of the top surfing spots in the world. Like other beaches in Catanduanes, Puraran Beach had not been developed so it’s really ideal for that much-needed probinsiya life.
How to get to Catanduanes
Here are some ways to get to Catanduanes.
By plane
If you don’t want to travel for long hours, book a flight to Legazpi, Albay or Virac, Catanduanes. From Virac Airport, you can take a 10-minute tricycle ride to the Virac town proper.
By bus
From Cubao or Pasay, ride a bus bound for Virac. This is the cheapest mode of transportation but the travel time takes around 18 hours.
If going to Catanduanes by bus, an 18 hour ride will be a challenge.
Visit Catanduanes. The Happy Island.