One of the many islands I had the privilege to explore on official business is Catanduanes. I practically lived in the island for over six (6) months, working on weekdays and exploring on weekends. I have been to each and every known tourist destination and attraction of the island, except those that require crossing seas. I have also taken my trips to the mainland of Bicol via the only two passenger or public ports of the island, in San Andres and right in the heart of Virac. It is therefore safe to say that I know the island pretty well and my father will definitely be proud of me for knowing his roots, my roots.
Catanduanes Daily Ferry (RORO) Schedule
Back in 2000, there are two ferry companies lying the Lagunoy gulf to take passengers to and from Tabaco and Catanduanes via Virac and San Andres. One of the shipping lines (Bicolandia Lines) was owned by a Tabaco local business mogul while the other (Regina), from San Andres – the owner of Catanduanes Hemp. Eugenia plied the Tabaco – Virac route while Regina plied the San Andres – Tabaco route. Each shipping line has two vessels – one in the morning and another in the afternoon – from different ports in Catanduanes. Due to the high volume of passengers, a Supercraft was added to the lines later on.
Here’s the RoRo Schedule of both shipping lines:
Tabaco City to Virac
Ø MV Eugenia (Bicolandia Lines)
(052) 487-6349
Daily 8:00 am
Ø MV Star Ferry 1 (Regina Shipping Lines)
(052) 811-1707
Daily 2:00 pm
Virac, Catanduanes to Tabaco City
Ø MV Star Ferry 1 (Regina Shipping Lines)
(052) 811-1707
Daily 9:00 am
Ø MV Eugenia (Bicolandia Lines)
(052) 487-6349
Daily 1:30 pm
Tabaco City to San Andres, Catanduanes
Ø MV Regina Calixta III (Regina Shipping Lines)
(052) 811-1707
Daily 5:30 am
Ø MV Regina Calixta II (Regina Shipping Lines)
(052) 811-1707
Daily 8:00 am
Ø MV Regina Calixta III (Regina Shipping Lines)
(052) 811-1707
Daily (1:30 pm)
San Andres, Catanduanes To Tabaco City
Ø MV Regina Calixta III (Regina Shipping Lines)
(052) 811-1707
Daily 9:30 am
Ø MV Regina Calixta II (Regina Shipping Lines)
(052) 811-1707
Daily 12:00 NN
These days though, only one one vessel plies the Tabaco – Virac route and two ferries from Regina Shipping are transporting passengers on a daily basis. Here is the schedule of the routes:
Ø Leaving at 0700H (7 AM) and arriving at 1300H (1 PM)
Ø 0800H (8 AM) and 1300H (1 PM)
For inquiries, Regina Shipping Lines can be contacted in these numbers:
Ø Tabaco City booking office: 09237383785
Ø San Andres booking office: 09237383790
The main transportation when you are in Virac is tricycle and for long distance, there are jeepneys and vans. The terminal for jeepneys and buses are located near the Virac and San Andres markets while the vans and private rides are near the port of San Andres and Virac. There are also motorcycles and bikes for rent for those who want to get to their destinations faster.
Attractions in Catanduanes
Catanduanes has 11 Towns. Catanduanes is divided into two parts, West Catanduanes and East Catanduanes. West Catanduanes is composed of 3 Towns that lies in the western part of the Island; Virac, San Andres (Calolbon) and Caramoran while East Catanduanes is composed of 8 Towns that lies in the eastern part of the Island; Bato, San Miguel, Baras, Gigmoto, Viga, Panganiban (Payo), Bagamanoc and Pandan. Each Town has their attractions.
The West Attractions of Catanduanes
Ø Little Batag Beach in Virac, Catanduanes
“Saday na Batag” to locals, the Little Batag Beach is situated in Barangay Batag of Virac, Catanduanes. 15 kilometers west of Virac Town, this Catanduanes attraction can be reached in 30 minutes.
Ø Talahid Falls, Cabungahan, San Andre, Catanduanes
Featuring a 2-tiered waterfalls, Talahid Falls has brought Brgy. Cabungahan of San Andres (Calolbon) to the limelight. It is 26 kilometers west of San Andres and can be reached in an hour and a half.
Ø Hawan Grande Luyang Cave / Cueva de Grande in Virac, Catanduanes
“Hawan Grande Luyang Cave” to locals, the Cueva de Grande is situated in Brgy. Hawan Grande of Virac, Catanduanes. This cave can be reached in around 20 or 25 minutes and is 13 kilometers off west of Virac Town.
Ø Prayer Mountain of Catanduanes, VIrac
10 kilometers off the west of Virac is the Prayer Mountain. It is a maintained natural resource in Brgy. Bigaa, Virac, Catanduanes.
Ø Tampad Beach Talisoy Beach, Virac, Catanduanes
Also known as “Talisoy Beach”, “Talisoy Cove” and/or “Jesus’ Face Beach”, Tampad Beach is situated in Brgy. Talisod, Virac, Catanduanes. It is 14 kilometers off west of the town and 20 minutes to reach.
Ø Binanderahan Hill, Palumbanes Island, Brgy. Toytoy, Caramoran, Catanduanes
“Parompong” to many, Palumbanes Islands or simply Palumbanes, is a group of islets 60 kilometers west of Caramoran, in the Maqueda Channel. It can be reached in about 3 hours.
Ø Museo de Catanduanes, Virac, Catanduanes
3 minutes or half kilometer away from the CBD of Virac is the Museo de Catanduanes. The island’s main museum was built for the public through the efforts of the Provincial Tourism Office of Catanduanes.
Ø Kuripdas Surf Spot
Kuripdas Surf Spot is 15 kilometers or 25 minutes away from the CBD of Virac, thereby the nearest surfing location for those who visits the island.
Ø Mamangal Beach
In 20 minutes and 12 kilometers from downtown Virac, the Mamangal Beach is the nearest place to enjoy the sun and shores of the island. This beach is in Barangay Balite.
Ø Magnesia del Sur Beach
25 minutes or 15 kilometers off Virac is the Magnesia del Sur Beach. It may be underdeveloped but is preferred by most tourists.
Ø Magnesia del Norte Beach
Gold to white sand is what made Magnesia del Norte Beach appealing to tourists. It is 27 minutes or 14.5 kilometers off CBD.
Ø Luyang Cave
10 kilometers or 20 minutes off Virac is Luyang Cave of Barangay Lictin, San Andres, Catanduanes. It features lots and lots of bats as well as titanic rock formations.
Ø Sto Domingo River
Santo Domingo River is 10 minutes or 6.5 kilometers from Virac and is a good swimming alternative for the salty beaches of the island. It is frequented by locals and is gaining popularity with tourists.
Ø Batong Paloway
The Batong Paluway is a gradually increasing in size stone with etchings of Our Lady of Sorrows. It can be visited 30 minutes or 20 kilometers from San Andres.
Ø Virac Cathedral
Right in the heart of Virac is the Virac Cathedral aka Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Ø Mount Cagmasoso
Home to Luyang Cave, mount Cagmasoso is the highest mountain in Catanduanes. It is in San Andres and is 30 minutes of 15 kilometers away from the CBD.
Ø Amenia Beach
25 minutes or 13 kilometers off San Andres is the Amenia Beach. It features cream-colored fine sand and clear unspoiled waters.
Ø Igang Beach aka Twin Rock Beach Resort
Well-developed with unspoiled beauty 15 minutes or 12 kilometers from CBD of Virac is Igang Beach, but is more famous in the name of Twin Rock Beach.
Ø Marilima Beach
Featuring white sands and blue waters, Marilima Beach has become a tourist attraction in Virac. It can be reached in 20 minutes and 14 kilometers.
Ø Batag Beach
Right next to another tourist attration beach in Virac, Marilima Beach, is the Batag Beach. It is famous for the great rock formations on it and the pristine waters. In just 22 minutes and 14.5 kilometers, this attraction can be easily reached.
East Attractions of Catanduanes
Ø Bitaogan Beach, Bato, Catanduanes
Bitaogan Beach is known in many names: Bitaogan Cove and Victoria Cove. This beach is in Sitio Bitaogan, Pananaogan, Bato and can be reached in an hour or 18 kilometers.
Ø Batalay Mangrove Ecological Park, Bato, Catanduanes
30 minutes or 20 kilometers off Bato is the Mangrove Reforestation Program of Barangay Batalay. It is a 10 –hectare plantation in the town of Bato.
Ø Cagraray Island aka Patag Island, Catanduanes
“Patag Island” to locals, the Cagraray Island is in Brgy. Cagraray, Bato, Catanduanes. It can be reached in 1.5 hours or 30 Kilometers.
Ø Nahulugan Falls, Gigmoto, Catanduanes
2.5 hours and 55 kilometers off Gigmoto is Nahulugan Falls, still an undiscovered beauty in the verdant hills of the town.
Ø Binurong Point, Brgy. Guinsaanan, Baras, Catanduanes
Binurong Point is the pride of Brgy. Guinsaanan of Baras as it joins the attractions of the island. It can be reached in an hour and a half or 35 kilometers.
Ø DOST PAG-ASA Weather Radar Station
In 30 minutes to an hour or approximate 20 to 25 kilometers, the PAGASA Weather Radar Station can be reached. It is in Barangay Buenavista, Bato, and is becoming one of the most visited destinations in Catanduanes.
Ø Bote Lighthouse
22 kilometers or 35 to 45 minutes off Bato is Brgy. Bote, home to the Bote Lighthouse. It is an attraction that is visited by national and international tourists.
Ø Sakahon Beach
Sakahon Beach is in Brgy. Bote, 35 minutes or 20 kilometers off Bato.
Ø Mount Lantad
Bato’s pride, Mount Lantad, can provide 360 degrees of Bato and Virac perspective. It is about a couple or more hours trek and 14 kilometers from the town proper. It stands less than 1,200 feet above the ground.
Ø Balacay Point
Balacay Point or Benticayan point is a tourist spot in Brgy. Benticayan, Baras. It can be reached in an hour and a half and 35 kilometers off town proper.
Ø Bato Church
Bato Church is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the country, dating back the 16th century. It can be reached in 15 minutes and 13 kilometers from town proper.
Ø Puraran Surf Spot
This is where the “Majestic Waves” of the island can be found. Surfer’s fantasy is definitely fulfilled in the Puraran Surf Spot. It can be reached in an hour and 35 kilometers off the town proper.
Ø Maribina Falls
With 5 to 6 meters swimming pool, the Maribina Falls has become one of the most famous waterfalls in the island. It is in the town of Bato and can be reached in 8 minutes and 5.5 kilometers off the town proper.
