20 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Catanduanes (Rolling Hills, Beaches & More)

I had a realization a few years ago when I visited Catanduanes: it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and underrated provinces in the Philippines.

Often referred to as the “Happy Island,” Catanduanes boasts breathtaking nature, pristine beaches, stunning landscapes, and warm-hearted locals. In earlier times, the province was called the “Land of the Howling Winds.” Situated off the coast of the Bicol region and facing the Pacific Ocean, it’s a common path for typhoons, hence the historical name.

However, the residents, known as Catandunganons, aspire for their home to be recognized for more than just its weather challenges. With its verdant rolling hills, untouched beaches, and rich natural beauty, Catanduanes is a destination worth exploring, and I was fortunate to experience its charm.

Here are some reasons why you should consider a visit to this island. Below is a list of the top tourist spots we explored during our trip to the Happy Island.

1. Batag Beach

During our first day in Catanduanes, we explored the capital town of Virac. I felt that touring Virac is already enough for our Catanduanes trip. We get the comforts of living in a small city and yet it’s also very close to nature and beaches!

After exploring the downtown area, we traveled for a few minutes to the coastal area until reaching Batag beach. It’s a stretch of cream-colored beach perfect for relaxation that we all, city dwellers, badly needed.

That’s Mt. Mayon.

At the end of the pristine beach, there is a rock formation suitable for more adventurous travelers. This spot is just perfect for those Instagrammable photos too! You can never go wrong with a backdrop of nature, right?

After exploring the beach, we rested in one of the cottages. Batag Beach is open to the public, so there’s no entrance fee. However, if you’re with family and friends, you can rent one of the cottages for a minimal fee of 250 pesos.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST: Batag Beach in Virac, Catanduanes

2. Talisoy Beach

After enjoying the pristine beauty of Batag Beach, we traveled for less than five minutes to Talisoy Beach.

This beach piqued my curiosity. It is located in a small cove, surrounded by lush greenery and rock formations. Although it’s open to the public, it retains a sense of seclusion and privacy, which people living in big cities will appreciate.

There’s a part of the beach that serves as a turtle sanctuary. How wonderful is that, right? It’s heartening to see people exert such tremendous effort to protect marine species and our environment.

As we walked along the beach, we noticed something on the rock formation. The edge of it resembles a replica of Jesus’ face. In the Philippines where the majority are Catholics, this holds significant meaning. This resemblance is why Talisoy Beach is sometimes referred to as Jesus Face Beach.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST: Talisoy Beach in Virac, Catanduanes (Guide & Story)

3. Twin Rock Beach / Igang Beach

After the beach-hopping, we had our lunch at Twin Rock Beach Resort, located in the capital of Virac. The locals also call this Igang Beach.

They served us some of the most delicious Bicolano dishes, and also my personal favorites like Laing and Bicol Express. We enjoyed our lunch while looking at the relaxing views of the beach and the famous twin rocks from afar.

It’s impossible not to notice the stunning rock formations just a few meters off the shore. The two islets are the main attractions from where the owners got the inspiration for the resort’s name.

Overall, it was a calm and relaxing experience overlooking the pristine beach with creamy white sand. Twin Rock resort is also one of the most developed resorts on the island, so you know what to do once you visit Catandaunes.

READ THE BLOG POST: 10 Best Beaches in Catanduanes

4. Summit View Park

You can witness an awesome sea of clouds in Catanduanes without strenuous hiking. Yes, you just have to travel for about an hour from Virac going to the municipality of Viga. Upon entering the town, you’ll witness the famous Summit View Park.

Just climb the stairs for a few steps and you will experience the stunning sea of clouds. We went there early in the morning just to witness the breathtaking view. The best part of our experience is when the local officials and the Catanduanes tourism office prepared breakfast at the summit. It was definitely one of my most memorable experiences in Catanduanes.

So if you happen to be on the island, travel to Viga and witness the beauty of the town.

5. Lolong Point Lighthouse

After breakfast, we went straight to the municipality of Panganiban for more adventures. A boat was waiting for us to take us to explore Panay island. It’s an island off the coast f the province’s eastern part.

We traveled for about 30 minutes by boat until we reached the tip part of the island. A lighthouse was visible as we sailed closer to the shore. This is Lolong Point Lighthouse.

Lolong Point Lighthouse

Siempre, papahuli paba naman ako? siempre kailangan ng selfie. LOL!

The beach itself is also a beauty of its own. They call it Kumagat Beach. The Panganiban tourism office prepared a brunch for us. It’s a type of kakanin with sauce. It was delicious. We stayed for a few minutes relaxing by the beach until it was time for us to hike a little to visit Lolong Point Lighthouse.

It was just a few minutes of hiking but the sun was unforgiving so be prepared just in case. Don’t forget your sunscreen, okay?

But once we arrived at the lighthouse, it was all worth it. We witnessed a 360-degree view of the entire island and the Pacific ocean. It was a perfect chance for picture taking or simply savoring the calm and relaxing vibe of the ocean. If you want to visit Lolong Point Lighthouse, it’s much better to coordinate with the Municipal Tourism Office.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST: Lolong Point Lighthouse in Panganiban, Catanduanes

6. Museo de Catanduanes

When you’re in the capital town of Catanduanes, allot some time to check out Museo de Catanduanes. We had a chance to visit the museum during our 5-day trip in the province. This is located in the same building where the Tourism office is located.

The museum features some old artifacts, memorabilia, and also products made from Catanduanes, especially Abaca. It’s nice to know more about Catanduanes’ history and heritage before even exploring it. It will give the right knowledge and perspective about the Catandunganons.

7. Palestina Rolling Hills

We had our lunch on a floating cottage, feasting on some delicious dishes like humba and lots of seafood.

After that, the local tourism office of Bagamanoc arrived and brought us to another awesome tourist destination in the province. We traveled for a few minutes by boat then hiked for another 15 minutes going on top of the hills.

Once we arrived at the summit, we were welcomed by an awesome view of rolling hills, nature, and the blue ocean. “This is Palestina Rolling Hills”, the Catanduanes Tourism staff said.

Looking below these rolling hills are stunning and pristine beaches. One of these is Tabing beach which also has a mini cave that can serve as protection from the scorching heat of the sun.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST: 5 Best Rolling Hills of Catanduanes

8. Loran Beach

After enjoying Catanduances’ rolling hills, what a great way to end the day relaxing on an untouched beach. Before heading to the mainland, we made a side trip to Loran beach located on the other side of Panay Island.

Aside from the beach, a few steps away and you can visit the old Loran station, a former US coastguard complex in the 50s and 60s located on top of a hill in Bagamanoc. This was once a site for crews of the US Coast Guard providing American submarines and ships with a lower frequency for long-range navigation. Now, it’s just an abandoned structure, but a nice way to get a glimpse of the place’s history.

9. Boto ni Kurakog

Off the coast of Bagamanoc, you’ll witness an interesting rock formation. And when you get the chance to get closer to it when you ride a boat, you’d realize that it looks like a male genital. Haha, The locals call this Boto ni Kurakog. Boto is a Bicolano word for penis and Kurakog? You might be asking who is he.

Is this looks familiar to you? LOL

Well, legend has it that Kurakog was a giant who fell in love with a mortal. Since the woman’s parents were against it, she committed suicide which made him really depressed. He eventually died and part of his intimate body appeared in the middle of the sea which is now known as Boto ni Kurakog. There are many versions of this story, so don’t be surprised if you hear a slightly different one.

READ THE FULL BLOG POST: Boto ni Kurakog in Catanduanes

10. Paday Falls

Paday Falls is just one of the many awesome waterfalls in the province. Located in Brgy. Basak in Bagamanoc, it is a popular hangout for many tourists and even locals because of its close easy access to the main road. You don’t need any strenuous hike, unlike other waterfalls in the country.

A few minutes of land travel to Bagamanoc proper, then a 5-minute walk, and you’ll arrive at Paday Falls. There are cottages that you rent for a minimal fee. Just enjoying the view of the waterfalls is already a relaxing experience, what more if you decide to take a dip in its cold water? This is highly recommended when you visit the town of Bagamanoc.

11. Sakahon Beach

Early in the morning, we traveled all the way to the town of Bato to visit a beach. Locals call it Sakahon beach. Aside from the nature and pristine beach, the best part is the warm welcome from the local officials. They even prepared a breakfast filled with local delicacies!

It was delicious and so filling, enough to give us energy throughout the day.

This is delicious.

We then explored Sakahon Beach. No wonder more and more beachgoers enjoy this piece of nature. It’s peaceful and uncrowded. It has clear water and fine sand too.

I would love to spend more time there, but we still have to go to Baras, our next destination.

12. Binurong Point

Binurong Point is the most popular Catanduanes tourist spot on social media with all its stunning rolling hills and landscapes. Some are even saying that this is the Batanes of Bicol, but you know Binurong Point is a beauty of its own.

Once we arrived at the registration area, we hiked for about 30 minutes going to Binurong Point. A guide is required to ensure the safety of the group. It’s also an income opportunity for many locals in the area. We were quite surprised that the guide assigned to us was a woman, a mother. It’s my bad that I forgot her name but we had a nice photo together. She was a nice and helpful guide, trying to earn a living for her family and help her husband who is a fisherman.

Well, once we arrived at Binurong Point, I was speechless for a while. I was just silently staring at this glorious beauty of nature. When you’re in Binurong Point, all you’d do is just enjoy the beauty in front of you. Sometimes, you get to stare at some cows, but most of the time, you’d just enjoy the calmness and serenity that this palace brings.

13. Puraran Beach

After our hike to Binurong Point, we then traveled to experience another beach. This time it’s a surfing destination, the popular Puraran Beach.

But before that, we first made a quick stopover at Alon Surf Stay to have a quick brunch. We witnessed the stunning view of the Puraran beach from the resort. It was also nice of them to treat us to sweet and tasty pancakes.

The view from Alon Surf Stay.

Then, it was time to explore Puraran beach. It was obvious why this is a popular surfing spot. The sound of strong waves crashing through the shore was the dominant sound in the area. What a perfect way to chill at the cottages while enjoying the breeze from the ocean.

We had a seafood-packed lunch too. Delicious!

14. Hiyop Highlands

On our last day in Catanduanes, we traveled for less than an hour from Virac to experience another rolling hills. This is Hiyop Highlands located in Pandan, the northern part of Catanduanes.

Once we arrived, there were fences all over the place, an indication that the majority are actually private property. But we were able to find a good spot to enter and even enjoy the hills and the view.

At the end of the cliff is a stunning view of the beach below. Oh man, with so many beautiful places that we explored in Catanduanes, this has got to be one of the best. Here are the photos.

Cute and friendly local kid. Kamusta na kaya sya? 😉

15. Carangyan Beach 

It was time to have lunch by the beach. We then went straight to Carangyan Beach Resort, one of the famous resorts in Pandan. We had some seafood for lunch and did our own versions of siesta by the beach.

Luckily, we had a lot of time to spend at the resort. It was also a chance for us to swim and enjoy everything. Just like most of the beaches that we explored in Catanduanes, Carangyan Beach is raw and untouched. The view of some islets makes the experience extra special.

16. Delicia’s Farm

Before even the farm-to-table phenomenon became popular, Catanduanes already has its own – It’s Delicia’s Farm. Also located in Pandan, Catanduanes.

It’s a combination of a resort, farm, and restaurant. The food is of course organic and sourced from the farm. We had a chance to talk with the owner. He was such a joy to talk to. He also had a regular job but then decided to quit to put up this farm. I can still remember his questions to us during our chat. “Do you really want to work 9 to 5 for the rest of your life?”

Of course, most people in our group are employees from the tourism and LGU so it’s obvious what would be their possible answers, right? But for me who recently quit my corporate job at that time, I have the same answer as him.

They served us a lot of food like vegetables and roasted chicken. Aside from the farm, there’s also a small pool to accommodate guests.

17. Cagnipa Rolling Hills

“Save the best for last.” This is exactly what I feel when we visited our last spot for the day. We trekked a little passing through some hills until we reached the stunning Cagnipa rolling hills.

Cayniba Rolling Hills

I thought that I’ve seen enough of Catanduanes. I thought that we’d already witnessed the most beautiful views, but we were wrong. Cagnipa Rolling Hills’ beauty is jaw-dropping. We were there just a few minutes before sunset, so we witnessed a dramatic and stunning scenery as the last rays of the sun bid goodbye to the ocean.

What a great way to end our day exploring the province.

18. Tuwad Tuwadan Lagoon

Just near the Cagnipa Rolling Hills, there’s a rugged stair by the end of the cliff leading to the rock formations below going to a crystal clear blue lagoon.

Tuwad tuwadan Lagoon was named as such because according to some stories, you need to make this “tuwad” position, bending over, as you pass through the steep stairs. We were lucky that when we visited, there were already some cemented parts. Imagine going to this place years ago, you really need all the courage for this adventure.

Below is a blue lagoon that looks like a swimming pool perfectly crafted by nature to blend with the rugged features. Some couldn’t resist the temptation, they finally gave in to the invite and took a dip into the lagoon. As for me, who is not a good swimmer, I just enjoyed the view. It was also a chance for us to take some awesome photos.

19. Cagnipa Beach & Cove

From the top of Cagnipa Rolling Hills, you’ll witness Cagnipa Beach and Cove. Located in Brgy. Balognonan, Cagnipa beach is secluded and can only be reached by motorbike or boat. But you once arrive there, everything is worth it.

With its azure and clear water, this is a perfect place to relax and commune with nature. If you want some adventure, you can snorkel and witness the abundant marine life too.

20. Virac and the Abaca Festival

The capital town of Virac is a charm in itself. It’s laidback but it offers you also the comforts of having access to delicious food and some leisure activities. Staying in Virac for a couple of days before embarking on a journey to the province is also a nice experience.

One of the best times to visit Virac is in the 4th week of May during the celebration of Abaca festival. It’s the main product of the province and during this time Catandunganons celebrate the bountiful harvest of Abaca and also the blessings that come with it.

Trade Fairs, Street dance, and Flores De Mayo featuring gowns made from Abaca are some of the events that you can expect during the festival.

So there you have it, these are the best tourist spots that I visited in Catanduanes when I explored the province. I know that there’s still a lot to explore, share your comments and recommendation below. Who knows, I might come back to Catanduanes and continue exploring this island wonder.

SMILE with Catanduanes Tourism Office Team and TPB.

*Note: Thank you so much to TPB and Catanduanes Tourism for this awesome trip. Special thanks to Ma’am Carmel Bonifacio Garcia, Dwight Martin, and Peter Vargas. 

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