Tags: Beaches and Water Activities, Natural Wonders
Marjorie Gorospe
CARAMOAN ISLANDS, CAMARINES SUR – If not for the reality TV show Survivor, not too many Filipinos would probably know about this island paradise south of Luzon.
The Caramoan peninsula extends to the east of Camarines Sur. According to Wikipedia, the name was perhaps derived from the milkdrop stalagmites found among the rocks of Guta Port. Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, the place came to be called “Carahan” for the sea turtle, which was at that time to be found in great number along the shores of the Peninsula.
Caramoan burst into the spotlight when the French edition of Survivor, the hit TV show that takes place in isolated locations, shot a full season at Gota Beach in 2008.
The show’s director Corrine Valliant described the “the powdery sand, the coconuts on Gota beach and the neighboring islets are a ‘dream’ for the French people” “We chose Caramoan because it’s really wild. It’s necessary that contestants don’t see anything other than nature for them to believe that they’re really lost in the wilds,” she says in this Inquirer report.
Survivor Bulgaria and Survivor Israel also filmed on location in Caramoan, making some of these islets off-limits to tourists.
Writing for Travelblog.,org about his visit last May, Harold says infrastructures aren’t there yet in Caramoan but notes it’s a good time to go because the place isn’t yet touristy. Survivor Israel was filming at that time so some of the islands were off-limits.
“And they took the best islands! We could only see the islands from afar and they were unbelievable!,” he says. Noting reports that Survivor USA also plans to shoot in Caramoan, he adds: “There’s more than 7000 islands here! Go somewhere else please!”
Caramoan has often been referred to as the “next Boracay”. Blogger Doi argues that Caramoan has a lot more to offer despite having fewer commercial establishments. “The great thing about Caramoan Islands is that it is Boracay and Palawan rolled into one, but one can never replace the other.”
Blogger Anna also posted about an island-hopping experience in Caramoan in September 2009, with lots of photos of every stop in their tour. “I loved the fact that the islands weren’t packed at all. We managed to spend time in ALL of the islands we visited all by ourselves…Definitely better than overcrowded beaches like Boracay.”
Caramoan is composed of some 45 coves and islets but the most visited islandsare Matukad, Lahuy, Lahus, Hunongan, Cotivas, Pitogo, Sabitang Laya, Minalahos, Gota, Tinago and Tayak where various activities can be done like diving, spelunking, and snorkeling.
According to Letsgosago.net, Republic Act 9445 declared the northern coast of the Caramoan town as national tourism zones.
How to get to Caramoan:
Bus lines in either in Pasay or Cubao have daily trips going to Naga City. From Naga Central Terminal, ride a jeep or van Central Terminal going to Sabang or Talisay Port. Daily regular boat trips are scheduled ONLY during mornings starting at 6a.m.
Photos taken from Chasing the Sun and Optimystique
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