From the moment I heard about an island in the Pacific called Biri Island, I aimed to travel to the place. What makes me want to go to the place? The island boasted some of the most amazing rock formations in the Philippines. A review on Philippine geography tells me that Biri Island is part of cluster islands located on the northern most of Samar. It lies within the treacherous San Bernardino Strait - the sea channel from Pacific Ocean that separates Bicol Peninsula from the islands of Samar. The famous rock formations face the mighty waves of the Pacific ocean and it is through these waves that carved these magnificent rocks.
Finally after months of waiting for that right moment, my goal to set foot into this island came to realization. Summer is the best time to visit Biri Island for calmer weather. It should be noted that Biri faces the Pacific you so one can just imagine how strong the sea current is going through the island specially on bad weather. Careful planning should be done prior to visiting this place.
With all the said factors it was observed that summer this year has been delayed due to the La Niña phenomenon, my previous travel plans has been plagued with not so fine weather. A perfect example would be my March trip to Camiguin. But when the resident weather station announced and marked the start of summer, I immediately opened up with my travel buddy on the idea of going to Biri. I showed her some proof of the beauty of the island and she cheerfully showed her excitement. Fortunate enough she happen to have a cousin who lived in Calbayog one of the closest municipality to our target.
Equipped with enough information from research and inputs from my buddy's cousin, off we booked an Air Philippine Express flight from Cebu to Catarman. There are several ways to get to Biri, one could fly via Calbayog or Catarman or one might opt for the longer travel by boat to any port to Samar. The idea is to get to Lavezares -- the jump off point to Biri.
Our flight to Catarman was scheduled early morning of this year's Holy Thursday. It rained the night before but we were fortunate enough to experience a finer weather during the trip. We arrived at Catarman around 8:00am and immediately negotiated a tricycle driver to bring us to the PUJ terminal where we expected to ride a jeepney to Lavezares and agreed to pay 80 pesos good for three heads. The tricycle driver did not bring us to the terminal at all as he stumbled an available jeepney on the road. So basically one can just ask the driver to go to the nearest jeepney going to Lavezares. If fortunate enough a jeepney from the airport can also be available. From Catarman to Lavezares is approximately 1 hour ride and cost 50 pesos. I had to remind the driver that we need to drop-off to Lavezares specifically to the market, you can always assume that people sometimes forget. A keen eye to read signs is a plus, if I had not read a sign that it was already Lavezares we might have ended up in the next town.
Once in the Lavezares market, we ate for breakfast in a nearby carenderia and had eaten one of the best Fish Tinola, well as for my taste that is. We then went to the port area and waited for a boat going to the town of Biri. One may opt to take the special trip or "pakyaw" that cost around 700 pesos, basically this boat ride is yours exclusively. The more practical option which we took was the common ride where you just have to wait until the motor boat is full around 15 passengers which cost 50 pesos. Travel from Lavezares to Biri Island takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on the weather condition.
We were so lucky to meet a couple who are residents of the island. They offered to help us find accommodations on the place and gave us tips on how to get to the rock formation. When we arrived in the island, the guy introduced himself as "Vice" and even accompanied us to find a place to stay. He said that there are lodges that offer 100 pesos per night but unfortunately all were occupied so we stayed in a resort called Villa Amor. The resort has a decent fan room good for two at 500 pesos per night. Electricity in the island is only available from 12nn to 12midnight so air-conditioned room is not a practical option. After check-in, we immediately went to the rock formation together with Vice who help us commissioned a habal-habal driver going to Talisay. According to him, this is a much cheaper option than going to Mag-asang, one of the rock formations in Biri. Being the good samaritan that he was, Vice served us our tour guide for the day for FREE. Eventually we realized that Vice's real name was Noynoy, the son of the former Vice-Mayor of the island, this was confirmed from one of the habal-habal drivers we met.
Long hours of research has finally been paid off. The view of the place were simply breathtaking. And the only thing that came out on our minds was, "We'll be coming back to the place again". There are 6 rock formations namely: Magasang, Magsapad, Makadlao, Puhunan, Bil-at and Turo all of which we were able to visit during our 2-day stay in the island.
Breakdown of expenses (click the image to enlarge):
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Thanks for your blog. Another place on my "to visit" list. Philippines is indeed beautiful.
Nice info in your blog. Will soon visit this place. I never knew we have something like this in the Philippines.
Thank u for visiting my hometown
@GirlsRunTheWorld: yeah your hometown is nice and i'm planning to go back maybe summer of 2012 and this time I'm definitely gonna shoot sunrise/sunset.
Just spent a week there in May, try Glenda's bed and breakfast, brand new. Excellent hosts, and they will cook whatever you fancy. Very good cook too. For those who dont know much about this area, almost all of the islands if not all, do not have power for 12 hours a day. So plan accordingly.
Hi!
I’m from Northern Samar and currently taking up BS Mgt in UP. We are currently making a business plan for the development of biri Island. The Plan aims not just to develop the tourism industry but to create a community-based tourism that will somehow uplift the lives of the birianons and eventually the Norte Samarnons. With this, I just want to ask some questions:
1.) As a photography enthusiast, Which of the rock formations do you find most picturesque?
2.) Among the rock formations, in which spots/locations will you recommend to other photography enthusiasts ?
3.) did you stay in one the resorts or home stay?
4.) Do you want to avail a package tour to Biri?
5.) What will you suggest for the improvement of Biri? :)
Thank you!
Can I answer? ;)
1) Magasang is the most picturesque
2) Magasang still
3) Homestay with friendly local
4) I'd rather backpack
5) I want the rock formations as it is. I would recommend to paved the road. The habal-habal ride was so scary with all the bumps and humps!
i like your photos =) i would love to visit this place one day...
my answer to the posted questions. :)
1) Macadlaw - according to my friends it's like a mini New Zealand
2) While Macadlaw is picturesque for my taste :), I find Magasang safer for camping and would recommend to setup your initial location there.
3) Stayed at Villa Amor Resort. You buy ingredients and staff there can cook for you.
4) I always enjoy the freedom of backpacking.
5) The rock formations should remain as it is. I think a bridge was built now going to the Rock Formation, it was not yet there the last time I visited. Hopefully that bridge is the only improvement they'll do near the rock formation to maintain the undisturbed nature feel. I would like the people of Biri to be vigilant and help protect their jewel. --And for the would be visitors, no vandalism please :)
Sanjah, According to NS tourism... they stopped the project because it wasn't totally approved by the provincial government. Good thing they were able to stop it before some not-so-concerned persons ruined its nature.