Matukad Island

Blame it on the novels and bedtime stories about pirates and buccaneers seeking adventure in the high seas and laying claim on deserted islands. These stories egged me into exploring the vastness of the ocean and satisfying my wanderlust. And on the invitation of Eagle Creek, I packed my gears and went on to explore the Caramoan Peninsula.

Journey to an Island Paradise

Located northeast of Camarines Sur, the hilly Caramoan Peninsula is characterized by deep gorges and rough, rocky terrain. It has a National Park which features limestone formations, caves, sandy beaches, an islet lake, and a subterranean river.

Armed with our durable and water-repellant Eagle Creek luggage, my companions and I endured the 10-hour bus ride to Naga City, the starting point of our journey. Let’s face it, a journey that entails long arduous travel is a real deal breaker. But for us adventurous folks, the long travel is an adventure in itself as it adds pizzazz to the holistic experience.

From the Naga City Central Terminal located near the San Francisco Church, we headed to Sabang port. From Sabang Port, we took a small commercial boat that ferries passengers to Guijalo-Caramoan Port. It took two hours to get from one port to another.

To while away the time, we convened at the boat deck to look at the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean and the stunning Mayon Volcano. Being at the sea gave us a sense of serenity that transcended the exhausting hustle and bustle of modern life. It was quite surreal to stare at the infinite ocean in the horizon. Yet, we knew that the sea is treacherous. Even with the advent of modern technology, the sea still offers challenges beyond anything that humans can predict or control.

We arrived at the Guijalo Port and headed to the Gota Village Resort. The quaint resort has several cabanas which were originally built to house the production crew of Koh-Lanta, the French edition of reality show Survivor. Each cabana was constructed using fresh-cut pine wood. Although the cabana is quite small, the space is utilized wisely, making it cozy and inviting.

The resort has a modest sandy shore but it has strong and consistent waves. It could have been a good surfing spot if not for the rocky bottom. The shore faces the Pacific Ocean with amazing rock formations on both sides. There’s a stairway leading to a flat terrain where one can see a 180-degree panoramic view of the islands.

At the Paniman Beach, there are several family-owned rest houses and homestays. Here, the locals dish up delicious native delicacies, mostly seafood or whatever the catch of the day is. This gives city folks like us a glimpse of life in the islands.

An Adventure like no Other

Two coves away from Gota is the Hunongan Cove. Its white sandy shore is ideal for camping and Frisbee-throwing. Across Hunongan is the Cagbalingad Island, an even smaller cove. Both islands are partly hidden from view by the adjacent islands and surrounded by towering limestone cliffs which serve as natural barriers protecting the islands from high winds and strong waves. The water on this part is always so calm with just passive riffles.

Since ours was an adventure trip, we really took the meaning of the word to heart and decided to swim from Hunongan to Cagbalingad. We didn’t sign up for this. But what the heck, it was a challenge we couldn’t forego.

Armed with just life vests and what adequate swimming skills we have, we started to swim ashore. Looking at the stretch of water between the two islands, it seemed really close. But believe me, the 1.2 kilometers stretch felt like forever. I kept on swimming, but I couldn’t seem to reach the shore. The boat which was following us halted several times just to keep up with my sluggishness.

After more or less an hour, we reached the Hunongan shore. I’m not a strong swimmer, but I endured it. It made me feel like a winner in a triathlon event.

Our adventure didn’t stop there. On Matukad Island whose shore is covered by white puka shells and coral over powdery pink sands, we rock climbed the limestone cliff to see the enigmatic lagoon where a huge milkfish resides.

Local tales have it that there used to be a pair of milkfish in the lagoon. But a camper harpooned one and ate it. Soon after, the camper's two children died. Since then, nobody attempted to catch the lonely bangus.

Climbing the cliff wasn’t easy. The edges were rough and jagged that it could graze the arms and legs and cause cuts and abrasion. A misstep would mean a really, really bad fall.

Other islands to explore are: Pitogo Bay which is not your usual beach because instead of powdery sand, the shore is lined with piles of smooth-edged stones; Lahos Island, dubbed as the Paradise Island, characterized by two almost identical limestone formations cut in the middle by a long and uninterrupted sandbar; Lahuy and Sabitang Laya Islands, both are known for their endless stretch of white beach and large rock formations; and Tinago Bay, which as the name indicates is literally hidden from the sea by the limestone formations that enclose the cove.

Aside from the happy mixture of sun, sand, and sea, the isolation and laid-back lifestyle in Caramoan contributed to an unforgettable adventure. The Caramoan trip definitely taught us to live life to the fullest, find an adventure and taste its forbidden fruits. Indeed, you will never be the same as you sail into the horizon and experience the temperament of the vast sea.

(Eagle Creek is an adventure travel gear brand which first introduced the convertible backpack on wheels and is known for revolutionizing the way travelers pack through its Pack-it® gear organizers.)