BIRI ISLAND - HIDDEN PARADISE IN NORTHERN SAMAR, PHILIPPINES

I remember seeing this place for the first time in one of travel blogs in the internet. This place is included in my bucket list of places I want to visit in the Philippines. In my curiosity, I google about this place and the possibility of going here came across my mind. And so the adventure began when I came here last June and experience the beautiful place of Biri Island. In this blog, I will share to you how to get there, where to stay and places to visit in Biri Island.

Let me give you a background of Biri Island first. Biri Island is part of Eastern Visayas, Region VIII of the Philippines. As of to date, the population of the Island is only around 12,000. The unusual rock formations along the northern shore facing the Philippine sea are the must see spots here in Biri Island. 

HOW TO GET THERE:

• By Plane: If you're coming from Manila, you can take a bus going to Clark Airport and take Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight going to Catarman. PAL's flight schedules are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. From Catarman Airport, take a tricycle going to the terminal. Ride a jeepney bound for Lavezares port. Travel time is 1 hour and cost Php50. At the port, find a boat going to Biri Island. Travel time is 45 minutes and cost Php50. By the way, you need to pay a terminal fee of Php25. From Biri port, you can take a habal-habal going to your hotel. Travel time is 10-15 minutes and cost Php10. You can also take the flight from Manila to Calbayog or Tacloban but it will take you around 6 to 8 hours of travel time by land going to Biri Island. What I did is I took the Tacloban flight and visit the places in Tacloban City and Catbalogan City. If for whatever reason your coming from Tacloban City here is the commuting guide going to Biri Island from Tacloban City.

TRAVEL TRIP	FARE AMOUNT	REMARKS
FROM TACLOBAN CITY TO CATBALOGAN CITY	Php120-150	By Van: Grand Tours (at the back of savemore) or City Tours. Travel Time: 2 to 3 hours
FROM CATBALOGAN TO CALBAYOG	Php100	Ride a tricycle going to Van-Vans Terminal. Ask the driver to drop you at Grand Tours terminal. Travel Time: 2 hours
FROM CALBAYOG TO ALLEN	Php100	Via Grand Tours. Travel Time: 2 hours
FROM ALLEN TO LAVEZARES PORT	Php50	Via Tricycle
LAVEZARES PORT TO BIRI ISLAND	Php50	Via boat. Travel Time: 45 minutes Pay Terminal Fee of Php25.

• By Land: You can travel by bus going to Matnog Sorsogon and take a ferry going to Allen. From Allen, take a jeepney to Lavezarez port. This will take you long hours of travel. From Manila to Matnog, travel time is around 12 to 15 hours and will cost you around Php900 to Php1,200.

WHERE TO STAY

If you are looking for a place to stay in Biri Island and search in Agoda or Booking.com, you won't find anything. Here's a list of accommodations that I found in the internet you may want to try if you will stay overnight in Biri Island.

• Villa Amor Hotel - Contact No: 09353661415  Price Range: Php800 to Php1,500

• Biri Resort and Dive Center - Contact No: 09292884904  Price Range: Php750 to Php2,500

• Glenda's Bed and Breakfast - Contact No: 09394665011  Price Range: Php1,000 to Php2,000

• Gloria Vista Lodge - Contact No: 09472967737  Price Range: Php200 to Php1,000

For better quote of accommodation prices contact the number of your chosen hotel. Electricity in the island is only available from 12 noon to 12 midnight but don't worry all of the above accommodations have a generator for the hours that have no electricity.

PLACES TO VISIT

The rock formations are the must see spots in Biri Island. The major rock formations in Biri Island are Bel-at, Magsapad, Magasang, Macadlaw, Puhunan and Caranas.

Bel-at Natural Swimming Pool

Magsapad Rock Formation

Puhunan Rock Formation

Caranas Rock Formation

Pathway Trail

Package Rates - As of to date, below are the rates inclusive of environmental fee & tour guide. You can avail this packages through the tourism office of Biri Island.

• 2 pax - Php595 (1 habal-habal)
• 3 pax - Php645 (1 habal-habal)
• 4 pax - Php890 (2 habal-habal)
• 5 pax - Php940 (2 habal-habal)
• 6 pax - Php980 (2 habal-habal)
• 7 pax - Php1,525 (3 habal-habal)
• 8 pax - Php1,585 (3 habal-habal)
• 9 pax - Php1,635 (3 habal-habal)

I also recommend for you to try the sunrise in Biri Island. The magnificent view will definitely capture your heart and I can say that this is one of the best sunrise I have ever seen. An additional fee of Php200 in your package rate for you to enjoy the sunrise of Biri Island.

WHERE TO EAT

From where we stay (Villa Amor Hotel), you can ask them to cook for you some breakfast (silog). There are some carenderia (eateries) in the market that you can try. This are home cook food ranging from Php50 to Php100. At dinner time we tried a seafood restaurant called Lawud. Their specialties are crabs, squid and fish. You can also try saang (shell). One of their specialties.

Check below pictures taken at Biri Island:

 

PLEASE CHECK MY OTHER TRAVEL BLOGS:

Bangkok - Roaming Around The City

Kaohsiung Taiwan Travel Tips

      

     Kuala Lumpur - A Travel Blog

 

TAIPEI - WHERE TO GO