After visiting two lovely sandbars earlier in the day, our boat swiftly cruised through the calm waters of Caramoan Peninsula towards the famed triangular island called Sabitang Laya. It was a stark contrast to the rough boat ride we had a few years back when our small boat braved the rough waves typical in this place during the “ber” months. As we approached the island, it was the extensive limestone cliffs jutting out from the sea that greeted us first. It reminded me of a smaller version of the rock formations in El Nido, Palawan, while the rock boulders on its shores reminded me of the ones at Borawan Island.
Sabitang Laya was my favorite among the islands we visited during our island-hopping in Caramoan. It has the longest stretch of sugar-like powdery sand that extends up to 2 kilometers when combined with the shoreline from the other side. Having two long stretches of beach on one island and a vast sandy shore in between makes it a perfect place for beach camping. I could imagine myself waking up in the morning and running towards the clear waters for a quick dip, exploring the unique rock formations and waiting for the sunset on top of the rock boulders for many days. Too bad camping isn’t allowed on the island, but on the other hand, I guess that’s not a bad idea after all – it is easier to preserve and maintain its pristine condition that way.
After anchoring our boat near the shore, I immediately climbed one of the rock boulders to get a good look at the surroundings. It was a lovely sight from top with the view of two shorelines and clear shallow waters extending into the distance. Another cordoned set of the reality-TV series “Survivor” occupied a good portion of the shores but that didn’t stop us from enjoying its natural beauty.
Here are the 3 Wonders of Sabitang Laya that I enjoyed the most.
The Unique Rock Formations
Stunning rock formations surround the island, from small ones that form interesting images to to tall and imposing jagged cliffs that are fun to scale.
Twin Beach
The triangular shaped island that looks like an over-sized head of a kite forms two long strands of beach that are a short-walk from each other.
The beach where we moored our boat.
The beach on the other side of the island.
The Crystal Clear Waters
The two stretches of shoreline offer a wide range of places to swim and snorkel as well. I wouldn’t mind spending many days here.
It was fun exploring the nooks and crannies of the rock formations especially the ones submerged underwater. The water was too inviting to resist, so this time, I whiled away my time swimming near the rock boulders instead of lazing on the beach and sunbathing. Glad we didn’t try to cram too many islands into one day during our trip. I had fun taking photos and simply enjoying the scenery. It was the perfect place to end our one-day island-hopping in Caramoan.
This is one of my dream places.:-). Stunning and amazing rock formation with a combination of green trees.:-). White sand and pristine blue beaches.
Basta tropical beaches, paradise din for me. What beaches will you visit this summer po?
Crystal clear waters indeed, I’d love to go back there since when we went there a “Survivor” Israel was being shot, a couple of islands were off limits then.
Although it was my 2nd visit to Caramoan, it was also my first time to visit the islands included in our tour. There are always something new to discover. Drop by at Caramoan before you go to Donsol
I wasn’t able to go to this island when I went to Caramoan two years ago. This post makes me wanna go there ASAP
Yeah, I read your post about Caramoan too. I only went to Gota Beach and Matukad Island during my first visit to Caramoan in 2008. They both have equally gorgeous beaches as well.
di ka talaga ma uubusan ng beach post no? wehehehe…
i could spend an entire month here too and explore those caves and underwater rock formations!
“sigh” ang dami pa nakaline-up sa beach blogs ko, meron pa Bantayan Island, Panglao Bohol, Anda Bohol, other Bicol beaches :etc. I’m just prioritizing them now coz summer vacation is fast approaching
Hello, Claire! Grabe, ang linaw ng tubig, great rock formations, truly an amazing place to go! Thank you for sharing it! =)
The beach is calling you JoMi
Tinatawag nga nya ako eh, hehehe! Sarap mag punta dyan lalo na ngayong summer! Hehehe! =)
I wouldn’t mind spending a week there too! ganda!
True, as long as there’s food and water, I can master the art of doing nothing here
These rock formations resemble that of Coron’s, and it’s very breathtaking. Those clouds in your second to the last photo are like brushed watercolors on a canvass.
I love all the photos esp the first and the second image.
Thanks Rizalenio, it’s a compliment indeed coming from you
Hi Claire! Another well written post! Thank you for sharing you’re experience with us…
Thanks Mervin, kung puro beaches and post ko lately, food naman sayo, what’s next on your list?
Claire, you had never failed me to amaze with your island explorations! This one is really cool! With awesome rock formations, immaculate azure beaches and emerald green surroundings, this island is sure not to miss on my list of travel places to explore one day..Thank you so much for sharing. Happy trip as always!
Happy trip to you too, keep safe always
we were scared of the jelly fishes here because of what our guide said about the island. but they had nice rock formations!
sayang claire, di tayo nag-abot sa Baguio. hope to meet you though any time soon!
Oo nga, sana merong uli event para mag-meet. Attend ka sana ng last day of the Pyromusical
The rock formations are incredible…the whole beach is incredible!!! I wish I was there right now..lol!
Same here Nelieta, wishing I’m back on the beach now
first time kong makita ang Caramoan in a different angle like what you have here in your blog post photos. nice rock formations nga at ang kulet nung mga kubo……never saw one like that before kahit sa blogs.lol
Kasama yata yun sa set ng Survivor.
Nothing beats the beaches in the Philippines! I can’t wait to go home this summer.
Wow uwi ka, hope to meet you before we all hit the road to summer bliss
I’m there May…yeah I would love meet up with Pinay Travel Bloggers. =) I’m serious…may meet up ba sa Manila?
Yeah , same here, I would like to meet more Pinay wanderers
We usually just contact each other through Facebook. I think any informal get together will do, let us know once you’re back. 
Wowoweee! Life is beach!
ang ganda! an dame ko pala na miss nung nagpunta ako, my shooting kase ang Survivor.
Madami pa din ako actually di napupuntahan, sana makabalik ulit
I mean “Life is a beach!”…hehehe. Amazingly wonderful beaches you’ve been to Claire. Nadagdagan na naman ang mga dream destinations ko. : )
Indeed, hope to see more pristine beaches this summer. Negra mode uli ako
Caramoan is now on ” The List ” . lol.
I have a feeling your list will keep on growing
Ang ganda. Ang sarap pumunta dito. Sa Camarines Sur ito db? Nasa bicol bah ang Camarines Sur? sarap mag bakasyun dito ngayung summer. Hooh!
Great post Claire; thanks a lot for sharing. cheers!
Yep, Naga City has the nearest Airport to Caramoan, pwede din Legaspi pero 2 hours land travel pa to reach Naga.
ganda! sana makapunta nako jan
Ayan isama mo na sa itinerary if you get the chance to visit the Bicol Region
This place simply looks awesome and the photos are wonderful. Thanks for making me jealous. I need to really get out and travel more.
Wonderful pictures of the island! May isang isla dyan na combine na Palawan limestones at Boracay naman ang white sand beach.. ito ba yun? or yung Matukad Island? Nabasa ko sa isang travel magazine hindi ko lang maalala…
Sa Palawan to anoh? ang ganda dito. makapunta kaya ako dyan? hehe. Claire nakapunta kna ba sa San Victor Island sa Davao Oriental? Maganda rin dun.
Sa Camarines Sur po in Bicol. Madami pa din akong di napupuntahan lalo na sa Mindanao, thanks for the link, I’ll take note of San Victor Island next time I visit Davao
Sorry Claire, naduling ako. Sa Camarines Sur pala sa Bicol. Sa dami ng binabasa ko minsan nakakalimutan ko yung nababasa ko na.
really a paradise..can you also feature CALAGUAS island at camarines norte also a hidden paradise
Yeah I will, I was there 2 weeks ago as part of my 2-week backpacking trip
I will Maje, I was there 2 weeks ago. I will post my blog about it in the coming days
wow! it really is a wonder! how i wish i could go there this summer!
Uy we spent a whole day here, ang ganda nga dito Claire!
My only beef was wala masyado mapag snorkelan ahaha
Yeah not the best spot to snorkel in Caramoan, Matukad is better.
Claire, will you kindly give me the name of the owner of the boat you rented for your island hopping and his contact number. How much did you pay for boat rental per day. Im planning to go to Caramoan a few days from now. Your travel blog is very informative. Thanks in advance!
Hello Karen, sorry I didn’t get his number. anyway, there are many choices of boats once you get to the jump-off point. Basically they follow a tariff for island-hopping although sometimes you might get a cheaper rate if you haggle well.
Thanks again. I wish I could go home as often as I want. Do you have a blog of beaches in Catanduanes particularly on the western part of the island? Haven’t checked yet your other posts.
G300
Hi Gideon, I don’t have an entry about Catanduanes. I wasn’t blogging yet when first visited it.
We loved Sabitang Laya. All of us were wowed by the rock formations. Plus the sand was such a pleasure to walk in.
Hi Ms. Claire,
First time po kasi namin kung sakali sa caramoan we want to go where the survivor reality show location. But I don’t know how to get there? how much? and pano kami makakamura. We go to places kasi ng marami kami para tipid lagi.
Saan kayo mangagaling. Meron van sa harap ng SM Naga papuntang Sabang Port tapos galing Sabang sakay kayo ng passenger boat papuntang Guijalo Port sa Caramoan. Pwede kayo magtricycle papunta sa hotel nyo galing dito.
hi there ms. claire!!
thank you so much for your all blog regarding caramoan!!!
such a big help for us for the long weekend trip!!
No worries, have fun!
I miss the clear, shallow waters of Sabitang Laya! I’m coming back soon!!!
This is also one of my favorite islands in Caramoan. What I particularly liked about it is its extremely fine sand. Ang sarap hawakan.
Hi Ms Claire. You have a very informative blog regarding caramoan. Is it possible for you to share your itinerary from day 1 to your last day in the island. I have read your post regarding the 10 things you should do in caramoan and i’m wondering if it is possible to do everything for 4days / 3nights. I will be visiting the island soon. Thanks in advance.
Hi Bing, yes it’s possible to visit the popular islands in 3 nights. They usually put together the nearer islands as one package which you could do in one day ( Matukad, Lahos, Hunungan etc) and the farther islands ( Cotivas, Sabitang Laya.etc the next day. You could also customise your trip and visit the islands you want. (Just bargain with your boatman) You still have another day to visit the attractions around the town as well.
hi! just want to ask, r u always alone in ur trip?, coz i was actually thinking of tripping alone but kinda hesitant coz of security reason.
Hi Pia, I did many solo trips but I did several trips with friends, relatives and even strangers as well