The beach near the San Jose port is probabably the nicest one in the area.
Carabao Island, is billed as “an emerging island paradise”, and is located at the southern tip of Tablas Island, Romblon, just a short boat ride from Boracay. There are grand plans to transform the island into a mega-resort destination complete with an international airport to provide direct access from other Asian countries (the land for the airport has been cleared for some time now, however construction is still yet to begin).
There are two main beaches on Carabao Island – Lanas beach on the western side of the island and San Jose beach on the east. Lanas beach is the closest to Boracay and is a good destination for divers (45 minutes boat ride). You could actually see Puka Beach from here and the lights of the huge resorts at night. There are a number of good dive sites within easy boat ride from Lanas, and at least one resort (Ivy’s Beach Resort) offers diving tours. The beach itself, however, is not particularly stunning. The sand is quite coarse, not the powdery white sand of Boracay, and there is a fair amount of sea weed washed up on the shore. There is no coral directly off the beach for snorkelling either.
Despite this a number of resorts have already sprung up along Lanas Beach with more being built. No doubt the proximity to Boracay is fuelling the development and will ensure the future popularity of these resorts as people look to escape the chaos of “Boracay”.
Reoublic of Inobahan is the only established resort near the San Jose port. Most resorts are located at Lanas Beach.
On the other side of the island is San Jose beach. San Jose is the largest community on the island, and has a port where ferries from mainland Tablas dock. The San Jose beach really is beautiful, and sports the same white powdery sand as can be found at Boracay. The area, however, is nearly totally devoid of tourist infrastructure. There is a road along the beach with residential buildings (the most magnificent of which belongs to the mayor); however there are not really any guest houses, resorts or restaurants currently operating.
One of the undeveloped beaches we visited while circumnavigating the whole island on "habal-habal"
The only official accommodation at San Jose is at the mayor’s place, named “The Republic of Inobahan”, however this is quite expensive for long term travelers like us (room rates start at Php1000). You can stay cheaply in a two-storey nipa hut just at the port, however the accommodation there is very basic. Another option is camping on the beach, which is permitted according to one of the local councilors. He also showed us some properties for sale in the area although we didn’t have any intention of buying one. It was nice though getting some local information about the place even unsolicited bits on who owns this land, that resort or that big house.
A stopover at the airport road construction area. It seems impossible but the news about an international airport on this small island with little infrasture to support it had been all over the news before. They even have a huge billboard to prove that.
North of San Jose, accessible by motorbike, there are a few more beaches which, while they are not great places to visit right now, one could imagine that they might be quite nice with a bit of a cleanup. There is also a beautiful and secluded beach and cove just near the ferry port – you just need to scramble over some rocks to gain access to it.
This beach is easily accessible from the port. A short walk and scrambling over some rocks if you don't want to get wet is all it takes to get here.
So is Carabao Island the “emerging island paradise” that it claims to be? Well, visiting the island today it’s hard to imagine that this island will ever become “the next Boracay”. The San Jose beach is certainly beautiful, however the infrastructure on the island has a long way to go, and it will take a lot of investment for it to become a world class destination. Certainly if the planned international airport pushes through (some residents on the island are skeptical that it will) it will provide the boost needed to propel the island into the limelight. Until then, go there to enjoy an uncrowded powdery beach or some nice diving away from (but near to) the maddening crowds of Boracay.
View from Ivy's Resort on Lanas Beach where we stayed for 2 nights before heading back to Tablas Island.
How to get there
From Manila or Batangas: Catch an overnight ferry to Odiongan port, Tablas. From there take the first jeep of the day to Santa Fe where you can catch ferry to San Jose on Carabao Island (45 mins). You’ll probably need to stay overnight on Tablas somewhere (either Odiongan or Looc would be good options). If you miss the public ferry to San Jose, you may be able to charter a private boat to take you.
From Boracay/Caticlan: From Caticlan you can arrange a boat ride to San Jose (about 45 mins). Timetables and prices vary, so ask around in Caticlan or Boracay.
San Jose to Lanas Beach: To reach Lanas beach from San Jose take a habal-habal (P120 for 2 pax).
hhmm, mejo mataas expectation ko jan sa Carabao Island, parang di ko nga makitang that’s the next boracay. intayin ko yan sa Summer season, baka mas maganda tubig pag may sunshine! Ü
Maganda pa rin naman ang Carabao Island, tama na ang isang Boracay
maganda pero masyado nang commercialized.
How sad that there will be an airport: we left Panglao because there will be an airport there, and now, a paradise place like Carabao island will have another airport. sana maliit lang.
It had been the plan for quite a while now. But I think an international airport in a small island like that is not possible right now – maybe a small airstrip.
we are developing a new residential beach resort in this island at san jose fonting the puka beach. I think it will help the island capture more tourist.
Thanks for sharing Mike.
looks like we have the next beach haven to conquer. havta come here before it gets developed – better that way than the developed boracay.
Yeah, it’s a good place to explore, although not as beautiful as Boracay but it has its own charm.
what i find interesting in the place are those really narrow cemented roads that can barely fit a car. tamang-tama lang para sa habal-habal para mas madaling maikot ang place
Masarap sumakay sa habal-habal, nakakanerbyos nga lang minsan lalo na sa may lubak na lugar pero marasap ikutin yung island na nakamotor, este nakasakay pala sa motor ni manong
in the news nga to lately with an international airport in the making but for me no traffic can gain from this island. The airport in Caticlan is very close to the region so mahirap mag-share ng market lalo na same type of visitors and destination lang pupuntahan plus hindi pa develop ang Carabao Is. to support the tourist demand, there is a long way to go to develop this island and to match Boracay by having an airport of its own.
I share the same sentiments, dapat kung international airport uunahin na yung merong infrastructure that will support the influx of tourists, at ang lapit lang ng Boracay. Parang mapapaisip ka tuloy kung pinapaasa lang ba mga tao.
The danger in developing more virgin beach front is to deprive filipino people to use our beachfront free of charge. Boracay is a concrete example of too much exploitation of mother nature.:-). I am ok with the development but they must retain some access to those who are residents in that area. They are the previous owners of the land, they were being deceived because of greediness of some people. And then where are they now? They are dispersed from the land they previously owned. (The Aetas). That’s the true story of Boracay.
I agree with you, that’s the first thing Charles noticed when we went to Puerto Galera. Most of the resorts and hotels were so near the beach. It’s actually a few meters away from the beach. It ruins the ambience of the whole scene, pwede naman ilayo ng konti para so to retain the natural state of the area.
Hi, it has been a long time since I’ve heard about this place. I’ve been to boracay and we all know what beauty it brings. What would be the fastest, easiest and most convenient way of getting here in Carabao Island? Does the Island have cheap guest houses? A reply would be much appreciated! Thanks a lot
The fastest would be from Boracay, less than an hour I think. But I’m not sure if it’s the cheapest. Yeah there are nice resorts there around 1000 per room but you can try homestay if you want it cheaper.
Okay then, thank you so much for the info!!!! Btw, Nice blog…
No worries Drie.
this is the most intimate post of carabao island that can be found in the internet.. thanks for this blog ms. claire
I’ll be posting more about Carabao Island soon
next bora? anlayo naman.
That’s their claim.
Been here last March 2010. The main beach (fronting the mayor’s house) is as creamy, fine and pure white as boracay’s. Took us 1 hour to reach coming from bora. Take note of the waves, they’re usually big during noon time or high tide.
I hope and pray that the airport never comes to fruition . Once it does the islanders will lose all control of their land etc. they will just become workers earning low wages in the “mega resorts”. Better to develop small family run guest houses cafes and restaurants themselves thereby maintaining their independence as well as the also maintaining the enivironment. Boracay will die…it will become so overcrowded and polluted and no one will visit all because the development has reach an unsustainable level.Just ask yourself , “where does all the sewage generated go to for treatment?” Small is beautiful.
salamat sa info ms. claire. balak naming pumunta dyan ng mga friends ko at isabay sa aming boracay trip. ask ko lang kung pareho ba iyong san jose beach at hambil? o ibang beach pa iyon? mukhang maganda rin kasi dun.
I forgot but it has many beaches around its coast which you can all visit on habal-habal in an hour or so.
Any recent news on Carabao Island international airport? Has construction already started? If so, when is the expected completion date?
I haven’t heard any news or latest development as well.
What do you think about investing on this Island? Have you heard of Boracay View Resort on Carabao Island? Any information / thoughts on this would be appreciated!
I dont think I’m the right person to ask regarding investing on this island. But if you want to own a beach house property in a quiet, pristine and untouristy spot then Carabao Island could be one of your options.
hello Ms. Claire
thank you for very helpful insights about San Jose island
do you know anybody selling their beachfront property in San Jose island? how about that guy that showed you around?
me and my husband are really interested…any tips how we can find direct sellers (owners)?
thank you.
The guy who showed us around was one of the councilors there. It’s a small island, it’s easy to explore and most residents would know a property for sale or at least know someone who does.
I am form Carabao island though lives abroad.Everytime I go home for vacation,I am always thankful that I was hailed from this place.Most of the beachfront properties are already sold or the owner has no intention of selling it.But Im sure there are some properties for sale on the other parts of the island.
hi! are you still interested in purchasing a beachfront property in san jose? thank you very much
Yes Ann
Hi Ms. Claire, pwede kayang libutin ang Romblon islands (tablas, sibuyan and romblon) ng 4 na araw lang minus ferry back and forth from batangas? Okay po ba ang inter-island transportation? Thanks!!!
Depende kung ano ang kasama sa itinerary nyo, 3 days kami dati sa Sibuyan pa lang dahil inakyat namin yung Mt. Guiting Guiting. Meron din lang schedule ang byahe ng mga sasakyan kaya dapat iresearch nyo rin yun para di kayo mastranded sa isang lugar.
Thanks!!! Hope to also climb Mt. Guiting-guiting someday…
ilang oras po byahe sa carabao island from batangas? tsaka mgkano po? tanx
Hi Ma;am, did you go here alone? I’m planning an overnight solo trip here kasi next month. Okay lang ba pumunta dito mag-isa?
Hi Karla, how was your trip. Sorry I just read your comment now. Hope you had a blast in Carabao island.