The Pinay Solo Backpacker

Biri Island is a tiny island saturated with natural attractions like the Biri Rock Formations. There are 6 rock formations:  Magasang , Magsapad, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Bel-at and Caranas.  I chose the magnificent Magasang Rock Formation as it is pretty close to Magsapad and Macadlaw.  It is advisable to go there during low tide as you have to walk a few meters to reach these rock formations.  However, in a few weeks or months, the bridge that is being built from the mainland to Magasang Rock Formation will make it easier for tourists to reach these sites. I just hope they don’t overdevelop it to retain its natural charm.

How to Get to Biri Rock Formations and Biri Island:

There’s 2 jump-off point to Biri Island; Lavezares town in Northern Samar or Matnog in Sorsogon. Though the latter is closer to Biri Island, the boats doesn’t have fixed schedules.

From Catbalogan, Samar to Biri Island:

There are vans (Grand Tours ) that goes to Calbayog for Php 100 (1 hour) . The van will stop at their terminal in Calbayog where you can switch to the van headed to Allen (Php 100). At Allen, take a padjak (Php 20) to the town center and ask to be dropped to either tricycles or jeeps bound to Lavezares town.  I would recommend taking a tricycle instead (Php 20; 30 minutes) as it gets full easily than waiting for the entire jeep to be full. Ask the tricycle driver to bring you to the pier or port where boats to Biri Islands are docked.

From Allen, Samar to Biri Island:  

At Allen, take a padjak (Php 20) to the town center and ask the driver to take you to either tricycles or jeeps bound to Lavezares town.  Taking a tricycle instead for Php 20 is better than getting a jeep as it gets full easily. Ask the tricycle driver to drop you to the port where the passenger boats to Biri Islands are located.

From Catarman, Samar to Biri Island:

Take a jeep bound to Lavesarez town (Php 50).  At Lavezares town, look for the port where the passenger boats to Biri Island are docked.

From Lavesarez town to Biri Islands:

Passenger boats are available from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM only. Fare is Php 50 but sometimes due to lack of passengers, the boatman may ask you to just split the cost with some passengers.  I was asked to pay Php 100 (one way).  The boat can accommodate maximum 6 passengers. Pakyaw rate of the boat is Php 300.

If you miss the passenger boats, you can hire a pump boat to take you to Biri Island. Otherwise, you may want to stay in Allen (there’s a hostel near the Grand Tours van station, pick the first hostel with red gate, I forgot the name, because it is secure to stay there.)

From Matnog, Sorsogon to Biri Island:

There are pump boats that goes to Biri Island regularly however the schedule is not fixed (forgot to ask the time).  Fare is only Php 150. This is the easiest route.  From Biri Island (poblacion port) to Matnog, Sorsogon, the boats leave daily at 7:00AM.

Getting Around in Biri Island:

Take note that normally these passenger boats will NOT drop you at the poblacion (town center) in Biri Island where lodges and homestay are available. You have to ride a habal-habal  (motorcycle) for Php 10 per person and you may hire the driver to take you to Biri Rock Formation.

Biri Island to Biri Rock Formations:

Habal-Habal is the only mode of transportation to Biri Rock Formations (unless you have friends or family in Biri Island with private vehicles).  The normal rate is Php 35 one way and Php 75 roundtrip.  Just ask the driver to pick you up at a certain time, 2 – 3hours should be enough. The habal-habal drivers may ask to guide you, negotiate the guide fee, although usually the drivers in Biri Islands are kind and not abusive, they will let you decide how much you can give them.  Just bear in mind that if you let them wait for you and you let them guide you, they are losing other passengers as well so please pay them a guide fee that they deserve. The major livelihood of the men in Biri Island is fishing and driving habal-habal.

Pay the tourism fee for Php 50 per person at the Tourism Center or else, the poor habal-habal drivers will be penalized for one week. They will be prohibited to drive for 1 week, most of them have families so they could not afford not to work. There are people manning the jump off point to the rock formations so they know how many tourists are being brought to the area.

*Make sure to bring water and food as there’s no store near these rock formations.

 

Recommended Home stay:

Ate Glo’s Homestay: Php 150 per day. It’s a blue bungalow house owned by a retired teacher who is now living in Catarman. There is a caretaker there Ate Neneng who will be glad to assist you. There are four rooms, and one shared bathroom.

Eateries are located near the port. Stores and eateries closes early. But if you are staying at Ate Glo’s they have a small store that sells canned foods and pancit canton that closes late at night.

Electricity: Electricity in Biri Island runs from 12 noon to 12 midnight only.

Signal:  Smart Broadband is okay. Globe cellphone signal is okay.

*********************************************************************************************** About the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina solo adventurer, a dream chaser and a student of life.  Her (mis) adventures are documented in this blog. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter. For advertisement, partnerships and sponsorship, click here. or email me at thepinaysolobackpacker(at)yahoo(dot)com. **********************************************************************************************

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