Biri Island : Biri Rock Formations Travel Guide

Biri Island is a small island saturated with natural attractions like the Biri Rock Formations. There are 7 rock formations:  Magasang , Magsapad, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Pinanahawan, Bel-at and Caranas.

Biri Rock Formation at Biri Island, Samar

Biri Rock Formation at Biri Island, Samar

How to Get to Biri Rock Formations and Biri Island:

There are 2 jump-off points 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.

*Nearest Airport to Biri Island is located in Catarman, with direct flights to and from Manila.

From Catbalogan, Samar to Biri Island:

There are vans (Grand Tours ) bound for Calbayog for Php 100 (1 hour) . The van will stop at their terminal in Calbayog where you can switch to a 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 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 Allen, Samar to Biri Island:  

At Allen, ride the tricycle  bound for Lavesarez town, fare is  Php 20. Tell the tricycle driver you will get off at 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. Travel time is 1 hour, fare is Php 50.  The boat can accommodate maximum 6 passengers.  If you miss the passenger boat, you can hire a pump boat to take you to Biri Island.  Chartering the boat will cost you Php 300 (pakyaw rate).

From Matnog, Sorsogon to Biri Island:

There is a boat that  travels 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.

Alternatively, you can ride the ferry that connects Matnog to Allen Samar .  From Allen, Samar, take a tricycle to Lavezares town and look for the port  with boats bound for Biri Island.

Biri4

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.

Biri Island to Biri Rock Formations:

Habal-Habal is the only mode of transportation to Biri Rock Formations. Tour rates are now standardized – Php 200 ( maximum 8 hours/ maximum 3 passengers) which includes Bel-at, Caranas, Magasang and Magsapad Rock Formations.

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 are no stores nearby.

Biri2

 

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. Mobile Number: +63 920 8698 668

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.

 

* First published : July 12, 2012

* Updated: August 1, 2013

*Updated: November 14, 2013

*Updated: June 6, 2014

 

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