Here’s a travel guide to help you plan your trip to Sorsogon’s best beaches: Subic beach and Tikling Island is located on Matnog.
Recommended Boatman :
Eddie Evasco – 09261404577 (TM) / 09282538607 (Smart)
*Kuya Eddie is now a Brgy. Kagawad in Camcaman, Matnog, Sorsogon and the president of the Boat Operators in Matnog.
The postcard-worthy Subic Beach in Matnog.
HOW TO GET TO SUBIC BEACH, TIKLING ISLAND IN MATNOG
HOW TO GET TO MATNOG FROM MANILA
BY BUS:
Manila to Matnog
Take a bus bound for Matnog from Alabang (fronting Starmall/Metropolis), Cubao (fronting Alimall) or Pasay. Look for bus companies such as DLTB, CUL, Philtranco, RSL/Amihan/Peñafrancia, Goldline or Raymond Bus.
Buses usually leave Manila at 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM. There is a 7:30 PM trip for Philtranco at Alabang. Travel time is 14 hours. Fare is around Php 850-Php 1,000 for air-conditioned. Php 700 for ordinary bus.
If you miss the bus to Matnog, you can take a bus en route to Samar (Catbalogan,etc), Tacloban or Davao. It will stop at Matnog pier before boarding the ferry. Otherwise, take a bus bound for Sorsogon or Legazpi and follow the instructions below.
Tikling Island in Matnog
From Legazpi to Matnog
Option 1
If coming from Legazpi Airport, take a tricycle to the terminal of Daraga-Matnog buses, trike fare is about Php 50-Php 80. Travel time to Matnog is about 4 hours. Fare is Php 170 for ordinary bus. Now for your return trip to Legazpi, at Matnog town, ask around for buses which will pass by Daraga. You will get off at a gas station and then catch a jeep bound for Legazpi, fare is Php 8.
Option 2
If coming from Legazpi Airport, take a tricycle to Legazpi Bus Terminal, fare is usually Php 50 from the airport. But if you took a bus bound for Legazpi, it will stop at Legazpi Bus Terminal, so you just need to transfer to another bus.
At Legazpi Bus Terminal, look for a bus en route to Bulan. Tell the driver or conductor you are getting off at Trece (landmark is the Lion Clubs monument with a lion’s head, this is the intersection between Bulan and Matnog). This is about 20-30 minutes from Irosin, so if you hear the conductor shouts Irosin. Prepare your things and remind the driver you are alighting at Trece).
From Trece, cross to the other side and wait for a jeep bound for Matnog. Fare is Php 20. Alternatively, if you are in groups, you can just charter a tricycle to Matnog town for Php 150. If you are alone and there are other passengers also bound for Matnog, you can join them for Php 25 per head or charter the tricycle for Php 150.
Juag Fish Sanctuary
From Sorsogon to Matnog
Alternatively, from Manila or Legazpi, you can take a bus bound for Sorsogon and alight at Sorsogon Integrated Bus and Jeep Terminal. From Sorsogon, ride a jeep bound for Matnog.
BY AIR:
MANILA TO LEGAZPI
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have daily flights between Legazpi and Manila. From Legazpi Airport, take a tricycle to Legazpi Terminal for Php 50. You can take a bus bound for Sorsogon or Bulan. Please read instructions above.
Matnog to Subic Beach, Tikling Island and Juag Fish Sanctuary
Charter a boat for island hopping at Matnog town. Day tour rate is Php 1, 600 (good for 10 pax) and Php 2,000 (good for 10 pax) for overnight.
Recommended boatman: Eddie Evasco – 09261404577 (TM) / 09282538607 (Smart)
All tourists are required to pay the following fees:
Registration fee is Php 50 (local) / Php 40 (senior) / Php 300 (foreign) plus Php 20 environmental fee (Php 4 discount for seniors). Do ask for receipt.
THINGS TO DO IN SUBIC BEACH MATNOG
Swimming, snorkeling, and diving (bring your own equipment). Swim with the fish in Juag Fish sanctuary, no entrance fee as of the moment but I urge you to donate to the good caretakers.
Where to Stay in Subic
You can camp at Subic Beach Dako, bring your tent. Open cottages can also be rented for Php 400 (day use) or Php 500 (overnight).
Where to Eat
Buy food in town before proceeding. You can buy fresh fish or seafood at the market and grill it at the beach. Make sure to buy charcoal too.
Kuya Eddie, the boatman, also accepts catering services.
TRAVEL EXPENSES FOR MATNOG ISLAND HOPPING
| Bus Fare (one way) | Php 850- 1,000 |
| Tourist Registration Fee (local) | Php 50 |
| Tourist Registration Fee (foreign) | Php 300 |
| Tourist Registration Fee (senior) | Php 40 |
| Emvironmental Fee | Php 20 |
| Environmental Fee (senior) | Php 16 |
| Boat (Day Tour) | Php 1,600 |
| Boat (Overnight) | Php 2,000 |
| Cottage (Day Use) | Php 400 |
| Cottage (Overnight) | Php 500 |
Matnog Side Trips:
If you are looking for other places to visit near Matnog. Consider the following:
Biri Island –> https://www.thepinaysolobackpacker.com/biri-island-biri-rock-formations-northern-samar/
Bulusan —> https://www.thepinaysolobackpacker.com/bulusan-sorsogon-travel-guide/
Gubat Surfing _–> https://www.thepinaysolobackpacker.com/surfing-in-gubat-sorsogon/
Capul (to be posted soon)
- Originaly published in 2011
- Edited on July 27, 2013
- Edited on Nov 21, 2015
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Hi Gael! pinapasabi po ni Manong Eddie (Kagawad na siya ngayon ng Brgy) maraming salamat daw at nipost mo number niya sa blog mo 🙂 Pumunta kasi kami sa matnog at siya rin kinuha namin. Nagtataka daw siya kasi may mga nagte text na lang daw sa kanya.
wow! nice, yeah, i didn’t tell him who I am, i just told him I’m a student. yung anak nya yung boatman ko, ang bait kase nila. 🙂 kaya pala minsan d daw nagre-reply si Manong Eddie. haha Glad you had fun! 🙂
Hi gael,
We are trying to contact manong eddie but the voice prompt says that the number is incorrect, a bit weird though since Mark was able to contact him. anyhow would it be had if we will just go there and ask the local for a boat?
Thanks and enjoy the Philippines!
Billy
yes, you can just ask around nlng po. or you can look for Manong Eddie, since he is the bgry. captain na daw po dun so most likely they know him na. 🙂
ive been to subic matnog this weekend with my family. nice place. they have already a cottage which u can rent for overnite stay ( isa pa lang). meron na electricity and fresh water. u can call the land owner for reservations , Mr Eddie Chua ( 09176186561). if ur goin to the fish sanctuary, dapat high tide(b/w 10am-12pm) para makapasok ang boat.
thanks for the update. yeah, i heard the place is owned by Chua family. =)
my friends and i are planning to go next weekend. this is the consummation of a very old plan to go backpacking. kinuha ko ‘yung naka-post na number ni Manong (Kag.) Eddie sa taas but I can’t connect. i tried also to text the number of Mr. Chua. hopefully he will respond. anyhow, i will go back to this site to tell you of our adventure. nakatulong ang blog na ‘to para ma-approve ang subic beACH sa grupo hahah!
you can look for manong eddie sa village near matnog port he is the brgy. kagawad na daw now. 🙂 have fun! 🙂
Hi, can i ask how much is the closed cottage in Subic Matnog? yung pwedeng stayan overnight. planning to go there this weekend. 🙂 thanks!
not sure about the rate. 🙁 i’m sorry but someone left a comment above, the phone number of the owner 09176186561 (Eddie Chua). Not sure though if the number is correct as I don’t personally know wholeft the comment. But kindly check and txt that number and inquire about the rate.
Hi Miss Gael.. Ask ko lng po how much ang entrance fee s Tikling Island and limited lng po b ung passenger ng boat? Were planning to visit there kc by next month.. Thank you..
no entrance fee. you can txt the boatman for inquiries, i listed his number on the blog.
prior travelling last march 29,2013 i arranged banca rental to mang eddie#09261404577.he is a kagawad in matnog and a good man.tnx manoy eddie.it’s a 2.5 hours drive from legazpi city.car park costs 50Php arranged by mang eddie.banca day tour is 1,500 overnight is 2,000.about a 20min banca to ticling island (undeveloped with a private property sign)we swim till lunch. a caretaker lives in this island and given a tip for the use of a table,poso for banlaw and a tree hawz for pic taking.banca ride again to the fish sanctuary(amazing school of fish maybe this is the highlight of this 3-island tour)50Php for fish pellets and a donation box.
ride again to subic island(commercialized one)with kiosks,may kuryente,may police detachment,sari-sari store,a couple of cottage,tent rental yep pwede overnight camping dito)surely soon dadami business dito.
then last part is the coastal rock [email protected] we’re back at matnog and on our way back we drop by at bulusan lake.panoramic also.
Hi! I was wondering where you stayed in Matnog. Thank you.
Good evening, I was wondering if pwede mag-overnight sa Subic Beach or any place near it. May mapagrerentahang place ba na malapit sa beach? And would you know how much it is worth po? Thank you!
My friends and I are planning to go to Subic for an overnight stay. Hopefully before pa man kami makapunta maiprepare na namin mga dapat kailanganin pa man or anything po. Thankyou thank you po!
kindly contact the boatman. he can help you po. 🙂
hi we are planning to go to Subic beach on april 9-15 2014 but we are taking the plane to Legaspi City. and from there mag commute na to Matnog? may Van ba or mag Bus kami? how many hours say from Legaspi?;-) is there a resort or a place to stay in the islands?;-)
Thanks Kevin 😉
thanks
hi! i just want to know where is the port to subic beach. thanks!
MARAMING salamat po sa info na to. lalo na sa no. ni manong eddie. tnxt ko po siya ngayon lang.. i really need to go to matnog po kasi to save my relationship. so this blog is a great help. thank you so much!
thanks for the opportunity that you open for our place, si kuya alex pala ito ng juag lagoon marine sanctuary. hope we’ll make it this 2015.
We’ve been to those places 2 years ago. Coming back this Holy week. worth to visit again.
Can I get a boat man to contact. I saw the rate of the boat. quite cheaper than the Boat we hired 2 years ago. Hope we could get reliable but cheaper boat then. thank you. See you SORSOGON 🙂
I love the beaches in Sorsogon…pero careful din sa mga bangkero…yung nakuha namin, parang nagmamadali—may lakad pa ata :O instead of 3-4 hours of island hopping in Matnog, naging 1 1/2 hours lang…ni hindi nga kami binaba sa rock formation 🙁 Super ganda sana ng place kaso every resort sa subic merong VIDEOKE..sayang at nabababoy ang place…it’s pollution-free, ang linis but it’s full of noise pollution. I hope ipagbawal na to ng Matnog LGU sa mga islands kasi pumupunta dun mga tao to unwind and get in touch with nature. Hindi ung paparinigan ka ng mga boses na masakit sa tenga. pagdating namin ng past 6pm, meron nang kumakanta sa videoke, till 12 midnight…tapos nung nagising akong 3 am, meron pa ring kumakanta. tapos pag swim namin around 6:30 a.m., meron na namang nagvi-videoke…sobrang nakaka irita talaga >_< then we drove to Bacon, Sorsogon kasi maganda din yung Paguriran island…surprisingly, mas maraming videoke ang naka install sa isang maliit na resort. sabay-sabay kumakanta…as in grabe…super noise pollution to the highest level…I hope ma address ito ng provincial government kasi hindi talaga kaaya-aya 🙁
Ang ganda..never been there yet,pag uwi ko I want to visit and spend vacation with my families…
Hi,
Very informative blog. One question, gaano po katagal yung island hopping? Kasi what we did last March in El Nido almost took the whole day eh. I just wanna know para maayos ko itinerary. Thanks!
depends on you, but yes, usually one day lang. 🙂
Hi,
We are going to Legazpi on Dec 11-14. We wanted to visit Sorsogon for 2D1N, can you please recommend a good but budget friendly beach? Then we’ll spend the rest of our trip to tour Legazpi.
Thanks,
Icee
Subic Beach, see the guide above, Or Gubat (Lola Saying Surf Camp), see my TRavel guide on Gubat Surfing in Sorsogon.
Hi po. per person po ba yung 1600 day tour or for the whole boat na?
whole boat
What if you have own boat to bring you in subic Island? Is this possible?
Hi, we are planning a day tour. Ilang oras po ba para sa buong island hopping (subic beach, tikling island, juag fish sanctuary)? At anong oras maganda mag-start? Thank you! 🙂
start early so you can finish early, It depends on how long you’ll stop sa mga islands. 🙂
Hi, thank you for your wonderful blog ! We will come to Bicol in March. Please could you tell me if there is a direct night bus from Matnog to Manila (for the return), and if it’s the case, where can I find the timetable and reservations.
Best regards from France !
Yes, there is. You can find them in Cubao, Alabang or Pasay. Lolk for bus lines like DLTB and Philtranco. They leave around 3-4 pm everyday.
hi 🙂 I would like to ask po if its safe na mag isa lang pumunta sa sorsogon? 🙂
yes, it is. I’m from Sorsogon. 🙂
What a wonderful blog! Will try to contact the Mr Evasco, I hope the mobile numbers are still active. Thanks again!
Yep, That’s updated, Have fun!
Hello, can you recommend accommodations near Matnog port?
hello, ask ko lang po anong time ang schedule ng mga bus sa daraga papunta ng matnog? plan po kase sana namen na by 6am magbyahe na pamatnog para maenjoy ang island hopping. uwi din po kase kame ng manila ng hapon. salamat.
May early trip sila, not sure what time but yes mga around 6pm meron na yan sguro, however no direct bus to matnog, you can ride a bus to Bulan and stop at Trece, the crossing between Matnog and Bulan, then from there wait for a jeep to matnog or hire a tricycle to Matnog.
Hello. Meron bang night bus from Daraga or Legazpi to Matnog? Mga 12 midnight or 1 am ung alis?
Thanks
wala po, usually mga 6pm last trip