A particularly flourishing municipal area in the province of Camarines Sur, located in the Bicol region, has gained its own publicity due to the highly popular photography site for over 11 seasons of the famous TV series ‘Survivor.’

2 consecutive seasons in the United States, 2 consecutive seasons in Serbia, 3 consecutive seasons of Israeli Survivor, the fourth season in Bulgarian version, the 12th season in the Swedish version (Robinson 2010), the eighth season of the French version, and the only season in the Indian edition were all filmed in Caramoan. According to the television producer Corinne Vaillant, for the French edition of the popular brand “Survivor,” “The soft sand, the coconut trees on Gota Beach, and the neighboring islands are ‘the dream’ for the French. We chose Caramoan because it is a completely wild place. It is very important that the participants cannot see anything except nature so that they truly believe they are lost somewhere in the wild.”

Since it appeared on international television screens, Caramoan has enjoyed steady and consistent growth in the number of visitors who come to it due to its new status as a legitimate destination worth visiting from among the Philippine islands. Being an island in the Bicol region that experiences monsoon seasons from October to January, the best time to visit is during the dry season from February to June.

This group of islands, or officially, the Caramoan Peninsula, is essentially isolated from the rest of Camarines Sur, giving it the unique charm and mystical atmosphere that make it the perfect destination for a perfect vacation. In the past, the area was called “Guta de Leche” by Dutch traders who traded with the locals and operated a gold mine on Lahuy Island. This name likely stemmed from the stalactites found between the rocks at Guta port, resembling drops of milk. When the Spanish settlers arrived, they called it Carahan due to the numerous sea deer that used to gather on the shores of the peninsula. Since 1619, the place has been officially known as Caramoan by the Spanish missionary Francisco de la Cruz Y Oropesa, who ventured into the pristine and thick forest and established a small settlement called Baluarte.

From Manila, the journey takes about 8 hours to reach Sabang Port in the south. From there, you’ll need to board a boat that will take you to Guijalo, the port of Caramoan, in about two hours. For those who can’t wait to get to this paradise, you can take one of the daily flights from Manila to Naga City in Bicol, which takes about 45 minutes, and from there, it’s a two-hour drive to Sabang Port, followed by a two-hour boat ride to Guijalo Port.

>> Tourismo Filipino and its partners in the province of Bicol will arrange your transportation by flight or car with a driver. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be picked up by their representative and taken directly to Caramoan.

The group of islands includes several beaches, so during your trip to Caramoan, you should “hop” from one island to another to fully enjoy the pristine and untouched beauty of the Caramoan islands. These islands are free from commercial resorts, preserving their natural wonders and inviting adventurous and curious travelers to explore and get to know them up close. Here are some of the islands and beaches you should consider visiting:

1. Gota Beach: The main attraction of Caramoan and the primary filming location for Koh Lanta Caramoan (the French version of ‘Survivor’). Gota Beach is also the starting point for your island-hopping adventure. The island is located about 5 kilometers from the town center and consists of two parts: Small Gota and Big Gota. Big Gota is more popular as it is closer to the town. Gota Beach is peaceful and serene, with fine white sand reminiscent of Boracay. Look for Explorer’s Rock, a prominent rock formation on the beach.
2. Matukad Island: Absolutely breathtaking and known for having the best white sand among all the islands in Caramoan. It is surrounded by a mystical “hidden lagoon” tucked behind sharp and jagged rocks, giving Matukad its enchanting appeal.
3. Lahuy Island: Its unusual shape resembles a dog bone. Lahuy is the largest island in the group, spanning 10 kilometers in length and 3.5 kilometers in width. Despite its size, it remains secluded from the rest of Camarines Sur’s islands, thanks to its long, white sandy beaches. Lahuy, with its unique charm, is reminiscent of the TV series “Lost,” with its unspoiled beauty.
4. Nipa Beach and Bugtong Beach: Both are part of Lahuy Island, with Nipa Beach featuring a long and wide shoreline that connects to Bugtong Beach. Bugtong Beach is distinguished by its black rock formations.
5. Paniman Beach: A starting point for island-hopping tours, this beach is worth visiting on its own. You can find several restaurants and karaoke bars in the area due to its proximity to the town.
6. Cotivas Island: The farthest island from Paniman Beach (at least a one-hour boat ride away), Cotivas Island is nearly in the heart of the ocean. With its long stretches of white sandy beach and the endless blue sky and sea that surround you, it truly represents the “dream vacation” you’ve always imagined.
7. SabitangLaya Island: This is the most favored photography location for reality TV shows like ‘Survivor.’ SabitangLaya Island is part of the Lucsuhin island group, featuring a long beach with fine white sand that stretches for about 2 kilometers. It’s ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and simply lounging on the beach year-round. There are also accessible rock formations for climbing.
8. Lahos Island (or Lajos Island): The island’s name comes from the local word “Laho,” meaning “to disappear.” The white sandy beaches on this island disappear during high tide and reappear during low tide.
9. Pitogo Island: With an area of about 60-70 square kilometers, Pitogo Island’s unique feature is its jagged rock formation at one end. It is part of Caramoan and serves as one of the stopping points during island-hopping tours.
10. Tinago Island: Surrounded by magnificent rock formations and lush vegetation, Tinago Island has three small hidden beaches that are exceptionally beautiful and inviting. In Tagalog, “Tinago” means “hidden,” but these beaches won’t remain hidden forever. They are too stunning not to be discovered.

Exploring these islands and beaches will allow you to experience the unspoiled beauty of Caramoan and create lasting memories of your visit to this paradise.