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Palaui Island
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Palaui Island

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Palaui Island
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Tours and Tickets

The area
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
2 within 6 miles
Cape Engano Lighthouse
19
270 ftLighthouses
Crocodile Island
34
Islands
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
60 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
12
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Derfoj
Pasay, Philippines23 contributions
Palaui Island - Hidden Paradise of the Philippines
Mar 2012 • Solo
Palaui Island can be found on the northern most tip of Cagayan in Northern Philippines and not on Cagayan De Oro in Mindanao which is on the southern part of the Philippines. It is a part of the town of Santa Ana, Cagayan. For the moderators of Tripadvisor kindly change the location as stated in the post to Santa Ana, Cagayan, Philippines. Thank you!

This island is a protected area thus making the place pristine with its crystal clear waters. There's a Spanish era lighthouse located on the highest point of the island. It is still functional powered by solar batteries and an automatic switch with time delay. The island has 1 family and 3 carabaos as permanent inhabitants. Since its declaration as a protected area, no additional inhabitant was allowed on the island eversince.

Visitors can go to the island via boats which can be rented off the main island port. Boat rental fee is PHP1800. Boatman can tag along with rentee or can pick/drop visitors on a specified time.

People can choose to go directly to Cape Engaño Beach or trek going there from Punta Verde dock. Trek time is more or least 3 hours depending on the phase of the trekkers.

Rock climbers can also be challenged on the island. There are no accomodations on the island but visitors can bring tents and camp on one of the beaches. Cape Engaño Beach is the best place for campers.

There are also snorkeling areas around the island, just ask the boatman to take you there.

The island itself is amazing. Just looking at it makes me wonder how wonderful this planet is. Pictures and videos simply cannot describe it. One has to go there and see for themselves what this island has to offer.

This is a hidden paradise on the island archipelago called The Philippines.
Written April 19, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pilar M
50 contributions
Palaui Island
Apr 2013 • Friends
This place in the northern Philippines is definitely worth visiting. We trekked 257 steps up Cape Engano under the scourging heat but once we reached the top, the view of the Babuyan channel was spectacular. Great photo ops! Swimming and snorkeling was so much fun , everywhere was just so fresh and clean.
Written May 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ricardo V
Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates1 contribution
Amazing Palaui Island
Dec 2012 • Family
Amazing Palaui Island, the beach is beautiful, really great for snorkelling and fun with underwater camera..Cape Engano Lighthouse is very interesting and the view from the top, wow --breathtaking. We went trekking to the Water falls.. very exciting..
Written January 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VanceC
Manila, Philippines208 contributions
Awesome snorkelling at the marine sanctuary
May 2012 • Friends
The Palaui marine sanctuary is superb. Great for snorkelling with healthy and beautiful corals. Awesome place to practice skin or free diving mura ami. At some areas the corals are from 4 to 8ft deep. We had lots of fun here with our underwater camera. Advisable to visit during fine weather because the waves can be treacherous during bad weather. The lighthouse built during the Spanish times, although worn out has a great view similar to Batanes. The falls 5 minutes walk inside the woods is small compared to others we've seen but it is worth the shower after the 5 minutes hike up the hill of Cape Engano lighthouse. This is definitely worth the 15 hours bus trip from Manila.
Written July 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ana andrea L
Pasig, Philippines6 contributions
Little Batanes
Apr 2016 • Couples
Ready your butt for long travel, 18hours I guess, from Manila to Sta.Ana, Cagayan, but it's all worth it.

Breath taking view ✔
Clear sea water ✔
Clean environment ✔
Accommodating Boatmen ✔

100% Perfect getaway!!

Other places to visit:
Anguib (extremely beautiful)
Cape Engano (little Batanes)
Crocodile Island
Punta Verde
....
Written April 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Enitsirk C
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada16 contributions
Secret Paradise
Mar 2016 • Family
I have been wanting to go to Santa Ana, Cagayan Valley since last year because I have a friend who hails from Cagayan Valley and I saw one of my churchmate's photo when they visited Santa Ana couple of years ago.

Earlier this year, 2016, I started planning and WE all agreed that we would go during Holy Week because that would be our only available time since we've been working nonstop for the past months.

I am supposed to travel with my mother, cousin and two friends but in the end, they all backed out, leaving me and my mother hanging. I couldn't not go and I will hate them forever if I wouldn't, so... I decided to pursue this trip with my mom as my companion.

They've been telling me that it's going to be a long ride so it's a wise decision that I researched for the place first before we go on with the trip.

Since it was a peak season, I asked my friend who passes by the Victory Liner everyday to buy us two tickets which costs P643 per pax from Caloocan to Tuguegarao (there are no available trips going straight to Santa Ana on the day & time that I am already available to leave because I will be coming from our cluster meeting in Dau, Mabalacat City, Pampanga - near the Dau Bus Terminal) a few days earlier. I also asked a favor from my friend if she can ask her relatives from Santa Ana if they can let us stay just for a night since I have planned to leave for Ilocos right after the island tour, and they let us, which saved us from impromptu hotel/room-hunting. It was supposed to be free, too, but of course, we cannot leave without giving them something as a way of saying thank you.

Day 0 - March 22, 2016 - 5:00PM - Departure from Dau Terminal (My mom already boarded in Caloocan)
Day 1 - March 23, 2016 - 6:30AM - Arrival in Tuguegarao; 9:30AM - Arrival in Santa Ana Cagayan (via van amounting to P180 each)

*The family we stayed with thoughtfully prepared us a simple breakfast and let us rest for a while in preparation for our trip to Nangaramoan Beach Resort.

12:30NN - We left for Nangaramoan in a tricycle owned by the relative of my friend and we payed him P500 back-and-forth. Nangaramoan has a powdery white sand located 20-30 mins away from the bus terminal of Santa Ana, and is FREE of entrance fee, but they have available cottages in the area allowing overnight swimming. It was lowtide when we arrived but the water slowly came at around 3:00PM so I had the chance to enjoy the salt-water for a bit and took photographs of their mini cave. It was beautiful and breathtaking!

At around 4:00PM we decided to go to where we stayed, took a shower, and catched the beautiful sunset in Country Inn By the Sea Resort while we ordered Pansit Batil Patong, Pansit Palabok, Banana Split and Mango Shake. I must say that the Pansit Cagayan tastes really good & they have a romantic, amazing and calming view of the sunset. I previously planned to stay in their hotel but they are already fully booked.

Day 2 - We left at around 7:30 AM for Island hopping in Palaui Island & Anguib Beach and brought a liter of water with us, as per reviews that it's usually very hot during trekking BUT Mr. Sun decided not to show up and I enjoyed trekking so much, not to mention the breathtaking view of the island. It really gets better at the top! The photographs in the internet did not justify the beauty of Palaui.

To say that WE got scared on our way to Punta Verde for lunch and trekking to Baratobot falls is an understatement. And when we thought that it's the end of the scary ride, we experienced the worst on our way to Anguib beach resort. Yes, it was windy (but only a lil bit rainy on our way up to the lighthouse), and the waves are so big and uncontrollable. The only thing that calmed me is the thought that, "The Lord brought me there safe, for sure He will bring me out of it WHOLE." I just prayed and enjoyed the waves, and thankful to the very skilled boatman who served us. Still, it was a fun, adventurous, amazing and unforgettable trip!

You are all gonna love the place, maybe more than I did. Yes, it is worth the long hours of sitting and waiting.. But the views are great. As of now (march 29), my mom heard that tourists are not allowed to go island hopping using a small boat due to the 3-4 meter waves, but surely it will calm soon.

For budget trips, here is the list of my expenses:

Victory Bus - P643 one way
Van - P180 one way
Room for rent/Transient - P500 & above / night
Island Hopping - P1,250 with lunch (per pax - all in - Pls Contact Cagayan Travel Adventure Agency for package tours)
Nangaramoan - P250 / pax (roundtrip)

*For foods, we brought some snacks & I didn't really ate that much because I was excited. I just tried their Pancit Cagayan which cost P70 per plate at Country Inn. They serve a variety of dishes that are quite affordable and delicious, too.

*For pasalubong, I bought handcrafted shell bags from the locals of Nature Village/tour guides of Punta Verde and they sell it half the price from Cape Engano.

Let me know about your trip & if you have any questions, don't hesitate to e-mail me at tin_dambo@yahoo.com :)
Written March 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brahmineyes
76 contributions
Hide Away in These Beach Hideaways
Mar 2014 • Friends
Summer is also a season of sweet escape. Of course, there are many places you’d want to hie off to in a snap. On top of the list? Beaches!

Choosing a beach destination may be the easiest part when planning a summer getaway; and sometimes, we just don’t wanna be caught up with too much of the nitty-gritty, that sticking to an established summer vacation routine can be attractive — translation: Let’s just go to where everybody else is going. But, life is no fun without a little spontaneity, dontchatink?

This summer, get out of your comfort zone and visit instead some of the “other” equally enchanting beaches in the Philippines. For a change, focus on finding new experiences in these lesser-known beach destinations and forget about the specific ones in your daydreams. Don’t limit yourself to the uppity up locations everyone else is Instagramming about. My top picks do not even require you to book an airline ticket! By the way, I intentionally did not include Calaguas and Caramoan in my list, since these are already “famous” destinations in Luzon.

Palaui Island
Sta. Ana, Cagayan

Palaui Island is nestled at the eastern-most tip of Sta. Ana, Cagayan in Northern Luzon, and is easily reached by land or air through Tuguegarao City. Palaui is a postcard-perfect image of serenity, offering intrepid adventurers a much-needed solitude, while soaking in nature’s grandeur.

You can take an uphill trek to Cape Engaño Lighthouse for a better view of the coast; or motorboat your way to Crocodile Island for a quick dip in its pristine blue waters; or simply, beachbum at the many coves around Sta. Ana — Anguib, Siwangag and Engaño. If you want some cardio-exercise, you may want to traverse Palaui, starting from Punta Verde — the southeast tip of Palaui — to Cape Engaño. This hike takes about 3.5 to 4 hours of trekking through verdant scenery.

Apuao Grande and Apuao Pequeño Islands
Mercedes, Camarines Norte

Before Calaguas became a byword among beachcombers, Apuao Grande Beach Resort was the place to be when in Camarines Norte. Sadly, the establishment — locally ran by the Swagman Hotel Chain Malate — fell on hard times and closed up shop… but, with the growing popularity of backpacking trips in the country, more and more travelers are seeking alternative beach destinations, those unmarred by commercialism; thus Apuao is slowly regaining its lost glory. As the saying goes: A thing of beauty cannot be kept forever.

Just a short motorboat ride from Mercedes town proper is Apuao Pequeño, or ‘small’ Apuao (‘grande’ being big), a suitable campsite reminiscent of Anawangin Cove with its soft powdery sand and pine trees. The two Apuaos, by the way, are connected by a ‘serpentine’ sandbar, which is a sight to behold t sunrise! Taking a motorized banca around the island is definitely a major highlight when in Apuao. You can marvel at its impressive rock formations; lounge about in its white sand beaches; ogle at the magnificent underwater scenery rife with corals and a variety of seashells and fish. A visit to Canimog lighthouse and unexplored Canton Cave will surely add flavor to your trip.

Apuao Grande and Pequeño, with the islands of Canton, Quinapaguian, Caringo, Malasugui and Canimog — each boasting spectacular sea and landscapes — make up the Mercedes Group of Islands.

Tikling Island
Matnog, Sorsogon

Aside from having the distinction of being Luzon’s gateway to the Visayan Isles, Matnog in Sorsogon is a haven for aquanauts like me.

Hands down, the pinkish sands of Tikling Island is one of the best sights I have ever laid my eyes on! … and, apart from its strawberry milkshake-like beach, its clear torquise waters and seemingly secluded nature are some of the other things that set Tikling Island from the rest. A leisurely walk along the coast, or a quick dip in its warm waters, will reward you with breatktaking under- and above-water sceneries. A short trek inland will take you to the other side of the island and into what looks like a perfect replica of the magnificent rock formations of Biri Island in Samar.

While in Matnog, don’t fail to visit Subic Daku and Subic Liit coves, and the Hidden Lagoon of Calintaan Island; the Parola along San Bernardino Strait; and Juag Fish Sanctuary.

Paguriran Island
Sawanga, Bacon, Sorsogon

Hidden deep within Bacon, Sorsogon lies a pinkish-beige-sand-covered beach sprawling with corals and seashells in a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes, interspersed with mangrove clumps. This sleepy coastal community of Sawanga is also home to a unique and enchanting land formation, Paguriran Island — with its charming lagoon tucked nicely within jagged rocks and massive coral architecture.

A picture of tranquility, Paguriran is an idyllic hideaway protected by natural barriers of mangroves, rocks,and seas — handcrafted by God himself, offering a weary backpacker an escape from the hustle and bustle of a fast-paced urban life.

Baler
Aurora

So what if you don’t surf? There are a thousand and one reasons still why you should include Baler in your must-visit destinations in Luzon — a trek to Ditumabo Falls; swimming on the beaches of Ampere, Cemento and Sabang; photographing the sunset in Cobra Reef with its spectacular rock formations; or simply, take a stroll down Baler’s history-rich town proper.
Baler, located in Aurora — a province bearing the name of the late President Manuel L. Quezon’s lady-love and wife (How romantic!) — is considered by many as a surfer’s paradise and Central Luzon’s last frontier.
Written September 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yolanda F
Quezon City, Philippines28 contributions
Breathtakingly awesome!
Jun 2011 • Family
Unspoiled and pristine beaches, uninhabited islands, awesome view, fantastic scenery; trek and visit the oldest lighthouse built by the spaniards, Cape Engano and marvel at its historic and antiquated structure. Friendly locals along the way too.
Written May 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
19Dylan75
Quezon City, Philippines1 contribution
Simply To Die For
Oct 2013 • Family
Been to Palaui Island.My Tito Osias's friend Terry Collado owns an island in which he was able to purchase for a cool 1 million way back in 1990.While riding a boat(bangka) you would see sperm whales from afar and it was totally breathtaking.Anothere memorable moment for me was being able to see little sharks swimming along the reefs near the shore.From afar you would see China.The island itself had natural white sand and unlike Boracay,its not spoiled by commercialism.Theres no electricity in the whole island that time so Tito Terry bought a generator and said"Let there be light"hahaha... Its one of those beaches that you might not have heard off but must see before you die.For me its one of the best beaches in the whole wide world...

David Dylan Malana Puzon.1V
Written September 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leah V
San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines50 contributions
The Quiet Unspoiled Hideaway on the North!
Mar 2015 • Friends
The unspoiled hideaway on the north! We went there March 2015. Please, please visit this place. These island a variety of experience. Also, while being there, take time to savor the moment and the enjoy richness of the place. There are many things to see, but all in all, prepare to be in awe and amazed. This is one of the places that took my breath away. I'd recommend the Cape Engano Lighthouse because it was built during the Spanish era 1887. Also, the location of the lighthouse would allow you to get a 360 view of the islands that surrounds it. It's the location took my breathaway so I'd recommend you not to skip it.

The island does not offer you an luxury accommodation, this is a place where travelers and 'experiencers' would appreciate because of what it offers.

If you are going to Anguib beach there are three resorts when you get there, but please patronize the one that's not owned by the rich families. They had their resort there as their living and as their home. It's also one of the place where the Survivor series took place.
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Palaui Island (Cagayan Valley Region) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Palaui Island