Northern Samar is a province of the Philippines in Samar Island dotted with phenomenal tourist spots. In the silent towns of the province lies the promising tourism destinations unknown to many. Among these are century-old churches and lighthouses, unbelievable rock formations, majestic waterfalls and extraordinary pink and golden sand beaches.
The province of Northern Samar belongs to Eastern Visayas Region bounded Eastern Samar and Samar (south) surrounded by San Bernardino Strait (north), Philippine Sea (east) and Samar Sea (west). There are more than 630,000+ total residents of the province and they speak in Waray-Waray, Cebuano, Inabaknon, Tagalog and English Languages. The town of Catarman is its provincial capital municipality.
A lot of tourist destinations in Northern Samar are becoming popular but more are still waiting to be explored. If you are a backpacker, beach lover, history geek or what type of traveler, you’ll surely enjoy a day or two in this province. To unveil some of its stunning places to visit, check out the list below.
1. Biri Island Rock Formations
Photo courtesy of ace ds on Flickr
Biri Island Rock Formations are among the list of incredible tourist spots in Northern Samar situated Biri Island off the northern shores of the mainland. This destination is composed of 7 gigantic rock formations namely: Magasang, Magsapad, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Bel-at, Caranas and Pinanahawan. These are the stunning sights to behold and explore coined as the place of “the battle of the gods” formed from tectonic plate movements, strong winds and ferocious waves. Snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing are also best things to do here. The site is a 20-minute boat ride away from the mainland.
Biri Island Rock Formations are located in Biri, Northern Samar.
2. Pink Beach
Photo courtesy of Erika Westly
Pink Beach is one of the most beautiful and remarkable beaches in the country tucked in the eastern side of Sila Island in the province of Northern Samar. The pink sand beach is actually composed of tiny fragments of red corals and shells mixed with the creamy white sand. Locals has it that it is at its full glory during summer and the sun is up creating a beautiful sight of a pink sand beach. The alluring emerald seawater on the beach is teeming with corals and fishes good for swimming and snorkeling. Most visitors come here on day tour but overnight camping is also allowed.
Pink Beach is situated in Sila Island, San Vicente, Northern Samar.
3. Dalupiri Island
Photo courtesy of Dylan Montes Castillo
Dalupiri Island is one of the best tourist spots in Northern Samar slowly getting the attention of travelers and weekend warriors for its tropical atmosphere. The island is surrounded with distinguished kilometers long stretch of palm-fringed white sand beaches with crystal clear waters where some beach front resorts were perched. The eastern side of the island facing the mainland is where incredible white beaches are found with waters teeming with marine life good for swimming and snorkeling. The island can be reached through a 30-minute boat ride from the town of Victorina on the mainland.
Dalupiri Island is located in San Antonio, Northern Samar.
4. Onay Beach
Photo courtesy of dex ter son on Flickr
If Sila Island is famed for the pink sand beach and Dalupiri Island for its white sand beaches, Onay Beach on the other hand, is famous for its beautiful golden sand beach situated off the northeastern coasts of Northern Samar. It is a kilometers long beach with turquoise and calm waters and decorated with lush vegetation. On the south end of the beach is where 2 iconic massive rocks are found served as a diving platform for the visitors. The beach has a rumored creepy history when long time ago, there was a brokenhearted girl … just go to the beach and ask the locals about it and where is the tree.
Onay Beach is situated in Laoang, Northern Samar.
5. Batag Island Lighthouse
Batag Island Lighthouse View | Photo courtesy of Jaja Bolos
Batag Island Lighthouse is one of the best sightseeing destinations in Northern Samar, a 101-foot high lighthouse standing in the highlands of Batag Island. It was built during American Occupation on 1907 to lead the passing vessels to the entrance of the San Bernardino Strait. The top of the lighthouse offers a stunning panorama encompassing the vast agricultural lands with verdant coconut trees, nearby coastlines, San Berdandino Strait and looming mountains. This is one of the historical landmarks of the province.
Batag Island Lighthouse is located in Batag Island, Laoang, Northern Samar.
6. Capul Lighthouse
Capul Lighthouse View | Photo courtesy of Edge Genciagan on Flickr
Aside from the Batag Island Lighthouse, another historical lighthouse of the Northern Samar is the century-old Capul Lighthouse situated on the northern tip of Capul Island. It was built on 1896 to guide the ships crossing the San Bernardino Strait which provided great help during the Acapulco-Manila galleon trade. Just few steps away from the grassy slope where the lighthouse is standing is a viewing area offering splendid view of San Bernardino Strait, Mount Bulusan of Sorsogon, looming mountains, coastlines and crushing waves. The island is 30-minute boat ride away from the mainland.
Capul Lighthouse is situated in San Luis, Capul, Northern Samar.
7. Capul Church
Photo courtesy of Engel Cendaña Estillero
San Ignacio de Loyola Parish Church commonly known as Capul Church is one of the popular tourist spots in Northern Samar located in Capul Island. The 400-year old Roman Catholic Church is another historical landmark of the province built on 1596 dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola. It is a Spanish fortress church which was also built to protect the town from Moro pirates on the late 1600’s. Because of the Moro attacks, the church was reconstructed 2 times with walls and a 36-foot bell tower on its left side. Few years ago, it was declared as National Cultural Treasure.
Capul Church is located in Capul, Northern Samar.
8. Laoang Church
Photo courtesy of Janald Adora
Another historical church in Northern Samar is the Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church commonly known as Laoang Church situated at the heart of the town. It was established by the Franciscan friars on 18th century who passed the strong Catholicism to the town’s local residents. The church has an interesting old-looking facade with the statues of Saint Michael the Archangel, Virgin Mary, Saint Paul and Saint Peter were installed on the its niches. The Almuraya Fortress Ruins and Muralla (wall) that can be found onsite are used to defend rear of the church from Moro pirates.
Laoang Church is situated in Laoang, Northern Samar.
9. Busay Falls
Photo courtesy of Beautiful Northern Samar Philippines
Busay Falls is one of the most popular tourist spots in Northern Samar. The unique falls is about 50 meters high that drops in between 2 huge steep walls of interesting rock formations down the very deep plunge pool. The smooth and flat stone surfaces on the walls near the cascading falls serve as a resting or cliff diving points for the adventurous visitors. The area is surrounded with lush greenery and huge boulders along the bank. Swimming and cliff jumping on deep natural pool and refreshing waters are the best things to do here. The falls is 2 kilometers away from the town proper.
Busay Falls is located in San Isidro, Northern Samar.
10. Veriato Falls
Photo courtesy of Mystie Miano-Almoquira Isidro II
Veriato Falls is another beautiful waterfalls in Northern Samar, a favorite weekend getaway destination among the local residents and tourists of the province. The refreshing waters cascades on a rocky slope about 30 meters high down the wide natural pool good for swimming where deepest part is about 10 feet. The rocks on both sides of the falls serve as picnic grounds for visitor well-shaded with verdant foliage and green trees. Tourists can conveniently visit the falls since it can be accessed following a paved road and a short trek on an established trail.
Veriato Falls is situated in San Isidro, Northern Samar.
Amazing spots🌅🎇🌄