Samar (formerly Western Samar) is a province of the Philippines in Samar Island surrounded with impressive tourist spots. Hidden in the rugged, mountainous and forested lands of the province are the mostly unknown astounding waterfalls, navigable rivers and cave systems. Samar is also dubbed as the “Caving Capital of the Philippines” since numerous explored and unexplored underworlds are hidden in its undisturbed lands.
The province of Samar is a promising eco-tourism destination in Eastern Visayas Region. It is being bordered by Northern Samar (north), Eastern Samar (east), Samar Sea (west) and Leyte Gulf (south). Catbalogan City is its capital. There are more than 780,000 total residents in the province where they speak in Waray-waray, Cebuano, Filipino and English languages.
Spelunking, canyoning, chasing waterfalls, kayaking and more adventures awaits in Samar. Have a glimpse of its diverse places to visit as you check out the most popular tourist spots in the province of Samar.
1. Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park
Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park is one of the best tourist spots in Samar which spans in an 841 hectares of protected area. It is considered as the best eco-tourism destination in the province enclosing woodlands, navigable river, huge cave systems and towering limestone cliffs among others. Tours to the park starts in a Sohoton River cruise with a beautiful scenery of greenery up to the docking area. Onsite, visitors will be greeted with Waray-waray music played by the locals, proceed to spelunking in Sohoton and Panhulugan Caves, then go kayaking up to the gigantic Sohoton Natural Bridge.
Sohoton Natural Bridge Nature Park is located in Barangay Guirang, Basey, Samar.
2. Langun-Gobingob Caves
Photo courtesy of Malyn Pumariga
Langun-Gobingob Caves, also known as Calbiga Caves, are the most popular spelunking destination in Samar. It is the biggest cave system in the Philippines and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. The cave system is 7 kilometers long encompassing an area of 900 square kilometers. Inside the cave are surreal stalactites, stalagmites, columns and other types of speleothems. Most notable sites on the cave are “The Football Field” and “The Stage“. Exploring the cave is challenging since visitors will do rappelling, rock climbing and long trekking but a perfect destination for the adventurous hearts.
Langun-Gobingob Caves are situated in Barangay Panayuran, Calbiga, Samar.
3. Malajog Beach
Photo courtesy of Gina Sario
Malajoc Beach, also called as Looc Beach, is one of the most accessible and visited tourist spots in Samar. It is just 30-minutes ride away from Catbalogan City (capital). The beach may not be appealing to some visitors for its black sand, nonetheless, it is a favorite hangout destination among locals and foreign tourists of the province. The long stretch of the black sand beach is fringed with coconut trees wherein several cottages are erected. The calm and clean waters of the beach is good for swimming and kayaking. Since it’s positioned on the west coasts, magnificent sunset is best viewed here.
Malajog Beach is located in Barangay Malajog, Calbayog City, Samar.
4. Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Ridge Nature Park
Photo courtesy of Sir Manuel Trev Ong (theweekendvoyager)
Another popular attraction in Samar which shares the same entrance to Malajog Beach is the Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Ridge Nature Park. It is a beautiful nature park with huge trees, boulders and a zipline. It takes about 900-meter ascends, descends and sideways of huge tree roots following a well-maintained concrete trail leading to the top of the ridge where the zipline adventure awaits. It is a 750 meter long zipline where the destination is the next small island called Daraga Island then aboard a boat to go back. Alternatively, visitors may just enjoy the astounding views at the View Deck.
Calbayog Zipline and Malajog Ridge Nature Park is situated in Barangay Malajog, Calbayog City, Samar.
5. Basey Church
Photo courtesy of Kat Jolejole
Saint Michael the Archangel Church or commonly recognized as Basey Church is one of the historic landmarks in the province of Samar. It is a well-preserved 17th century old church which was built on an elevated land with a huge bell tower on the left side. Inside the church are the artistic stained glass, murals of biblical characters on the ceiling and beautiful altar where the image of Saint Michael the Archangel, the town’s patron saint, is rested. September 29 of every year marks the celebration in honor of the patron saint of the town.
Basey Church is located in Basey, Samar.
6. Bangon Falls
Photo courtesy of Sir Manuel Trev Ong (theweekendvoyager)
Bangon Falls is one of the favorite destinations of local and foreign adventurous tourists in Samar. The 60-meter high waterfalls cascades down the wide and deep plunge pool which is very suitable for swimming and cliff diving. A 30-minute descent trek following an established trail from Bagon Falls is another beautiful one called Tarangban Falls. It is a beautiful falls of crisscrossing waters as it cascades on a rugged rock cliff into the stream below. These sites can be reach by riding a motorcycle, locally known as “habal-habal” then few minutes trek to which falls you want to visit first.
Bangon Falls is situated in Barangay San Joaquin, Calbayog City, Samar.
7. Lulugayan Falls and Rapids
Photo courtesy of lakwatcherang_waray
Lulugayan Falls and Rapids is one of the stunning tourist spots in Samar dubbed as the “Mini Niagara of the Philippines“. It is a series of waterfalls that cascades down the 14-kilometer rapids of Calbiga River. The main falls with the highest drop is wide and very majestic where the plunge pool is good for swimming and cliff jumping. Further atop the main falls offers a beautiful view of the forested lands and the river. The site is about 740 meters away from the jump-off point which may require 30-minute trek on an established trail. Local guides are recommended.
Lulugayan Falls and Rapids is located in Barangay Literon, Calbiga, Samar.
8. Blanca Aurora Falls
Photo courtesy of Regina Rocha
Blanca Aurora Falls is a very attractive falls in Samar which is a favored destination of Samareños and tourists. It may not be as majestic as the others, but it’s very alluring for swimming and cliff diving with wide natural swimming pool below the falls and a swimming lagoon on top of it. Stone cliffs of the falls is of considerable height which makes cliff jumping a very fun doable activity. Tables and cottages are also available for day visitors. Commuters may ride a motorcycle to the falls then a short trek to reach the site.
Blanca Aurora Falls is situated in Barangay Blanca Aurora, San Jorge, Samar.
9. Pinipisakan Falls
Photo courtesy of Miss Drupe
Tucked in the forest-clad mountains of Samar is a magical secret paradise called Pinipisakan Falls. It is a very beautiful 4-tier falls surrounded by green trees, wild ferns and mossy boulders which has a very different ambiance. Most of the visitors recognized it as one of the beautiful waterfalls in the Philippines. Though it is an awesome destinations, it is not known to many even the locals but only to the adventurous ones. The best things to do here are swimming, cliff jumping and river canyoning. Adventure starts in a motorcycle ride, long river cruise, then 2 hours trekking to reach the falls.
Pinipisakan Falls is located in Barangay Bai-ang, San Jorge, Samar.
10. Sulpan Cave
Photo courtesy of Miss Drupe
Near Pinipisakan Falls is the Sulpan Cave which is one of the best caves in Samar. Among all of caves in the province, this one has the most beautiful entrance because there is a waterfall near the mouth of the cave which is an extraordinary sight to behold. Sulpan Cave is 5 kilometers long filled with interesting stalactite and stalagmite formations, underground river and lakes. The cave can be reach by minutes of ascend from Pinispisakan Falls that requires climbing the falls, river crossing and walking though the mossy rocks.
Sulpan Cave is situated in Barangay Bai-ang, San Jorge, Samar.
