CARABAO ISLAND, PHILIPPINES: WHY IT IS MORE THAN A BORACAY ISLAND SIDE TRAVEL

Carabao Island, Romblon, Philippines, is similar to its neighbor, the chart-topping Boracay Island, in powdery white sandy beaches and turquoise sea.

This tropical island, however, is quite the opposite of Boracay in terms of the presence of people, party atmosphere, and luxurious indulgence.

Carabao Island is the perfect place for you if you enjoy simple natural pleasures and a peaceful environment.

Things to Do on Carabao Island

You can quickly fill a day on Carabao Island (8.51 sq. mi) with activities and places to visit.

These are the options to enjoy the island in one day.

Hambil Beach

If you’re coming from Romblon, the capital, through Santa Fe Port on Tablas Island, this is the place where the boats dock. Tablas Island is the largest island in the Romblon province.

In Hambil Beach, passengers can also board passenger boats from Boracay Islands.

I was excited when I saw the stunning turquoise waters, powdery white sand, and crystal clear water of Hambil Beach as we approached.

You can walk along its fine sand shore, dip in the clear waters, and even snorkel with its fish inhabitants. Or relax on the beach.

There were more locals at the beach than tourists, I noticed. This beach is for me.

Unfortunately, I regretted not taking more photos at Hambil Beach in the daytime when it was at its best.

Take a stroll along the coast before it gets dark

But I loved walking along the beach at sunset.

Kuding Kuding Point

Kuding Kuding Point, a relatively new location on Carabao Island, is becoming a popular cliff diving spot.

The road is narrow and difficult near the entrance. This section of the road is thin and has rocky slopes uphill and downhill.

Ask your motorcycle driver if walking this section of the route less than one kilometer from the site is possible.

Kuding Point: Things to Do

Apart from cliff diving, you can also swim in a small cave.

You don’t have to drive a cliff, but you can still enjoy Kuding Kuding Point. Take the stunning site or hang out on the raft under the cliff.

A bamboo ladder can be used to access the raft.

• How to get there: A motorcycle rental can take you from Hambil Beach in 30 minutes.

Lanas Beach

Although Lanas Beach may not be as white as Hambil Beach, it is just as beautiful.

You can reach Lanas Beach on the western side of Carabao Island by chartered boat from Boracay.

You can ride your motorcycle from Hambil Beach to Lanas Beach. For a day, you can rent a bike to explore the island’s many attractions.

From this side of Boracay, you can see Puka Beach. Our motorcycle driver informed us that Lanas Beach was a great place to take off for beautiful diving spots.

Boracay Viewpoint

Our motorcycle driver also took us to view Boracay from a hill.

We walked uphill, about five minutes from the main road, through the grassland.

Cooling off in the shade and breeze from the viewpoint’s hut was an excellent way to cool down from the heat.

How To Get To Carabao Philippines

From Aklan or Boracay Islands

Caticlan International Airport is the closest airport to Carabao Island.

• Take a tricycle from the airport to Tabon Baybay port.
• Take the passenger boat to Hambil from the dock. The ship departs the port at 9 AM. It takes approximately an hour to get there.
• Take a one-hour van ride to Caticlan if you are coming from Kalibo International Airport, Aklan. Ask to be dropped off at the Tabon Baybay port.
• You can charter a boat to Hambil from Boracay Island. It takes between 40 and 45 minutes. You can take the ship to Lanas or dock at Hambil Beach, where you will find passenger boats.

Romblon, Tablas Island

Fly to Tugdan Airport, Alcantara and Romblon. Take the jeep from Tugdan Airport to Sta. Take the jeep to Sta.

The boat departs at 9:30 AM, and the boat ride takes approximately one hour.

Suppose time is not an issue; you can take ferries to Romblon and Tablas Island from the Batangas Port. Travel time is between 8-10 hours.

The ferry docks at Odiongan on Tablas Island. Take a jeep from Sta. The Odiongan jeep terminal will give you Fe. The Jeep ride takes approximately one hour. Sta. Fe port.

Carabao Island is an Emerging Destination

Carabao Island’s proximity to Boracay Island makes it an emerging destination. It is a worthy destination.

Carabao Island was tranquil and in a STILL preserved environment. This is what I love about it.

Boracay’s accommodation and dining options could be more luxurious. However, accommodations and resorts are slowly increasing.

The government had planned to build an international airport on the island to link the island with other parts of the Philippines.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, the two national authorities assigned to the project ended their work, and the project was abandoned.

Carabao Island: Responsible Travel Tips

I am not against development. However, it is sad to see how some beautiful islands in the Philippines are being turned into tourist areas.

As travelers, we must do our part to preserve the environment by being responsible tourists.

Do not throw away plastic bottles, food wrappers, or solid waste.

You can avoid them altogether.