Carabao Island, Romblon
Guides and Itineraries,  Philippines

Carabao Island (Romblon): Secret Beach Getaway Near Boracay

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Carabao Island used to be a secret place, somewhere a small number of backpackers knew about. Today it’s more familiar — in fact, it’s even part of island hopping tours in Boracay. Even so, Carabao Island has kept its cozy charm. It remains a place for those who like white-sand beaches but prefer a quieter location instead of the Boracay.

Here’s our updated travel guide to Carabao Island in Romblon, located an hour away from Boracay.

Our stay at Carabao Island

Carabao Island is a small island in Romblon Province. It’s locally referred to as “Hambil” by locals or its fancy-sounding Spanish-derived name Isla de Carabao.

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There are various theories as to why it’s called Carabao Island. Locals told us there used to be lots of carabaos (water buffalos) in the island. Others say that the island topography resembles a carabao, but there are others that say the shape resembles an “anvil”, hence the local name Hambil.

At the time of our visit, I knew little about Carabao Island but I admit that my interest was piqued. We came here from Tabon Baybay port in Caticlan, on a 1-hour ferry ride. Interestingly, the shirt of our boat captain was wearing says “Carabao Island” and underneath that The Promised Land”.

We got off the ferry and right there at the port was a long stretch of white sand facing a clear blue ocean. I was already expecting it to be beautiful, but what I didn’t expect is that we wouldn’t have to go too far to see it. It goes from the port and continues alongside the main road. As other beaches in the country, it’s safe guarded by lines of coconut trees.

I learned that there used to be a marine sanctuary here about 3 years ago; now the beach is open to the public.

Coconut tree in Carabao Island
The side of the beach is lined with coconut trees. (Photo by Hali Navarro)
Beach in Carabao Island, Romblon
An hour away from Boracay. (Photo by Hali Navarro)
Beach in Carabao Island, Romblon
The clear beach in Isla de Carabao, Romblon. (Photo by Hali Navarro)

In the late afternoon, the water recedes to reveal a field of seaweeds several meters away, where there are sea urchins, star fishes and sea anemones. In the morning and afternoon, everybody is free to frolic in its tropical waters.

Swimming in Carabao Island, Romblon
Clear, clear water. (Photo by Hali Navarro)
Sea anomone in Carabao Island
Sea urchins, star fishes and sea anemones can be found farther along the beach. (Photo by Hali Navarro)

Aside from the beach, there are also attractions in Carabao Island accessible via habal-habal or boat.

After hours out in the sun, we decided to explore the island. Hali and I chartered habal-habals which rode through through steep hillsides until we reached a coconut tree plantation. Past the farm’s wooden gates is an area called Tagaytay Point, which overlooks the island of Boracay. Boracay’s famous white beach is at the other end.

We rested here for a bit. We watched the farm’s caretaker harvest coconuts from the tree, which he gave to us for free.

Carabao Island overlooking view
A farm with an overlooking view of Boracay Island. (Photo by Hali Navarro)
A visit to a province won't be complete without fresh coconuts! (Photo by Hali Navarro)
A visit to a province won’t be complete without fresh coconuts! (Photo by Hali Navarro)

We stopped next in Koding-Koding Point. The rocks here are pointed and ragged, with a wooden diving board ready for those who are brave enough to dive towards the sea below. Unfortunately, it was habagat season during our visit and the waves were too strong, so diving wasn’t advisable. Hali kept hinting about diving anyway, while our guide kept hinting back that it wasn’t safe.

Cliff jumping site in Koding-Koding Point.
Cliff jumping site in Koding-Koding Point. (Photo by Hali Navarro)
Koding-Koding Point cliff dive
Are you gonna jump? (Photo by Hali Navarro)

We went inside the nearby cave, where there’s an underwater tunnel that leads outside. It wasn’t safe to go through it as well for the same reason as above. Hali tried to go through it and we were afraid for him, as it seemed the waves would trash him against the cave walls and ceilings. We were relieved when he finally came up the water. He told me it was amazing underwater and I should’ve taken a peek too.

Cave in Koding-Koding Point, Carabao Island
Inside the cave. Underneath this pool is a tunnel leading to the sea outside. (Photo by Hali Navarro)
Underwater tunnel in Koding-Koding Point, Carabao Island
Hali swimming in the underwater tunnel in Koding-Koding Point. (Photo by Hali Navarro)

Our last stop was Ngiriton Bat Cave. There’s nothing much to see here, to be honest. There used to have thousands of bats living in the cave. It was turned to an excavation site and the bats were since gone.

The ride back from the land tour to our accommodation in Kameo Lodge was nice. We passed a road with flowering plants on both sides and then another long road along the beach. The beach’s sand wasn’t as white as the one earlier, but who can say no to a cool sea breeze?

Travel Guide to Carabao Island (Romblon)

It’s possible to visit Carabao Island on a day tour, which is what most tourists prefer especially those who are staying in Boracay. Other spend more days since Carabao Island offers a more relaxing option compared to other nearby places.

How to get to Carabao Island

There are different ways to reach Carabao Island depending on where you’re coming from.

From Caticlan

  • Ride a tricycle to Tabon Baybay port where there are daily passenger boats to Carabao Island. Fare is P100 per person. Boat schedules are 8-9AM, 2-3PM, and 3-4PM daily. Return trips to Caticlan are at 6AM daily.

From Boracay

  • Head to Bulabog Beach in Boracay and charter a boat from the locals for a day trip to Carabao Island. Rate depends on boat size and can range from P1500 (good for 4 people) to P3000-4000 (10-12 people), depending on your haggling skills.
  • An alternative is to head to Station 1 and find boats operated by locals living in Carabao Island. Ask for a ride for a small fee. These boats normally leave as early as 2PM.

Tip: If you want to go from Carabao Island to Boracay, you can try asking for a ride from boats on island hopping tours as the pickup/dropoff points is Boracay Island.

From Tablas Island, Romblon

  • There are ferries in Sta. Fe in Tablas Island en route to Carabao Island. Ferry schedule is at 9-10AM. Fare is P100 per person. Return trips to Sta. Fe are 5:30AM daily.

Places to see in Carabao Island

Beach in Carabao Island, Romblon
Beach in Carabao Island, Romblon. (Photo by Hali Navarro)

These are the attractions in Carabao Island.

  • White Beach. This is the island’s main beach. It has fine white sand, clear water perfect for swimming.
  • Tagaytay Point. A farm overlooking the island of Boracay. This is also a favorite spot for watching the sunset. Entrance fee is P70 per person.
  • Koding-Koding Point (or Kuding-Kuding Point). Here you can cliff jump and swim through an underwater tunnel that leads right out the ocean. Entrance fee is P100 per person.
  • Cathedral Cave. Here you can go on spelunking or jump from 2 diving boards 30 feet hight. Entrance fee is P100 per person.
  • Angas Cave. Another cliff-jumping site.
  • Ngiriton Bat Cave. A cave used to be home to thousands of bats. There is nothing to see here, so I recommend skipping it. Entrance fee is P100 per person.
  • Tan-Agan Picnic Grove. This is a fairly new installation in the island. Here in Tan-Agan Beach you can see vibrant-colored tents and floaters.

You can rent a habal-habal to explore these locations. Rate is P700 per person.

Where to stay in Carabao Island

At the time of our visit, there were limited accommodations in Carabao Island. We stayed at Kameo Lodge, about 15 minutes away from the port. Rate starts at P500 good for 2 people.

Kameo Lodge in Carabao Island, Romblon
View from veranda in Kameo Lodge. (Photo by Hali Navarro)

Here are other resorts in Carabao Island.

Looking for something else? Click here search for other resorts in Carabao Island.

Planning to stay in Boracay Island instead? Click here to search for other resorts in Boracay.

Things to know before you go

  • Bring enough cash. There are no ATMs in the island.
  • There is decent mobile signal coverage.
  • There are casual eateries in the island. Resorts may also offer cooking facilities if you prefer to cook your own food.
  • Carabao Island is generally a quiet island. Do not expect to find bars or party lounges.

Has this Carabao Island travel guide been helpful to you? Let us know in the comments section!

What to read next:

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Carabao Island travel guide (Philippines) | Isla de Carabao | How to get to Carabao Island | Best beaches in the Philippines

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13 Comments

  • Emang

    Hi, ilang oras po yung tricycle from caticlan airport to tabon baybay port? and meron po ba kayong contact ng mga boat drivers from tabon baybay port to confirm the 3PM sched which is our only time to get to the island… thanks!!!

    • Katherine Cortes

      Afaik walang trike from Caticlan Airport to Tabon Baybay Port. From the airport, you need to ride a van to Caticlan Port and from there ride a trike to Tabon Baybay Port.

      I have no contact but there are 2 schedules in the late afternoon: 2 or 3PM and then another at 3 or 4PM. It’s advisable to be there early. Hope that helps.

  • Maria Lynielene F. Fabon

    Hi,Kat! Thank you for your wonderful blog! I just want to ask if may contact kayo sa Carabao Island?

  • arthur

    hello ung boat from tabon port isang biyahe lng 8to 9am, kng sakali hndi pala nmin maabutan yan wl ng biyahe, kinabukasan p ulet tama ba ako ng pagka intindi hehe, at ung pabalik from hambil 6am lng, salamat sa pag sagot

    • Katherine Cortes

      Ang alam ko oo, pero tanong niyo na rin dun para sure. 🙂 If ever naman I’m sure may marerentahan rin kayong bangka since malapit lang naman siya.

    • Katherine Cortes

      Hahaha! Thanks katukayo. Uu tsaka daily naman yun afaik. Usually pag boat scheds nagcoconfirm na rin kami in person a day before, if advanced dating namin.

  • nat

    Hi Kat, just discovered your blog and I love it! 🙂 I am looking for tips whether I should go to Boracay or to Carabao Island in January. Which island would you prefer, if you had only 3 days for beach and leisure at the end of your holidays? I am not looking for party or crowds, but I will travel solo… Before I will do a 9 days tour in Northern Phillipines and want to relax the last days in one place. Your post about Boracay doesn’t make it easier for me, it sounds good too… 🙂

    • Katherine

      I’m actually leaning more towards Boracay because it has a wide selection of restaurants and activities, if you ever want to do anything other than beach bum. Station 1 or 3 should be relatively quieter, as well as Puka Beach. You can also island hop and stop over Carabao Island from Boracay.

      Carabao Island is really nice, but apart from the land tour there’s not much to do and restaurants/stores are really limited – there were only 2 eateries near our accommodation then if I remember correctly. If that’s not an issue and all you ever want is some peace and quiet, definitely stay here.

      Anyway Boracay and Carabao Island are really close to one another so you can easily change places. 🙂

    • KATHLENE CLEAH DAGPIN

      Hi Kat. My boyfriend is coming to Carabao Island via Kalibo Airport. I just want to ask if you know any latest requirements going there. THANKS.

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