Catanduanes Travel Guide

Here’s a travel guide to Catanduanes, also known as the “Land of the Howling Winds” and recently the “Happy Island.” I hope this will give you all the basic information you need to know about Catanduanes.

Catanduanes is an island province located in the Bicol Region of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the 12th-largest Island in the Philippines. Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur across Maqueda Channel. It had a population of 260,964 people as registered in the 2015 census. The province comprises Catanduanes Island, the Panay Island, Lete Island, Palumbanes group of islands and a few other minor surrounding islets and rocks. The province is also home to various mollusk fossil sites, notably for the second oldest ammonite site in Philippine history. The sites also possess certain species of ammonites that can't be found anywhere else in Southeast Asia. Due to the rich geologic history and importance of the province, various scholars have stated that the province has a high chance of being declared a UNESCO Geopark Reserve if the province initiates a nomination to UNESCO. Catanduanes was a former sub-province of Ambos Camarines in the early 1900s and later of Albay. It gained provincial autonomy when Congressman Francisco Perfecto filled House Bill No. 301 which separated the province from Albay.

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As a traveler’s destination, I feel like Catanduanes is still in its budding stages. Catanduanes is one of the cheapest provinces to visit.

How to get to Catanduanes

The easiest way to get to Catanduanes is to book a flight to Virac. As of this writing, Cebu Pacific flies once a day from Manila to Virac, with a morning schedule.

An alternative is to get on a bus to Manila (12 hours) and then head to Tabaco Albay Port. From Tabaco Port, take a Ferry to Virac or San Andres, Catanduanes (3 hours). The Ferry schedules from Tabaco Port to Catanduanes is not 24 hours so you must take notes of the trips so you will less waiting time in the port.

Tabaco Port to Virac Port:
Eugenia Ferry: 6:00AM - 11:40AM

Tabaco Port to San Andres Port:
Calixta Ferry: 7:00AM to 11:00PM
Silangan Fast Craft: 12:00PM to 1:30PM

Virac Port to Tabaco:
Eugenia Ferry: 1:00PM - 5:00PM

San Andres Port to Tabaco Port:
Calixta Ferry: 1:00PM to 4:30PM
Silangan Fast Craft: 7:00AM to 8:30AM

Fares varies from P220-P320

A complete Catanduanes travel guide map

Here’s a map from the Catanduanes Tourism Board listing the current tourist attractions in Catanduanes.

Here's the tourist attractions in Catanduanes that I’ve visited along.

#LolongPoint / Parola / Panay Island

An Amazing view from the top of the mountain.

The LightHouse

Beautiful scenery from the top of the lighthouse!

The Beach is calling you, you must go.