Finally, I’ve set foot in one of the country’s hidden gems. I was on assignment in Calayan Island in the Babuyanes and in between, I got to enjoy this piece of paradise in this part of the Philippines. Though it was just a few days, it was very memorable. I’m planning a longer trip later this year. It was the best beach place I’ve been to. Better than Boracay, not in terms of sand but the pure delight I had in plunging and bathing into its crystal clear waters that we just had to ourselves. Even better than Flower Island.
The first time I saw Cibang Cove was a photo when I talked with my client in a bid to entice me to do the assignment. I had no qualms doing it. In fact, the first time I heard that it will be in Calayan Island, the Babuyanes, my eyes lit up, and heard hosannas in the air.
But being in Cibang Cove was a different experience. The place is just so marvelous. Think of Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves in Zambales but better. No tents, and people. Pristine waters, dirty white beach hemmed in by soaring cliffs and mountains. But Cibang Cove is just one of a series of coves in the area separated only by a rocky formation at one end and the edge of a cliff at the other before the next one starts.
What Cibang Cove can really offer is the solitude, the feeling of being stranded in some unknown but beautiful island paradise. And to think that this is in out-of-the-way Calayan Island in the Babuyanes. Forlorn but unforgettable. I had the time of my life frolicking at its beach, especially that it was such a beautiful day and the sea was calm.
One thing though is that the beach is somewhat inclined and just a few meters can be neck deep already. The underwater current can also be tricky. But really, just beautiful. I can’t help but shout with glee!
When’s the best time to go? During April when the Babuyan Channel is calm. But the current pristine situation may not last for long. Already, there are plans to develop the place for tourism and cabanas will be built in the area plus a road is already under construction.
The best way to get to Cibang Cove is via lampitaw (a motorized pump boat) or even a speedboat, which we took courtesy of the Calayan LGU. Its just a few minutes from the Calayan town proper. An alternate is to walk all the way to the cove from the town proper which just takes 1 hour. Just ask locals for directions.
Places to stay
There are no places to stay in Cibang Cove. Camping is the only way to go.
ang ganda!!! sobrang daming magagandang beach talaga sa pinas…
Hope this wont end up as Nagsasa and Anawangin. I’m sure it wont as only hardened travelers can reach this place, those who have no qualms camping on a tent without the help of any solid infrastructures that does more damage to a place.
coolness! balak namen sana dito dumerecho ni angel date. there’s a ferry kase s port ng sta.ana.
@flip, ang ganda talaga, sobra 🙂
@marky, not for long. there are plans to put up cabanas and a road is now being constructed that will lead to this area
@gael, the ferry service stopped due to motor defects, it will resume probably on july
@estan, but how do i get to calayan town?
=> I hope and pray that this place will just remain as it is. No commercialization, no dirt, no concrete, just as beautiful as it is. Just preserve it the way it is. Never mind the economic chances. Let people and tourists just visit this place as it is. Hay… sana hindi ito magbago.
@mel, upcoming post ang getting there sa calayan and places to stay too 🙂
@ed, sana nga lang
Ganda ng cove…sana mapuntahan ko rin to. As always galing ng article at photography. Keep it up sir!
Wow…. heaven!!..sana mapanatiling ganito kaganda at ma preserve ang lugar na ito. Hope locals will learn to be a good steward of God’s awesome nature’s blessings.
@renante, you should really visit the place while it’s pristine 🙂
glad to see this one. im a native of that place 😀
@pors, thanx for visiting 🙂
nindota gud ani bai. 🙂
Wow, very nice place. I did not know that Calayan has this kind of beach. When I went to the island few years back, I went straight to the forest.
VERY BEAUTIFUL…
Hope to have to have enough courage to brave BAbuyan Channel… ahhahah. Kudos to this post!This part of the Phil is proving to be a haven of wonders…
Thanks for sharing. I just wish I could go there soon. >_< i have to do a lot of research pa on budget and how to get there hehe. 🙂
cibang cove is truly nice! i like those photos… i did a watercolor of it. visit my profile… it’s in mmy album “palette”
Ang ganda talaga ng Calayan…i miss my hometown….i thank God for his wisdom in designing such a wonderul as Calayan…thanks sir for posting such awesome pictures of cibang cove and other views of Calayan…two thumbs up!!
maganda talaga eon. i really want to go back there
What a beautiful beach. Thanks for sharing 🙂
“solitude, the feeling of being stranded in some unknown but beautiful island paradise” –> Love that feeling too! =) I wonder how the cove is like now.
Nakapunta na’ko dun. Ganda! Lalo na pag-full moon!
wow!