Because travelling has molded me; it has made me. Because I have always been and will always be moved by the absurdity of wanting to do, see and gather it all. Because I can’t sit still, sleep still or stand still. Because I can’t stop dreaming of beautiful seascapes and landscapes while I stare out the window.
Before 2015 culminated, I and some friends decided to explore one of the Philippines’ hidden gems up north – Calayan Island of the Babuyan Group of Islands. It was a planned 3-day getaway, but destiny had a different plan – we were stranded for 4 days, hence we stayed in this island for a week.
We took advantage of the situation that gave us an opportunity to explore more of Calayan Island. Almost every space your eyes gaze at in this island, is stunning. Some of the most beautiful ones are the islands coves – Caniwara, Cibang and Cababaan. Each of these coves are found in Barangay Dadao. They are separated by some rock formations beautifully sculpted by nature. And each of these 3 coves have unique features.
Nearest to the island town’s pobacion is Caniwara Cove – the cove nearest to Nagudungan Hill. Viewing it from Nagudungan, it appears to be a tidal flat with seaweeds and coral-like stones. Cibang (also Sibang) Cove, is the middle cove and is the most popular. It is said that it has the finest sand and more calm waters compared to the 2 other coves. This could be the reason why it is the most frequented from among the three. A huge, sentinel-like rock formation separates Cibang from Caniwara.
The farthest cove is Cababaan Cove. To me this is the most unspoiled and charming, despite having stronger waves. At the far end of this cove is a stunning rock formation the locals simply call “puraw”. My friends and I decided to name it Dadao Rock Formation to have a more distinct identity. Upon looking at it, you’ll immediately be reminded of Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Ilocos Norte. However, “puraw” is more gigantic and relatively more delightful to me.
If you want to see all three coves, the best vantage point would be Nagudungan Hills. And if you stay a little longer, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of the setting sun at this side of the island.
Don’t be a wasted soul, be ‘juan’derlust. Take it easy ebri’juan’.
No Juan Is An Island 
Great location and photos! Calayan is a dream destination for me. How many hours is the ferry ride from the mainland of Cagayan?
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Hello my friend. Thank you. The lampitaw ride is around 5-6 hours. I’ll do a separate entry for the “expenses and how to reach Calayan” sometime soon. Again thank you.
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Thanks!
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I really envy how beautiful and “spoilt for choice” places your country has to offer!
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hi good day can i ask if its safe to go there? may nabasa kase ko about going to the islands maalon daw massyado. totoo ba kase i want to go by my self solo travel and I don’t know how to swim 😁 nabasa ko kase delikado daw malakas daw ang waves meron bang month na calm yung dagat thanks btw ang ganda ng mga pictures mo
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Hello. Yes maalon. Almost always eh maalon talaga. Relatively safer months are April to may. And possibility of getting stranded for an indefinite # of days is high too. Pero worth it naman. I got stranded for 4 days. My friends who went here were stranded ng 4 days din. They suspend kasi boat trips pag panget waves not necessarily the weather.
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thanks for replying calm na calm ba yung dagat April to may? breathtaking talaga ang view yung boat ride pala ilang oras before umalis? may oras ba? thank you and how much ang cost if you go there alone thanks ang dami mo nang napuntahan grabe more power to you
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You mean to say you went there on a December? We were planning to go there fourth quarter of last year but was heavily discouraged because of risky sea conditions. 🙂 Planning to re-schedule this summer instead. Love your photos, by the way!
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Hello. Yes I was in Calayan from December 27 to January 2. Waves were pretty huge. Twas all part of the awesome experience.
Thank you for the appreciation.
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Hi again, Romulo! Just dropped by to say our trip pushed through last May. 🙂 I couldn’t wait for the summer to pass after seeing this post – among a few others. Thankfully the weather was good and we weren’t stranded unlike the last batch that went there on the Holy Week.
I’ve also posted some photos of Calayan Island here along with a travel video in case anybody’s interested to see: http://www.taraletsanywhere.com/calayan-island-cagayan/
Looking forward to more of your adventures! ❤
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Hello Kat! Im glad your plan pushed thru and great to know you werent stranded. Im sure you all had fun. Thank you for showing me your vid. it’s awesome!
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So beautiful, i live in Isabela and dont know tht we have thisGem in the north, im always thinking about palawan though their diff, i will put it in my wish list and keep my finger crossed to be there!
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Hi Mr. Romulo Sutelo, Good day! I would like to know if its possible to join your group every time you have an event or kahit simple vacation lang lalu na kung ganito kaganda yung place.
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Hello Charm. Thank you for dropping by. Uhm, im not sure about the possibility of joining me because most of the time I do solo backpacking and maybe time compatibility is an issue. Lalo na biglaan ako most of the time gumala. Nonetheless i hope to bump into you else where here in the Philippines. Basta keep on traveling! Cheers.
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Hello Aileen. Thank you for the appreciation. Yes, its really great that we have so many stunning places in the Philippines. I wish you luck in your journey to Calayan.
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[…] More of these coves at D’Yan Lang, No Juan is an Island […]
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