Caramoan Islands — El Nido of the East

Tucked away on a remote peninsula in Camarines Sur, the Caramoan Islands offer the dramatic limestone scenery of El Nido or Coron without the crowds, which is why they are often called the El Nido of the East. Made internationally famous as the filming location for multiple foreign editions of the TV series Survivor, Caramoan rewards adventurous travellers with pristine beaches, hidden lagoons and towering karst cliffs.

This full-day island-hopping tour visits the peninsula's most beautiful islets. At Matukad Island you can climb a sharp limestone cliff to peer into a hidden lagoon said to hold two mystical milkfish. Lahos Island, whose name means to pass through, lets you walk from one beach to another between rock formations, while Cagbalinad Island offers secluded sand, great snorkelling and panoramic cove views.

With clear water, white-sand coves and rugged scenery far off the mainstream trail, Caramoan is an island-hopping gem for those willing to make the journey to Camarines Sur.