BIRI ISLAND, NORTHERN SAMAR, PHILIPPINES

BIRI ISLAND, NORTHERN SAMAR, PHILIPPINES

Biri Port

There is only one place that can serve freshly cooked food for tourists like me. That is the carinderia located at the Biri Port. I kept on looking but I failed. However, there are a lot of sari-sari (convenience) stores around where you can buy canned goods, junk food, and refreshments. The food at the carinderia tasted good, a little bit salty for me, and was relatively cheap. A viand costs around PhP 30 and a “big” cup of rice is PhP 10.

How to go around?

Biri Port in Front of the Biri Catholic Church

Villa Amor or The “Yellow House”

E. De Los Reyes St. cor San Vicente St. view towards the direction of the Rock Formations

It was very easy. The Biri Port is located in front of the Catholic church. Facing the church, turn right to San Vicente St. then turn right again to E. De Los Reyes St. Along E. De Los Reyes St., you can find places to stay. I stayed at the Villa Amor owned and operated by Virgilia “Virgie” Amor. It is just 250 meters away from the port. A fan room with toilet and bath good for two costs around PhP 500/day plus PhP 150/extra person while the air conditioned room good for three costs around PhP 1200/day. The people in the island (Actually, Biri is composed of several component islands but I stayed in the Biri town proper.) are nice and friendly.

Approaching the beach by habal-habal

The road that links the town proper and the Rock Formations

What to see?

Aside from the view of Sorsogon and the rest of the Bicol Region at the Biri Port. Biri boasts of its natural rock formations.

Sunset along the horizon of the Bicol Region

You can take a tour guide with you. A local tour guide will cost you PhP 150/day. Almost all of the motorcycle (habal-habal) drivers are willing to take you there. A motorcycle ride to the rock formations will cost you around PhP 30/head, one-way. A motorbike may be rented from the locals at PhP 300/day (excluding gas). Or, you can hike. Its around 3 kms away from the town proper. Just follow the road of E. De Los Reyes St., opposite the direction of Villa Amor. At the end of the road, you will be able to see the beach, the amazing rock formations, and the Pacific Ocean!

Astounding!

A panoramic view of the Rock Formations. (Magasang [gasang=corals], Makadlaw, and Bil-Ap)

Magasang Rock Formation

The Powerful Pacific Ocean Waves

Electric Power

Electricity is available from 12 NN to 12 MN. At the Villa, a generator will sustain electricity from 12MN to 6AM.

At the Biri port, trips to Lavezares are available as early as 6AM to 730AM. There is also a single boat that travels to Matnog, Sorsogon and back to Biri which costs around PhP 180/head.

Next destination, Capul!