A Spontaneous Hike to Bote Lighthouse | Bato, Catanduanes
In this entry, let me take you to Bato, Catanduanes as I scale Bote Lighthouse!
Catanduanes has been in the path of typhoons since time immemorial, gaining the moniker, “The Land of the Howling Winds”. Howlers, or the streaming winds during typhoons sounds real scary, and I even experienced it first hand. I also noticed that most of the houses here have low ceilings so as to not battle the winds during storms and hurricane like winds.
PAG-ASA Station
The province, has been too hospitable enough to receive most of the annual 24 typhoons from the Pacific that hits the country. No wonder, that PAG-ASA, the country’s weather bureau built a radar station to properly monitor these events.
The weather station was built on top of the hills of Bato Catanduanes. This was built in 2012 through the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Atop the hill, you will be rewarded with views of the coastline and the low lying communities. After spending around half an hour inside the weather facility compound, we went down to Baranagy Bote to scale a lighthouse.
Sakahon Beach
Upon arrival at Barangay Bote, we then registered at a barangay outpost near the community before eventually going down the cemented road that further leads to the beach.
A few meters after alighting from our service tricycle, we have finally arrived Sakahon Beach.
This is as pristine as it could get, there’s hardly any cottages nor resorts around. There are a few local fishing boats docked near the shore. With the sun perched in its highest peak, the sand was golden and as fine as sugar while the water’s azure and was surely inviting.
Not too far was the Locot Islands jutting out from the sea, with the turtle-like Mamonglo Island more visible from the shore.
The trail immediately starts with scrambling up some sharp coral rocks. Most of the vegetation are thorny, while there are also guide ropes and rails to assist you on difficult parts.
That afternoon, the trail was in disarray, the Barangay officials haven’t done any cleaning along the trail after Typhoon Tisoy hit. What made this trail unique is the abundance of hermit crabs almost found at every part while hiking.
Bote’s Nakangangang Buwaya
A few more rope assisted sharp ascents and the lighthouse was finally within our reach. The gate was locked to protect the solar panel and beacon from lawless elements.
Then wind was surely strong at the top of the lighthouse, but the views of the coastline from there was awesome!
With the vantage point of being perched at the top of the hill, Bote Lighthouse won’t let you down with the 360 degree view of of the Bato municipality. At the eastern side of Bato is the famed Nakangangang Buwaya, or a crocodile like strip of land jutting out into the sea. At the western side is the Locot Islands and the shores greeting the Pacific.
As much as I want to stay, it was rather late and we already have to go back to Virac, since I have an early flight the following day.
How to Get There:
- By Air:
- Cebu Pacific flies to Virac, Catanduanes 4x a week from Manila (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sunday). Flight takes an hour, departs 06:10 from Manila and arrives 07:25am in Virac
- By Land:
- From Manila (Pasay, Cubao) take a bus going directly to Tabaco in Albay. Travel time takes 11-12 hours and costs around 900php/pax
- From Tabaco, take a pedicab going to Tabaco Port.
- At Tabaco Port, take a passenger boat going to Catanduanes (4 hours travel time):
- via San Andres – 290php (aircon), 220php (non-aircon)
- via Virac – 320php (aircon), 240php (non-aircon)
- There are also fast crafts going to Virac (2 hours travel time) but trips are limited
- At Virac Town Center, you can hire a tricycle to take you to Bote Lighthouse jump-off. Although this is an expensive option, you can partner this trip with Puraran Beach and, Binurong Point and Balacay Point.
- Guide fee for a group of 5pax is 200php, registration fee is 10php
If planning to explore the Happy Island, always avail the services of the guides since most of the destinations are tricky to go to. This trip wouldn’t be possible if not for my very accommodating guides:
Virac/Bato/Baras: Kuya Michael Tanael (0948 742 3206), Kuya Joel Tanael (0948 125 5566)
Pandan: Kuya Noel (0927 180 0840)
Chasing Catanduanes: This 2-day adventure series takes us to the pristine pastoral hills, stunning beaches and sweeping coastline views of Catanduanes. This happens to be my 64th province that I visited last December 09-10, 2019.
The Land of the Howling Winds and the Happy Island; this island facing the Pacific has been sculpted by devastating typhoons passing through here since time immemorial. This made its awesome topography truly a work of nature.
Catanduanes Adventure 2019
Taming the Land of the Howling Winds – Catanduanes
Land of the Howling Winds | Catanduanes Travel Guide 2020
Surf Town of Baras | Puraran Beach, Catanduanes
Unlocking the Last Frontier | Pandan, Catanduanes
The Mighty Hills of Binurong Point | Baras, Catanduanes
Bote Lighthouse | Bato, Catanduanes
Updated May 25, 2020
