Hernani, Eastern Samar | Unfazed by the Giant Pacific Waves
Hernani: Eastern Samar is a diamond in the rough that surely left a mark as I set foot on its rocky beaches battered by gigantic waves of the Pacific.
On my attempt to visit my 69th Philippine Province on my PH81 Project, I booked a flight to Tacloban, Leyte not knowing what is in store for me that day.
Canhugas Nature Park
After a three-hour van ride from Tacloban City, I was dropped off at the coastal town of Hernani. The town was pretty desolate on a Saturday morning, there are several big-ass colorful tricycles who does not seem to mind me nor do they ask if I want to go somewhere.
After a quick breakfast, I hailed a ride and asked to be dropped off at Canhugas Nature Park. To add, it was a fairly quick trip taking only five minutes and 30 pesos.
At the entrance, I paid the corresponding fee and off I go to the concrete staircase that leads directly to the sea!
Hernani, being a coastal town is known for its beaches, rock formations, and tidal pools which attract tourists nowadays. Moreover, it gained traction after being featured in TV shows and on social media sites.
Massive waves hammer the sharp rock formations along the coast of Hernani. Nature is always a force to be reckoned with, but look at how beautiful everything turned out here in Canhugas.
Ginduyanan Cove
Not far from Canhugas Nature Park is a hidden gem that is worth the visit to Brgy. Cancelides. I rented again another tricycle to bring me to the jump-off point of Ginduyanan Cove and asked him to just wait for me there.
The path going to the cove is fairly straightforward if you just stick to the visible trail, then after a fifteen-minute walk along a coconut tree-filled flatland, a rocky crevice will bring you down into this hidden paradise.
A natural rock bridge arches over a pool that extends out into the ocean. Consequently, Ginduyanan Cove is a host to a small fishing village that was later on turned into a tourist attraction.
Luckily, Eastern Samar’s off-the-beaten-track destinations is slowly opening to tourists which hopefully will revitalize the province’s threadbare tourism industry.
Eastern Samar: PH #69!
How to Get There
- Canhugas Nature Park and Ginduyanan Cove is located in the town of Hernani, Eastern Samar.
- From Tacloban, the nearest commercial airport to Hernani is the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport or Tacloban Airport.
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- Upon arrival in Tacloban City, transfer to any jeeps bound for San Jose Downtown (50php/pax) and ask the driver to drop you off at either Duptours or Van-Van’s Terminal
- We advise you to take the commuter vans bound for Borongan and ask to be dropped off at Hernani town proper (380php/pax, 3 hours)
- There are numerous departures daily to Borongan as early as 5 am and last trips at around 5 pm
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- From Borongan, take any Duptours van bound for Tacloban and ask the driver to drop you off in Hernani
- From Calbayog or Catbalogan, take any vans bound for Borongan and alight at Hernani. Alternately, ask the driver to drop you off at Seaoil Gasoline Station in Sta. Rita, Samar, this is just right after the San Juanico Bridge then just wait for any vans bound for Borongan
- From the town proper, the entrance to Canhugas Nature Park is less than a kilometer, and I paid around 30php for the quick trip
- Rates and Fees:
- Entrance Fee: 50php–foreign, 20php–non-resident, 10php–resident, 5php-children
- Cottage: 400php, Umbrella: 75php, Table: 50php, Chairs: 10php
- If going to Ginduyanan Cove, it is much better to rent the tricycle and ask them to wait for you at the jump-off and haggle for the price but I paid Kuya Benjie around 250php for the return trip. Going there requires a 15-minute trek.
Where to Stay
Itinerary and Expenses
This is part of my 3-Days Eastern Visayas Backpacking Adventure
0510 Tacloban Airport
Extend Your Trip
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Hernani, Eastern Samar | Unfazed by the Giant Pacific Waves
Updated September 09, 2022
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