Samar Island Natural Park, located in the Eastern Visayas region, is one of the Philippines' last remaining bastions of old-growth forests and pristine cave systems. Spanning over 333,000 hectares across the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar, this protected area is a biodiversity hotspot that promises raw, untouched adventure for nature lovers and eco-travelers.
The park is best known for the Sohoton Caves and Natural Bridge Park in Basey town, where visitors can kayak through rock formations, swim in natural pools, and explore cathedral-like caves adorned with centuries-old stalactites. Jungle trails lead trekkers through dense dipterocarp forests teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the Philippine eagle and the rare Philippine tarsier.
Samar Island Natural Park is also home to towering waterfalls, such as Lulugayan Falls in Calbiga town, often dubbed the "Mini Niagara of the Philippines." Eco-tours offer immersive experiences, such as spelunking in the Langun-Gobingob Caves, one of the largest cave systems in Southeast Asia, or birdwatching in the remote uplands.
Whether you're exploring its mystical caves or cruising through emerald rivers, Samar Island Natural Park offers a soul-stirring escape into one of the wildest landscapes in the Philippines.
