Sta. Ana, the north-eastern tip of the province of Cagayan and mainland Luzon, is a Special Economic Zone bustling with some modern industrial establishments, casinos and other gaming facilities, it even has its own pelotary. The town is also blessed with beautiful coastline, with some great white sandy beaches along its shore. Yet it still looks so rural and laid back, projecting contrasting features that add to its mystique.

But what makes the town more contrastingly beautiful is the island off its shore that offers so much. White sandy beaches and coves, a century old lighthouse, hidden waterfalls and lovely people, all in a scenic ragged terrain surrounded by howling wind and huge waves, Palaui Island.

With a land area of more than 3000 hectares, Palaui, an island made up of volcanic debris, is politically under the jurisdiction of the town of Sta. Ana. It is home to a fishing community, without electricity and commercial accommodation. Its main attraction aside from its beaches is the Farol de Cabo Engaño, an 18th century lighthouse built by the Spaniards that guides ships entering and leaving the coastal towns of Sta. Ana specially those vessels using Port Irene and San Vicente Port,  and those traversing the Babuyan Channel and Philippine Sea.

Fall in love in a place built by wind and waves, and nurtured by time; discover the distinct charm of its scenic ragged terrain; sing with the howling sound of its gigantic waves. Discover, explore and experience Palaui Island.

One of the many beaches of the island

How to Get There

Barangay San Vicente in the town of Sta. Ana is the jump-off point to the island of Palaui. In San Vicente port, there are fishing boats that can be chartered for a short ride to the island. Cost is P600 back and forth, for a boat that can fit up to six people, travel time is half an hour at most. These fishing boats are not in the concrete pier (where the bigger boats to Calayan and Camiguin are) but on the beach side. San Vicente is a short trike ride from Sta. Ana (P15.00 per passenger).

Going to Sta. Ana from Manila, one can either take a plane to Tuguegarao or take the night bus going to Tuguegarao or Aparri.

Farol de Cabo Engaño

By Plane

AirPhil Express and Cebu Pacific fly to Tuguegarao from Manila, travel time is approximately an hour.

By Bus

Via Tuguegarao: From Manila, Victory Liner, Baliwag (Contact No: 524-7111, 525-1067, 525-3064, 525-6769, 525-2338, 525-2294), EMC Bus Company, Auto Bus Company (Contact No: 7358096) and Florida Liner have daily trips to Cagayan Capitol everyday almost every hour. It is around 485 kilometers north of Metro Manila; travel time is about 11 to 12 hours and  fare is P575.00 (as of June 2011).

If you are coming from Tabuk, jeepneys are available in Kalabaw Intersection (in front of St. William Cathedral), fare is P55.00 (as of 2008). From Ilocos and Abra, GMW Liner and Florida Liner have trips to Tuguegarao.

From Tuguegaro, ride a bus (P185.00 as of December 2010) or van (P180.00 as of June 2011) going to Sta. Ana, travel time is two hours.

Direct to Sta. Ana: Florida Liner is the only bus company that goes direct to Sta. Ana, Cagayan. Daily trips to Sta. Ana leave Sampaloc at 12PM and 3PM.

Cape Engaño Lighthouse from afar

Where to Stay

There is no commercial accommodation in Palaui Island. Tourists who opt to stay overnight in the island can look for homestays or pitch a tent in the beach,

The nearest commercial accommodations are in the mainland Sta. Ana. For budget traveler, Mel and J’s Inn located in Sta. Ana Market, offer rooms, the cheapest is P500.00, for a very basic fan room that is good for three person, do not expect anything in this room

Other accommodations in Sta. Ana are:

• Balai Cagayano
• Cagayan Holiday Resort
• Ceza Guest House
  Centro, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
  Contact: (63)-78-585-1021
• Country-Inn By The Sea
• Costa Carina Beach Front
• Costales Lodging House
• Jotay Resort
  Centro, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
  Contact: +63906-4781270
• Tres Rosas Beach Resort
  Diora-Zinungan, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
• Orquidia Beach Resort
  Diora-Zinungan, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
• St. Anthony’s Resort
  Rapuli, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
• El Cortez Beach Resort
  Diora- Zinungan, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
• Eden’s Lodging House
  Centro, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
• Lordwins Beach Resort
  Sta. Cruz, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
• M&E Lodging House
  San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
• Jerolinda Beach Resort
  San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan
• Phil. Game Fishing Foundation
  San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan

Wild water buffaloes freely roaming in Palaui’s grassy hill

Activities

• Trek to Cape Engaño Lighthouse in Punta Verde Point
• Swimming and Beach Hopping on its 21 kilometer shoreline  and coves of white sand
• Find its hidden waterfalls
• Snorkeling/Scuba Diving (bring your own equipments)
• Fishing (bring your own equipments)
• Bird Watching
• Hiking
• Camping/Picnic
• Beach Volleyball/Frisbee
• Skimboarding (bring your own board)
• Watch the sunrise and sunset
• Visit Anguib Beach, Jerolinda Beach and Buacag Falls in mainland Sta. Ana
• See the Gotan mangrove forest and waterfalls
• Visit Crocodile, Mapurao and Manidad Islands, small islands with white sand beaches
• Attend in Viray Festival held yearly from May 26 to 30

A local collecting shells

Tips

• The best way to reach the town of Sta. Ana from Manila by land is via the night bus of Florida Liner direct to Aparri that stops in Sta. Ana
• If you are trekking Cape Engaño Lighthouse by land, please GET A LOCAL GUIDE! Guide fee is only P250.00. At least two (2) hours trek.
• If you are going to Cape Engaño Lighthouse by boat, the rate is P2000 for a boat that can fit up to six persons
• Gael (of www.thepinaysolobackpacker.com) and I, highly recommend Kuya Edwin Tabucol, a local of Palaui Island. Contact no: +639269064657. He has a boat that can be rented to take you to the lighthouse and to Palaui from San Vicente. He can also guide you to the lighthouse.
• If you plan to head north to Babuyan Islands, there is a ferry the leaves every morning of Tuesdays and Fridays from San Vicente Port to Camiguin and Calayan Islands. Camiguin is around three (3) hours from San Vicente Port, fare is P320.00 as of December 2010. Calayan Island is around five hours away, fare is P640.00 as of December 2010. The return ferry leaves Camiguin and Calayan every Wednesdays and Sundays morning
• Ferry from San Vicente Port going to Batanes is seasonal and operates only during summer/calm seas and weather (usually April and May)
• The last trip of vans going to Sta. Ana from Tuguegarao is 530PM
• The last trip of vans going to Tuguegarao from Sta. Ana is 1PM
• For other information and tips, please visit The Pinay Solo Backpacker’s Palaui Island Travel Guide

The beautiful cove below the lighthouse.

*First Publication 03-Mar-2011/Updated 14-Jun-2011