Guests on a banana boat ride off Lanas beach Looking out from a sea cave to a rocky islet Guests on an island tour in our Jeep Starfish in the shallows Fishing from the Pelican pedal kayak at dawn Children with a carabao cart on a village track
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Explore the island

Island Activities

Nature in its purest form, above and below the water.

Island pastimes

Snorkel, swim, paddle or simply relax

Our house coral reef is only 20 metres out from the beach, with a huge variety of unusual corals and stunning reef fish just a metre below you.

Everything you need on the beach is free for our guests. Because there are so few tourists on the island, every activity is a delight, and our staff are always on hand with suggestions, guidance or help with equipment.

  • Loungers and hammocks
  • Snorkelling equipment
  • Kayaks and stand-up paddle boards (SUPs)
  • Body boards
  • Beach volleyball and boules

Learn more about Carabao Island

In one minute

A day of island adventures

From sunrise on the beach to sunset at the Tagaytay viewpoint, and the coast road on our island tour.

Carabao Island activitiesThe jeep tour, a speedboat ride, paraw sailing, cliff jumping and the zipline
The island tourOur UTV on the coast road around Carabao Island

On the water

Our boats & the Reef Bar

We have four motorised boats for island tours and island hopping: large and small speedboats, a 40-foot bangka and a light aluminium tender.

We have also recently had a paraw built, the traditional Philippine sailing craft whose design dates back to the 12th century. It's fast and furious, and takes up to 8 guests.

In season our bangka is moored on the far side of the coral reef as our Reef Bar, with hammocks and a cool box of beer and wine. Snorkel, swim or kayak out, or take the tender, for a relaxing drink and some sun. It's particularly great at sunset.

  • Motorised water sports: water skiing, wakeboarding, ZUP boarding and banana boat rides
  • Fishing with local fishermen on small bankas, or further out on a larger banka
  • Deep-sea fishing on Magnifikat, our fast speedboat
  • Our Pelican pedal-powered fishing kayak
Carabao Island land tour map with the jungle cliff and zip-line, Cathedral cliff diving and caves, Ngiriton bat caves, white beaches, Tagaytay viewpoint and our tour vehicles

On land

Island tours

Explore the island by motorbike or scooter, or on an exciting on- and off-road tour in our Yamaha Viking 6-seater UTV, Jeep Blade or Hilux 4x4.

The island has a wealth of attractions, and we can also provide a motorbike with a driver-guide. Tap the map to see the full island tour.

  • Three cliff jumps and a zip-line
  • A viewpoint over Boracay
  • The huge Cathedral bat cave
  • Secluded white beaches and rice fields
Guests with the telescope at the Carabao Observatory
A guest relaxing during a herbal compress massage

After dark & wellbeing

Stars, massage & manicure

Our observatory in the rice fields behind the apartments houses the largest reflecting telescope in the Philippines.

Kelvin, a professor of astronomy at Manila University, hosts the evenings and guides you through the night skies.

For wellbeing, we offer professional massage and manicure in your room or on the beach.

Explore the island

Nature in its purest form

Hidden beaches

Hidden beaches

Quiet stretches of sand all to yourself.

Jungle trails

Jungle trails

Forest tracks that lead to rice fields and viewpoints.

Panoramic views

Panoramic views

Scenic vistas over Carabao Island and beyond.

Secret waters

Secret waters

The untouched beauty of the island's caves.

Things to do

Adventure, culture & nature

Endless ways to explore, above and below the water. Prices are in pesos; book any activity at reception or ask us before you arrive.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling

The coral reef is only 20 metres out from the beach, with stunning reef fish a metre below you. Mask, snorkel and fins are free for our guests.

Free for our guests Visitors: ₱250 half day≈ $4
Sea kayaks ready on the beach

Sea kayak

Paddle along the coast to quiet coves and beaches, or out to the Reef Bar. Kayaks, SUPs and body boards are free for our guests.

Free for our guests Visitors: from ₱300 · 2 hours≈ $5
Paraw sailing

Paraw sailing

Sail our own paraw, newly built to a traditional design dating back to the 12th century: fast and furious, for up to 8 guests.

from ₱2,500≈ $39
4x4 island tour

4x4 island tour

An on- and off-road tour in our Yamaha Viking 6-seater UTV, Jeep Blade or Hilux 4x4: cliff jumps, the zip-line, the Cathedral bat cave, white beaches, rice fields and the viewpoint over Boracay.

from ₱1,250≈ $20
Island boat trip

Island boat trip

A day on a traditional banca to the beaches and reefs around Carabao Island.

from ₱3,000≈ $47
A guest jumping from a cliff platform into the sea

Cliff jumping

Exciting jumps and hidden coves for the adventurous. The entrance fee is paid at the site.

₱100 entrance fee≈ $2
Exploring a bat cave on Carabao Island

Bat cave

Visit the Ngiriton bat caves, a truly natural experience. Part of the 4x4 island tour.

Price on request
Observatory

Observatory

See the night sky through the largest reflecting telescope in the Philippines, with Kelvin, a professor of astronomy, as your guide.

₱500 per person≈ $8
Local fishing

Local fishing

Fish with local fishermen from a small banka, or go further out on a larger one.

₱1,200 per hour≈ $19
Fishing from our speedboat off Carabao Island

Sea fishing

Deep-sea fishing on Magnifikat, our fast, fully equipped speedboat.

from ₱7,000 per hour≈ $111
Fishing from the Pelican pedal kayak at dawn

Fishing kayak

Our Pelican pedal-powered fishing kayak, for a relaxed morning on the water.

₱600 · 4 hours≈ $9
Seafood grilling over an open fire on the beach at sunset

Beach barbecue

Fresh seafood and meat grilled on the beach at sunset.

from ₱500 per person≈ $8
Mountain bikes for hire at The Beach House reception

Bike or scooter hire

Ride the island roads and trails at your own pace, or hire a motorbike with a driver-guide.

from ₱400 half day≈ $6
Banana boat

Banana boat

A 20-minute ride for groups of at least 4.

₱400 per person≈ $6
Water skiing behind a speedboat on turquoise water

Water skiing & wakeboarding

Water skiing and wakeboarding behind one of our speedboats.

Price on request
A rider standing on a ZUP board towed behind a boat

ZUP board

Ride a board towed behind a boat: lie, kneel or stand. For two people, half an hour.

₱1,500 for 2 people≈ $24
Small speedboat

Small speedboat

Private speedboat for up to 4 people, for island hopping or a trip to Boracay.

₱5,000 per hour≈ $79
Large speedboat

Large speedboat

Private speedboat for up to 7 people.

₱7,000 per hour≈ $111
A guest relaxing during a herbal compress massage

Spa

Professional massage and manicure, in your room or on the beach. Massage ₱600, manicure ₱300.

from ₱300≈ $5
Reef bar

The Beach House Reef Bar

In season our bangka is moored beyond the reef, with hammocks and a cool box of beer and wine. Swim, kayak or take the tender out; best at sunset.

Price on request

Island life & natural environment

Where every moment is shaped by the sea, the land and the rhythms of nature

Carabao Island's towering natural rock arch over clear water

Carabao Island's natural rock arch

If you're island-hopping around Romblon, this spot is well worth the detour. Pictures really don't do it justice. You have to feel the cool water, look up at that towering arch and just take it all in. It's one of those rare places that's even better in real life than in photos.

A carabao pulling a cart along a village road

Authentic, simple, real

Carabao (water buffalo) still do the heavy work here, and most islanders are subsistence farmers and fishermen. Experience a way of life that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

Build your own island itinerary

Island life

A way of life unchanged for generations

Natural environment

Caves, reefs, creeks & paddy fields

Kayaking at sunset

The Beach House

Let us plan your adventures

Guided tours, boats, diving and more. Tell us what you love and we will tailor it.