Hike to a Crater Lake and Swim with Whalesharks

The Mt. Bulusan Natural Park, one of the parks in the country declared by the national government as such in order to protect its ecosystem and maintain its natural beauty, covers a complex of primary and secondary forests, mystical lakes, rivers and natural springs, and the still active Mt. Bulusan which has an elevation of 5,077 feet above sea level. The lake itself, which has a circumference of 2,006 meters, has an elevation of 2,084 feet upon the slopes of the volcano. There is a smaller lake higher up the volcano called Lake Agingay.

The old Barcelona Church, built in the 19th century by the Spanish colonizers, is perhaps the most well-preserved old church in the entire province, although there are already some alterations in its interior. The thick stone walls of the church, including its bell tower, are the original walls, still relatively intact and well-preserved. Fronting the church, facing the sea, are the ruins of a stone structure that was then known as the casa tribunal and baluarte, or fort, and a schoolhouse made entirely of stones.

This long, wide white sand beach is located in Gubat town, just 25 minutes ride by car from Sorsogon City. It is a favorite picnic destination for locals and visitors. There are now two resort hotels along the beach, offering air-conditioned rooms, including restaurants, function halls, beachside cottages, and souvenir shops.

Considered the biggest fishes in the world, a large pod of Whale Sharks (scientific name: Rhincodon typus), locally known as Butanding, converge annually just at the mouth of the long and winding Donsol River in the Municipality of Donsol. This phenomenon occurs starting October of each year, and peaks during the months of February, March, April and May.

Strategically located in the Bacon Beach in Sorsogon, in the southern part of Bicol Peninsula, Sirangan Beach Resort is a stylish island paradise in the middle of rich aquatic reserve. Staying in the resort gives you the chance to explore the rich natural attraction surrounding the resort. Bacon Beach is known for its vast tourism potential due to its long stretch of black and white sand and clear blue sea. Being located in the famous beach makes the resort more appealing especially to those who want to explore the nature.

Irosin’s old Catholic church sits atop a hill situated right in the center of town, affording churchgoers and visitors a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding countryside beyond, including the peak of Mt. Bulusan, which, at this vantage point, appear almost near enough to grab. The church can be reached via a hundred-step concrete stairs going straight up the hill until one reaches the massive 2-door entrance into the interior of the old church at the top of the stairway.

Prieto-Diaz was the recipient of the 1998 Best Community-Based Coastal Resources Management Program Award given by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), thus making it the CEP Model Site, or the show window of activities under the program. Covering 11 barangays, the Prieto-Diaz site, with jump-off base at the Sabang Beach Resort, which also offers white sand beach and beachside picnic cottages, now showcases 112 hectares of natural mangrove forest, 267 has. mangrove plantation, the widest stretch of seagrass with 836 has. and tidal/mud flats of 1,200 has., 800 has. of protected coral reefs, and a marine sanctuary just 2 kilometers from Sabang Beach.