The Magasang Biri Rick formation was spectacular. You will be surprised on how this was formed. It was as if a master craftsman did his obra maestra so massive for everyone to see.
Dwarfed by the Magasang Rock Formation. Awed at the spectacular beauty of nature!
Tweet:“Spectacular rock formations here in Biri island. Jaw-dropping seascapes! Glad that I pursued this trip.”
I would describe it as magnifico, jaw-dropping wonder. Among the latest visitors are KikoRustia (Born to Wild) and Angel Locsin (they came not at the same time).
Standing atop the rock formation I experience the strong winds that can even blow myself if lose balance. Its colors make it more beautiful as the elements make it gray, black, green and yellow.
Nature colors nature.
Some rocks covered with moss, reason why it turns yellow and green
Watch the video I took and see the powerful waves engulfing the lower portion of the rock formation. Man, those are deadly waves:
Going back to Laveseres, I tweeted, “here at Biri pier going back to mainland Samar. Mt. Bulusan can be seen here on silhouette. Biri also has surfing & dive sites.”
Powerful waves crashing like forever making the rock formation condtantly changing
Traveler’s Tip: Make sure you go here at low tide because you have to walk about 500meters along sea grasses and newly planted mangroves. If you plan to explore the rock formations, tell your motorbike (habal-habal) driver to pick you up at a certain time. 2 hours should be enough.
Biri Rock Formations map. Geron is a surfing site. If you don’t like Magasang, there 5 more rock formations to choose from.
Mangrove Seedlings near Magasang Rock Formation
Magasang & Magsapad Rock Formations
How to Get There:
From Catarman, take the Jeepney to Lavesarez (Php 50).
From Lavesarez go to the wharf near the public market and you will find boats going to Biri (Php 50). Passenger boats are available from 7:00-11:00am (unless you want to rent the whole boat for Php 1,500).
Lavesarez wharf, near the public market
When you arrive at Biri, rent a motorbike (habal-habal) to Magasang Rock Formation, (Php 40 one-way). The driver would offer to fetch you or wait for you, negotiate the payment; I paid Php 70 for a 2-way trip.
Where I stayed at Biri:
Since I finished exploring the rock formations around 2:00pm, I decided to stay. Homestay is available at Ate Glo’s house (Php 150) at the Poblacion.
Food is available near the port and public market; eat dinner early as stores close early.
Electricity is from 12:00nn-12:00mn only, the surrounding islands doesn’t have electricity.
Secrets of Northern Samar is a series of blog posts that encourages intrepid travelers to try the out-of-the-usual-tourist-trail. This happened last February 2011, one of the no-plans-whatsoever trips I made. I have a ticket to Catarman and I just said to myself, go and let’s see what’s in it for me… So I found these:
Spectacular Biri Rock Formations / The Forgotten Capul Island / Abaknon: On the Brink of Extinction / Catubig: A Forgotten Heritage / Hammock-Hanging Adventure at UEP White Beach / Summary & Expenses
Ang ganda sa Biri! Gusto ko rin pumunta diyan. Thanks James for the directions and other important information for us to get to Biri. 🙂
yeah, my pleasure pre! you will definitely love this place… gusto ko ngang i-explore pa yung ibang rocks.. kaya lang medyo malapit na maghigh tide, baka di na ako makabalik.
Wow! buti ka pa nakapunta kana sa Biri. Have gone and stayed in Catarman n times and we haven’t chanced on a good day to go to Biri…laging maulan or may bagyo and so we never got to push through.
Nice photos!
time to go na! dapat talga mga feb-early may. then mornings
question po… yung boat pabalik sa Lavaserez anu sked? Thank you James! 🙂
mervs, walang regular schedule, minsan til 12nn minsan 11am. depende sa mga paalis from biri.
kaya better talaga na magstay dun sa biri for a night
ay ganun ba… tsk tsk! mukhang di ko na mapupuntahan yan..sayang! 7am ang flight ko pa-Manila the next day… Haizt! Thank you James! 🙂
or try going there around 7am, then balik kana ng mga 11am.
I’m really salivating now over Samar, thanks James for making it easier for others to reach this destination. Keep it up.
sorry, i didn’t bring pa nice cam ha…
the power of the waves!
Ang ganda nga! Aliw ako sa names ng rock formations. May history ba yan? 😀
ang kulit ng bel-at noh? i think so, pero di alam nung mga nakausap ko sa tourism office.
ganda nga talaga diyan. isa to sa mga lugar na matagal ko nang gustong puntahan kaya lang wala ako lagi sa timing.
Damn, those rocks look stunning!
Napapa damn ako sa photos mo. hahaha
Ang ganda talaga ng mga rock formations. 🙂
damn stunning ayt?!! jaw-dropping silence when you see the crashing waves
Hi James, how long was the boat ride from Lavaserez to Biri (and return); also hold long was the habal ride to and from the Magasang Rock Formation. Thanks =) /Ramil
boat ride laveserez-biri- about an hour (2 hours round trip)
habal ride from biri wharf to magasang about 15minutes (30mins round trip)
thanks for asking, my pleasure!
Thanks for the tips James… Will be visiting Biri this August. Sana walang bagyo.
nice! enjoy the scenic view! ingats po
I FOUND THIS BLOG VERY HELPFUL…THANKS FOR TAKING INTO DETAILS THE MAGNIFICENT WONDERS OF NORTHERN SAMAR…HOPE YOU CAN EXPLORE MORE “SECRET” PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES…KEEP IT UP! YOU ARE JUST DOING GREAT…
HAVE YOU ALREADY REACHED HINATUAN OR OTHER PLACES IN sURIGAO DEL SUR AND DEL NORTE? THERE ARE A LOT OF SCENIC PLACES THAT YOU CAN EXPLORE IN THESE PARTS OF CARAGA REGION..
yes grace, i’ve been to hinatuan, i visited the enchanted river.
i agree, CARAGA region is soooo underrated
SINO PO BA ANG PWEDE MONG GAWING CONTACT PERSON SA BIRI?
all infos i know are here already po ms.grace.
The Biri Rock Formation is really magnificent. But as you said, it is really out-of-the-usual-tourist-trail so sasadyain mo talaga… this is a great post about what to see in Northern Samar and what other places to see in Samar province.
I FOUND THIS BLOG VERY HELPFUL…THANKS FOR TAKING INTO DETAILS THE MAGNIFICENT WONDERS OF NORTHERN SAMAR…HOPE YOU CAN EXPLORE MORE “SECRET” PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES…KEEP IT UP! YOU ARE JUST DOING GREAT…
i have read your article in SMILE magazine. thats how i know you and now, i stumbled on your blog.:D
was in BIRI 2 weeks ago.:D the rocks were majestic. im a traveler myself..:
Bon Voyage!
cool! cheers to fellow intrepid travelers! im sooo happy that biri rocks is gaining prominence
i have been checking your blog everytime i plan a trip.. i admire your resourcefulness.. and sharing ur trips is very helpful for me.. so thank you for that.. 😉
enjoy Biri rock formations!
Thank you for sharing your journey. I’m not a regular traveler but I love to travel during my annual vacation. I also prefer the “out-of-tourist way” just what I did in Caramoan. This Biri is one of my dreamed destination. I might camp there on top of the rock island overnight. I hope it’s safe from nature as well as from fellow humans hehe. By the way did you visit El Nido with your out-of tourist way? It is another dreamed kayak destination for me.
Keep going….
G300
Follow up question po: Since the electricity is from 12nn-12mn, may signal ba ang cp in times of brown out? Doon sa area ng rock formations may signal din ba? Planning to camp overnight kasi next year….
meron pong signal sa may area ng rock formations but not mismo sa rock formations.
i guess you can camp out but not sa formations, meron akong nakitang sand area dun near the rocks.
Thanks James for the tips. I’ll be going to Biliran very soon!
– The Pinoy Rider
Touring the Philippines on a motorbike
http://www.pinoyrider.com
my pleasure sir!
im sure you will have fun touring northern samar on your motorbike
Hi!
I’m from Northern Samar and currently taking up BS Mgt in UP. We are currently making a business plan for the development of biri Island. The Plan aims not just to develop the tourism industry but to create a community-based tourism that will somehow uplift the lives of the birianons and eventually the Norte Samarnons. With this, I just want to ask some questions:
1.) As a photography enthusiast, Which of the rock formations do you find most picturesque?
2.) Among the rock formations, in which spots/locations will you recommend to other photography enthusiasts ?
3.) did you stay in one the resorts or home stay?
4.) Do you want to avail a package tour to Biri?
5.) What will you suggest for the improvement of Biri?
Thank you!
Hi Sir! Good day to you. I am a researcher for a publishing house and I would like to ask permission to use one photo of Biri rock formation in a grade 3 book which will be published next year. Please email your reply at maritescui@gmail.com. Thank you and God bless.
Best regards,
Marites
Ang ganda talaga! Hopefully mapuntahan ko ito sa summer. *crossed fingers*
proud ako na nakarating na ako sa magasang island with my relatives sobrang ganda grabe cant forget tlga
thanks because u enjoyed the beauty of northern samar. I just want to correct the spelling of one of the town Lavaseres (thts wht u wrote)the correct one is LAVEZARES…hope u dnt mind…thts the correct named of tht town….
hi ana. sorry for the mispelled town name. yep, i know its lavezares nga. haha my bad. anyway, i edited it na. thanks for the correction. 🙂
Were been there last march truly nice view medyo nakakatakot nga lang travel from lavesares to biri took almost 2hrs.
Breathtaking naman ang view. 🙂
Hi, thanks for this post. I’m from Samar, For interested tourist who wants to visit this place, just a few info to other rock formations if we have Biri from the northern area of Samar we have also RakitDakit of Palapag in Southern Part. You can also visit other tourist spots here in to this site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beautiful-Northern-Samar-Philippines/167870720029235 – credits to the owner of this page! Have a blast! enjoy!