Calicoan Island

Overview

Calicoan lies off the southern coast of Eastern Samar near Guiuan, a low, jungly island best known for ABCD Beach, an exposed reef break that catches Pacific groundswell and anchors a small surf scene. Away from the waves, the island keeps white-sand coves and a freshwater lagoon inside Linao Cave, while Guiuan's heritage churches and the nearby island of Homonhon, where Magellan made his 1521 landfall, add a historical thread. It stays quiet and largely crowd-free outside surf season.

Standout experiences

• 01 ABCD Beach surfing

  An exposed reef break with clean lines on the right swell, the island's main draw for surfers.

• 02 Linao Cave

  A freshwater lagoon inside a cave pool near Guiuan, an easy swim on a calm day.

• 03 Homonhon Island

  A boat day to the island of Magellan's 1521 landfall, with beaches and dive walls.

• 04 Guiuan heritage trail

  Centuries-old churches and coastal history in the mainland town at the island's doorstep.

Getting there

Fly to Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (TAC) in Tacloban, then take a van or bus to Guiuan in about three hours. Operators on the route include Guiuan Express, Van Van's, and Duptours, and ordinary buses leave from Abucay Terminal. From Guiuan, a tricycle or rented motorbike crosses the bridge to Calicoan Island in about 20 minutes.

When to go

March to May brings the clearest skies and calmest seas for the caves, lagoons, and beaches. Surfers time trips around Pacific groundswell at ABCD Beach, with stronger and more consistent waves from September to November and secondary size during the northeast monsoon. Because the island faces the open Pacific, conditions can change quickly, so check the forecast before traveling.