Visit the Best Caves in Samar Island
SAMAR ISLAND – Often called as the “Splendor Between Mountain and Sea”, Samar is known for its historical importance during the Spanish and American regime.
Samar was named “Las Islas Filipinas” and it was proven through its natural attractions- an array of spelunking sites, river trips, white water rafting, and amazing caves making it the third largest island of the Philippines.
Samar was put in the caving spotlight after hundreds of caves has been discovered, mapped and cataloged by some Italian, French and Filipino speleologists in the island. There might be even more waiting to be discovered but here are just some of the stunning caves that can be found on the island of Samar.
Langun-Gobingob Cave
The Langun Gobingob cave is known to be the 2nd biggest cave in Southeast Asia and the biggest cave in the Philippines. It is located at Brgy Panayuran Calbiga, Samar.
Also called as the “mother of all chambers”, Langun-Gobingob Cave is the largest cave of the 12 caves in Calbiga measuring 270 meters long and 160 meters wide enough to fit three football fields. The cave is famous for speleothems and various cave life such as several endangered species of bats, cave crickets (troglobionts), the eyeless fish (Caecogobius cryptophthalmus), cave spiders (tarantula), birds, snakes, and white and red crabs.
It was initially discovered by an Italian expedition back in 1987 but was further explored by three cave divers namely; Bruce Konefe, Thomas Bodis and William Hudson in August, 2009. A new section discovered was named Lurodpon a Waray-waray word for “Underwater Cave,” giving a new full name for the system “Langun-Gobingob-Lorodpon Cave.”
Sulpan Cave
The pair of Sulpan Cave and Pinipisakan Falls makes this one of the most beautiful cave entrances in the Philippines. The cave is located at Brgy. Bai-ang, San Jorge, Samar. It was discovered by French Speleologist led by Paul Marcel in 1991.
Sulpan Cave has one of the most beautiful cave entrances in the Philippines located in Brgy. Bai-ang, San Jorge, Samar. Right in front of the cave’s mouth is a four-layered waterfall called Pinipisakan Falls. The Sulpan Cave has five-kilometer long underground cave chambers filled with huge stalactites and stalagmites. It has an underground river which is connected to the Blanca River.
Megalodon Cave
On March 28, 2015, a team of Italian (Guido Rossi) and French (Marcel Paul) speleologists, guided by Samar cave master and speleologist Joni A. Bonifacio, discovered what seems to be a fossilized tooth of a Megalodon inside a cave in San Jorge, Samar. Now, the locals want to name the cave as Megalodon Cave to make it more memorable.
Megalodon Cave can be found in San Jorge, Samar and was named after a prehistoric giant shark, Megalodon, which a fossilized tooth of the said animal was discovered on March 28 of this year by a team of speleologists led by Guido Rossi (Italian) and Marcel Paul (French) guided by Joni A. Bonifacio, a well known cave master and speleologist in Samar.
Lobo cave
Lobo Cave is a 3.2 km long cave located at Brgy. Tagbayaon, Jiabong, Samar. It was discovered by Cave Master Joni A. Bonifacio on August 15, 2005 and mapped by an Italian speleologist in April 2006.
Lobo cave is a hidden haven of magnificent mineral formation and is considered as one of the most beautiful caves in the Philippines. It is located in Jiabong, Samar and it would be very difficult to find its entrance if you do not have a local tour guide. This cave is perfect for people who are new to caving experience.
Central Cave
Central Cave also known as Crystal Paradise is located at Brgy. Kawayan, Catbalogan City, Samar. The cave was discovered by cave master and speleologist Joni A. Bonifacio, a native of Catbalogan.
Central Cave is located on a hill of Brgy. San Andres which is five (5) kilometers away from Catbalogan, Samar. This cave was explored by two local speleologists namely; Joni A. Bonifacio and Zar Labtic on May 11, 2014.
Sohoton Cave
Sohoton Cave got its name from a Cebuano word “so-oton” which means to pass through because the only entrance to this cave us a very low-ceilinged tunnel. It can only be accessed during low tide. It is a part of Sohoton National Park of Basey, Samar.
It is also called as “snoring cave” because of the sound made by the receding tide as it slaps at the ceiling of the cave which sounds like a giant snoring.
Linao Cave
The Linao cave can be found in Guiuan, Samar. ‘Linao’ is a Waray-waray word which means ‘clear’ which describes the crystal clear fresh waters of the cave. The stone formations inside the cave are one of the best examples of Mother Nature’s work of art.
Who wouldn’t love caving if these are the caves to explore? So, what are you waiting for? Plan your caving experience at Samar and enjoy hiking those sloping paths! 🙂