Eastern Samar

province of the Philippines

Eastern Samar is a province forming the eastern part of Samar Island in the Philippines.

Being on the east coast, the province boasts spectacular high waves from the Pacific Ocean making it ideal for surfing. Every year, Calicoan Island become the staging ground for an international surfing circuit competition.

Towns

  • 🌍 Borongan — a surfer's paradise known for its golden sunrises
  • 🌍 Guiuan — has many beaches such as Calicoan beach, and Sapao beach (Dumpao). There is a beautiful cave

Understand

Most of the province's coastal towns face the Pacific Ocean. Its colorful and rich historical past dates back to the year when Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan landed on the shoreline of Homonhon Island, an island belonging to Guiuan, Eastern Samar. During the Filipino-American war, American forces burned and massacred village folks in Balangiga in revenge and looted the church's centuries-old bell. During World War II, Guiuan Airport in Guiuan, Eastern Samar served as staging point for the air bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The atomic bombs that fell through the two cities where flown out of Guiuan Airport.

Get in

By land

There are buses from Manila to Borongan and Guiuan, stopping also at other towns along the way, and there are also buses and UV Express vans from Calbayog, Catbalogan and Tacloban.

By plane

Cebu Pacific has closed operations at Borongan Airport due to security concern over the runways of the airport. Guiuan Airport is also not operating commercial flights but is open to chartered flights on private planes operating from Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Get around

Going in and out of the province is serviced mostly by land transport provided by private van operators.

See

Islands

  • 🌍 Homonhon Island —
  • Suluan Island
  • Tubabao Island
  • Kantican Island (Pearl Island)
  • Divinuvo Island

Historical sites & museums

  • Navy 3149 Base
  • Guiuan World War II Operating Base

Beach resorts, beaches & dives

  • Sulangan Beach
  • Sapao Beach
  • Guitagican Beach
  • San Julian Beach
  • Mercedes Beach
  • Canhugas Beach
  • Black Sand Beaches of Cabong
  • Marine Park Beach Resort

Natural parks & caves

  • Santa Monica Caves
  • Menasnge Park
  • Sangat of Ando
  • Ganap Cave
  • Locso-on Cave
  • Barawalte
  • Marabut Rock Formations

Waterfalls, rapids & hot springs

  • Hamorawon Spring
  • Binaloan Rapids
  • Bihid Falls
  • Springs of Borongan

Churches & lighthouses

  • Church of Immaculate Concepcion
  • Santiago Monument
  • Divinubo Lighthouse

Do

  • Balangiga Massacre, Balangiga (Bus from anywhere in Samar or Northern Leyte). Every 24 September, the locals in Balangiga town celebrate the 1898 massacre in which the native Balangigans rose up and attacked the abusive American soldiers stationed in their town. The celebration includes a reenactment of the massacre. After the uprising, the sole surviving American soldier made his way back to nearby fort Base (American fort). The Americans immediately dispatched a regiment to Balangiga and inflicted a violent reprisal which resulted in many of the native population seeking refuge in nearby hills. free. 

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

  • Calicoan Surf Camp, ABCD Beach, Calicoan Island, Guiuan, ☏ +63 917-524-3582. It offers Thai, Balinese, and Filipino architecture accommodation rooms, all of which have an air-conditioner, a satellite TV, and a mini-bar. Some of its amenities include a 300 sq m infinity pool with a view of the Pacific Ocean, and a Yacht for island hopping, deep-sea fishing, and “Surfaris”. While staying here, you can visit some interesting places like Santa Monica Caves, and Menasnge Park. Best rates on official website start at ₱6150. 

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