Get ready to discover the best Sorsogon tourist spots for your next trip in the Bicol Region. Learn about the best places to visit when visiting Sorsogon province soon.
Sorsogon has always been synonymous with butanding (whale shark) as it is widely known for the unique wildlife experience in the Philippines. Despite having a hotspot for sea creatures, Sorsogon is less known compared to its neighboring province of Albay, the home to the famous perfect cone of Mayon Volcano.
However, there are many Sorsogon tourist spots in various natural wonders unique to every town of Sorsogon. The province is progressively becoming an eco-tourism hub in the region, offering not just a logistical gateway into the Visayas area.
Sorsogon is a province in the Bicol Region with 14 towns and one city and lies on the southern tip of Luzon. Its capital, Sorsogon City, is the center of trade and government.
Most Sorsogon towns have coastal territories, which favors beach and island destinations, including mangrove parks. Apart from sea adventures, there are also amazing lakes, a volcano, and mountains for the extreme outdoor enthusiast.
Get to know the top Sorsogon tourist spots for your next trip to the Bicol Region.
Table of Contents
1. Bulusan Lake
Sorsogon offers plenty of coastal destinations for beaches and lovely islands. Meanwhile, Bulusan Lake in Bulusan highlights its beautiful freshwater body as one of the top Sorsogon tourist spots.
Bulusan Lake lies within the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, one of the protected rainforests in the Philippines. The park covers Mount Bulusan and the surrounding dense forest, including Lake Aguingay, Mount Sharp Peak, and Mount Hormahon.
The lake features calm emerald waters that occasionally reflect the blueish sky and its surrounding dense forest. Its serene ambiance makes it ideal to meditate, commune with nature, or nature appreciation at its finest.
You can enjoy your visit by riding a kayak and slowly mesmerizing it with its verdant green landscapes. You can also explore the park’s vicinity by trekking to nearby higher elevations and passing across the hanging bridge when opting to ride a kayak.
Bulusan Lake is breathtaking; you won’t miss taking landscape photos at every angle.
2. Mount Bulusan
For the extreme adventurers, hiking the summit of Mount Bulusan is one of the memorable memories you can cherish when exploring Sorsogon tourist spots.
Mount Bulusan peaks at 1,565 meters above sea level and sits within the borders of five municipalities of Sorsogon. With most of the volcano’s body in Bulusan, the major jump-off lies in Lake Bulusan in Bulusan Volcano National Park.
Gear up and conquer the heights and rainforests of Mount Bulusan. While trekking Mount Bulusan is for the experienced hikers, leading the summit takes at least two days.
Your journey starts with kayaking at the scenic Lake Bulusan leading to a trailhead. Passing across the dense rainforest, expect to witness the abundance of flora and fauna during your hike.
You also get to pass a second lake called Lake Aguingay at 890masl that is braced by Sharp peak and Mount Bulusan summit.
After all, the peak rewards a breathtaking view of the great height overlooking Lake Aguingay, the nearby towns, and even Mayon Volcano during lucky days.
As one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines, hiking Mount Bulusan is dependent on its current activity. You may need to register at the local tourism office and secure a permit, including a local guide.
3. Whale Sharks in Donsol
Whale shark watching is one of the top Sorsogon tourist spots in Donsol, a coastal town adjacent to Albay province. Local and international tourists gather in Donsol to witness the gentle giants of the sea.
Whale sharks, or locally known as butanding, are one of the large fish species in the world, which can weigh up to 20 tons and span up to 12 meters. Did you know that their diet consists mainly of krill and plankton?
These gentle giants visit Donsol from November up to June, with peak visibility during February to March.
Donsol advocates responsible tourism for their whale shark watching activities. Tourists can swim with the whale sharks with no contact and no feeding policy.
During your tour, your expert local guide will bring you to the nearest whale shark area and brief you on what to do and not during whale shark viewing and swimming.
4. Ogod River
Another tourist attraction not to miss is the Ogod River adventure, near the boundaries of Donsol and Pilar towns.
Ogod River is one of the unique Sorsogon tourist spots to visit for its firefly-watching attraction. While most of the tourist spots in Sorsogon are best enjoyed during the daylight, Ogod River showcases a different sight to behold when the dark covers the skies.
The river adventure starts by boat ride along the Ogod River, and local guides will bring you near the observation area. Travel down the river and watch the night sky lights up with tiny flashes from thousands of fireflies.
These tiny insects thrive within the dense mangrove forests near the Ogod River.
You might have seen a few fireflies in your area, but witnessing them in great numbers is somewhat magical and extraordinary.
5. Paguriran Lagoon
Swim in the aquamarine waters of Paguriran lagoon, off the coast of Sawanga Beach in Bacon District.
Paguriran lagoon is one of the top Sorsogon tourist spots for its natural beauty. Some refer to it as an island, but it is a small limestone formation with a clear hollow center that allows water to form a lagoon. During the daylight, the lagoon exudes tropical pool-like turquoise waters.
Access to the lagoon is a connected sandbar from Sawanga Beach that is visible during low tide and waist-deep during high tide.
Locals and tourists love the adventure of getting into the lagoon and swim in the shallow and warm waters. However, one must exercise precaution from sharp rocks, and wearing proper gear is of advantage.
To get here, you can ride jeepneys bound to Bacon district and get off at Barangay Sawanga. If you’re coming from Sorsogon City, travel time takes about 40 minutes.
6. Panumbagan Sandbar
The Panumbagan sandbar is a place to enjoy the sun, sea, and shoal when you’re in Pilar. This tamarind-shaped island lies off the southern part of the town and is 50 minutes away from Pilar Port.
With its raw beauty, the Panumbagan sandbar can become one of the thriving Sorsogon tourist spots in the future.
Enjoy a day full of fun in the white pebble sands of the sandbar, which stretches up to 5 kilometers. When the skies are clear, you can also spot Mount Mayon and Mount Bulusan differently.
Aside from enjoying the waters along the sandbar, the area is also a marine sanctuary. You can snorkel and witness the thriving biodiversity in Pilar.
One more exciting thing to do here is harvest sea grapes and find starfishes and edible sea urchins in the shallow waters.
7. Mt. Pulog
Mt. Pulog is an excellent alternative for chasing mountain peaks when exploring outdoor Sorsogon tourist spots. Settling amid mountain ranges of Sorsogon, you can find Mt. Pulog in the Bacon District of Sorsogon City.
While Mount Bulusan is one of the more popular peaks in Bicol, Mt. Pulog favors those who want to conquer the mountains on a day trip only.
Hikers can easily reach the peak with three to four hours, even if you’re a less experienced mountaineer.
The central drop-off point starts at Barangay Santa Cruz in a forested area, where abaca and pili trees flourish. Right after around an hour of trekking, you’ll reach a campsite with a lovely overlooking of the Pacific Ocean and the thick forests of Sorsogon. As you progress, the trail eventually gets steeper, and the forest gets denser.
The summit rewards hikers with an extraordinary water body called Pulog Lake on a seemingly perfect circle shape. A thick forest surrounds Pulog Lake, and descending into it is possible as well.
8. Rizal Beach in Gubat
Gubat town is progressively becoming a surfing hotspot in Sorsogon. A few minutes from the town center is the Rizal beach, a long stretch of the cove shoreline facing the Pacific Ocean.
Rizal Beach is one of the favorite Sorsogon tourist spots of the nearby towns for its fine sands and expansive shoreline. Aside from the clear waters, the moderately solid currents and sandy bottoms are ideal for surfing activities.
Trees fringed the cove, providing temporary shades when taking a swimming or surfing break. There are also cottages and resorts when planning for an extended stay.
When enthusiastic about surfing, there are surfing camps along the beach that offers affordable rental and tutorials for beginners.
Many nearby towns like to spend the weekends at Rizal Beach for its raw estate, offering an unspoiled tourist destination in Sorsogon.
9. Juag Fish Sanctuary
Visiting Juag Fish Sanctuary is a fun and educational tour that is not to miss in Matnog Sorsogon. The fish sanctuary lies on an island lagoon, around 20 minutes of both rides from the pier.
Juag Fish Sanctuary is a private property that is open to the public. The sanctuary occupies a portion of the lagoon, where tourists can encroach and witness the different marine species.
Tourists can swim and snorkel with the plenty of fish here in Juag Fish Sanctuary. Some species here are grouper and trevally, including giant clams, sea cucumbers, sea turtles, and even lobsters.
A visit to Juag Fish Sanctuary is a rare experience to get up close to some marine animals. Include this to your island-hopping itinerary in Sorsogon and learn more about conservation efforts to marine lives.
You can find out more about Juag Fish Sanctuary at shoestringtravelers.com.
10. Subic Beach (Calintaan island)
For the love of beach bumming, Subic Beach in Calintaan Island is among the top Sorsogon tourist spots to cross out on your bucket list.
Subic Beach is not your typical beach with white sands and clear turquoise waters. The sands in Subic Beach have a unique pink hue that results from the remains of tiny red corals and shells.
There are two separate segments of Subic Beach, which locals call Subic Laki (Bigger Subic) and Subic Liit (Smaller Subic). Both segments feature fine white sands with complimenting clear waters, fringed with tall palm trees.
While the sands and the sea waters look inviting to plunge in, swimming can be difficult for non-swimmers because of strong waves. For the experienced swimmers, you can, however, snorkel at the less deep parts.
You can still enjoy the picturesque ambiance of Subic Beach, though. The long stretch of white and pink sands is a sight itself to relax and meditate.
There are few developments on the island, starting from cottages and nipa huts for rent. When planning to stay the whole day, it is ideal for bringing your cooked foods or bringing provisions for some beach barbeque party.
When planning for an overnight stay, camping on the island is also allowed.
11. Tikling Island
Aside from Calintaan Island, Tikling Island in Matnog also attracts tourists for its charming and unspoiled beauty.
Tikling Island is a tiny private island featuring a fine and white shoreline enveloped with turquoise sea waters. Like Subic Beach, the sands in Tikling also share a pink hue, which adds to the island’s natural wonders.
Tikling also shares a pink hue, which adds to the island’s natural wonders.
On the contrary, Tikling Island has no other developments like resorts and cottages. The thick vegetation, however, can provide enough shade during your break from exploring the island. A day tour is only allowed as well.
Nevertheless, a quick trip to the island is enough to experience true island life from your Sorsogon tourist spots escapades, even just for a couple of hours.
Swimming and snorkeling at Tikling are possible, thanks to its calm and shallow shores. There are also rock formations at the beach end where you can pose for some dramatic portraits for the ‘gram.
12. Irosin Hotsprings
Relieve your aching muscles and veins after your long hours of island hopping or hiking at some hot springs in Irosin. Irosin is known for its hot and cold spring waters in Sorsogon and the Bicol region.
Irosin is the only landlocked town in Sorsogon province, where foothills occupy the northern borders. Its proximity to the active volcano permits hot groundwaters, while its valley serves as a collection point for running cold waters from the mountains.
Include some hot springs in your Sorsogon tourist spots itinerary and spend some of your time pampering and relaxing. Locals believe in the healing attributes of the geothermal waters while the cold spring balances the experience, especially during the summer months.
Some of the resorts in Irosin are Mateo Hot and Cold Spring Resort, Nature Spring Resort and Inn, Tropical Hot Spring Paradise, and 401 K Resort. These resorts also offer accommodations for guests who want to have an overnight experience.
13. Bigaho Eco Park
A new attraction emerges in Prieto Diaz, which offers nature-centered site seeing among other Sorsogon tourist spots. The Bigaho Eco Park in Barangay Talisayen advocates for recreational nature engagement with its expansive mangrove forest.
Bigaho Eco Park features a long 750-meter bamboo bridge for trekking from the main entrance and crossing in the middle of the mangrove forest. At the end is an islet with rock formations, where you can mesmerize by the cold breeze of the ocean after the long trail.
An ideal vantage point of the Albay Gulf and Mayon Volcano also provides an excellent backdrop for your mandatory selfies and souvenir landscape photos.
Camping at the park is allowed, and they also offer paluto for tourist who wishes for a taste of local food.
The mangrove protects the villages in the area from storm surges and acts as sanctuaries for fishes and other marine life forms.
Bigaho comes from the name of a local grass in Sorsogon, used for local handicrafts.
14. Botong Twin Falls
Aside from the beaches and island Sorsogon tourist spots, there are also impressive falls in Sorsogon, and among them is the Botong Twin Falls. Botong Twin Falls is located in Osiao, Bacon District in Sorsogon City.
The twin falls are known to have remarkable differences despite their proximity to each other. One waterfall reflects greenish hues while the other has a bluish color, which locals fondly call Blue and Green Falls.
You might wonder about trekking and hiking first before reaching a waterfall. Worry not when you plan to visit Botong Twin Falls because it is right beside a road.
The Botong Twin Falls is within the property of the PNOC-Bacman Geothermal Plant. While the attraction is open to the public, coordination and securing permission into the power company is a must first.
15. Sorsogon Coastal Road
The Sorsogon coastal road is a newly opened infrastructure development in Sorsogon City that provides an alternative and efficient route.
The coastal road has a length of 5.52 kilometers, including a rock causeway and three bridges. Aside from being an alternative route, the four-lane highway also protects against storm surges that may damage the nearby areas during weather disturbances.
When you’re staying or passing by Sorsogon City, don’t forget to visit the new coastal road. Its long stretch provides a different view to admire Sorsogon Bay during the day or when chasing sunsets.
The highway also has a dedicated jogging lane that adds value and promotes a safe space for recreational activities for locals and visitors in the province.
During the night, the Sorsogon coastal road is well lit and looks stunning during the daytime.
🔗 You might be interested in tourist destinations in Romblon or Bohol
Outline your next Sorsogon tourist spots adventure now.
Sorsogon is one of the best-kept secrets with its promising nature wonders. There is genuinely a lot more to discover to fill your Sorsogon tourist spots itinerary of off-the-beaten-path destinations.
As a rising tourist destination in Bicol Region and Luzon, know that accessibility to transportation going to Sorsogon is convenient either land or air travel. Tourists from northern Luzon and Manila can conveniently travel by public buses or their vehicles. Air travel, however, provides ease of access thru Legazpi Airport in Albay. Matnog and Bulan ports provide sea access coming from Visayas Region as well.
The ideal time to visit Sorsogon is from November to April for a relatively lower temperature. However, when avoiding too much rain, the best month is April when you want to enjoy island and beach trips.
There are growing resorts to coastal towns to accommodate the growing demands of tourism in the province. Sorsogon City shares a variety of accommodations that will surely fit everyone’s budget.
Book your accommodations to the many hotels and guesthouses in Sorsogon City when planning for a trip soon. The city center is a convenient place when wanting to explore more of Sorsogon tourist spots.
Do you recommend more tourist destinations in Sorsogon? Please share with us in the comment section.
Safe Travels!
Remember that we are still in the middle of a pandemic. For your guidance about the changes in health protocols and travel requirements, you may visit the Provincial Tourism page or the official page of the Department of Tourism.