The San Bernardino Strait off the Lavezares coast, seen from the air

Biri Island

Six wind- and wave-cut rock formations stand off the north coast of Biri, an hour by bangka from Lavezares, Northern Samar. The tide decides which ones open on the day you visit.

Crossing

45–60 min

Formations

6

Calmest

Nov – May

Eco Fee

₱50

Discover

The Six Rock Formations of Biri

Sea arches, stepped terraces, a tidal swimming basin, and a summit that sees all of them. Each one opens at a different point in the tide.

Bel-At Rock Formation

Barangay Poblacion, Biri, Northern Samar

Bel-At is a wide wave-cut shelf reached by a 350-metre boardwalk, with a tidal basin sunk into the rock.

Magasang Rock Formation

Barangay Poblacion, Biri, Northern Samar

Magasang is the island’s most photographed stack, a 30-metre wall of bedded sandstone facing the Pacific.

Caranas Rock Formation

Barangay Poblacion, Biri, Northern Samar

Caranas holds two sea arches cut beneath the caprock, walkable only while the tide is out.

Magsapad Rock Formation

Barangay Poblacion, Biri, Northern Samar

Magsapad falls to the sea in stepped rock terraces, each step holding a bowl of circulating seawater.

Kabuntog Rock Formation

Barangay Poblacion, Biri, Northern Samar

Kabuntog is the highest climbable stack, with cut steps to a summit that sees all six formations.

Libtong Rock Formation

Barangay Poblacion, Biri, Northern Samar

Libtong sets weathered rock pillars on white coral sand in a bay sheltered enough to swim at any hour.

Getting There

From Lavezares to
Biri Island

Lavezares is the shortest mainland crossing to the island. Six stops from the town plaza to the rock formations, and the whole outbound journey fits inside a morning.

1
Get to Lavezares Municipal Port
Tricycle5 min
The pier sits a few minutes from the town centre. Tricycles wait at the plaza and run down to the port all morning.
2
Sign the manifest at the pier
On foot10 min
Every passenger is logged before boarding. Nothing is booked in advance and boats leave once they fill, so the earlier you arrive the better your odds of a morning crossing.
3
Cross the San Bernardino Strait
Bangka45–60 min
Motorised outriggers run from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, weather permitting. Spray comes over the bow for most of the way, so anything electronic belongs in a dry bag.
4
Register at the Biri tourism office
On arrival10 min
The environmental fee is paid once here, in cash, and covers the boardwalk and the marine sanctuary. Guides are assigned from this office.
5
Ride out to the formations
Habal-habalFull day
An accredited driver carries two and knows the loop. Your guide reads the tide and sets the order the formations are visited in, so the arches and the basin both open while you are there.
6
Catch the last boat back
Bangka45–60 minLast crossing
Return crossings finish between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. Miss the last one and you are staying the night on Biri.

Before You Go

What to Bring

Sharp rock underfoot, no shade on the flats, and spray the whole way across. Biri is a protected marine sanctuary, and a municipal ordinance requires an accredited local guide.

Cash

There is no ATM on Biri. Draw it in Lavezares or Catarman.

Aqua shoes

The rock is sharp sedimentary shelf, not sand.

Reef-safe sunscreen

The pools sit inside a marine sanctuary.

Dry bag

Spray comes over the bow for the whole crossing.

Waterproof camera

For the arches, the basin and the seaward walls.

Sun hat and rashguard

There is no shade on the stone flats.

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