Borongan City: Beaches, Surf Spots and Nature

Borongan City offers several distinct points of interest for planning a trip: a central park with a prominent landmark, natural features such as forests, caves and waterfalls, and coastlines with different sand and surfing conditions. Which of these you want to shape your stay is a practical choice: Hamorawon Park is in the center of the city, while Guintagican Beach is several kilometers from the town center. It is also worth considering the wave shape and conditions at the surf spots, since specific details are given about both right-breaking and left- and right-breaking beach breaks, as well as their suitability for different levels.

Cityscape and Nature in Borongan City

Hamorawon Park is in the center of Borongan City. A large acacia tree next to the park serves as a landmark. The large shell at the park once had a cultural function: it served as a stage for social performances. The enclosed area in front of it was also once used for social gatherings. This connects finding your way around the city with the area’s former role as an event venue.

The islands of Ando, Monbon and Divinubo in Borongan Bay are part of the city. Inland, Canhugas Nature Park offers a different landscape from the urban landmarks and the coast. Located in Borongan City, the park features lush forests, caves, waterfalls and natural swimming pools. This combination gives the natural area its own character: forests, caves and waterfalls sit alongside coastal features, without themselves being beach destinations.

Beaches and Different Ways to Get There

The beaches differ in their sand color and use. Cabong has gray sand and is used by locals and visitors for swimming, outings and picnics. The beach is especially popular for these activities on special occasions, weekends and holidays. Guintagican Beach, also known as Punta Maria, is a two-kilometer-long white-sand beach. It is several kilometers from the town center and can only be reached via a feeder road. The final stretch to the beach must be covered on foot because the footpath is narrow. Plan for the narrow footpath on the final stretch. So, alongside its white sand, Guintagican’s distance from the center and the walk at the end are also factors to consider when planning a visit.

Ando Island is one of the beaches of Borongan City. The island offers white-sand beaches and coral formations and is suitable for diving and snorkeling. Ando’s beaches and coral landscape thus offer a different coastal experience from Cabong’s gray-sand stretches and Guintagican’s long white-sand beach.

Comparing Surf Spots

Comparing specific features can help when choosing a surf spot. Boulevard (Borongan Bay) is near the town center, has a sandy bottom and a right-breaking river-mouth beach-break wave. The spot is suitable for beginners and advanced surfers; seasonal wave conditions can vary. Guintagican has beach breaks that break both left and right, as well as inconsistent surf conditions. The sea there tends to be calm in summer, and the beach is also suitable for beginners. Calmer seas in summer and variable surf conditions describe different aspects of the beach.

Another surf spot in Borongan is Sulangan Beach. It has a consistent beach-break wave that breaks both left and right; the beach is suitable for beginners and for learning to surf. By comparison, surf conditions at Guintagican are inconsistent, while Sulangan stands out for its consistent wave. Boulevard differs with its right-breaking river-mouth wave and location near the town center.

Lalawigan is a barangay of Borongan with rough waves and strong currents; conditions can vary. Only advanced surfers surf there. This makes it different from Boulevard, Guintagican and Sulangan, where suitability for beginners is also noted.

Discover more destinations: Lavezares, Catarman, Calbayog City, Carigara, Calubian, Baybay City, Leyte, Hilongos

For the broader travel overview: Eastern Visayas.