Sabang Travel Guide

4 more images

I have seen pictures of Sabang Port posted by a photo buddy, but I couldn't quite imagine how/why they looked so laid back...until I saw it for myself. There was no structure whatsoever that would identify the place as Sabang Port. When everybody got off the Filcab van we rode from Naga City, hubby and I knew that it must be the place. And when men came scampering to meet the van, and with loud voices offered to carry passengers' bags, we knew they were the porters.

We travelled light with only one traveling bag for our clothes (which hubby could have carried by himself in addition to his backpack), but we decided to get one porter. The porters walked so fast so we thought we had to be there at once to catch the boat. Our porter offered to carry my backpack, then breezed through small alleys, passed through sandy ground until we reached the beach. He put our traveling bags on a long bench made of bamboos. It turned out to be the waiting area for passengers, conveniently located under the coconut trees. From there, we had a good view of the coastline and Mt. Isarog.

It was a little past 9am, and we expected a boat to leave at 10am because we saw a boat arrive, but we were told that the next trip would be at 11am. Perhaps, it was that way during weekdays on lean months when there were few tourists. Most of the waiting passengers were students, teachers and other Caramoan locals who came from Naga. I was already feeling hungry (only had very light breakfast) and uncomfortable (personal necessity). I looked around but couldn't find a public restroom.

Thanks to my VT bag tag, a curious waiting passenger asked me what Virtual Tourist meant. I guess I warmed up on her, she asked me to join them to have a meal at a nearby carinderia. Hubby didn't want to join us because our bags would be left unattended on the bench, so only I went with them. More than alleviating my hunger pangs, my utmost concern that time was to find a comfort room. Fortunately, the carinderia was just behind, a few steps from the waiting area, and it had a CR for their customers (read about this matter in another tip).

At about 10:20 am, passengers were asked to write on the boat's manifesto. At about 10:30 am, passengers were already allowed to go to the boat. Our boat left Sabang Port before 11am, about 10:45 am. I looked back as we left the port, and appreciated the simple beauty of the small coastal barangay of Sabang.

When we returned to Sabang from Caramoan, I was surprised to see that we didn't dock at the same place where we left for Caramoan. We docked near the Caramoan market. I asked the skipper before I left the boat; he said they dock there when it is not yet low tide. Since we got the first trip (7am) from Caramoan, waters were still high, enabling boats to enter that side of the port.

From Guijalo Port, Caramoan, take the ferry boat back to Sabang. The first regular trip is 7am. Next trip schedule: 8am, 9am and 11am (no 10am trip). Some boats carrying cargo leave at 5 or 5:30am. Some locals or tourists who have to go to Sabang early are allowed to join the trip.

3 more images

During low tide, the boat cannot dock near the beach. Instead of wading through the waters and getting wet, the passengers "ride" on the porters' shoulders. Its amazing how locals can balance themselves on the shoulders of porters; they straddle on the back neck of the porter or in the case of some ladies, they sit only on one side of the porter's shoulder, holding on the latter's head for support and balance.

I saw the porters carry passengers of the boat that arrived earlier. I admired their agility because the passengers were all dry.

When it was our turn to get onboard our boat, I felt quite uncomfortable doing what the locals do in order to get into the boat dry. I was thinking of braving the waters since I was wearing leggings that day, but the waves were rather strong, even the porters had to stop while buffering the waves. No choice for me; I had to ride on our porter's shoulder. I had a difficult time balancing myself because I didn't know how to hold on the porter's head properly; I didn't know if I should pulll his hair or press on to his head for balance. Besides, I felt I should hold on to some part of his shoulder but I was holding my dry gear bag on the other hand. It was embarassing, but I screamed when a big wave came our way and almost toppled me down. Another porter came to my rescue. He offered to bring my dry gear bag with one hand and held on to my hand with the other. The porters allayed my fears and told me to just relax. They are so impressive, they put me on the boat safe and except for my feet, I was all dry.

It is customary to give each porter P5 - P20 tip per bag and per person.

2 more images

Unlike in Caticlan where passengers going to Boracay automatically wear their lifevests, or are reminded by the crew to wear their lifevests because it is a legal and safety requirement, I noticed that passengers don't wear their lifevests before leaving Sabang Port. The lifevests are available, but placed overhead the passengers' seats or hang on the boat's rails at the sides. When I asked if we shouldn't wear our lifevests, my co-passengers just shrugged off my question. I tried to get one, but it was proving to be a disturbance to my seatmate whose head might get hit, so I just settled down praying that that we dont sink;(

I hope the time will come when all passengers would be required to wear their lifevests on board so I don't look odd when I ask for one. If only they were as strict/consciencious like in Caticlan, then I would have no fear that a tragedy might happen on sea before the lifevest requirement is enforced by seafarers.