Outdoor Adventure Tour in Nonoc Island, Surigao City

GPS waypoint: N9 49.250 E125 34.865
Location: Brgy. Nonoc, Nonoc Island, Surigao City, Province of Surigao del Norte

Barangay Nonoc
Surigao City's tourism office scheduled an island tour for me at Nonoc Island with three of its outdoorsy staff - Ms. Fe, Ms. Bebe and Jessa. It's a big island with 3 barangays - Brgy. Nonoc, Cantiasay and Talisay. Brgy. Nonoc is the hub given its facilities - a health center, recycling center, a school, tourism guest house, etc. It won the P1M prize for being the cleanest in all 54 barangays of Surigao City. With the prize money, they are developing a park that would provide a magnificent view of Surigao City's night lights across the bay. The barangay is headed by the amiable 2-term captain, Eleuterio Rendon.

Tourist Attractions
At first, it wasn't obvious if Brgy. Nonoc had any tourist attraction. But I learned that a mountain bike event was held here two years ago. It has technical single tracks that is still rideable to this day. Darn, I wish a high-performance cross country bike! I was also told that just in front of the barangay is a vast coral reef system. They also hava a beach with a spring water source. Already, Nonoc was becoming interesting. I asked if I could snorkel from the jetty. Better than that, they got a pumpboat ready to take me diving and then bring us to Cantiasay for the famous longest foot bridge in the country. Whoa!

Barangay Nonoc, Nonoc Island

Snorkeling
The coral reef just front of the barangay was already fantastic. There was really no need for a boat. A swim from the jetty would have been fine. The reef system, given its proximity from the barangay, is left intact and pristine. It wasn't exactly raining fish, but that's probably because it's near the barangay. A treat was the boat-tow, just like the one in Day-asan. While hanging on to the outrigger with my snorkeling gear, the boat went on a slow cruise over the vast coral reef. Whoa! I practically had ringside seat to what lay beneath the water. Add to that the fresh 'lato' harvest from the sea floor. You can't get it any fresher than that. As usual, I couldn't wait to eat it. Hanging on the outrigger, I started snacking on the 'lato' - that moment is priceless!

Free-Diving the Deep Trench
Since I saw the whirlpool at Bitaugan, I'd been consumed by the idea of free-diving the deep trench that gives rise to the whirlpool on low tide. It has to be very deep to cause such phenomena. Now at Rasa Island, we were on the very same trench from which the waters of Bitaugan drain away into the open sea. In fact, Rasa is a no-boat zone in December when the tides are strong. There is only a 10 minute gap of calm water before the tide turns and the whirlpools menace the trenches again. But the water this time was calm...at least for the moment. I pleaded with Kapitan and Kagawad to allow me a dip. I promised to hang on to the outrigger...that I just wanted to see what lies beneath. Reluctantly, they agreed, but cautioned me that the waters of Rasa is temperamental...and that no one has ever gone down the deep trench. I can perfectly understand their apprehension. I am on their watch. Whatever happens to me, they'll be left holding the bag. Giddily, I donned by gear and jumped, hanging on to the outrigger. But the water was quite calm. And besides, there is boat in case I get swept away. I assured my hosts I'd be safe. With that, I took several plunges trying to fathom this abyss...to no avail. It was so deep I could not even see the bottom. But the trench wall provided a spectacular array of fishes. That alone made it all worth it. By the time I got back on the boat, I was so contented that I never would be haunted by the "should have done it" spectre. Free-diving the temperamental waters of the deep trench...check!

Sleeping Alfresco
I could have slept in one of the rooms at the guest house. However, by the jetty's corner is a 2-storie alfresco structure right by the water, with sizeable columns to tie my hammock on. I was assured that it was safe to sleep there. That night, I had the rare treat of sleeping outside on my comfortable Bali-style hammock with the open water right below me. Priceless!

The Panty Thief
With my clothesline kit, I hung my wet swimming clothes including my black brief-style Speedo. When I woke up the following day, I noticed it was gone. I relayed it to my hosts. It was unusual. The thief could have stolen a rash guard or a board shorts. Why a skimpy brief-style Speedo? It was old and besides, who wears that skinny type nowadays? Kids would rather eat broken glass than be caught dead wearing one. Immediately, my host knew the culprit. Apparently, there is a deranged guy in town who steals women's panties from the clothes line. He would even tell the woman that it was him who stole the underpants. He must have mistaken my Speedo for a woman's panty. I dread to think what kind of sexual assault he subjected my Speedo into. The idea that it would be returned to me soiled, is beyond repulsive. I would just like to see the look on his face when he realizes that what he rubbed all over his body already rubbed my balls a zillion times - ha-ha!

Ending Thoughts
The beauty of Nonoc is perhaps exceeded only by the warm hospitality of its people. Our gracious hosts took care of us, ensuring our comfort and well-being. They lavished us with the freshest seafood that were caught by its resident fisherfolks. The village has a charm all its own. Yes, even the presence of a panty thief adds to its quaint charm. A leisurely stroll along its streets gives away the local on-goings as people tend to their chores and livelihood. It's worth a visit to Barangay Nonoc.

--- TheLoneRider

ps - If you want me to objectively cover the features of your city or municipality or barangay for this website (fiesta, waterfall, mountain trail, lake, river, cave, food, islands, beach, etc.), email me.

NONOC ISLAND OVERNIGHT TOUR PACKAGE

(includes lunch, island boat ride, dinner, lodging and breakfast)

• boat tour on Rasa Island's mangrove forest
• snorkeling on Nonoc's pristine coral reef inclusive of boat-towing
• beach bumming at Dinayhugan Beach with prepared lunch
• trek to Cantiasay Falls
• promenading on Cantiasay Bridge

To make arrangements for the tour, contact:

Surigao Tourism Office
phone: (086)826.8064 / (086)231.7228 | email: tourism_surigaocity@yahoo.com

How to Get to Nonoc Island from Surigao City

1. take a tricycle from Surigao City and ask to dropped off at Pantalan 2
2. take the Nonoc Island-bound pumpboat, 45 mins, P50/pax, 12:00 noon departure, only one trip/day
3. *** boat from Nonoc Island to Surigao City leaves 7:00 am - this means you'll have to stay overnight at Nonoc Island

Lodging in Nonoc Island

1. there is no commercial lodging in Nonoc Island. However, their tourist office has a guest house. Best to make arrangements with the Surigao City Tourism Office: phone: (086)826.8064 / (086)231.7228 | email: tourism_surigaocity@yahoo.com

Tips:

• you can bring a mountain bike and try the trail system
• bring a hammock
• bring a headlamp - electricity is only from 6pm to 10 pm
• don't forget to bring your snorkeling gear
• bring some vinegar with you and all the trimmings for a lato salad!

• About Surigao City
• Hotels in Surigao City
• Things to do in Surigao City
• Culinary delicacies of Surigao City

SUGGESTED ITINERARY
(along the Surigao coastline from Surigao City to Surigao del Sur)

Surigao City

• Rite of Passage on Cantrasa Shoal Jul 12, 2013
• Karma Yoga in Surigao City July 5, 2013
• The Wooden Footbridge and Waterfall of Cantiasay, Surigao City July 1, 2013
• Outdoor Adventure Tour in Nonoc Island, Surigao City Jul 1-2, 2013
• The Deadly Bitaugan Whirlpool of Surigao City Jun 26, 2013
• Beaching it at Pebble Beach and Looc Beach, Surigao City Jun 22-24, 2013
• Exploring Silop Cave of Surigao City Jun 22, 2013
• Free-Diving the Coral Reef of Birok Islet, Surigao City June 12, 2013
• Boat Ride through the Floating Village of Day-asan June 12, 2013

Surigao del Norte

• Island Hopping Adventures in Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte July 23-25, 2013
• Exploring Siargao's Cloud 9 July 18-20, 2013
• Judging Del Carmen's Beauty Pagent and Street Dancing July 15-16, 2013
• Diving the Reef of Cagtinae, Surigao del Norte Jul 7, 2013

Cantilan

• Ayoke Island May 27, 2013
• Casarica Island May 27, 2013
• General Island May 27, 2013

Carmen

• Sua Cold Spring - in Brgy Esperanza. From main highway, get off at Madrid terminal and take motorcycle ride for the spring. If coming from Lanuza, get off at crossing of Cangcaban then take habal-habal for the spring
• Hubason River May 18, 2013

Lanuza

• Lanuza Marine Park and Sanctuary May 17, 2013 - coral reef, snorkeling, cafe. Also a short walk to Magkawas Falls.
• Magkawas Falls in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur May 16, 2013
• Silop Spring May 16, 2013
• Campamento Cave May 16, 2013
• Herrera Ancestral Home

Cortes

• Lubcon Falls - from Tandag, take jeep for Cantilan or Cortes and ask the driver to drop you off at Lubcon Falls, P25, 30 mins, 15 kms
• Burgos Togonan Falls
• Laswitan - strong waves crashing against the rocks and spilling over to fill up a rock pool (while you're dipping in it)
• Campiri Rocks - going over huge boulders, dipping in a rock pool, standing on a rock summit as waves hits and splash against it, and to cap all, you rest on the base of the light house perched on top of the rocks in full view of the magnificent Pacific Ocean
• Bakwitan Cave - a refuge by the towns folk during the Japanese occupation and during the typhoon of 2004
• Buybuyan Beach - small beach, almost like a personal beach, fine white sand (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
• Sihagan Beach - fine white sand for long walks on a beach (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
• Uba Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
• Capandan Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
• Balibadon Marine Sanctuary
• Mabahin Marine Sanctuary
• Tigao Marine Sanctuary
• Poblacion Marine Sanctuary

Tandag

• Exploring Dayao Cave of Tandag, Surigao del Sur May 12, 2013
• Brgy. Bongtud - Twin Linungao Island, Mancagangi Island & MPA (Marine Protected Area - fish sanctuary)

Cagwait

• white sand beaches

Salvacion

• Britania Islets May 6-8, 2013 - small islets dotting the bay. Island tour, beach, mangrove forest.

Hinatuan

• Enchanted River May 6, 2013
• Sibadan Fish Cage May 5, 2013

Mangagoy

• Tinuy-an Falls

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