Outdoor Activities in Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte is a classic on every Filipino traveler’s bucket list. And rightfully so, with its white sand coastline, rich marine biodiversity, and impressive mountain ranges. So what’s stopping you from exploring nature’s best?
Go off the usual touristic route and give in to some of Ilocos Norte’s most exciting outdoor activities. From surfing to mountain hiking, we list down escapades you can do with friends and family while up north. Make sure to check the province’s COVID-19 travel guidelines before you go!
- Learn freediving with ILOCOSIRENA
- Chase waterfalls at Kabigan Falls and Anuplig Falls
- Catch the waves at Kingfisher Beach
- Go snorkeling and scuba diving at Pasaleng Bay
- Trekking at Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
- Explore Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park
- 4X4 and ATV Ride at Paoay Sand Dunes
- Fly like Superman at Hannah’s Beach Resort
- Camping and twin-hike in Mt. Sicapoo, Mt. Simigaysay, and Mt. Timarid
1. Learn freediving with ILOCOSIRENA
After more than a year of being cooped up in our homes, it’s high time that we explore a different kind of world. Discover the beauty of Ilocos Norte’s teeming marine biodiversity with a freediving class at ILOCOSIRENA.
For as low as PHP2,000, non-swimmers and beginners alike can now experience how it feels like to be a real-life mermaid. Learn the basics of freediving from a certified professional instructor through either the 3-hour or 2-day class, in which diving equipment will be provided. Discover a rich marine ecosystem where a kaleidoscope of magnificent corals and fish species thrive. Enjoy underwater snaps and raw video footage of your time after your experience.
ILOCOSIRENA
- Address: Caparispisan, Pagudpud, 2919 Ilocos Norte
- Contact: +639292919380 or ilocosirena@gmail.com
2. Chase waterfalls at Kabigan Falls and Anuplig Falls
Deep in Ilocos Norte’s virgin rainforests lie Kabigan Falls and Anuplig Falls, two of the most magical waterfalls in the country. At 80ft tall, the tourist favorite Kabigan Falls wows with its dramatic splash. Its concave catch basin is a popular natural pool that energizes anyone who dares to take a dip.
Photo Credit: @roxettecarmen on Instagram
Not to be upstaged is Anuplig Falls, a two-layered waterfall in the sleepy Adams town. It’s only 200m away from the Patapat Viaduct via a 45-minute hiking trail, a scenic detour perfect for beginner hikers. Enjoy a refreshing respite in either of its two natural swimming pools, or take a peek behind the waterfalls to see its hidden cave.
How to get there
The easiest way to reach Kabigan Falls or Anuplig is through an Ilocos Norte day tour. Alternatively, you can ride a direct bus from Manila to Pagudpud. GV Florida Transport and Partas offer rides for less than a thousand pesos. Get off at the national highway and book a tricycle tour to drive you to either destination.
3. Catch the waves at Kingfisher Beach
A visit to Ilocos Norte wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Pagudpud Beach, but the influx of tourists makes it hard to enjoy the destination. Set your sights on Kingfisher Beach instead, the perfect hideaway for lowkey daredevils. It’s serene yet jam-packed with water activities you can’t miss, such as kite surfing.
Photo Credit: @kingfisher.ph on Instagram
Best known for its big wave break and strong winds, Kingfisher Beach is the venue of the north’s kite surfing competitions. Learn from the best at this rural resort, which also offers surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling excursions. Even non-swimmers will be delighted to splash around in its 200-meter shallow shoreline. And if your ride home is too long, you can always stay at any of their air-conditioned accommodations by the beach.
Kingfisher Resort
- Address: Caparispisan, Pagudpud, 2919 Ilocos Norte
- Contact: (+63) 927 525 8111
4. Go snorkeling and scuba diving at Pasaleng Bay
When we think of Ilocos Norte, the Patapat Viaduct quickly comes to mind. But little do we know that beneath Pasaleng Bay, marine treasures hide in plain sight.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pasaleng_Bay_and_Patapat_Viaduct.jpg)
Put your scuba suit on or your snorkeling gear because over 319 species of marine animals await your dive into the big blue. With scenery and marine biodiversity similar to Coron, you’ll never run out of creatures to meet. Lots of colorful corals can also be explored, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales. Dive deeper into its depths and discover shipwrecks from World War II.
How to get there
The easiest way to reach Pasaleng Bay is through an Ilocos Norte day tour. Alternatively, you can ride a direct bus from Manila to Pagudpud. GV Florida Transport and Partas offer rides for less than a thousand pesos. Get off Patapat Viaduct and ride a bus to Claveria Cagayan. Local boats are available at the town proper.
5. Trekking at Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
Located on the rugged coast of Burgos, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is a geological magnificence you have to see with your own eyes. Its white limestone rocks have been in the making for thousands of years, resulting in one-of-a-kind formations that have been the pride of Ilocos Norte.
Photo Credit: @chinitakc on Instagram
Climbing on the rock formations is strictly prohibited, but trekking through the gleaming white terrain is an activity you must tick off from your Ilocos Norte adventure list. It can get pretty hot and crowded, so make sure to visit at an earlier time. You can also go on a side trip to Bangui Windmill and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, as well as other nearby attractions, via tricycle.
Photo Credit: @rudzinski_rm on Instagram
How to get there
The easiest way to reach Kapurpurawan is through an Ilocos Norte day tour. Alternatively, you can ride a direct bus from Manila to Pagudpud. GV Florida Transport and Partas offer rides for less than a thousand pesos. Alight at Burgos Town proper or ask the conductor to drop you off directly at the access road to Kapurpurawan. From there, you can trek for free or pay for a 100-peso horseback ride.
6. Explore Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park
Itching to see more of Ilocos Norte’s wild side? Check out Kalbario-Patapat Natural Park, a protected land area just across the Patapat Viaduct. You won’t run out of natural attractions to visit and discover for free as the park spans more than 5,000 hectares of the lush Patapat Mountains.
Photo Credit: @phparksandbiodiversity on Instagram
The panoramic Baset Hanging Bridge, the superb Kiwat Falls, and the tranquil Bulo River are just some of the few stops you can make on your hike. But if you’re feeling brave, Badjang Trail’s slippery downhill route should be enough to get your heart racing. Bird enthusiasts can also enjoy the rainforest’s variety of rare and exotic avian inhabitants.
How to get there
The easiest way to reach Kapurpurawan is through an Ilocos Norte day tour. Alternatively, you can ride a direct bus from Manila to Pagudpud. GV Florida Transport and Partas offer rides for less than a thousand pesos. Get off at the national highway and book a tricycle tour to drive you to the natural park’s grotto entrance.
7. 4X4 and ATV Ride at Paoay Sand Dunes
Sand adventures are perhaps the most popular outdoor activities in Ilocos Norte, and for good reason. Once onboard your all-terrain vehicle of choice, you’ll be treated to a wild and bumpy ride across the undulating landscape of Paoay Sand Dunes.
But for a more carefree and heart-pumping experience, hop on the back of a 4x4 jeep instead. Hold onto your friends as tight as you can because the wheels will be flying off for a solid 30 minutes. A professional driver will make sure that everyone is safe and having fun, so don’t hesitate to try this for yourself!
8. Fly like Superman at Hannah’s Beach Resort
Thrill-seekers, look no further because Hannah’s Beach Resort offers a serious adrenaline rush to those who dare. Its 1.15km-long zipline is the longest over-water zipline in the world, zipping across the famous Blue Lagoon.
Pro-tip: ride the zipline face down and pose like Superman for an awesome souvenir photo!
Photo Credit: Hannah's Beach Resort on Facebook (www.facebook.com/hannahsbeachresort2019/photos/a.628120810995077/628120357661789)
Besides their classic zipline, Hannah’s Beach Resort also offers a variety of water activities. Guests can splash around Blue Lagoon with the gang on the fly fish and banana boat; or ride the waves on a jet ski, kayak, or surfing board.
Hannah’s Beach Resort
- Address: Brgy Balaoi, Pagudpud, Philippines
- Contact: +63918 888 6255 and info.hannahsbeachresort@gmail.com
- You can also reach them via Facebook.
9. Camping and twin-hike in Mt. Sicapoo, Mt. Simigaysay, and Mt. Timarid
With the northern part of the Cordillera range bordering its provinces, hiking in Ilocos Norte is a no-brainer for outdoor enthusiasts. But make no mistake, Mt. Sicapoo is not for the faint of heart. Its name is a derivation of “suko na po”, or “I give up” in Tagalog, and as its name implies, it's a tough climb since it’s the highest point in the north.
Photo Credit: @adventurefootprints on Instagram
But once you’ve reached the summit of Mt. Sicapoo, the march towards the twin mountains Mt. Timarid and Mt. Simigaysay becomes bearable. The pine trees and cool weather make up for the steep ridges along the way, which open up to a breathtaking view of Ilocos Norte’s nearby towns.
With a difficulty level of 9/9, this hiking trail is considered one of the hardest hikes in all of Luzon. It’s a 4-day hike that will challenge even the most experienced mountaineers. But fear not, ONE Degree Mountaineering Group can guide you throughout the journey. You may reach out to them via onedegreemg@ymail.com for more information.
