Relaxing at Buenos Aires Beach in Northern Samar after traveling down from Bicol

After the ro-ro ferry crossing from Matnog in Sorsogon to Allen in Northern Samar – wherein I traversed from Luzon to Visayas – I decided to spend the night at a nearby white-sand beach. Popular with local residents who love to picnic and play on its shores, Buenos Aires Beach was an ideal place to rest and recuperate after a long journey from Manila coming down to Samar island via the Bicol peninsula.

Buenos Aires Beach, Victoria, Northern Samar

The middle portion of the beach was good for swimming. On the southern end of Buenos Aires Beach, I discovered a decent spot to snorkel. I found a tidal flat that drops into a lush bed of sargassum and coral veiled in a dazzling cloud of fingerlings! There’s a moderate current here so it’s best that you’re a good swimmer (or at least wear a life vest) to enjoy snorkeling at this spot. The most fascinating marine creature I spotted here in the banded snake eel, a harmless black and white striped fish that mimics the banded sea snake.

There’s a decent snorkeling spot at the southern end of the beach!

Overall, Buenos Aires is an okay beach to visit. You can spend the night here on a trip from Sorsogon to Samar, and include this as a bonus attraction when you visit the Biri Rock Formations and other sites on Samar island.

HOW TO GET THERE: Ro-ro ferries (PHP 120, 1.5 hours) connect Matnog, Sorsogon and Allen, Northern Samar. From Allen, ride a tricycle (PHP 20, 15 minutes) to Buenos Aires Beach in Victoria. The closest airport from here is Catarman, which has direct flights to and from Manila.

WHERE TO STAY: Costa Conchita Beach Resort (Mobile: +63 9305319518) on the left end of Buenos Aires Beach has a lofty fan bungalow with a cottage below for only PHP 600, good for two persons. There is no restaurant at the resort, but food can be bought from eateries along the highway.

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