It was love at first sight. After a 20-minute VIP transfer from Paniman Beach through the gorgeous karst islands of Caramoan, our speedboat zoomed into Tugawe Cove Resort on the easternmost tip of the Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur. This luxury resort is a jungle-meets-ocean hideaway for those who want an intimate commune with nature. A broad crescent of white sand bordered by jungle-clad limestone mountains embraced turquoise waters that revealed the vibrant marine life that flourished beneath the crystal-clear surface.
The stunning beach separates the cove from a small lake teeming with tilapia. Passing by stilted bungalows along the brackish lagoon, a solid boardwalk linked the beach area to the hillside bungalows perched on the mountainside. Concrete steps lead to the hillside cottages, and further up to the top, the restaurant, playground, and infinity pool.
One may be tempted curl up in their comfy beds and stay indoors in their luxurious bungalows during their entire stay, but they’ll be missing out on the remarkable natural beauty the resort has to offer. Since Tugawe Cove Resort sits a forested area at the edge of the Caramoan National Park, there’s a surprising variety of birdlife – some of them endemic to the country such as the Philippine bulbul and Philippine hornbill. While swimming in the pool, yellow orioles chased each other across the tree canopies and black swiftlets swooped down to skim the water’s surface for a drink. Inland, a mountain trail from resort leads to the Colongcogong Lighthouse, which is an excellent place to watch the sunrise.
Protected by limestone cliffs, Tugawe Cove provides not only a calm area to swim in, but also the best spot in Caramoan to go kayaking and snorkeling. While the cove have been damaged by blast fishing, the coral reefs are slowly recovering. According to the staff, sea turtles have returned to feed in the area and may be occasionally spotted.
Amenities
Located on a the tree-covered hill and overlooking Tugawe Cove, Catanduanes island and Lato and Litao islets, the infinity pool is a standout feature of the resort. The resort offers kayaking and snorkeling equipment for you to explore the coral-laden cove. During new moon every month, bioluminescent plankton-watching are also offered!
Room Rates
All bungalows at Tugawe Cove Resort are good for two, and – whether hillside or lakeside – are PHP 8,800, inclusive of resort activities and butler service. Find the best room rates here!
Meals
Located next to the infinity pool, the restaurant – the only place to eat in this secluded resort area – serves mouthwatering fare in generous servings. Among the best (and most indulgent) we tried were garlic rosemary chicken, grilled mackerel wrapped in bacon and ginataang alimango – that’s mud crab smothered in a coconut, crab fat and pumpkin sauce!
How to Get There
Tugawe Cove Resort arranges roundtrip boat transfers from Guijalo Port at PHP 440 per head. The nearest airports are Virac, Catanduanes and Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Fly to Naga from Manila on Philippine Airlines – your home in the sky!
Contact Details
Tugawe Cove Resort
Barangay Colongcogong, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Tel:+63 9189657885 or +63 9175016711
Email: tugawecoveresort@gmail.com
