Palaui Island and Cape Engaño Lighthouse
About
Palaui is the wild northeastern tip of Luzon: a protected island with empty beaches, clear coves and a Spanish-era lighthouse on a grassy cliff. Boats leave Port San Vicente in Santa Ana. Most trips land at Engaño Cove, where a steep 15 to 20 minute hike leads to the 1892 Cape Engaño Lighthouse and a 360-degree view of the Dos Hermanas islets and the Pacific. Add Crocodile Island or the white-sand Anguib Beach on the mainland. Book only registered passenger boats, bring cash, food and lots of water, and wear sturdy sandals. The crossing can be very rough in amihan season, so go in the calmer summer months. CNN once ranked Palaui among the world's best beaches, and two Survivor seasons were filmed here.
- Full dayTime to spend
- March to June for calmer seas; avoid amihan (November–February) swellsBest time to go
- Free entryEntrance and budget
- Fly or bus to Tuguegarao, then travel to Santa Ana, Cagayan, and take a chartered boat from San Vicente Port.Getting there
Why it’s gala-worthy
- Good for adventure, nature escape, barkada hangout, history trip and photo walk
- Boats leave Port San Vicente in Santa Ana.
- Most trips land at Engaño Cove, where a steep 15 to 20 minute hike leads to the 1892 Cape Engaño Lighthouse and a 360-degree view of the Dos Hermanas islets and the Pacific.
Know before you go
Parking near San Vicente Port in Santa Ana.
Boat hire at Port San Vicente runs ₱900 to ₱4,950 per boat depending on the itinerary, split across your group. Santa Ana also collects a ₱20 environmental fee from non-residents at the town boundary. Visitors register at Engaño Cove and go with an accredited guide.
Book only registered passenger boats, bring cash, food and lots of water, and wear sturdy sandals.
Where it is
Palaui Island, Barangay San Vicente, Santa Ana, Cagayan
By commuteFly or bus to Tuguegarao, then travel to Santa Ana, Cagayan, and take a chartered boat from San Vicente Port. Boats need coast guard clearance before leaving.
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FAQ
Paano pumunta sa Palaui?
Get to Santa Ana, Cagayan (vans from Tuguegarao or the daily bus from Manila), then hire a boat at Port San Vicente through the Palaui-San Vicente Motorboat Association.
Magkano ang boat?
Boat hire runs ₱900 to ₱4,950 per boat depending on the itinerary, so it gets cheap when split by a group (Wikivoyage, 2026).
Mahirap ba ang hike sa Cape Engaño?
It is short but steep, about 15 to 20 minutes up a grassy hill from Engaño Cove. Bring water and wear good footwear.
Kailangan ba ng guide?
Yes. All visitors register at Engaño Cove and go up with an accredited tour guide.
Saan na-film ang Survivor?
Survivor: Cagayan and Survivor: Blood vs. Water were filmed on Palaui in 2013.