Northern Samar is surrounded by vast bodies of water, bounded by the San Bernardino Strait to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Samar Sea to the west. Originally part of the larger Samar Island province, it became autonomous in 1965 and encompasses 24 towns - 5 island, 15 coastal, and 4 inland - set against a landscape of hilly terrains, mountain peaks, pristine beaches, magnificent rock formations, waterfalls, and lush forests. The province's economy relies heavily on agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts, and tourism, with main products including coconut, rice, cacao, pili, abaca, livestock, and poultry. It is a peaceful community of warm people who predominantly speak Waray/Norte Samarnon, along with Cebuano and Abaknon, while sharing a unified heritage and cultural traditions. Northern Samar has a tropical climate with a rainy season peak from October to January and a dry season that reaches its driest in May, which is the best time to visit and enjoy its coastal attractions, rock formations, and local cuisine
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Location: Northern Samar is located is Eastern Visayas, Philippines, bordered by the San Bernardino Strait and the Pacific Ocean. Norhern Samar is classified as a 1st class province, with a total land area of 3,498 square kilometers or 3,498,000 hectares. Approximately 52 percent of the area is covered by forest, and 42 percent is classified as alienable and disposable. It is composed of 24 municipalities and 569 barangays.
Where to Go โ
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Coastline paradise: Home to stunning beaches, rock formations, caves, and mangrove forest-perfect for island hopping, eco-tours, and surfing
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Tour Circuits: Northern Samar has 8 Tourism Circuits in total with 3 existing namely Protected Area Eco-tour, Balicuatro Island Hopping tour, and Breathtaking Pacific Towns Tour Circuits.
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A celebration of local flavors, creativity, and culinary talent took place at the Municipal Covered Court of Mondragon, Northern Samar on September 10, 2026, as part of the municipalityโs 143rd Founding Anniversary. Through the One Barangay, One Product: Cuisina Culinary Cook-Off, contestants representing their respective barangays showcased their skills, creativity, and artistry in preparing and presenting their dishes. The entries were carefully evaluated by Mr. Jasper M. Dula โ TIDS-CARP, DTI Northern Samar; Ms. Ma. Josette G. Doctor โ Northern Samar Provincial Tourism Officer; and Mr. Carl S. Bordeos โ Northern Samar Provincial Culture and Arts Officer, with emphasis on culinary skills, presentation, creativity, and artistry.
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The Province of Northern Samar is accessible by land, sea or air transport. Once there, different modes of transportation take one to different tourist attractions.
To reach Northern Samar by air, you can fly directly to Catarman Airport or land at nearby entry points such as Calbayog, Tacloban, or Borongan.
If you choose an alternative airport, you can complete your journey to Catarman via a private vehicle, rental car, or public utility vehicle (PUV), with total travel times varying based on your departure point. Philippine Airlines operates direct Manila โ Catarman โ Manila flights three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7:30 AM. For inquiries and bookings, the Philippine Airlines branch in Catarman, Northern Samar, can be reached directly at 0917 723 9886.
Traveling to Northern Samar by sea offers multiple vessel options depending on your point of departure and destination.
Shipping lines operate 4 to 10 daily ferry trips connecting Matnog, Sorsogon to ports of the province particularly in Allen and San Isidro, serving as a primary gateway for passengers traveling from Luzon onward to Visayas and Mindanao. The province is also accessible from Cebu via the Cebu-Calbayog SeaCat Ferries. For local inter-island travel and island hopping, motorized outrigger bancas are available to reach destinations such as Biri, San Antonio, San Vicente, and Capul.
To travel by land to Northern Samar, you can drive your own vehicle or take a daily bus from Cubao or Pasay Terminals via the Maharlika Highway.
The journey takes about 14 hours, including a scenic drive through the Bicol Region to Matnog, Sorsogon, followed by a ferry ride across the San Bernardino Strait to Allen or San Isidro. Local transportation options include pedicabs, tricycles, jeepneys, and minibuses connecting travelers to different municipalities.
Get familiar with Northern Samar and discover where its municipalities, islands, communities, destinations and attractions are located.
