San Pascual | Animasola Island and its Exotic Rock Formations

Exotic rock formations at Animasola Island

From afar, it looks like a miniature version of the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Ilocos Norte with its shoe like formation on top and the island itself resembles the formations from the famous Biri Islands like a slightly squashed cake with lines and layers running along the sides. Animasola Island was a surprise in terms of natural wonders, much like municipality it belongs to which is San Pascual in Burias Island, Masbate. It was just the start of our three-island and didn’t expect the this first island to be a favorite among the three.

Arriving at the island

Sculpted by Nature

I was dozing off at the front platform of the boat only to be awakened by scurrying boatmen preparing to dock and set anchor in our first stop, Animasola Island. Not knowing anything about the islands we’ll visit, I just kept open to what we’ll be seeing. Alas, I quickly got back to my senses when I saw the scene in front of me – a white beach, clear aquamarine waters with pristine corals teasing from down under and otherworldly rock formations yearning to be explored. Immediately I reached for my camera and snapped away.

My feet hurriedly landed on the crushed coral beach and didn’t mind the transparent waters wetting my feet. As much as inviting the sea was, we had limited time to explore so I hurried to the other end of the island after having a cursory look at the inhabitants. A few huts probably from fishermen staying there. Most of them finding comfort under the shade of the humungous rock of an island. What fascinated me as I got closer was the natural parallel lines of the rock strata. Layers of sedimentary rocks formed thousands of years beautifully sculpted by erosion caused by the surrounding elements.

On another end of the island is a smaller detached formation that looks like a small tamed dragon on one angle but can also simply be a shoe neatly placed on top of a column. Its minuteness was simply stunning in a sense that I could simple climb the rocks and curiously inspect the lines and layers of this grand sculpture. It’s just sad I didn’t get to explore further. There’s a path to climb the island rock and explore its grassy fields on top. Even to snorkel and see the marine life around the island. I heard San Pascual is eyeing the island to be an eco-adventure destination adding rappelling and rock climbing activities. Surely I will be back for you Animasola Island, one way or another.