Most
of the island destinations we like to visit have been developed to provide
tourists their wants and needs – e.g. hotel rooms, fancy restaurants, pool
resorts, etc. However, commercializing such islands for profit use by
establishing buildings and other business structures will cause the island’s
fresh ambiance and rural atmosphere to fade. ‘Though the island’s marketplace
is good for the economy, this somehow is unfavorable for other people just like
me, who love the fresh island breeze, the pristine setting, and a virgin locale
– emphasizing having no tall edifices photobombing the island view.
And talking about unspoiled island
spots, I would like to introduce you to one of the two unsullied island
destinations of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, the San Pablo Island.
SAN
PABLO ISLAND, HINUNANGAN, SOUTHERN LEYTE
The twin islands of Hinunangan namely San Pablo and San Pedro Island were locally popular in Leyte. If by chance you’ve
been to Sambawan Island in Biliran
or the famous Kalangggaman Island of Palompon but had cost you so much penny, I am sure you’ll surely enjoy the
clear and virgin waters here the way you enjoy your stay at those islands too,
but in cheap and discounted prices. Some famous island destinations cost a
pretty penny but of course the management will do everything to surely meet
your expectations – a more developed place – for you to say that the amount you
took from your wallet was worth it.
For
now, let’s talk about our trip to San Pablo Island!
More
or less than twenty (20) minutes from the shore of Brgy. Canipaan, Hinunangan,
we then arrived at Del Rosario Beach Resort in San Pablo Island by taking a
passenger boat from the port area.
Del
Rosario Resort offers two (2) cottages which were situated at the sea - well
yes, not at the beachfront, but at the sea. We booked one of these beach huts. The
shack was big, consists of a table and benches linked on walls, and an elevated
mini room where one can sleep for awhile. We put our things together and
changed our garments for a swim. We were actually
glad there were no guests other than us who visited the resort. We enjoyed
owning the island for the meantime.
The
sun’s shining blazingly and it feels like summer already but the island offers
cold beach waters. I don’t think you'll mind the sunburn while you’re there. The
clear and cool waters’ enticing and will surely tempt you to jump off the ridge
and enjoy the sea! And talking about clear waters, well yes it was very pellucid. We actually saw different fish species and other aquatic craniate vertebrates – fish capable of gliding flights through their large pectoral wings; scombroid
fishes swimming through the waters with its swordlike beak; school of anchovies
swimming underneath the beach cottage; big fishes best for aquarium display, and etc. I can actually say that marine life
is so abundant at the island.
Our
day trip was so worth it with just P1,000 budget for the boat, P300 for the beach
cottage, and no entrance fee. We brought our own snacks and there was no
corkage fee. Can’t actually imagine our kind of day spree was so enjoyable just
like how we used to enjoy the other islands of Leyte before, but this time 'twas
cheaper and still worth a getaway! Economical but worth it!
TRAVEL GUIDE
IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA OR CEBU:
There are actually daily flights
from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. If you're from Manila, the flight
takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. If you're from Cebu, air
travel takes about forty five (45) minutes or less. After you arrived at
Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus
Terminal via taxicab or transfer service.
Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)
- Cebu Pacific
- Air Asia
- Philippine Airlines
Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)
- Cebu Pacific
- CebGo
- AirAsia
- Philippine Airlines
Tacloban City
At Tacloban City Bus Terminal,
look for vans or buses which transports to St. Bernard, or Hinundayan, Southern
Leyte. Land travel to Hinunangan takes about three (3) hours from the city. You'll
have to tell the driver to drop you off at Brgy. Canipaan.
Note: Make sure that the PUVs pass by Silago or Hinunangan. There are buses which head to St. Bernard via Sogod, Southern Leyte.
CEBU CITY VIA ORMOC CITY
If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Ormoc route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via large transports or fast crafts). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships and just three (3) hours for fast crafts. The city’s bus terminal is just beside the port area so you can directly go to the terminal and ask drivers which vans and buses go or pass by Hinunangan, Southern Leyte.
Weesam Express
Note: There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin, Baybay, and Hilongos, Leyte.
- If you are going to San Pedro Island too, you may stay at Vista Beach Resort.
- San Pablo island is inhabited so there are mini stores at the island for your immediate needs. But please know that the resources are just limited.
- Boat rate depends on number of passengers.
- For overnight stay, you may bring tent. There are no hotel rooms at the island.
- If this blog was helpful, do tell me by posting your comment at the comment box and please do share to your friends. Just share the link on any social media accounts you have like facebook or twitter. Hoping by sharing this blog we can help the locals there.
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