9 Island Destinations in Leyte

9 Island Destinations in Leyte

For beach aficionados, here are some island destinations in Leyte that would suffice your sea lust. Satisfy that appetency by visiting the beautiful island beaches around the province. 

Listed here:

1. Kalanggaman Island, Palompon, Leyte

Kalanggaman is undeniably Palompon’s best beach destination. Do not forget to take pictures on its long and snowy sandbar, and dip on its pellucid, luminous waters. Be sure to stay at the island overnight so you won’t miss the evident descent of the sun below the horizon; the blinking stars at night; and the aurora’s illustrious rays that lights up the island the next day.

ALSO READ: Palompon’s Best: Kalanggaman Island

2. Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte

Canigao is an islet located just 15 minutes away from the port of Matalom, Southern Leyte via passenger or pumpboat. Canigao island brags its floury white sand and clear waters with beautiful tropical sea creatures. You can actually tour around this small island just for thirty (30) minutes. The island was often called as the “Little Boracay” of Matalom, Leyte by the locals. 

ALSO READ: Southern Paradise: Canigao Island

3. Cuatro Islas, Inopacan, Leyte

Cuatro Islas (Four Islands) are the four island destinations in Leyte which is very popular among local tourists. The three islands namely Digyo, Apid, and Mahaba Islands are situated an hour boat ride off the coast of Inopacan, Leyte. The fourth island which is the Himokilan, however, was part of the next town, Hindang, Leyte.

ALSO READ: Cuatro Islas: Leyte’s Four Island Destinations

4. San Pedro 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.

ALSO READ: San Pedro Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

5. San Pablo Island, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

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 clear. You’ll see different fish species and other aquatic craniate vertebrates – fish capable of gliding flights through their large pectoral wings; scombroid fishes; school of anchovies swimming underneath the beach cottage; big fishes best for aquarium display, and many more. Marine life is so abundant here.

ALSO READ: Unspoiled San Pablo Island,Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

6. Canuay Island, Babatngon, Leyte

Coral bits make up the white sand of the island and mangroves set rest on the other side. You can stroll and walk around this islet and swim on its clear waters but only on specific portions where waves won’t crush you down at the shore. 

ALSO READ: Exploring Babatngon, Leyte

7. Sinapdan Island, Tacloban City

Sinapdan Island is an agreeable destination for picnics and other recreational activities. It is an idyllic setting for holiday or weekend getaways; a soothing place for your kind of easy street vacation; and a relaxing place for your beer and skittles.

ALSO READ: Sinapdan Island

8. Limasawa Island, Southern Leyte

Limawasa is an island municipality in Southern Leyte where the first Christian Mass in the Philippines (and in Asia) was held. Make sure to capture the beautiful sunset which is so visible at the island.

(2) Photo Source: Viggatintourism

9. Dio Island, Tacloban City

Dio Island is just minutes away off the coast of San Jose, Tacloban City. However, this white sand island is now a private island destination. Consent is needed from the owner.

Photo Source: Panoramio

Photo Source: Choose Philippines

Other nearby island destinations: 

ALSO READ:

Higatangan and Sambawan Island, Biliran

Camotes Island, Cebu

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St. Anthony de Padua Church - Sulangan, Eastern Samar

‘Promises are meant to be broken’ – popular statement for broken relationships, right?! – This phrase however should not be applied when you’ve promised to visit the St. Anthony de Padua Shrine in Sulangan.

Sulangan, Eastern Samar is famous for its patron saint, the miraculous San Antonio de Padua. It has been said that once you’ve promised to visit the place or attend the mass at their church, you must and should fulfill it. Why? Coz according to some people, undesirable consequences then would happen if you’ve ignored and disregard what you’ve promised, like getting sick, unwanted accidents, or other misfortunes. These were claims from people who had such experiences though.

So I’m giving you a tip: One should not say that he would visit Sulangan on a specific date to avoid this kind of occurrences. (As per advice, though)

But contrary to that, those who fervently pray and fulfilled their promise had testified the unbelievable kindness of St. Anthony de Padua. Rumors spread along nearby cities and towns about the miracles he can do to people, the reason why many would visit the place and attend the Sunday mass at the church. Most of them were students who are about to take board exams; people with incurable diseases; and others who have special intentions.

However in my case, I went to Sulangan not to ask for anything, but to attend the mass as a thanksgiving for all the blessings I have received. I went along with a friend and as expected, there were so many people from other places who were about to attend the mass too. 

Bought some rosary beads in Sulangan

After the celebration of the Eucharist held at the church, we then went to the beachside to take some pictures. We then took our lunch at a nearby carenderia and went home after that.

Notes:

• Sulangan is an inhabited islet and one of the barangays of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Guiuan is located at the southernmost tip of Samar Island.
• There are vans that travel directly to Sulangan. It will actually serve as your service vehicle going there. The driver actually waits his passengers until the mass has ended.   

TRAVEL GUIDE

IF YOU ARE FROM MANILA

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban. The flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes. After you arrived at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal/Terminal for GrandTours or DupTours via taxicab or transfer service. 

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

• Cebu Pacific
• Air Asia
• Philippine Airlines

Tacloban City

Ride a van at the terminal bound for Sulangan, Eastern Samar. Travel takes four (4) hours from the city. Most vans leave at 4 or 5 in the morning to catch the 9 a.m. mass at St. Anthony de Padua Church, Sulangan. 

IF YOU ARE FROM CEBU

There are actually daily flights from Cebu to Calbayog. The flight takes at least an hour. You can find buses and vans bound for Sulangan, Eastern Samar at the local terminal. 

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Calbayog: (4+ flights per week)

• CebGo

CEBU CITY VIA CATBALOGAN

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Samar via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Catbalogan route and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City (via Roble Shipping Lines, Inc.). Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships. Look for vans at the terminal bound for Sulangan, Eastern Samar.

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Sto. Niño Shrine and Heritage Museum

The P100 entrance fee becomes your portal to one of the presidential mansions of the Marcoses, located at Real Street, Tacloban City. The house-turned-museum displayed venerable and priceless relics owned by the Marcos’ family; age-old furniture bought and obtained from different countries; and gifts from the most influential people and prominent leaders in the world. 

The moment you go inside you’ll see a mini tabernacle situated at the center, more likely designed as a chapel. This is where the mass and other religious activities are done especially during the feast of Señor Sto. Niño.

 Chapel of Señor Sto. Niño inside the mansion

From the entrance, you’ll then be directed to its guestrooms (1^st floor) styled in various motifs (Ilocana, Muslim, Butterfly, Coconut, etc.), themes designed perfectly from the room’s interior down to its floor, and beds designed in accordance with the room’s motif. 

Each room has its own scenic representation of Mrs. Imelda Marcos' projects and activities in the country, in which sculptured figures and lifelike details were displayed in a glass-covered miniature box designed on walls (dioramas). 

We then went up to the second floor and saw the old photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Marcos – most were national events and activities in the country during the late president’s years of service.

The upper level of the house has rooms with long dining tables and chairs designed in a unique architectural framework; room walls made of wood designs; and old, large ornate lighting fixtures suspended from ceilings with bulbs still functioning up til now. Also, the wide ballroom area at the opposite side was styled perfectly with yellow bulbs and furniture made from hardwood.

As we went to the rooms of the Marcos’ family, one thing that captured me most was the room of Mrs. Imelda Marcos. Queen-like! From the chandelier down to her bed, to the bathroom, the designs - WOW! Ravishing and stunning! Even their handmaiden, servants, and bodyguards with rooms located next to them had elegant quarters.

We were also fascinated with the old displays in every corner of the house; the big mirrors imported and made from different countries; those invaluable furniture particularly the cabinet which was made from sandalwood that dispenses its redolent smell every time you open it.

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Glad the house was not severely devastated by Typhoon Haiyan last November 2013. The typhoon had only destroyed the external part of the heritage museum and not the statuettes and the vintage properties of the family, which were the most important things inside. 

  

I suggest you visit the mansion coz this would be your gateway to Marcos' era. Best regards to our tourist guide, we learned a lot from him. Thank you sir! (I forgot his name, lol)

Note: The Department of Tourism (City of Tacloban) takes charge of the Sto Shrine and Heritage Museum. 

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), you can find taxicabs that will take you to the heritage museum. 

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

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 ride vans or buses bound for Tacloban City. 

Note: There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin, Baybay, and Hilongos, Leyte. 

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Albuera's Perfect Spot: Baybayon Ni Agalon Resort

Baybayon ni Agalon

Unlike with the white sand beaches we used to see on island resorts, Baybayon ni Agalon is actually a pebble beach offering a pool resort located just along the road in Malitbog, Albuera, Leyte.

Small huts, tree houses and 2-storey kiosks were constructed at the beach, overlooking a panoramic view of the oceanfront.

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

The pool’s structure was wide built with slides sloping down to the water where kids can climb up and slide down to the pool area.

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Also, children will surely love to play at the resort’s mini playground equipped with facilities for recreation. My cousins actually loved jumping on the large trampoline set there.

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

There is also a fresh spa pedicure tank at the resort providing treatment where tiny and toothless scavenger fish clean and exfoliates the skin, nibbling away your dry and dead skin. However, we haven't got the chance to try this spa treatment since the staffs were cleaning the fish tank that time. 

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

The resort, too, has a small menagerie or zoo, lodging different animals like birds and reptiles. One of which are the ostriches seen near the resort’s entryway. We strolled around the resort and saw many kinds of birds housed on big enclosures and saw a large oviparous python resting in its cage wrapping itself on its food.

As you walk around the area, you’ll see these lizard-type creatures of which are suborder long-bodied reptiles dispersed everywhere on ornamental ponds and camouflaging on large brown trees at the resort. The pond, however, was filled with large carp bred fishes swimming at its mud-filled waters, with small pavilions or summerhouses set on ponds.

Additionally, the resort offers overnight accommodations and a snack bar or restaurant where you can buy food and drinks. 

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Baybayon Ni Agalon is actually a great spot for family picnics, barkada outings, or venue for weddings. With its serene setting, beautiful landscapes and resort activities offered there, you’ll surely love to spend some of your vacation here.

Photo grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account

Accommodations and fees: Baybayon ni Agalon
P.S. Some pics were grabbed from Baybayon Ni Agalon Facebook Account to provide full picture of the resort. Credits to owner.

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 Ormoc City or Baybay City. 

Reaching there:

A.) Via Baybay City 

Ride a van bound for Baybay City. Upon reaching the terminal, ride a bus going to Ormoc City. Tell the driver to drop you off at Baybayon Ni Agalon. 

B.) Via Ormoc City

Ride a van bound for Ormoc City. Upon reaching the terminal, ride a bus going to Baybay City. Tell the driver to drop you off at Baybayon Ni Agalon.

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 ride a bus bound for Albuera, Leyte or Baybay, Leyte (you'll pass by Albuera before Baybay)

CEBU CITY VIA BAYBAY CITY

If you are from Cebu City and would like to get to Leyte via ferryboats, you can take the Cebu-Baybay route via large sea transports and purchase tickets from ferry outlets in Cebu City. Sea travel takes at least seven (7) hours for large passenger ships. The city’s bus terminal is just near the port area so you can directly ride vans or buses bound for Ormoc City so you'll be able to pass by Albuera, Leyte

Note: There are also Cebu-Leyte routes via Maasin and Hilongos, Leyte.

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Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without permission, authorization, or written consent from the author or proprietor is strictly forbidden and firmly prohibited. Always provide full and clear credit to DyaryoDeByahe with the appropriate direction to the original content.