““Let the sea water wet your feet, and the sand be your seat…”
The moment I saw several photos of my friend on an island’s sand bar and its ever clear turquoise waters wayback 2013, it never left my mind. Every now and then, I would seek for opportunities as to when I could possibly make my way to this indescribably beautiful island.
Fastforward 2015. July. Rainy season in the Philippines. And I found my way going to Leyte – the home of the very paradise-like Kalanggaman Island. This uninhabited island that is 753 meters in length, is now considered a dream beach destination, not only in the Visayas, but in the entire Philippines. Located in the municipality of Palompon and the province of Leyte, it is known for its stunning sandbar that seem to stretch endlessly into the cerulean waters. The white coralline and sand shoreline and crystal clear waters along both sides of the island adds more beauty to this pristine place.
FYI: In 2013, the island gained attention after a big cruise ship stopped there to let its guest relax for a few hours.
There are no resorts on Kalanggaman Island. However, the local government of Palompon have established some basic amenities for the comfort of visitors. There are also policemen stationed on the island for the guests ‘security If you intend to stay overnight in the island, make sure to bring your tent and food as there are no available cottages for sleeping and store to buy food.
So if you want to relax and perhaps, get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, take time to go and see Kalanggaman Island. Bring with you a book to read or walk along and capture how photogenic the island is. Wait for the sun to set or rise, or just laze around and get your skin some sunshine vitamin early in the morning. Of course, swimming and snorkelling are some of the usual activities one can do.
*Take note of the following reminders:
| Regular Rate (Day Tour) International Tourists – P500 Non-Palompon Tourists – P150 Non-Palompon College Tourists – P40 Non-Palompon High-school Tourists – P30 Non-Palompon Elementary Pupil – P20 Non-Palomponganon Senior Citizen – P120 |
Overnight Rates International Tourists – P750 Non-Palompon Tourists – P225 Non-Palompon College Tourists – P60 Non-Palompon High-school Tourists – P45 Non-Palompon Elementary Pupil – P30 Non-Palomponganon Senior Citizen – P180 |
The rates for pumpboats (round trip) are as follow:
P3,000 – for 15 people and below
P3,500 – for 25 people and below
P4,000 – for 30 people and below
Where to Stay in Palompon Town:
| Hutton Lodge Cor. San Francisco St. & Evangelista St. Contact number: (053) 338-3098Juan Titang Beach Resort Brgy. Buaya, Sabang Palompon, Leyte Contact number: 0917 741 0259 |
PACCI House Rizal Street, Palompon, Leyte Contact number: (053) 338-2880Whispering Beach Mini Hotel P. Del Rosario Ext., Brgy. Guiwan I Contacts numbers: (053) 338-2135/555-8045 |
*I personally stayed at PACCI House as it is the nearest to the Liberty Park where one has to pay the necessary fees.
How to Reach Kalanggaman Island?
Fastest way is by air. From Manila, go to Palompon, Leyte via Tacloban Airport or Cebu Airport (a.k.a. Mactan International Airport).
From Tacloban Airport, ride a van going to Palompon. Van rides are found at the Abucay terminal in Tacloban. Trip takes about 4 hours.
From Cebu Airport, ride a taxi and choose from among the following location of shipping lines:
Super Shuttle Ferry (Bogo, Cebu – Palompon Leyte)
– Bogo, Cebu to Palompon, Leyte at 12:00PM daily
– Palompon, Leyte to Bogo, Cebu at 7:30PM daily
Super Shuttle Ferry’s office is located at 38 Gorordo Ave, Cebu City
Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc. (Cebu City – Palompon Leyte)
– Cebu City Pier 1 to Palompon at 08:00 PM (Mon, Thu)
– Cebu City Pier 1 to Palompon at 12:00 NN (Sun)
– Palompon to Cebu City Pier 1 at 08:00 AM Tue, Fri)
– Palompon to Cebu City Pier 1 at 10:00 PM (Sun)
Once in Palompon, go to Palompon Liberty Park and pay the necessary fees for the Kalanggaman EcoTour. The boat ride from this point to Kalanggaman Island takes about an hour for regular boats .
Don’t be a wasted soul, be ‘juan’derlust. Take it easy ebri’juan’.
No Juan Is An Island 
Reblogged this on Santa's Reindeer.
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Thank you for the reblog my friend.
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WOW! Just WOW!!
added to my bucket list! My God kelan ko kaya ito mararating!?
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Sana sumabay ka sakin. Kakagaling ko. Nakakatulala sya sa ganda. D ko alam kung nabigyan ng mga litrato ko ung ganda nya.
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nainggit nga ako nung makita ko yung picture mo sa FB.. kung alam ko lang.. kahit mahal ang ruplano, lilipad din ako jan! haha! sobrang ganda na sa picture, hindi ko na ma-imagine sa tunay na buhay! hahaha! basta pag nag Itbayat ka sabit ako ha.. hehe
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Cge. Pagiipunan ko muna ang eroplano to Itbayat. Hahaha tawi-tawi ako next week. Tara. Hehe
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di nga? Tawi Tawi? anong dates? game ako! sama!
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August 12 – 18. 3 na kami. Baka gusto mo humabol.
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sige sama ako! ok lang ba sa kanila na may sumabit pang iba? pwede paki send ng flight itinerary? 😀
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Send ko later pagkauwi ko. Will send over FB
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Uy salamat! 😀 😀 😀 don’t worry hindi ako maarte kasama.. wala lang ako makasama papunta duon kaya sali ako ha.. hehe
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Mam rhea I messaged you the details sa FB now. Book na!
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lovely photographs
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Thank you.
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Reblogged this on penpowersong and commented:
in case, Boracay really gets spoiled and soiled…here’s another hidden gem in Leyte…thanks to a young travel blogger…I just hope that extra care will be taken to preserve its pristine beauty!
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My husband’s from Leyte and looking forward to see these beaches. I just got pictures of how they look like in my mind as my husband describes them.. ohhh can’t wait!
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you should, its really stunning. thanks for dropping by. have an awesome day!
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So many beautiful islands and waters. If you ever have the opportunity could you photograph and do a writeup about the Dauin, Negros Oriental area and Apo Island?
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I yet have to set foot on Apo Island sir. Ill write about it the soonest I am able to visit it. 🙂
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Where do you change clothes after you took a swim? Just curious.
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Hello. There are comfort rooms 🙂
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Pwede ba mag stay ng two nights?
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Yes I believe pwede naman kahit ilang gabi pa 🙂
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Will be there next month. We’ll arrive in Palompon mga hapon na kaya the following day na kame tawid sa isla ng Kalanggaman dahil maalon daw pag hapon. Nagbook ka ba ahead sa Pacci House? Need lang namin ng overnight stay before going to the island and I think Pacci House is the best place because of its location. Pwede kaya walk-in sa Pacci?
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Yes po. Walk in lang ako nun.
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This is so helpful! Thanks for this. Can you give me an idea how much is the overnight stay in Pacci? As well as Hutton’s? Thanks! Have a great day!
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Hi sir. A room is around 600-800php that is good for 2 pax. Thanks for dropping by sir.
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Will visit this paradise next year. OMG, I am really excited. Thanks for the useful information.
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Wow thank you too. Enjoy your visit.
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Hi may i ask how much is the pacci house rates? And do they have cellphone number? Thank you
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Wala silang binigay na cellphone number eh, just landline. A room is around 600-800php that is good for 2 pax. Thanks for dropping by.
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Hi, i just want to ask what time ang mga trip ng van from tacloban to palompon?? dadating kasi ako ng 5pm sa airport, baka wala nakong makuha van. Thanks!
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No fixed sked. It leaves when it’s full.
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Nice blog! ☺️ Ang ganda!!!! 😍 Excited na ako, kahit na next year pa kame.. Sana hindi maulan ng January.. 🙂 2 lang kame baka meron dito na pupunta ng Kalanggaman ng January 11, 2017 para share na lang sa boat.. PM me. 09128842810.. Thank you!
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God bless and enjoy your trip po. 😊
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Hi lester! I’m looking forward sa kalanggaman trip namin next month. Thank you sa blog niyo ni Vera Venus. Excited na ako. Just want to ask your opinion. Safe ba overnight dun with my kids (5 and 2 y/o)?
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Hi mam. I havent tried staying there overnight but i think it us safe kasi well guarded yung island.
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hi! do you have idea kung anong oras last trip ng van from tacloban to palompon? 6pm kasi ETA namin sa Tacloban. thank you!
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Not sure po now kung ano na last trip. Wayback 2015, 5 pm po un last trip. Mejo late na nga yang 6pm. Better stay nlng muna sa Tacloban.
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