Midway between Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas is a paradise described as a lone island that provides as a breather from the busy urban suburbs of Leyte and Cebu. Characterized as one of the country's best summer getaway with an ultimate photo opportunity with its picturesque sandbar and island escape. Kalanggaman Island houses one of the best sandbars in the country.
Kalanggaman Island (coordinates 11.11N, 124.25E) is a small island with a 365-meter long sandbar at its eastern side pointing back to the town where it is part of which is Palompon. It is a 6-hectare island dotted with coconut trees, suited for those who wants to enjoy a carefree weekend camped on a white sand beach.
How to get there
The island can be reached through its main town, Palompon, Leyte through a 45-minute boat ride. Or it can be reached after coming from Malapascua Island or Daanbantayan, Cebu for about an hour of boat ride. Coming from Tacloban City, the city capital of the province of Leyte, it is about a three-hour ride via vans from the bus terminal of Tacloban. While Daanbantayan is about 6-hour ride from Cebu City.
It is suggested that you brought along your camping equipment and food when staying in this island. Tents can be rented from the tourism office in Palompon while a market place is about 400 meters away from the boat jump-off to Kalanggaman in the same town. Although a lone sari-sari store is at the island, the supply is limited and prices are high. Potable water is also not available so this must be purchased from the jump-off towns. However, fresh water can be provided by your boatmen for washing up.
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| Kalanggaman Island Campsite |
Staying at Kalanggaman requires that you have your own tent, although small picnic shelters are also available for rent. Be aware though that the island has rodents that come out at night to steal food so do ensure that your supplies are secured. The island is suitable for installing hammocks due to coconut trees that dots the main island.
The island is supplied with solar-powered lamp posts at night, but it would still be dark on some areas as there is only about 10 lampposts all throughout the island. It is best that you bring along powerbanks for your gadgets.
The sea is turquoise however there are only few corals underwater. Kalanggaman is best known for its long and narrow sandbar and its fine white sand.
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| Kalanggaman Island's 365-meter long sandbar |
Fees to Kalanggaman Island from Tacloban via Palompon
Coming from Tacloban, head on to the central bus station of the city (coordinates 11.23894N 124.98769E) and ride vans going to Palampon. The van costs P150/head and is a 3-hour trip.
Drop off at the Palompon Tourism Office (coordinates 11.049N, 124.382E) just a few meters away from the public market. The tourism office is also a jump-off to Palompon island where you can arrange a boat ride and can also rent tents prior heading to the island. Environmental fee of P225/head is required. Tent good for 2-4 persons costs P300. Boat ride to Palompon is P3000 for up to 6 passengers.
Palompon Eco-Tourism office number: +63 (53) 3382094
Mapping Mission to Kalanggaman Island
Schadow1 Expeditions was at Kalanggaman, Leyte for a short weekend vacation and mapped the island for tourism and disaster risk reduction. The detailed GPS Navigation Map of the Philippines has been updated with the detailed mapping information for Kalanggaman since v20161116 which was released November 2016.
Map
Google Maps (link)
Schadow1 Expeditions Contributions (link)
How to use for your Navigation System (link)
Related Articles:
- What is with this small paradise called Canigao Island
- Part 3 of East Philippines Seaboard Mapping Expedition 2015
- 10 Longest Sandbars of the Philippines
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