Lakad Patungo sa Dagat: March 2016

DISCLAIMER: This post is more of a detailed itinerary, tips and how to commute from and to Sambawan and Kalanggaman.

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We planned this trip for 2 months with a lot of blog readings, combining tips on how to go to Sambawan from Tacloban and Kalanggaman. But the best way of learning is by doing and we did conquer both Islands for a 4 days and 3 nights itinerary.

At first, our only target place was Kalanggaman, western side of Tacloban, my friend booked a flight for 4 days and 3 nights; so we decided to maximize our time on the province and search for possible places to discover. After weeks of searching, we came across the island of Sambawan, part of Biliran Province.

Sambawan Island is a hidden gem of Biliran, with its beautifully formed shape to its pristine water. The adventure of going there was worth it. Everything about it was beautiful.

Here's a guide on how to go to Sambawan Island from Manila:

Cebu Pacific, Air Asia and Philippine Airlines offer flights from Manila to Tacloban and vice versa.
From Tacloban Airport (Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport), rent a car going straight to Naval Port. (We did this since we were 8 in the group).

It took us 3 hours from the airport to Naval Port.

You can also commute going to Naval Port by going to New Tacloban Terminal and ride vans going straight to Naval Port. (Php 130)

Van-vans - located along corner of Salazar-Burgos St.
Duptours - located along Avenida Veteranos, near the front gate of Divine Word University.
Grand Tours - located in Burgos Street, near Tacloban post office.

From Naval Port, there are commuter boats going to Maripipi Island where you can spend the night.

Ma. Lourdes 2E Ferry to Brgy. Ermita (Departs at 10:30AM, and goes back at 5AM)
Viga Express to Brgy. Binalayan (Departs at 11:00AM, and goes back at 5AM)

IMPORTANT: Commuter boats only operates from Monday-Saturday. No boats to and from Naval Port on Sundays.

We rode Viga Express to Brgy. Binalayan and rode a habal habal going to Napo Beach Resort where we spent the night.
Napo Beach offered us a boat ride going to Sambawan Island on the afternoon.
You can spend the night on the island but there's no electricity. Entrance fee is Php 100.

Below is the list of expenses from Manila to Sambawan Island: (Rate stated below is per person)

Php 735 - Airfare from Manila to Tacloban via Air Asia (1 hr)
Php 300 - Van to Naval. (We rented the whole van for Php 2400 for 8 pax) (3 hrs)
Php 70 - Boat (60) + Terminal Fee (10) From Naval port to Maripipi
Php 75 - Habal habal to Napo Beach Resort
Php 150 - Boat to Sambawan (Rented boat from Napo Beach - Php 1200 for 8 pax) (30 mins)
Php 100 - Sambawan Island entrance fee
Php 250 - Napo Beach accommodation (Backpackers room + Standard Room)
Php 150 - Lunch at Napo
Php 105 - Dinner at Napo
Php 1935 - Total

You may contact Ate Emerlita of Napo Beach Resort via 09062520845. She's very accommodating and helpful when you have questions on how to go to Maripipi Island.

IMPORTANT: Electricity only lasts until 12MN and would return 12NN the next day.

How to go from Maripipi Island to Kalanggaman:

Since our departure from Maripipi landed on a Sunday, no commuter boats were available. Good thing, Napo Beach asked the boatmen from our Sambawan trip if we could rent them and go straight to Kawayan Port where we can ride a habal habal to Naval.

Rented boat going to Kawayan Port. Took us 2 hrs in total because of the strong current. The boatman charged us Php 1,500 good for 10 pax, good thing there were 2 foreigners also going to Naval from Napo Beach Resort. (Php 150/pax)
From Kawayan Port, ride a habal habal to Naval Port for 30 mins
From Naval Port, ride vans going to Ormoc, but tell the driver to drop you off at Libungao also known as crossing.
From Libungao crossing, you can stop vans going to Palompon. These vans are from Ormoc, but you can ride them at the crossing to save time.
Upon arriving at Palompon, go straight to the Eco-tourism office and pay the necessary fees.

Contact information of the Tourism Office at Palompon and the rates

We stayed at Kalanggaman Island for 3 Days and 2 Nights. Entrance fee is Php 225/day/pax and Php 3000 for a 12 seater rented boat; additional fees were added. Since we were staying for more than a day, the lady at the front desk charged us Php 450/pax for the entrance fee and Php 3500 for the boat. We also rented 2 tents at the office for Php 150/each/day (can fit 4 pax per tent).

Before going to Kalanggaman, make sure you have the necessary supplies like food, water and booze since the "store" located on the island has limited supplies. The wet market is just located beside the Eco-tourism office.

IMPORTANT: No place to rent cooking utensils/supplies on the market or the eco-tourism office. You can buy pots/pans/knives on the market. Since we did not want to buy those things, we just used our charm in borrowing them at some stores. (We were able to borrow, a pot, a knife and 2 ice chests).

Road the boat for an hour.
In the middle of the sea, dolphins swam with the boat!!!!!

FYI when staying overnight at Kalanggaman:

No fresh water!!! The water coming from the "poso" is also salt water. We were not informed and we did not read this on any blogs.
The eco-toutism office will provide a gallon or 2 of fresh water depending on the size of your group for cooking or how you may use it. We did not think much when they gave those to us since we thought that fresh water is available on the island.
Cellphone signal is available but not that strong.
No electricity, just solar powered lights.
Griller is available.
You may rent tents at Hinablayan Outdoor. (You can contact them via facebook)
It gets really cold during the night, bring jackets or sleeping bags.
Beach beds are available but for a fee of Php 50/day. We were shocked at the end of our 3D/2N stay that the caretaker was charging us the said fee (we were lounging on 5 beach chairs!!!!). He was kind enough just to charge us just 3 chairs for 1 day. (Thank you Kuya!)
You can take a bath with fresh water for free at the Eco-tourism office when you get back.

IMPORTANT: If you're commuting back to Tacloban, be mindful that you should be back at Palompon around 11AM-12PM, since vans were limited and the last trip will only wait until 12:30PM