Camp on Kalanggaman Island

Looking for a serious weekend getaway with no electricity and no city noises? Well an hour long boat ride will take you to this little island right in between Leyte and Cebu where the water isn't as salty and you can fall asleep with the waves crashing right next to you.

Whether you choose to make this a day trip or stay the night - Kalanggaman welcomes you!

There are a lot of great places just for chillin' in the Philippines, I mean, you have the water all around you. But the local tourism office has done a lot to keep Kalanggaman beautiful, but simple. It is allows max 500 tourist per day and has no privately owned resorts or electricity, but has basic facilities like toilets and huts/cottages. There are also tourist police on the island.

The sand is soft on some parts, but a majority of it is not fine enough for those with sensitive feet like me. However, the cool sand bar and stunning clear water covered up for it!

Go for a swim, soak in some sun, read a book, and hammock around. But first, let's get there.

There are many ways to get to Kalanggaman Island:

• If you are driving from Leyte - there will be parking right at the Wharf.
• From Manila - catch a flight to Cebu, Tacloban, or Ormoc City.
• From Cebu - you can catch a boat directly to Kalanggaman or to Ormoc City.
• From Tacloban - catch a van going to Ormoc City - then go to the Palompon Wharf.

We drove a car directly from Tacloban City to Palompon Wharf.

Fees:

• Boats - most about 3000-4000 PHP for the whole boat and round trip (fits 15-30) or share with other big groups (about 250 PHP)
• Cottage - 500 PHP per day
• Island Entrance fee for day trip -
  • International Tourists – P500
  • Local Tourists – P150
  • College Student Tourists – P40
  • High-school Student Tourists – P30
  • Elementary Student Tourists – P20
  • Senior Citizen Tourists – P120
• Island Entrance fee + camping -
  • International Tourists – P750
  • Local Tourists – P225
  • College Student Tourists – P60
  • High-school Student Tourists – P45
  • Elementary Students – P30
  • Senior Citizens – P180

P.S. Research the season and avoid going during typhoon season. You will probably be turned away if the weather is bad.