Round Three: Let’s Beat the heat of Summer: Day 1 - Kalanggaman Island – The Secret Paradise of Palompon, Leyte

Kalanggaman Island is one of the famous attraction in Leyte. When my friend suggested that our next summer escapade is Kalanggaman Island. I immediately made a plan and itinerary for our travel. I instructed Marvie to make us a reservation to an overnight stay on the island. We learned that you cannot visit the island unless you have a reservation few days prior the day of your visit because only limited people per day are allowed on the island.

Kalanggaman Island is located in the municipality of Palompon, Leyte and it is an hourly boat ride from the town of Palompon. Small, immaculate white sand bars on both sides of the island that if you are flying over it, it looks like a bird in flight hence the name Kalanggaman, ”langgam” being the Visayan name for a bird. The island becomes famous after 2013 when a big cruise ship stopped there to let its guest relax under the palm trees for a few hours.

On board with a private vehicle, we traveled to Palompon, Leyte at about 5:00 A.M. and we arrived at exactly 8:00 A.M. A three hours long drive from Tacloban City to Palompon, Leyte. Upon arrival at the eco-tourism office, we immediately coordinated with the personnel in charge to an overnight stay on the island. The staff directly asks me if I made a reservation, then after which, I pay the entrance fees and the boat rental.

A few hours later, we were told to go to the boat that was docked at the back of eco-tourism office. When we were all settled, the eco-tourism office staff gives us a briefing about the Do’s and Don’t’s on the Island as well as the prohibited area in which you are forbidden to swim. The staff also gives us two plastic bags for garbage disposal purposes, one for the biodegradable waste and the other is for non-biodegradable waste in order to promote the local government’s solid wastes management program.

As we navigated through to the island, our boredom was worn out because of a beautiful sightseeing of the flying fish leaping out of the water and a group of dolphins swimming and playing. According to the boatmen, it is a rare scenery, so we got lucky.

After an hour, we saw the island. We were overwhelmed as we approach the island. The turquoise sea and crystal water were so inviting. It’s indeed awesome! The island is such a natural beauty.

There’s no resort in Kalanggaman, but the local government built some basic facilities and assures safety by tourist policemen and coast guard which are stationed on the island. So we
immediately looked for a vacant cottage. Fortunately, we saw a cottage near from the sandbar. And after setting up our tent in the shady area, we decided to check out the island.

The island main attraction is the sandbar, and it is known for its magnificent sandbar that stretches from both ends of the island. You were only able to see a small part of the sandbar if it is high tide. Sand bar is only exposed in the afternoon when it is fully low tide. Swimming the area of the sandbar isn’t advised due to the strong current of water and rip tides. The sandbar separates wild waters on one side and calms on the other side. So, most of the swimming/snorkeling you’ll be doing around the sandbar is more towards the islet as well as around the islet. It’s a good spot for taking pictures, sunbathing and just basically beach bumming.

After taking some pictorials and sunbathing in the sandbar, we go back to our cottage and prepare our food for our dinner, and then, we eat. After, we fill up our tummies, everyone went to mind their own leisure. Some went to swimming and I and my other friends busy ourselves drinking some beer.

We decided to sleep outside of our tent, and we then rent a beach bed, place our pillows and grabbed a blanket. We were caressed by the cool sea breeze while stargazing in the sky until we fell sleepy and say goodnight to each other. We are excited about the following day event in checking out the other side of the island.

HOW TO GET THERE IN KALANGGAMAN ISLAND

VIA TACLOBAN CITY - Fly to Tacloban City via air travel. From the airport, ride a public transport to Tacloban New Bus Terminal which is located in Bray. Abucay, in front of North Robinson’s Mall, and then, hop on a van to Palompon, and disembark at the terminal. From there, you can ride a bike called “ potpot” to go to Liberty Park costs P 5 per person or heads straight to eco-tourism office, which is just a walking distance away. The travel time from Tacloban to Palompon is around three hours.

ACTIVITIES

• biking
• kayaking
• volleyball
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• swimming
• camping
• picnic
• photo op

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO KALANGGAMAN

1. Call the eco-tourism office for a reservation, few days prior your visit.
2. The island has no electricity, so you should bring a flashlight, power bank, and a solar lamp. The island is lit by posts with lights powered by a solar energy.
3. If staying overnight, bring tent or sleeping bag or you could rent a tent at the eco-tourism office.
4. If you’re not planning to stay an overnight on the island, schedule an early morning trip.
5. Bring your own foods and necessary supplies.
6. Bring your own water for drinking and/or bathing. There’s a lot of comfort room but the water is salt water.
7. There is a store and grilling station on the island.
8. The island is safe for roving tourist police, coast guard, and medics.
9. There is a kiosk renting, snorkels, kayaks, and bikes.
10. Do not leave any trash on the island. Just put them all in a bag and bring back to the port.
11. Don't litter on the island. Follow the eco-tourism office rules and regulation on the island.
12. Never take anything from the island.

The rates for a round trip pump boats are of the following: P 3,000 - for 15 people and below; P3,500 for 25 people and below; P4,000 - for 30 people and below and P 5, 000 - for 40 people and below.

You can rent a tent at the eco-tourism office. Tent rent: 300/night (4 - person tent) and 250/night (2-person tent). To avail the rented tent, you should deposit a valid ID and P 200.

You will also be paying fees for entrance to Kalanggaman Island at the eco-tourism office for different types of tourists:

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-Palompon 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-Palompon Senior Citizen - P180

COTTAGES
Small - P 250
Medium - P 500
Large - P 750