Kalanggaman Island

Kalanggaman Island – a surreal, unreal virgin island located at the municipality of Palompon, Leyte. It’s long stretches of sandbards and glimmering white sands remind you that the hidden beauty of the Philippines is even better than you imagined! It’s honestly one of the best islands we have traveled and no doubt that it will captivate everyone who sees it.

Though the island is known for its ever-beautiful white sandy beaches on either end, there is more to it than just these sandbars and clear waters. It’s actually a haven for a diversity of birds! It also has a lot of hidden gems especially during the night. Clear skies will reveal a beautiful night sky and a surprisingly shimmering shore! Sundowns also reveal an angry red glow emitting from the water (and white sand) reflections! So without further a do, hop on and rediscover Kalanggaman Island!

HOW TO GET THERE

Though Kalanggaman Island is technically part of Leyte, it could be reached from the island of Cebu as well. You could even get a tour to Kalanggaman from Cebu’s beautiful Malapascua Island. If you choose to travel by air and are coming from Manila, you could book a flight to Ormoc airport; Mactan airport (if you have side trips at Cebu); Tacloban airport (if you have side trips at Tacloban), then follow below guide in getting to Kalanggaman Island. If you’re planning on spending the night at the island, you should coordinate upon registration at Palompon Liberty Park or to your boatmen (since there are cases where you go directly to the island).

There is no off season in visiting the island. Tropical climates in the Philippines give you a lot of sunny periods anyway. Just don’t go here during a typhoon. Haha!

From Ormoc CIty Airport (Leyte)

Upon arrival, take a van going to Palompon, Leyte. (trip usually takes an hour)
Get off at Palompon Liberty Park. It’s actually a short walk form the main road, optionally you could take a bike ride going there for just 3-5php ea. Here you would be registering and paying the necessary environmental fees for the tour.
After registration, you could take a trike to your hotels at Palompon, or go straight to Palompon Ferry Boat terminal.
At the terminal, there are boats going to Kalanggaman. Normal boats take an hour or so, fast boats will bring you there half an hour earlier.

From Tacloban Airport (Leyte)

Upon arrival, take a van going to Palompon, Leyte. (trip usually takes 4-5 hours)
Get off at Palompon Liberty Park. It’s actually a short walk form the main road, optionally you could take a bike ride going there for just 3-5php ea. Here you would be registering and paying the necessary environmental fees for the tour.
After registration, you could take a trike to your hotels at Palompon, or go straight to Palompon Ferry Boat terminal.
At the terminal, there are boats going to Kalanggaman. Normal boats take an hour or so, fast boats will bring you there half an hour earlier.

From Cebu

Option 1: If you are near Cebu City and opt to take a boat bound for Leyte
- Take a cab/taxi from (usually from the airport) going to Pier 3/Port 3.
- Purchase tickets for a fastcraft (2 hour ride) or a normal craft boat going to Ormoc City
- At Ormoc Port, take vans going to Palompon, Leyte. Get off at Palompon Liberty Park and register for the tour.
Option 2: If you are coming from the Northern part of Cebu or just want less boat transfers.
- Take a bus (depends where you come from in Cebu) to Bogo City, purchase tickets going diretly to Palompon Leyte.
- From Palompon Port, you need to register first at Palompon Liberty Park before arranging boatrides to Kalanggaman.
- There are also trips going straight to Kalanggaman Island from Palompon if you prefer to spend more that is!
Option 3: If you are from Malapascua Island, Cebu
- There are tours at Malapascua Island straight to Kalanggaman Island. Day trips only.
- If you decide to take an overnight at Kalanggaman, go back to Maya Port and follow Option 2 above.

Other Options

There are also buses from Manila that take you straight to Palompon Leyte (24 hours including RoRo trip). Not sure about the price but I’m sure it’s cheaper. Saw one bus line that is quite popular going here. Click here for more info. For convenience, we’ve pasted below info for CUL Bus Transport
- Pasay: 853-9912
  Cubao: 913-1512
- Or visit them for reservations
  Cubao Booking: Araneta Grand Terminal
  Pasay Booking: Malibay, Pasay City near Total Gas Station

WHERE TO STAY AND WHOM TO CALL

Seeing that we have so many options in getting here, it really depends on your itinerary. If you only plan a day trip, then taking an accommodation at Palompon Island is best so you could enjoy more of Leyte. If you’re at Malapascua and taking a day trip, then you could read rediscover’s Malapascua blog here. If you are taking the overnight trip however, well, obviously you need a tent to stay in the island right?

For specific information and inquiries on rates, accommodations, reservations, and tours, it’s best to contact Palompon’s Tourism as follows:

Landline: (053) 555-9731
Email: cleo_rivera@yahoo.com or raoulbacalla@gmail.com
Mobile: (globe) 0917 3037 269 (smart) 0998 5550 572
Some Accommodation References
- PACCI HOUSE: (053) 338 2880
- Love Traveller’s Inn: (053) 338 2670
- Whispering Beach Resort: (053) 338 2135
Some Meals/Catering Services
- PATRICKS: (053) 555 5500
- WEMDEES: (053) 555 8353
- COKABULI: 0917 3258 506
- FRANZ CAFE: (053) 555 8306
- ARLENE’S: (053) 338 2379
- JESSE: 0927 5369 200

THE BUDGET

Transportation Rates

Transport coming from Ormoc (Leyte)
- Ormoc to Palompon (bus): 150php ea
Transport coming from Cebu City (Cebu)
- Cebu Port 3 to Ormoc (boat): 600php ea via fast craft(2 hour ride), 500php ea via normal boat
- Ormoc to Palompon (bus): 150php ea
Transport coming from Bogo City (Cebu)
- Bogo City to Palompon (boat): 950php ea
Transport from Malapascua Island (Cebu)
- Tour is 800php ea if you are a joiner
- Private tour is around 5000php, (not sure on their night rates though, recommended to come from Bogo City if you opt for the night)

Kalanggaman Rates

Entrance and Conservation Fee	Regular Rate(Day Tour)	Overnight Rate
International Tourist	500php	750php
Non-Palompon Tourist	150php	225php
Non-Palompon College Student	40php	60php
Non-Palompon High School Student	30php	45php
Non-Palompon Elementary Pupil	20php	30php
Non-Palompon Senior Citizen	120php	180php

TABUK and Marine Park Fish and Bird Sanctuary Tour	Regular Rate(Day Tour)	Overnight Rate
International Tourist	200php	300php
Non-Palompon Tourist	100php	150php
Non-Palompon College Student	50php	60php
Non-Palompon High School Student	30php	40php
Non-Palompon Elementary Pupil	10php	15php
Non-Palompon Senior Citizen	80php	120php

***The above tour does not include the boat ride to the marine park which costs 800php per boat/group.

Private Pump Boats
- P3,000 – for 15 pax maximum
- P3,500 – for 25 pax maximum
- P4,000 – for 30 pax maximum
- P5,000 – for 40 pax maximum
Cottages (no reservations)
- Small: 250php
- Medium: 500php
- Large: 700php
Activity Rates at Kalanggaman and/or Palompon
- Kayaking: 150php per hour
- SUP: 200php per hour
- Wall Climbing: 75php per hour per person
- Scuba Diving: 1000php for International Tourists, 800php for Domestic Tourists, plus additional 800php for dive guide
- Trek/Rappel/Spelunk/Camping: 500php per head (min of 5pax and max of 15pax) + 800php tour guide per group

TOURING KALANGGAMAN ISLAND

Well, regardless of how you reach the island, either you took longer or shorter than your itinerary, Kalanggaman Island is honestly one of the premier and virgin islands that the Philippines could be proud of! Seeing is better than deceiving right?