The province of Biliran is an island located in the Eastern Visayas region where mountains of coconuts are the norm. It is also the home of the hidden paradise of Sambawan Island. This is one of the best places to go around where tourists don’t usually go. From scuba diving, snorkeling, beach bumming, falls hopping, or simply chilling around – Biliran will surely be one of the most recommended places to hop on.

***It’s worth to mention that typhoon Urduha has devasted the island which caused a catastrophic change in the hotspots and they’re in the process of rebuilding as well.

HOW TO GET HERE



Public Transport

FROM MANILA

1. Flight from Manila to Tacloban
2. Tacloban to Naval (Biliran) either by Bus or by Van (Van-vans or Grand Tours terminal)
3. Options going to Sambawan Island assuming this will be your first stop

Option 1
- Naval to Kawayan Port via trike or habal-habal (30min)
- Kwayan Port to Sambawan Island via private boat (1hr)
Option 2
- Naval to Sambawan Island via private boat (2.5hrs)
Option 3
- Naval to Mariripi Island via public boat 10am trip only (2hrs)
- Mariripi to Sambawan Island via private boat (20min)

iMPORTANT: Public boats from Naval and Mariripi only have 1 trip daily. 10am (Naval-Mariripi) and 4am (Mariripi-Naval). Better go to Kawayan port to rent a private boat for cheaper rates if in groups. As much as possible avoid to take public ones since its the cheapest way for locals.

FROM CEBU

1. From Cebu City, fast crafts are available daily to Ormoc City where shuttle vans connect the trip to Naval.
2. Choose your options similar to Step 3 above going to Sambawan Island.
IMPORTANT: Aircon Shuttle Vans/Buses serve the Naval-Tacloban City and and Naval-Ormoc City routes.
Shipping lines provide direct voyage from Naval to Cebu twice a week. Ordinary fare, tourist and cabin accommodations are available.

WHERE TO STAY

Sambawan Island offers day tour accommodations in the from of cottages and also offer overnight accommodations in the form of wooden houses or tents.

If you would be staying in the main island of Biliran, then there are a lot of hotels just near Naval port. If you want a little high-end resort at Biliran, then try Biliran Garden Resort (10min from Naval Port).

There is also an option to stay in the main island of Maripipi though homestays just near the port as well. Normally you would take this option if you chose to go in Sambawan via public boat as you would probably wait for the next day going there. You could visit springs and beaches here as well.

IMPORTANT: The main mode of transportation here is via tricycles, habal-habals, and padyak (normal side-car bikes designed to accommodate luggaes as well). Buses are also available for long distances but time and availability is a little splattered. Roro buses are also available if you plan to travel different provinces too.

Contact Details & Reservation

Sambawan Island Dive Camp & Beach Resort
- Facebook: @CalawagMountainResort
- Phone: +63 53 500 9457
- Mobile: +63918 910 2141 (Smart) / +63 915 796 2324 (Globe) / +63 908 820 8229 (Smart)
- Email: fate@katahum.com
- Website: https://tourism.biliranisland.com/sambawandivecampbeachresort.php
Biliran Garden Resort (Naval)
- Facebook: @BiliranGardenResort or @bilirangardenresortbgr
For other accommodations either in Maripipi or other Barangays in Biliran see complete list in link below
- Complete Accommodation List: https://tourism.biliranisland.com/accommodations.php

Sambawan Island

THE BUDGET



TRANSPORTATION

Tacloban to Naval (via van): 130php ea
Naval to Kawayan Port: 250php (via habal-habal), 300php (via trike)
Kawayan to Sambawan (via private boat): 2500php per way (size of boat depends on number of guests)

ACCOMMODATION

Sambawan Island
- Island Cottage House: 1500php per night (up to 6 pax), 2500php per night (up to 15 pax)
- Beach Hut: 500php per day
- Big Cottage: 1000php per day
- Tent Rental: 300php per day
- Pitching Fee (own tent): 100php per day
Biliran Garden Resort (Naval)
- 1500php per night (depending on number of pax)
- Extra person/bed: 250php per night

OTHER FEES

Sambawan Island Environmental Fee: 100php
Higatangan Island Entrance: 20php per each, 50php per boat
Other beach maintenance fees: 20php each



MEALS (paluto)

The recommended way is to buy fresh fish/meat at Naval Port and place in an ice box before going to Sambawan Island. At Sambawan, you could either cook them yourselves or ask the divers here to cook them for you and just pay them around 100-150php per meal. They actually won’t charge you any but of course, they use their own coal/gas/stove so have a heart and give them something in return 🙂

ACTIVITIES

Scuba Dive: 3000php/person (intro)
Kayak: 300php
Biliran Tour (via trike): 1300php w/c include Bagongbong/Ulan-Ulan/Tinago/Recolletos Falls and Mainit Hotspring
Free Diving: FREE
Happiness and Tranquility: FREE

TOURING BILIRAN

And just like the old days, let the pictures do the talking. There’s more to it than what’s in here so don’t be scared to explore and hop to an unknown journey. Below are just some of the random photos I picked for content but it’s a blunder if I say it’s only this beautiful!