Sambawan Island, Biliran| Unravelling Maripipi’s Paradise
Maripipi, Biliran: Sambawan Island is often overshadowed by the alluring islands of Kalanggaman and Digyo in Leyte, and is usually under the radar of tourists and travelers. But this unassuming yet charming island will leave you wanting more once you set foot on its shores!
Table of Contents
Paradise (Almost) Untouched
The island is located five kilometers from the west coast of Maripipi Town and south of the Samar Sea.
Sambawan is a small uninhabited island that is a series of small interconnecting landmasses that curves out into the open sea. This is then hugged by the turquoise waters teeming with marine life, on a normal day one might see some Thresher Sharks roaming around the shallow parts of the island.
Moreover, at the highest point of the island, a five-minute hike up on a concrete staircase is a watchtower that will give you a breathtaking panoramic view of the island.
If you spend the night, you will then be mesmerized by the sunrise and sunset on the rocky terrains of Sambawan carpeted in grass with the islands of Maripipi, Biliran, Masbate, Samar, and Leyte in the backdrop.
Sambawan Island is a declared marine sanctuary that is a haven for snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, or just camping out.
Isla De Panamao
Biliran is the fourth smallest province in the country composed of two islands -Biliran and Maripipi. To add, it was once called Isla De Panamao, and where the first large-scale shipyard that supports the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. At the turn of the 18th century, it was then named Biliran in reference to the native grass, “Borobiliran”, which grew in abundance on the island.
There is something about Biliran Island that makes me want to come back. Frankly, I enjoyed my stay here rather than my day tour on Kalanggaman Island.
Honestly speaking, the sand looks good in photos, but the shores are mostly made up of crushed white corals. Also, I didn’t mind it either since I had the beach all to myself that day, and I enjoyed my brief stay on this quiet unassuming island.
If you just want to unplug, get away from it all, and just live an authentic island life, then Sambawan might just be for you.
Something about its rawness, off-the-grid state, and it is hardly crowded at any time of the week, Sambawan Island is definitely Biliran’s best-kept secret.
How to Get There
- Sambawan Island is located in the town of Maripipi in the province of Biliran.
- From Tacloban City, the nearest commercial airport to Palompon is the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport or Tacloban Airport.
- Upon arrival in Tacloban City, transfer to any jeeps bound for San Jose Downtown (50php/pax) and ask the driver to drop you off at either Duptours or Grandtours Terminal
- Take any Naval-bound vans, or if you happen to miss those vans, then ride any Ormoc-bound vans and ask to be dropped off in Lemon Crossing. (120php/pax, 1.5-2 hours travel time)
- From Lemon Crossing, wait for any vans bound for Naval. (150php/pax, 1 hour travel time)
- Then from Naval, transfer to a passenger boat bound for Maripipi Island.
- The ferry departs at 10:30 am from Monday to Saturday and leaves the following day for Naval at 4:30 am
- From the Port of Maripipi, charter a habal-habal to the public beach of Brgy. Ol-og.
- At Maripipi Island, charter a boat for 1500 php roundtrip to Sambawan Island
- Sambawan Island Rates and Fees as of September 2022 (Biliran Tourism):
| Entrance Fee | Php 80+20 environmental fee |
| Cottage 1 Beach hut, sitting for 8pax | Php 500.00/day |
| Cottage 2 Lodging cottage for 12 – 15 pax | Php 2,500.00/day (3 beds, With T&B, Electric, Beddings, 200 l. Fresh Water Etc.) |
| Cottage 3 Lodging cottage for 2 – 6 pax | Php 1,500.00/day (2 beds, With T&B, Electric, Beddings, 100 l. Fresh Water Etc.) |
| Big Cottage | Php 1,000/day |
| Tent pitching fee | P 100/day (small tent) |
| Scuba Rental | P 2,500 |
| Bench & Table | P 300 |
| Mooring Fee or Docking Fee | P 50 – 300 |
| Kayak Rental | P 300 per hr |
- Biliran Tour Guide – if you’re looking for a hassle-free and convenient way to tour around the province without breaking the bank, you can hire Kuya Joery
- Joery Catigbe – 0905 699 4461 / Facebook Page
Itinerary and Expenses
This is part of my 3-Days Eastern Visayas Backpacking Adventure
Day 01
0510 Tacloban Airport
0530 Travel to San Jose Downtown 50php
0600 Duptours, van to Hernani, 380php
0900 Hernani, breakfast
0930 Tricycle to Canhugas
0940 Canhugas Nature Park 20php entrance
1030 Depart for Ginduyanan Cove
1045 Jumpoff Point, start trek
1100 Ginduyanan Cove
1200 Back at highway, wait for van
1245 Depart for Tacloban, 380php
1500 San Juanico Bridge
1545 Tricycle to Robinsons North, 150
1620 Depart for Libungao, Kananga, Leyte 200php
1830 Libungao, wait for Palompon bound shuttles
1900 Shuttle to Palompon 100php
2000 Palompon Tourist Inn 1000php
2130 Dinner
2230 lights off
Day 02
0500 Wake up, prepare
0630 Meet Guide, Clifford Kalanggaman Tara
0730 Depart for Kalanggaman Island 1850 joiners tour
0830 Free Time! Tiya Lydia
1400 Depart for Palompon Port
1315 Palompon Port, wait for van bound for Ormoc
1600 Depart for Libungao, Kananga 125php
1615 Van to Lemon, 70php
1710 Lemon, wait for van to Naval, Biliran
1730 Depart for Naval, 150php
1830 Naval, Biliran, check in at TJ Pensione 1000php
1930 Dinner at Port Area
2030 Back at Hotel
2200 Lights off
Day 03
0500 Wake-up call, breakfast
0630 Meet Guide, Joery Catigbe
0730 Kawayan Port, depart for Sambawan Island
0830 Sambawan Island, 100php
1030 Depart for Kawayan Port
1120 Kawayan Port
1230 Ulan Ulan Falls, 20php
1400 Depart for Naval
1430 Naval, Tidy up at TJ Pensione
1500 Van-Vans Terminal, 300php
1530 Depart for Tacloban
1815 Tacloban Airport
Where to Stay
- TJ Pensione
Extend Your Trip
- Hernani, Eastern Samar | Unfazed by the Giant Pacific Waves
- Kalanggaman Island, Leyte | Palompon’s Sweetest Slice of Paradise
- Ulan-Ulan Falls, Biliran | Almeria’s Misty Cascade
Sambawan Island, Biliran| Unravelling Maripipi’s Paradise
Updated September 16, 2022
Pingback: Kalanggaman Island, Leyte | Palompon’s Sweetest Slice of Paradise
Pingback: Ulan-Ulan Falls, Biliran | Almeria’s Misty Cascade