Kalanggaman Island, Leyte | Palompon’s Sweetest Slice of Paradise
Palompon, Leyte: Kalanggaman Island is probably one of Leyte’s best-kept secrets because of its crystal clear waters, white powdery sand, and one of the country’s longest sandbars stretching from the tip of this 750-meter-long pristine island.
Slice of Paradise
As the island got close by, I can barely hide my excitement. I have been seeing this island for many years on my social media feed, then at this exact moment, it is now right in front of my eyes. This perfectly reminds me of a paradise often seen in postcards.
This island off the coast of Palompon in Leyte gained fame in recent years because of its very long sandbar that will surely captivate anyone seeing it for the first time!
It was a little crowded when I visited Kalanggaman Island, the sandbar was already submerged underwater due to the rising tide at around 08:00 am. Moreover, what I liked about the island is that it somehow maintained its beauty of it, it is still devoid of luxury trappings.
At first, I thought it was named Kalanggaman for its white sugar-like sands, but for the Warays, it means something else. Certainly, Langgam translates to Bird in Waray since it is shaped like a bird from above.
Almost Devoid of the Trappings of Commercialization
There are no big resorts on the island and I even used salt water to rinse off in one of the restrooms in there. Additionally, the tourism office only allows 500 people per day as it is the island’s maximum carrying capacity.
There is only one resort, the Jeter Resort which offers Teepee Huts if you want to spend the night. There are also basic facilities you can use during your stay.
As it is beautiful above, so is underneath the island. Kalanggaman houses a marine sanctuary that hosts diverse marine life from fishes up to the large colorful corals. Also, this is a famous dive spot for divers coming from Malapascua in Cebu.
How to Get There
- Kalanggaman Island is located in the town of Palompon in the province of Leyte.
- 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 Robinson’s North Tacloban and proceed to the Tacloban New Transport Terminal
- Take any Palompon-bound vans, or if you happen to miss those vans, then ride any Ormoc-bound vans and ask to be dropped off in Libungao Crossing in Kananga. (200php/pax, 2 hours travel time)
- From Libungao Crossing, wait for any buses bound for Palompon. (100php/pax, 1 hour travel time)
- Kalanggaman Island Rates and Fees as of September 2022:
-
- Entrance/Conservation Fees
| Day Tour | Overnight Rate | |
| Palompon Tourist | 50 | 75 |
| Student Rate (Palompon Based) | 20 | 30 |
| Senior Citizen (Palompon Based) |
Free | Free |
-
- Boat Rates
| Day Tour | Overnight Rate | |
| 1-20 pax | 4500 | 5000 |
| 21-25 pax | 5000 | 5500 |
| 26-30 pax | 5500 | 6000 |
| 31-35 pax | 6000 | 6500 |
-
- Cottage Rates
- Small – 300php
- Medium – 500php
- Large – 800php
- Cottage Rates
- Reservation of Slots
- Palompon Tourism Office strictly limits the number of tourists visiting as to not overload the carrying capacity of the island, only 500 per day.
- Palompon Tourism Office Contact Numbers
- (053)555-9737
- 0912 571 4961 – Smart/TNT
- 0936 949 3871 – Globe/TM
- Booking in advance is mandatory to get a slot, walk-ins are not allowed
- As a solo traveler, getting a slot with Palompon Tourism Office was the WORST one I’ve ever experienced in all of my travels here in the country.
- They DO NOT RESPOND to any of my calls and messages on their reservation hotlines.
- They have an online reservation system where you will be given a QR Code then you will be asked to wait for a day for the confirmation email – CONFIRMATION EMAIL NEVER CAME.
- There were no tourism officers in sight on my day of the scheduled departure, or it just so happened that they looked like just one of the tourists
- Even tour organizers were asking me that if I want to join their tour, I should reserve my own slot first with the tourism. Wow
- Tour Guide: I was able to contact a local who said he could get me a slot and prepare for everything I will be needing for a day trip without asking for a down payment. I paid 1,850php for the trip including food, chairs, and table.
- You can contact Kuya Clifford at 09168782106 or 09059330954
- Soap, shampoo, and detergent are strictly prohibited on the island. You can wash with freshwater, but for a fee.
- The sandbars of Kalanggaman Island are beyond spectacular, but exercise caution as they are prone to deadly riptides
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 the trek
1100 Ginduyanan Cove
1200 Back at the 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
- Palompon lodge, Palompon, Philippines
Extend Your Trip
- Hernani, Eastern Samar | Unfazed by the Giant Pacific Waves
- Sambawan Island, Biliran| Unravelling Maripipi’s Paradise
- Ulan-Ulan Falls, Biliran | Almeria’s Misty Cascade
Kalanggaman Island, Leyte | Palompon’s Sweetest Slice of Paradise
Updated September 15, 2022
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