Kalanggaman
The island of Kalanggaman is one of the many natural treasures of the Philippines and is considered a unique pearl in the Visayas region. It is located in the Palompon area of the Leyte province. Even though the island is geographically located near Leyte, the boat ride from Malapascua Island to Kalanggaman takes only about an hour and a half to two hours.
The island’s length is only 753 meters, and it is uninhabited. There are no private resorts on the island, so if you plan to stay overnight, you can rent a tent for about 300 Philippine Pesos per night for four people or 250 Philippine Pesos per night for two people (prices may vary). There are also small wooden cabins inspired by Scandinavian design.
To preserve the beauty of the place, the local tourism office allows a maximum of 500 tourists to enter the island per day. There are no restaurants on Kalanggaman Island, but you can buy fresh seafood from local fishermen and grill it in designated areas with seating arrangements.
If you want to enjoy the beauty of this paradise, avoid visiting during the rainy season, which typically falls between July and September. The best time to visit the island is during the summer season, from February to May, but you can also explore it from October to June. During the summer months, the beach is usually crowded, especially during national holidays, long weekends, and Holy Week. In addition to swimming, there are other beach activities available on the island, such as kayaking, deep-sea diving, water biking, snorkeling, and camping.
Tourist Guide to Kalanggaman Island:
Kalanggaman Island is a fantastic beach destination located under the jurisdiction of Palompon municipality in the province of Leyte. The island is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, powdery white sand, and long sandbars stretching from both sides of the island. The beach is calm, safe, and serene, making it suitable for family vacations or short weekend getaways.
In 2013, Kalanggaman Island gained international exposure when the MS Europa cruise ship anchored near the island, bringing nearly 400 passengers who stayed on the island for several hours.
The island is just 753 meters long and remains uninhabited. There are no private resorts on the island, but camping overnight is definitely possible. In order to preserve the island’s beauty, the local tourism office allows a maximum of 500 tourists per day.
To provide convenience, amenities, and safety to tourists, the local authorities have built the main facilities and established a tourist police presence on the island.
If you want to spend a weekend on a magical island with a unique view, come to Kalanggaman.
What to do in Kalanggaman Island:
Of course, the hottest recommendation for staying on the island is to relax, unwind, and lounge on the soft, white sand. Take a dip in the crystal-clear waters whenever you feel like it. Stroll along the shoreline, collect seashells, observe the shy crabs of various sizes, and be amazed by Mother Nature’s artistry.
You can also go snorkeling, but to do so, you’ll need to plan ahead if you don’t have your own snorkeling gear. For those of you who are experienced divers, you can enjoy a fantastic diving experience with a variety of soft and hard corals and a wide selection of fish. Here, you can encounter whale sharks and regular sharks.
Additionally, you can kayak if they are available, although we cannot guarantee their availability in advance.
The structure of Kalanggaman Island
Oh, what a tiny island, only 753 meters long! You can circumnavigate it in about an hour. On one side of the island, there’s a sandy area, an extended stretch of perfect white sand, full of tiny seashells, and on the other side, the waves collide with each other and break along the shoreline.
This unique place on the island is a sight you won’t find anywhere else. It’s the perfect spot to take a leisurely walk, relax on the beach, or share a romantic moment with your loved one—or whatever else you desire to do.
How to get to the island.
From Manila: Arrival with daily flights to the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc.
From Cebu: Take a ferry to the island, or to the city of Ormoc in the province of Leyte, or drive to the city of Bogo and continue by ferry to Palompon, or directly to Kalnggaman Island. There are sea routes on the Cebu – Palompon route operated by Super Shuttle Ferry from Pier 8, the private terminal at the northern end of the harbor.
From Malapascua Island: A boat ride of one and a half to two hours to the island.
From the city of Tacloban: It is possible to reach Palompon with a three-hour drive from Tacloban. From Palompon in Leyte, Kalanggaman Island is located about an hour’s boat ride on a regular boat or a 39-second boat ride on a fast boat.
Important Notes:
When you arrive in Palompon, you must register at the first office of Palompon Ecotours. The office is located across from Liberty Park, next to the Palompon City Hall.
The best time to visit Kalanggaman Island:
The best time to visit the island is during the summer season, between the months of February to May. However, you can also visit the island between October and June. Avoid the rainy season and the typhoon season, which occurs between July and September.
If you don’t enjoy crowded beaches, it’s best to avoid visiting the island during the summer, national holidays, the Holy Week, and long weekends.
Places to eat.
There are no restaurants on Kalanggaman Island, but you can purchase fresh catches from the local fishermen. There are also stalls for cooking over open flames and wooden tables available for tourists.
Here are some travel tips:
- Early Departure: It’s recommended to take the boat to the island at 6 in the morning for a peaceful and calm sea journey.
- Accommodations: There are no organized hotels or lodging places on the island, but you can bring a tent if you wish to camp on the island. There are also cottages and cabins available.
- Food: Tourists are allowed to bring their own food.
- Avoid Midday Travel: Avoid sailing between 12 PM and 3 PM if you want to avoid rough seas.
- Facilities: There are clean restrooms and showers on the island, but availability may vary depending on the number of visitors.
- Bring Drinking Water: Bring enough drinking water, as there is no drinking water available on the island.
- Portable Chargers: Bring portable chargers for gadgets and mobile devices, as there is no electricity on the island.
- Cellular Reception: Smart has the strongest cellular reception for mobile phones on the island.
- Responsible Travel: Be a responsible traveler; take your trash back to the mainland and do not leave it on Kelngman Island.
These tips should help you have a safe and enjoyable visit to the island.
Here are some tips for photographers:
Remember that it is recommended to arrive on the island between 8 to 10 in the morning if you want to capture truly stunning and worthwhile photos of the beach’s shoreline and beautiful sand strips. The early morning sun provides the perfect amount of light for photography.
5 Insights About Kalanggaman Island
Kalanggaman Island is characterized by clean beaches free of corals, clear skies, and lively waters. Gradually, a stunning image forms in our minds of what this tropical paradise can offer us, along with subtle and unique elements on the island that a picture cannot convey to the observer.
The local name “Kalanggaman” means “feathery creature” and it is so named because the shape of the island resembles a flying creature when viewed from above. I have been to the island several times, yet I have not experienced all that it has to offer. There are numerous opportunities to explore the place, from its plants and wildlife to the winged inhabitants on the island and its surroundings. The small island, with a length of 753 meters, only offers a quarter of it for visitors.
- The Hidden Side of the Skies
The image we envision of Kalanggaman Island includes a beautiful and serene white beach, accompanied by coral reefs and corals that are best left untouched. However, do not despair, as on the left half of the island, you can find another beach strip with white sand that rivals the beauty of those in Boracay and Antulang. You can enjoy a pleasant walk on this charming beach and be amazed by its beauty.
- A Secluded and Long Sandbox on the Other Side of the Island
In the middle of nowhere, the more untamed side of the island awaits. Here, you can enjoy the extraordinary sight of the white and pleasant sand. As one of the locals told me, in the past, this was a much larger beach strip until it was affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Today, only a relatively small strip of white sandy beach remains.
- Sometimes the Island Turns Pink
There is a phenomenon known as the “Pink Beach” on Kalanggaman Island. I have encountered this phenomenon many times in the Philippines. This happens when a specific type of red coral called the red fan coral comes close to the shoreline. This coral is very sturdy and can leave behind pink pieces. When these pink pieces mix with the white sand, it creates a pinkish hue on the beach. One of the employees at the travel agency I visited told me that Kalanggaman Island turns pink during specific times of the year, usually during the rainy season.
There is no way to fully explain this phenomenon, as other pink beaches in the Philippines remain pink throughout the year.
Final conclusion:
The experience of visiting and staying on Kalanggaman Island is truly unforgettable, a pristine and untouched island. Staying under the moon and stars that lit up the night was magical. Yes, there is no electricity on the island, so the source of light comes from the sky, and if you want, you can even make a bonfire. I brought a portable charger as a backup for my cameras and phones. The beach patrol on the island had solar energy storage equipment, and the people there were quite friendly and willing to help you charge your phone if needed. Would I go back to the island if given the opportunity? Absolutely, I would love to. It’s undoubtedly one of the best experiences of my life.