Off the coast of the town of Palompon in Leyte is Kalanggaman Island, a rising destination in Eastern Visayas. This travel guide provides all the necessary information to help you plan your visit to the island. Necessary information such as travel requirements, getting there, accommodations, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more are provided to make your visit to Kalanggaman Island hassle free.

Kalanggaman Island Travel Requirements

Kalanggaman Island used to be unknown and unmapped when I first set foot in the island in 2010. It was tagged as enchanted and mystical by the locals, a place they didn’t want to visit. But in the recent years, the island made it to the list of most sought after beach destinations in the country, putting the town of Palompon in the tourism map of the Philippines.

Approximately 750 meters long, Kalanggaman Island is small uninhabited island off the coast of the town of Palompon in the Province of Leyte. It is blessed with long stretches of white sandbar on both end. It is a popular dive site for those based in Malapascua Island of Cebu, declared as marine sanctuary in 2009.

Kalanggaman Island is flat and surrounded with white sand made from crushed corals. The eastern and western tips are sandbars that blend well with the azure water. During broad daylight, the sandbars shine like a pearl… beautifully inviting!

It is not the only island of this kind in the country, but Kalanggaman Island has distinct charm that sets it apart from the others. Come and experience Kalanggaman Island, Leyte’s shining jewel.

How to Go to Kalanggaman Island

If you are not on a dive trip from Malapascua, you can visit Kalanggaman Island via Leyte and Cebu.

Kalanggaman Island Via Leyte

Make your way to Tacloban City, Ormoc City or Palompon in Leyte. Philippines Airlines, Air Asia and Cebu Pacific fly to Tacloban City daily from Manila, Clark, Cebu and Davao.

From Tacloban, numerous vans leave almost every hour from downtown to Palompon, travel time is around three hours and fare is P160. You can book your public van seat from Tacloban to Palompon and vice versa below.

BOOK YOUR VAN SEAT FROM TACLOBAN TO PALOMPON

Meanwhile, from Ormoc, you may catch a local bus or van to Palompon for two-hour travel time, van fare is P120.

In Palompon, proceed to the Palompon Tourism Office and charter a pump boat to Kalanggaman Island thru the Ecotours Office. Boat rate is P3,000 for maximum of 15 passengers, P3,500 for maximum of 25 passengers and P4,000 for maximum of 30 passengers.

Kalanggaman Island via Cebu

Cebu/Bogo to Palompon

There are ferries from Cebu City and Bogo going to Palompon. You can book your ferry from Cebu to Palompon and vice versa below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CEBU TO PALOMPON

Cebu to Ormoc to Palompon

You may also catch a fast craft from Cebu to Ormoc with numerous departures daily. Then catch a local bus or van to Palompon for two-hour travel time, van fare is P120.

You can book your ferry from Cebu to Ormoc and vice versa below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CEBU TO ORMOC

Bogo to Kalanggaman (Chartered Boat)

Alternatively, you may charter a boat directly from Bogo to Kalanggaman Island.

Going to Bogo from Cebu City, catch a bus to Bogo and proceed to Bantay Dagat near Siocon Elementary School to charter a boat to Kalanggaman Island.

Where to Stay in Kalanggaman Island

There is no commercial accommodation in Kalanggaman Island but you can pitch a tent there and stay overnight. Tourists may opt to stay in hotels or lodges in the town of Palompon or Bogo City, Cebu.

Accommodations in Palompon

Palompon Sugar Inn San Isidro, Palompon Starts at 500 PHP BOOK NOW

Sergi’s Resort & Hotel Sabang, Palompon Starts at 1,000 PHP BOOK NOW

Accommodations in Bogo

What to Do in Kalanggaman Island

• Scuba diving, free-diving or snorkeling
• Beach bumming
• Camping
• Beach sports: volleyball, frisbee
• See the other attractions of Palompon: Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary, Lantaw Palompon, Masaba Falls
• Explore Tacloban, Biliran, Ormoc or Southern Leyte
• Check out Northern Cebu: Medellin, Bantayan or Malapascua

Sample Itinerary in Kalanggaman Island

3D/2N Biliran – Kalanggaman Itinerary

Day 1: Chasing Waterfalls in Biliran Island
– Arrival in Tacloban
– Proceed to Biliran
– Waterfall Chasing: Bagongbong Falls, Ulan Ulan Falls, Recoletos Falls & Tinago Falls
Day 2: Higatangan, Dalutan & Sambawan Island
– Island Hopping: Higatangan, Dalutan & Sambawan Island
– Proceed to Tacloban
Day 3: Kalanggaman Island
– Proceed to Palompon
– Kalanggaman Island Day Tour

Rates, Entrance Fee, Tips and Other Information

• Kalanggaman Island Entrance and Conservation Fee:

  • Foreign guests: P500 – day tour | P750 overnight.
  • Filipino guests: P150- day tour | P225 – overnight
  • Discounts are given to students, senior citizens and PWD.
  • Fee is waved for Palompon residents.

• Private Pumpboat Fees

  • 15-Person Capacity: P 3,000/boat
  • 25-Person Capacity: P 3,500/boat
  • 30-Person Capacity: P 4,000/boat
  • 40-Person Capacity: P5,000/boat

• Kalanggaman Island Cottages

  • Small: P 250/cottage
  • Medium: P 500/cottage
  • Large: P 750/cottage

• Others

  • Tent:Rate: 300/night (4-person tent), 250/night (2-person tent) | Deposit: Valid ID + P200 (Redeemable)
  • Cut-off for day tour: 9 AM | For overnight: 10 AM
  • For inquiries and reservation, contact Palompon Eco-Tourism Office at +63-053-5559731, +639268164005, +639268164007 or +639985551421.
  • Best to go during summer or dry season: March to June
  • Mobile signal is available in the island
  • ATMs are available in Palompon and Bogo

*First Published: June 19, 2010 | Updates: October 2, 2015; August 10, 2017; March 18, 2018; March 19, 2019; February 18, 2020