I never thought that a place named Kalanggaman Island exists. Not until my friend Tatz posted some photos of the place in her Multiply in 2009. To my surprise, the island is part of Palompon in Leyte, the hometown of my mom. When I learned of it, I quickly approached my mom and asked if she knows Kalanggaman Island. She answered positively in Cebuano, “atbang sa Palompon” or off the coast of Palompon. Wow!
I excitedly Googled it and found some interesting articles and stories of the place – the contrasting shore of the island from mainland Palompon, the legal battles, ownership issues, the funny folklore, the mapping issue (since it is not in the Philippine map yet), coupled with some low resolution images. Very few are the high resolution images of Kalanggaman Island like those posted by Tatz, nevertheless I was already hooked. I promised my self to visit the place one day.
The day came when my dive buddy Ate Claudia and I went to Malapascua Island for a dive trip in 2010. Kalanggaman Island is one of the sites that dive operators in Malapascua frequent, so we requested to schedule a trip there. We were so excited since we both dreamed to visit the place.
Going there from Malapascua is a two hour boat trip as part of the dive package. The package is P1000 per dive for locals, exclusive of the gears and equipments. But they require to have at least eight divers in a boat for a Kalanggaman Island dive trip. If you are coming from Leyte, the island is approximately an hour boat ride from Palompon. There is no public transportation going to the island so you need to hire a boat going there, rate ranges from P3,000-P4,000 per boat.
The place is declared as marine sanctuary in 2009, an environmental fee is collected for every visitor going there (except for residents of Palompon). The fee goes to the Municipal Office of Palompon for maintenance and protection of the island.
From afar, one will already notice the two white sandbars on both end of the island. As the sunlight touches its sand, the island shines like a pearl – so beautiful, so tempting. The clear turquoise water surrounding the island is so inviting, that you will want to quickly get off your boat to experience the paradise that is Kalanggaman.
The island is flat and surrounded by white sand with some rocky part. The eastern and western tips are sandbars that blend well with the color of the water. Dwarf coconut trees are scattered in the center, while rich and colorful marine life is resting underneath, unexploited. There’s no resort or hotel in the area but campers are welcome.
This is not the only island of this kind in the country, and this may not be as beautiful as Calaguas or as famous as Caramoan, El Nido or Boracay, but it has distinct charm and I have different connection to the place. Indeed, Kalanggaman is Leyte’s hidden gem.
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.
Via Leyte
Make your way to Ormoc City or Tacloban City in Leyte.
From Tacloban, catch a van to Palompon. Van leaves every hour from downtown, travel time is around three hours and fare is P160. Meanwhile, from Ormoc, you may catch a local bus or van to Palmpon 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.
Via Cebu
There are boats in the town Bogo that are accredited to transport tourists to Kalanggaman Island. Going there from Cebu City, catch a bus to Bogo and proceed to Bantay Dagat near Siocon Elementary School to charter a boat to Kalanggaman Island.
Entrance and Conservation Fee
Foreign guests are required to pay P500.00 for a day tour and P750.00 for overnight. Meanwhile, Filipino guests are charged P150.00 for a day tour and P225.00 for overnight. Discounts are given to students, senior citizens and PWD. Fee is waved for Palompon residents.
For inquiries and reservation, contact Palompon Eco-Tourism Office at +63-053-5559731, +639268164005, +639268164007 or +639985551421.
*First Publication 23-April-2010; Updated 20-August-2017
gud pm we are going to the place on oct 12 overnight, how well go there coming from Hilongos Leyte. we are 5pax, is this for the 2000 boat ride , is this round trip. thanks
Hi! Pupunta po kameng Kalanggaman Island this coming June 15 – daytrip. 2 pax lang kame, baka meron po sa inyo na same sched at pwede namen masabayan para makahati sa rent ng bangka. Thanks! 🙂
May problem po ako. May scheduled flight po ako sa cebu sa June po. and i plan on visiting this dreamy island. but the problem is ung rate ng boat papunta dun mxadong mhAL since family LNG nmn po kmi ang magbabakasyon po. I already called their office in the island Pero dapat ung private n mayari ng boat ang kausapin if pde makisabay nlng sa ibang grupo ng boat n pupunta dun at pablik din makikisabay. please help po. thanks and Godbless
Where exactly in Cebu are you coming from?
Mag inquire lang po yong 3000 ba ilang tao po ba yon? magkano naman po ang cottage don sa island? Gusto po kasi namin mag adventure ng mga kaopisina ko sa island. Sana po ay mabigyan nyo po kmi ng kasagutan. Salamat!
What services are offered there in kalanggaman island?
Hello! Do u have overnite cottage available? How much / nite?
hi!hindi bha dili kado ang place na to..mai ibang tao or mga taong nag babantay sa place na to…kasi my friends and i
decided to visit this island this coming april….then sabi then kasi nang mga friends ko wala nga daw kuryente
hi good morning.. this is francis angelo w. nolasco of cebu .. mga firedancer mi sa cebu ni guest mi in this island.. its a very nice place .. Jamaican Nights presents…, BIKINI OPEN nov 2 2012 we present are talent on that night. but suddenly pag uli namo na bilin among poi,, poi is the thing that we use doing fire dance.. very busy ang mga people so wala na mi ka balik bcoz daghan pa silag activity .. but na radiohan sa iland na nabilin ang poi and confirm na naa jud didto ,, hope keep lang sa kai balikan na namo kai kana rasad among paninga buhi.. tnx a lot. pls contact us 09225301761
I have been to Leyte but haven’t explored this gem. Can’t wait to go there.
Why is that boat is very expensive? is there any boat is good for 3-5 people? 3000 for 15 people is too much if you are only 5 people to ride…. Any tent for rent in the island? I’m planning to visit this year. I need more detailed information. How to go to palompon if i came from tacloban city? how many hours will take tacloban to palompon?
thank you
Tacloban to Palompon i think around 200 pesos.more than 2 hours of travel from Tac to Palompon.Walang ibang boat for hire going to Kalanggama,n.3000 talaga ang bayad regardless sa number.Project yan ng LGU Palompon.Meron tent for rent for overnight di ko lang alam kong magkano kasi ng pumunta kami don di naman kami nag tent.
why they dont just provide a regular trip schedule going to that island., and they will just rate a fare per person., I think that is much better for those who want to go there with a nmbr of two or three, than to rent a boat.,
hay.. sayang. ako lang magisa. hirap sa budget ng bangka
Hi!
Can you tell me if there are any smaller boats from Palompon for cheaper? There is only 3 of us.
Also is there a place to get supplies in Palompon? Like food and water?
Thanks
ang bangka dito sa palompon ay malalaki kapag pupunta ka sa kalanggaman dapatmag bigay pahintulot ka sa municipal mayor dun ka sa kanya babayad meron namang mabibili na pag kain dito sa palompon peru hindi sa kalanggaman kung gusto mo ikaw nalang ang magdala nang pagkain mo kasi wla ka talagang ma bibili sa kalanggaman kung di kaya pag dating mo sa palompon doon ka nalan bibili ng pagkain……
paki email naman ako kung magkano ang price package pagpicnic sa kalanggaman island.
Hi,
Is it possible in Kalanggaman Island for a Private Camping?
Very late reply..Possible, I guess but you need to ask permission from the office of the mayor so they would be aware.
3000 = 15 persons
3500 = 25 persons
4000 = 30 persons
balikan na ba ito nga rate?
Yes 🙂
By the way, how many minutes by boat to reach Kalanggaman Island from Palompon?
About an hour esp kung maganda ang weather.
I’m just so amazed with the beauty of this island “Kalanggaman” I hope someday I could visit this place.
Hi, have you seen the Island??
I have been there once in July 2003 but I saw the island everyday from my father’s home near the pier of Palompon.
Ask lang po if the 800 pesos po ba na boat ilang tao po ang kasya?
Hi, nakapunta ka na ba sa kalanggaman island?
hello po… mag kano rent sa boat papunta sa kalanggaman island good for 2 persons.. meron poba cheaper price lang .. thanks..
fixed yung price nila dun sa boat kasi under sya ng tourism ng Palompon. isang size lang yung boat na available nila.
ask lang po if ung 800 po ba na boat ilang tao po ba ang kasya?
As of September last year, isang size lang ng boat ang meron sila at lahat yun ay under ng tourism ng Palompon, that is 3,000 pesos, I think it can accomodate up to 15 pax siguro. better kung tumawag ka na lang mismo sa tourism ng Palompon.
i see ok.. back & forth 3000 pesos price stay for over night then uuwi kinabukasan