Canigao Island , Leyte is small island off the southeastern coast of Leyte is an inexpensive weekend get away for locals and tourists. Canigao is overlooked by most of the guide books but is easy enough to get to from Matalom. Pump boats ferry visitors back and forth in about 15 minutes between the mainland and Canigao for 450 pesos per round trip.
This enchanting cave is half submerged in water most of the time and accessible only during low tides. Inside is a lagoon with countless islets surrounded by crystal waters that sparkle with the bright reflection of the sun.
Calanggaman is a magnificent island with pure, powdery, white sand surrounded by blue crystalline waters. One of the many islands in the Philippines with the whitest sand you’ve ever seen. It is a part of Tinaliban village in Palompon town of Leyte, the main island located next to Cebu. It is about one hour ride by boat either from Palompon orVillaba, Leyte.
Spanning a mere 9.82 hectares of pure white sand, Calanggaman Island has two sand bars extending on each side like a bird’s wings. It is perhaps named because of its shape– calanggaman comes from the root word langgam, a Cebuano term for bird and the word calanggaman denotes a place for birds or with birds. Another reason for naming such is that it can be a seasonal habitat for migratory birds or bird sanctuary at one time or another.
The island periphery is full of corals and fishes. It has a reef top at 10 meters and a drop off to more than 200 meters where underwater exploration begins. Visibility can reach 30 meters, offering an amazing underwater wonder world for divers to admire. Diving here is exceptional, as the visibility is good and the underwater life is plentiful.
The island is perfect for adventurers such as campers and divers and of course to beach lovers!
Cagsawa Ruin in 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted and sent lava flows cascading down its sides. The townspeople of Cagsawa fled to the church where they perished when it was engulfed in the fiery flows. Today, only the church tower remains as a memorial.
Caramoan Island was legally adopted in 1619, when it was discovered by Spanish missionaries. These Franciscan zealots explored through the dense forest and discovered a small town known as Baluarte. Baluarte was eventually handed over to the Spanish government. The annals of Philippine history shows that the original name of the island was Guta de Leche, which was given by the Dutch traders who were there for gold mining. Gold mines existed even before the official history of the country was written about Caramoan Island. Legend has it that these underground mazes were the ancient mines of the biblical King Solomon, during his explorers’ conquest of Asia. The name Guta de Leche is thought to be derived from the milkdrop stalagmites found in the rocks of Guta Port. The Spaniards, however, renamed Guta de Leche to “Carahan”. It was named Carahan because of the abundance of the sea turtles along the shores of the peninsula. Nowadays, the once humble and legendary Caramoan Island is a scene of breathtaking sunsets, unbelievably white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and the most amazing underwater sea explorations. The island is moderately established with hotels and resorts to provide the most comfortable experience for every adventurer.
Caluwayan Palm Island Resort & Restaurant is an ideal eco-tourism oriented resort designed to fit as an perfect alternative place of relaxation in Marabut, Western Samar, being surrounded by a breath taking view of towering rock islands and islets with secluded coves and coral gardens, truly a paradise for scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, sailing, swimming, sun-bathing or simply lazing on the beach enjoying the view of the beautiful seascape of the bay. Bistro Bar Caluwayan Palm Island Resort and Restaurant is located in Barangay Calawayan, Marabut, Samar was opened on November 2005. The resort offers possibilites for idland hopping, rock climbing, other aqua sports activities and sightseeing. To accomodate the guests who want to have an overnight stay, yhe resort has two open cottages, and four beach villas to choose, at different prices according to the level of standard of sccommodation. To meet the increasing demand of tourists, the Caluwayan Palm Island Resort & Restarant plans to expand. This includes the construction of a swimming pool, a function hall and apartments for seminars & conferences, and water bungalows.
The San Juanico Golf and Coutry Club has a 30-room hotel with breathtaking views of verdant, rolling hills and the engineering marvel that is San Juanico Bridge is now open for guests and golfing enthusiasts.
Marabut Marine Park and Beach Resort is a satellite resort of the Leyte Park Resort Hotel. The marine park is a jewel in the sun and sand of the charming San Pedro Bay. The marine park boasts of towering rock islets with secluded beach coves. Day excursions are also organized from the Leyte Park on board the various sea crafts like tourist pump boats. Tacloban to marine Marabut park it take 55 mints ride by land.
Built over the narrow San Juanico strait, the San Juanico Bridge–which is 2.16 kilometers long–still holds the record as the longest bridge in the Philippines. The bridge connects Tacloban City on the Leyte side and the town of Sta. Rita on the Samar side. It crosses the San Juanico strait, reportedly the world’s narrowest since it’s only two kilometers wide at its most narrow point. Constructed in 1973 during the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, the bridge is supported by 43 spans that rise 41 meters above the sea. The views from the bridge are fantastic and include the islets near the bridge as well as the strait’s thousand whirlpools. The 34-year-old steel structure is just 10 minutes away from the Tacloban City center. It is accessible by jeepney, bus, motorcycle, or private vehicle. There are daily flights from Manila to Tacloban City. From Cebu, the best way to get to Tacloban would be to ride on a fast boat, such as the Supercat fast craft, to Ormoc City and then take a van for hire from Ormoc to Tacloban, which is about two to three hours away. The vans for hire are parked at the Ormoc City pier. Van fare was only 110 pesos during our visit in April 2006.
A Tale of Paradoxes in Paradise 