Our province, Biliran, is a home to many beautiful and famous islands and one of them is Sambawan Island. It is an isolated island which mainly serves as a tourist attraction spot of Maripipi.
It is a marine sanctuary and a popular dive site thus you could witness beautiful corals and variety of fish. It has a rocky terrain covered with grass and trees are planted by the shore that makes the place feel cool even under an extremely hot weather. Its white sand and warm blue waters is very inviting. That is the reason why many people call it a paradise.
HOW TO GET THERE?
You have to ride a motorboat.It is advised to arrange for a motorboat a day or couple of days before going to the island. You can depart from Kawayan port and the travel usually takes approximately 45 minutes. It is best to travel early in the morning while the sea is calm and of course when the weather is fine. You can arrange with the boat operator with regards to the time when you would want to go back or if you wanted to be fetched the next day.
WHAT TO BRING?
It is advisable to bring your own food and and drinking water as the goods in the island are limited and expensive. If you want to cook, it is best to bring all the ingredients even simple condiments. You can bring gadgets or electronics but make sure to secure them with plastics during the boat travel just in case of emergency.
UPON ARRIVING AT THE ISLAND
There is a cottage where you have to pay an entrance fee which costs 125.00 per person and and other fees like if you would want to avail a cottage, a table or an accomodation for overnight stay. It is fine if you would not want to avail any like if you would just want to set a mat or a tent on the sand if you do not plan of staying for too long.
After paying for the entrance, you can proceed by passing through the narrow path built by the rocks and fenced with a net for safety purposes.
BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES
At the end of the narrow path, you will get to see the spacious area, cottages, trees and the white sand.
One of the best experience is climbing the concrete stairs and at the top you will find a cottage or what they call the "watchtower". From there you can see the whole island in 360 degree angle. This offers the best view as you can see the mountains and the crystal blue waters from above. Though, it is advisable to climb the peak early in the morning compared at noon which is too hot.
There is also a lot to do in the island like kayaking, diving and overnight camping in tents. There is also abundant water for washing dishes, cooking and grilling area. There is also a mobile reception so it also best for online workers who would want to work in a very relaxing place.
This is my second time visiting the place but I would always love to go back. There is really a lot to enjoy, many different angles to take pictures of that you would feel the time is not enough.
So if you get to visit Biliran, I highly recommend this must to go spot.
Photos are mine and edited with canva