The Mystifying SAMBAWAN Island

 The Picturesque View of the Sambawan Island

The essence of existence is to have a first hand experience with nature and savoring it.

WHERE IS SAMBAWAN ISLAND LOCATED?

The mystifying island, Sambawan, is located on the northwestern part of Biliran Island and is an adjunct to the smallest town of Biliran, which is the Maripipi Island. 

For a volcanic island which is classified as potentially active, Maripipi island has had no recorded eruptions in the past.

TRIVIA 

• Isla de Panamao - the old name of Biliran during the early Spanish Era 
• Biliran came from the Cebuano word, "Bilir," which means a corner or edge of a boat or anything protruding 
• In the 17th century, Biliran was a site of the first large-scale shipyard

HOW TO GET THERE

From Cebu

By Plane

Via Ormoc

Cebu Pacific offers one flight daily, direct from Cebu to Ormoc City in Leyte. 

Upon arrival in Ormoc Airport, one can go to the Ormoc City Bus Terminal to take a van or v-hire going to Naval, Biliran. The fare ranges from 130 - 150 pesos, which usually takes about two hours.

Via Tacloban

Philipine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offers three or more flights per day, direct from Cebu to Tacloban City in Leyte. 

Upon arrival in Tacloban Airport, one can go to the Tacloban City Bus Terminal to take a bus or directly ride a passenger van or v-hire going to Naval, Biliran. The fare ranges from 100 - 130 pesos, about two and a half hour.

By Boat

Via Naval

Roble Shipping Lines has direct trips to Naval from Cebu City Port every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30pm and back to Cebu at 8:30Pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 

Via Ormoc

Upon arrival at the Ormoc Port, one can immediately see the bus/passenger van terminal upon exiting the said port. From there, one can take a van or v-hire going to Naval, Biliran. 

From Manila

Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines has four or more direct flights daily from Manila to Tacloban City.

From Naval

Alight from the Naval Bus or Passenger Van Terminal and look for a place to stay since going to Maripipi Island would entail a morning trip at 10:00am and 11:00am everyday, except Sundays. 

From the Naval Port, one can take the Brian Claire Express, Ma. Lourdes or the Viga Express Boat, which would take about one hour and 30 minutes for 60 pesos.

Boats from Naval to Maripipi Island

On the way to Maripipi Island, one would be able to pass by few of the emerald jewels or small islets and if you're lucky enough, you would be able to witness schools of fish swimming by.

The Emerald Jewels of Biliran

Once you arrive in Maripipi Island Port, a number of passenger motorcycles or locally known as "habal-habal," would queue up. One can choose to ride these precarious means of transport to take you to Barangay Ol-og. If you took the Brian Claire Express boat, they usually offer free trips to Barangay Ol-og, utilizing a huge army truck.

As you alight in Barangay Ol-og, one would be taken to this rocky shoreline and you can already breathe the sea breeze coming from the mystifying island of Sambawan. One can already see the tiny island from the shoreline where you can ask a boatman to take you there for 500 pesos, good for four persons. It would take 20-30 minutes from Barangay Ol-og, Maripipi Island to Sambawan Island, just brace yourselves for the waves.

An alternative route is to charter a boat direct from Kawayan, Biliran to Sambawan Island which could cost you around 3,000 to 4,000 pesos.

The Miniscule Bangka taking us from Barangay Ol-og to Sambawan Island

The boat from Maripipi back to Naval, Biliran leaves early at around 4:30am, should you wish to take the Brian Claire Express, they will pick you up from Barangay Ol-og and be sure to get the contact number of Kuya Brian (the owner of the boat) so that they can accommodate you: +63916-406-1666 or +63936-699-2136. He can also recommend a cheaper bangka that can take you to Sambawan Island and vice versa. 

Maayong Pag-abot!

The Island Will Never Fail to Embrace You

The Places to Go:

Explore the large rocks around this wonderful island proximate to the white sandy beach.

Never miss the opportunity to climb the highest point of the island. On one's way up, one would notice that the handles of the staircase are actually made of recycled soft drink bottles.

The peak of the hill features a watchtower made of nipa that gives one a picturesque view of the whole island. To say that the view is "breathtaking and awe-inspiring" would be an understatement.

The Left and the Right Wing of the Island

Embrace the Sambawan Island meadows and breathe in the invigorating ocean breeze. Indulge yourself with #hugotlines and take #instagrammable photographs from the eclectic range of picturesque views of the island.

A perfect place for solo travelers, for couples who want to spend some quality time with each other, for friends who desire to escape from the noise of the city and for families to create lasting memories. 

Where to Stay:

In Naval, Biliran, you can stay in Qutcerr Bed and Bath, located in Vicentillo Street, fully equipped with air-conditioning system, free wifi, flat screen cable television. They offer this room at an affordable rate of 750 pesos per night. The owner of this home-stay is very accommodating. 

One can explore the city of Naval before departing to Maripipi Island. One can visit and explore the local church of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary and dine at El Pomar Bistro and try their delectable smoothies at a reasonable price. 

The Different Lodging Cottages in the Island

Before I end this post, allow me to show you a 360° view of this mystifying island. Should you have any queries, I would be very delighted to answer in order to assist you in your next trip to the mystifying place, Sambawan Island.

See you on my next post. I will take you on another adventure.

Guess where? Post it on the comments section.