Canigao Island Escapade at Matalom, Leyte

Canigao Island is located in Matalom, Leyte. It has abundant fishing grounds and untouched coral reefs in the surrounding waters making the area suitable for snorkel and diving. The beaches have fine white sand very great for beach volleyball, Frisbee, and other beach activity.

The white sand of Canigao Island.

Originally, the group's plan is to have an overnight stay in Camotes Island or a whole day's adventure at Danao Eco Adventure Park. But it turned out to be an out-of-province excursion to Leyte when someone suggested Canigao Island.

I've heard of this island before and I remember I've researched the net of info about it. The island is beautiful and clean as I've seen in the photos Google has provided me. I definitely don't have a plan to visit the place this year, not until the suggestion came. It's a great opportunity raised by one of my colleagues from Leyte. We will be staying in her grandmother's place in Bontoc, Leyte before going to the island.

From Cebu, we traveled almost 8 hours going to Bontoc, Leyte. More than 6 hours by sea and an hour by land. We boarded a ship going to Hilongos, Leyte around 9:00pm on June 6, 2014, and arrived in the port of Hilongos fifteen minutes past 3:00am on June 7. Not wasting any time because most of us are sleepy still from the sea travel, we boarded a bus going to Bontoc and arrived at Gaya's grandmother's house almost 5:00am. The girls went to sleep and we guys played cards until the breaking of dawn.

The preparation was made at 8:00am for our overnight stay at Canigao Island. Bought ingredients for the food, cook some for lunch on the island. Packed the drinks (this includes the ilimnung makahubog, liquor in English), marinated pork and chicken for BBQ, spices, and other things. We've finished the preparation around 11:00am. Our ride from Bontoc going to Matalom, Leyte was waiting until we're packed and ready to go.

After 1 hour of travel going to Matalom, we're already excited to board the motor banca, we paid 100 pesos for the motor banca ride and an entrance fee on the island. And note, the motor banca ride is back and forth (I know it's cheap) inclusion of that 100 pesos fee. Below is a nice shot of the bamboo footbridge, our way going to the motor banca.

Bamboo footbridge going to the motor banca ride to Canigao Island.

Travel time going to Canigao Island from Matalom Port is 15 to 20 minutes. We arrived on the island around 1:00pm. A very tiring trip for sleepless travelers like us but it's worth the time and energy because the island is such a paradise.