A Slice Of Paradise: Kalanggaman Island

Kalanggaman Island will be one of your highlights whilst visiting the Philippines, there’s no doubt about it! Located. Still of the standard route for most travellers, Kalanggaman is a hidden gem in the North of the Philippines.

Kalanggaman Island is located on the beautiful landscape of Palompon, Leyte, Philippines. Kalanggaman Island is found in the municipality west of Ormoc City. It is renowned for its crystal clear blue waters, soft white sand, and its two long sandbars that jutt off from both sides of the majestic island.

Kalanggaman Island is a tiny island with no more than a few huts selling supplies, some palm trees and the 9th largest sand strip in the world! This beautiful island is a must-see in the Philippines and was the highlight of our time spent in the Philippines.

If you travel to Kalanggaman there is a big chance you arrive from Malapascua Island in the North of Cebu. From here you take a two hour boat ride from Malapascua Island in Daan Bantayan Cebu. From Malapascua island (a small island at the top of Cebu). We recommend spending a night on the beautiful island of Malapascua which is perfect for diving and swimming in its turquoise waters.

From here you have the choice of either taking part in a day tour to Kalanggaman Island, or getting a boat to the island and spending the night enjoying a once in a lifetime experience of camping on the island.

Our dream for the Philippines was to spend the night on a desolate island so, camping on the island was a no brainer for us.

If you are travelling to the Philippines you might also enjoy reading One Month Travelling The Philippines.

When is the best time to visit Kalanggaman

The dry season around this area of the Philippines lasts from March to June and during these months you will have the best chance for good weather on Kalanggaman island. Avoid going during typhoon season (July – October) as you will probably be turned away from entering the island if the weather is bad.

Try to avoid weekends at any time of year as well as any major holidays.

Taking a day trip to Kalanggaman island

If you’re struggling for time or don’t fancy sleeping in a tent overnight then a day trip to the island is the option for you. To visit Kalanggaman island via a day trip then you should first head to Malapascua island. You can either book your tour before arriving or when you arrive. Day tours are offered through all hostels and resorts on the island and guests are pooled together and spread across a few large outrigger boats for the trip.

How to get to Kalanggaman island to stay overnight

Our journey to paradise begins. With our backpacks strapped tightly to our backs we each begin our journey to paradise, walking across the wobbly plank towards the boat. Our bags are quickly moved underneath to keep them from the sea spray which is quick to follow. As the boat starts moving the salty sea water soaks the deck. Some sunbathe, others hide from the sun’s rays. There isn’t much to see on the journey except for turquoise blue sea. However, mid-way through our journey we are lucky enough to see dolphins jumping in the distance! We know that this trip is going to be unforgettable.

Staying overnight on Kalanggaman island is without a doubt, one of the best things that i’ve done. Pretty jointly with sleeping on the San Blas islands in Panama.

If you’re looking for 5 star luxury then this option isn’t for you. But, if you’re looking for a once in a lifetime experience where you’ll wake up to the sound of the waves and the sun beating down, then this is for you.

In order to sleep on the Filipino island, firstly arrange a boat to take you there. We had read online that to do this, you go to the Tourism office and they will arrange a boat for you. However, for us, planning the trip was a bit trickier than we had expected as the ‘tourism office’ we had read about didn’t seem to exist.

Instead we asked around and eventually arranged with a tour company that we would be taken to the island at 9am with one day tour and come back the following day at 3pm with another tour. This cost us 800 pesos (500 to go and 300 to come back) plus a day and a half island fee which was a further 750 pesos.

In order to stay overnight on Kalanggaman island there is only one option; to camp. You don’t have to bring your own tent with you or sleeping back. These are all set up on the island ready for you. Once you arrive you’ll be greeted by the locals asking if you want to stay the night, you say yes, pay the money and that’s it!

Tents costs 400 pesos for a tent and you can just about squeeze 3 of yourself in one (making it our cheapest accommodation in the Philippines) with probably the best view I have ever woken up to.

What to see on Kalanggaman Island

There isn’t much to do on Kalanggaman island, but that’s the beauty of it! You can spend your time here exploring the island (which doesn’t take long), swimming, taking photos and relaxing, whilst taking in the views. Once the tour boats leave the island will empty out and you’ll have it pretty much all to yourself. We were the only ‘tourists’ on the island, which was an amazing experience. Watch the sunset, enjoy your food and drinks that you have brought with you and watch the start twinkle in the distance with zero light pollution.

The island has a few huts selling supplies (noodles, 3 in 1 instant coffee, toilet roll), and a couple of toilet blocks and that’s it!

The island is truly magical, walking across the sandbank at night beneath the twinkling stars with not another soul on the strip it feels as if we’re on a desolate island, shipwrecked without any route back to civilisation with just the stars for company, but the stars are not the only thing that’s twinkling as we look down at the sand it seems to be lit up, with each step the sand lights up like an electric current racing through it. I’ve seen Plankton before but never washed up onto the sand and it was truly an amazing experience. During mid-afternoon the sea completely covers the thinner part of the sand strip, leaving the plankton within the wet sand ready for them to shine at night. 

Time to leave Kalanggaman island

If you opt to stay overnight on the island then set your alarms and wake up early! We woke up bright and early with the sun, ready to watch it rise in the distance. The sun rose at 5.15am and by 5.30 the sun was once again shining brightly in the sky. The next few hours we spent enjoying the island with its lack of visitors and early morning sun.

Camping on the island was the best decision we made, getting to enjoy Kalanggaman without the crowds is unbeatable and something which, within a few years, will definitely become more touristy. So, take advantage whilst you have the chance!