How to get to Sambawan Island Travel Guide 2017

Sambawan Islands situated in Biliran, a kilometer north of Leyte. Its capital municipality is Naval. Biliran is composed of two Islands, Biliran Island (mainland) and Maripipi Island – in which Sambawan Island is closest to.

SAMBAWAN AS AN ISLAND

Sambawan Island is by far my favorite Island in Eastern Visayas Region of the Philippines.

Sambawan Island is a paradise! Stunningly beautiful and is exactly what everyone is looking for. The semi curved beach is entirely carved with mountainous coastline and its hilly landscape flowered with grass gives an astonishing view from the top. The panoramic view of sunrise and sunsets from the top is breathtakingly beautiful. It surely melted my heart.

The white sand and it’s summery blue water rich of marine lives makes you don’t want to leave the island. I’d say, Sambawan Island is a must visit the place that should be on everyone’s list.

HOW TO GET TO SAMBAWAN ISLAND

Getting to Sambawan Island,  first, you have to go through a couple of stops, depending on your point of origin.

From Manila, the faster way is to take a flight going to Tacloban since flights to Ormoc City are connecting flights. From there, you can take a van or bus going to Naval, Biliran.

However, from Manila, you can also take a flight to Cebu, then take a trip with AirJuan. The fastest way, however airline flights are a bit costly at times. Especially if you are not flexible with your schedules.

The fastest way from Cebu on the other hand going to Sambawan Island is to take a flight with AirJuan. This is costly, but it is the quickest way.

For budget travelers and also have an ample time to go around, you can always take the traditional form of transportation – by sea and by land.

From Manila (MNL – Ormoc/Tacloban)

1. By Air.

   • You can book a flight by either going to Tacloban or Ormoc City.  From there, you can take a van or bus to Naval, Biliran.
   •  Manila to Tacloban is a direct flight. Travel time is 1hr and 20 mins. Upon arrival at Tacloban airport, take a jeepney going to the downtown, and you can ask the driver to take you to the shuttle buses going to Naval.
   • Manila to Ormoc is a connecting flight. From Manila-Cebu-Ormoc. Manila- Cebu is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Cebu to Ormoc is 45 mins.  Total travel time is at least 2 hours and 05 minutes. Upon arrival, take a jeepney or a tricycle to the bus terminal. You can ask the driver which one goes to Naval.

2. By sea. 

   You can take a ferry going to Ormoc City. Travel time is approximately 24hrs. From there, you can take a van or bus to Naval, Biliran.

3. By land. 

   Go to Pasay or Cubao terminal. Buses travel to Naval Biliran daily. Travel time is more than 24 hours.

From Cebu (CEB-Ormoc)

1. By Air.

   • Last June 21, 2017, AirJuan offers a flight from Cebu to Biliran Aiport. They fly five times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday. Check their flights here  AirJuan.
   • Alternatively, you may take a flight from Cebu Mactan Aiport to Ormoc City. Travel time 45 minutes

2. By sea.

   Take a ferry from Cebu to Ormoc. See ferry schedules at Everythingcebu website.

From Tacloban to Naval, Biliran

There are several vans or buses from Tacloban terminal that travels to Naval, Biliran daily. Travel time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Travel by van cost you 140 PHP.

From Ormoc to Naval, Biliran

Several vans and buses travel daily to Naval, Biliran. Travel time is 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Van fare is around 130 PHP.

Note:  I recommend taking a van because it is way faster than the shuttle bus. Also, you don’t have to wait a long time to get it full. It is also the most convenient way.

Naval to Sambawan Islands

1. You can take the passenger boat to Maripipi. However, there’s only one trip per day. It leaves at 10 am. Travel time is 1.5 hours. It returns at 5 AM.

1. From Maripipi Island, take a habal-habal (motorbike) going to Barangay Ol-og. From there you can rent a boat going to Sambawan.
   Maripipi to Barangay Ol-og is a 20 minutes ride.
   Ol-og to Sambawan Island is 15 minutes ride by boat.
2. Expenses:
   Naval to Maripipi is 60php/pax.
   Habal-Habal to Barangay Ol-0g  is 50php/pax.
   Boat to Sambawan: starts at 500php for 5 pax. It goes higher depending on the boat size.

2. Alternate route:

Take a jeepney or a habal-habal going to Kawayan port. You can hire a boat directly going to Sambawan Island. This is more flexible if you are on a tight schedule, however, is more costly. Boat rental coast you from 2, 700 PHP to 3, 500 PHP. Maximum of 10 pax.
Jeepney fare from Naval to Kawayan port is 60/pax.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAMBAWAN.

Well, personally, camping along the shore is what I love most. My son grew up sleeping in tents. Sambawan Island is an inhabited island. However, there are closed cottages and open cottages that you can choose from. Depending on your budget or necessity of course.

Options:

1. Bring your own tent and camp by the beach. Tent pitching is 100 PHP. You can rent bench and table if you need to for 300 PHP.
2.  Open cottage – 8 pax: 500 php / day
3. Closed cottage – 12 to 15 pax:  2,500.0 0php / day (3 beds, With T&B, Electric, Beddings, 200L Fresh Water Etc.)
4. Closed cottage – 2 to 6 pax:  1,500.00 php /d ay (2 beds, With T&B, Electric, Beddings, 100L  Fresh Water Etc.)
5. Big cottage: 1000 php / day
6. Misc fees: Island Entrance + environmental fee: 80 + 20 (100 php)

WHERE TO BUY FOOD & WATER IN SAMBAWAN

There’s a store on the island that sells drinks, snacks, and water.

Water

A container of water cost you 25 pesos.  (Bathe water. Not for drinking)

Drinking water cost you 50 PHP to over a hundred depending on the size.

Rice

You can buy cooked rice from the store. A pot of rice only cost 50 PHP. This is way cheaper than in other destinations I’ve been to honestly. In other places, it cost me 150 PHP.

TIPS

For other kinds of food such as meat or fish, I suggest that you bring your own. But if you can just live with a cup of noodles, bread, and meat in cans, the store has it for you.

Bring your drinking water too so buying from the store will just an option for you. Who would know that they might run out of the water, right?

Electricity

Electric power is available from sundown to sunrise.

THINGS TO DO IN SAMBAWAN ISLAND

• Trek to the top of the hill to see the magnificent panoramic view of the island, sunrise or sunset.
• Scuba diving or Free diving.
• Camping
• Snorkeling
• Kayaking

SUMMARY OF NECESSARY EXPENSES:

Manila to Sambawan Island

• Airfare to Tacloban/Ormoc: It depends. Check for promo fare.
• Tacloban/Ormoc to Naval: Van – PHP 140 per head
• Naval to Maripipi: Passenger boat – PHP 60 per head
• Maripipi to Ol-og: Habal-habal – PHP 50 per head
• Ol-og to Sambawan: PHP 500

Cebu to Sambawan Island

• Ferry to Ormoc: It varies depending on the carrier. Check on the web, search for “Cebu to Ormoc fare.” Be mindful of the travel time too.
• Tacloban/Ormoc to Naval: Van – PHP 140 per head
• Naval to Maripipi: Passenger boat – PHP 60 per head
• Maripipi to Ol-og: Habal-habal – PHP 50 per head
• Ol-og to Sambawan: PHP 500

Alternate route from Naval to Sambawan:

Naval to Kawayan port:  Jeepney – PHP 60 per head

Kawayan to Sambawan: Boat – PHP 2, 700  to PHP 3, 500.

Island fees:

Entrance fee: PHP 80

Environmental fee: PHP 80