Untouched and beautiful! Unspoiled! Boat trips from Naval might change from time to time, so be... read more
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Sambawan Island
Maripipi Island | Biliran Island, Leyte, Visayas, Philippines, Philippines
Review Highlights
“Breathtaking View”
delight g
, Cebu Island, Philippines
“One of the Most Picturesque Island in the Philippines”
very long road trip, very long boat rides.... but very worth it!! The entire island offers a 360... read more
Jhun R
, Guiguinto, Bulacan, Philippines
825trishaa
Valenzuela, Philippines
7669
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DiverPeeves
Manila
2911
Went here from Agta Beach resort in Almeria, Biliran. Boat ride from Agta resort took about 1.5 hours. Upon arriving we registered and were briefed on the diving.
They charged us 500 pesos per person with unlimited diving and includes the island entrance fee. This is a very good rate. I guess the rate was like that because we have our own dive boat and DM.
Diving is pretty goof, lots of nice corals but average in terms of the number of fish variety.
The island itself is nice, but the sand is not sandy but composed of broken shells and corals. The water is crystal clear.
What I did not like though was the food that can be bought, it was limited to canned food. Since it is an island, we were expecting to see fresh sea foods but we were not in luck.
Date of experience: November 2016
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byrone29
Manila, Philippines
138115
Beautiful island in Eastern Visayas which is unspoiled and have few visitors owing to its remoteness. There are few facilities in the island due to its small beach area so bring your own water and food.
Cheapest would be to bring a tent and just pitch for just 150 php ( $3). Or rent one in the resort. The entrance fee for day trip is the same as overnight fee. Haha
Date of experience: August 2016
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Olga S
Pattaya, Thailand
4227
This island is so beautiful and amazing, one of the best I would say in the Philippines. The best part is, it is very unspoiled by tourists. The island gets a lot of local visitors, and several tourists, but on week days it is very quiet and amazing. We went on a weekday by hiring a boat from Agta beach for 3500 P for the whole day. The waters of the island are so beautiful, the only thing is that there is some trash floating in the waters as approaching the island, but not right on the beach, guess it gets brought by the current from the other bigger nearby islands, which is the only thing I would say was not good about the island. Definitely walk up to the look out point, where you can see the whole island, it is one of the highlights and a perfect photo opportunity. Bring your own food and snacks, as food is more expensive there. Enjoy snorkeling there, as there are some fishes there, but snorkeling is not the best compared to other places. The beach is made of broken corals, so its not a sandy beach, but it was still white and beautiful. Definitely make a trip to this island when you get the chance to visit Almeria/Leyte.
Date of experience: July 2016
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MattF54
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3626
via mobile
We went from Tacloban city, jumping on a van. The journey took us to Naval port, which took about 2 hours. From naval we got a pump boat to Maripipi island and that took 2 hours. From Maripipi we were taken to the local dive centre, who arranged a small Bangka boat to get us to Sambawan. The island is beautiful but bring food and drinks as there isn't much there.
It's a great way to escape and enjoy the Beauty of the Philippines.
The journey back was more fun as we got a Bangka all the way from Sambawan to kawayan on biliran island. Beautiful little port with stunning views
Date of experience: May 2016
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Ahren S
Philippines
23
“Hidden Gem of Biliran Island”
This would be definitely the best beach in the province of Biliran. The beauty of Simbawan Island have logistic hurdles to overcome. From Naval port, one must be able to catch a boat to Marapipi Island (it would take an hour and a half) and from the Island, a habal habal ride and a 15 minute boat ride to the Simbawan island proper. But despite its difficulty reaching it, its worth it. I can still remember how the color of water looks turquoise. Its crystal clear. Another attraction to the island is climbing a flight of stairs to have an overlooking view of the island ( the view is comparable to Islas de Gigantes in Iloilo).
The island can be enjoyed by camping there or having only a daytour. If you are time constraint (just like I was back then) take the daytour. One downside of camping out in the island is that you will be stucked for another day in Marapipi island for the boats bound to the city proper alights at early morning ( More or less 5 am ).
I would definitely comeback into this Island. It is developed, but not commercialized yet. Must see and indeed deserve the title “Hidden Gem of Biliran Island”
Date of experience: May 2016
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