Kalanggaman Island 2024 Travel Guide: What You Need to Know Before You Go to this Sandbar!

Nestled between Leyte and Cebu lies a slice of paradise known as Kalanggaman Island. I’ve always dreamed of getting here after seeing all the photos and videos on social media.

I was finally able to get there recently with my husband and as we stepped off the boat and onto the fine white sand, I knew this little island was really something special. With its palm-fringed shores and turquoise waters so clear you can see your toes, Kalanggaman Island looks like something out of a postcard!

This article will detail all the things you need to know so you can plan your visit to the island.
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Since Kalanggaman Island is nestled in between Leyte and Cebu provinces, you have the option to go there from either of these provinces. I’ve detailed below the steps on how to get to the island from different cities. You have 4 options.

From Leyte

If coming from Leyte, most visitors fly into Tacloban City or Ormoc City. Here are the steps to get to Kalanggaman Island from Tacloban City:

• Take a van or bus from Tacloban to the town of Palompon. You can take a van from the Duptours or Van Vans terminal in Tacloban. The fare is around PHP 154 (USD 3) and travel time is 3-4 hours.
• When you reach Palompon, go to the Palompon Tourism Office/Eco-Tourism office to register and pay the necessary fees. This includes an environmental fee and boat rental fee.
• Rent a boat at the Palompon Tourism Office that will take you to Kalanggaman Island. The boat ride takes around 1 hour from Palompon.
• TOTAL TRAVEL TIME: 4-5 HOURS

Here are the steps to get to Kalanggaman Island from Ormoc City:

• Take a van or bus from Ormoc City to Palompon. The travel time is around 1.5 hours and the fare is PHP 100-150 ($2-3 USD).
• Once you arrive in Palompon, go to the Tourism Office located at the Freedom Park beside the Municipal Town Hall. Register and pay the fees to rent a boat to Kalanggaman Island.
• Take the 1 hour boat ride to Kalanggaman Island. 
• TOTAL TRAVEL TIME: 2.5 HOURS

IMPORTANT NOTE: I heard there are options to take a speed boat to Kalanggaman Island which cuts the travel time by half. Make sure to check the travel schedule and prices with the Tourism Office for more updated information.

 

From Cebu

Now, coming from Cebu, you also have two different options – one involving traveling from Cebu City to Palompon by boat and one involving land and seat travel via Malapascua. If you are planning to go to Malapascua, then you might as well visit Kalanggaman Island since it’s just a few hours boat ride.

Here are the steps to go to Kalanggaman Island from Cebu City via Palompon by boat:

• Take an Ocean Jet fast ferry from Cebu City to Palompon, Leyte. Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours. Ticket price starts from PHP 1,200 (USD 20). BOOK HERE: Cebu-Palompon (Leyte) OceanJet Ferry Ticket
• Once arrived at Palompon port, walk or take a pedicab to the Palompon Tourism/Eco-Tourism Office located beside the town hall.
• At the tourism office, register and pay the fees to visit Kalanggaman Island, and rent a pump boat for the island.
• Take the pump boat ride to Kalanggaman Island. This will take around 1 hour from Palompon port.
• TOTAL TRAVEL TIME: 3.5 HOURS

​IMPORTANT NOTE: As of 2024, the Ocean Jet ferry only has one trip per day at 10:00 am. If you miss this trip, there’s another ferry traversing this route called Cokaliong Ferry which leaves at 7:00 pm. The only setback is that you’ll be arriving in Palompon at 1:00 am so you will have to stay overnight as the boats going to Kalanggaman Island will only travel during daytime.

You can book the tickets via the links below:

• OceanJet Ferry via Klook at 10:00 am –> CHEAPEST!
• OceanJet Ferry via Bookaway at 10:00 am 
• Cokaliong Ferry via Bookaway at 7:00 pm –> ARRIVES IN PALOMPON AT 1:00 AM!

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At only 7 hectares, Kalanggaman Island is tiny but mighty. A long sandbar connects the two ends, creating an idyllic strip lined with coconut trees. It only takes 15 minutes to walk end to end. We kicked off our shoes and felt the soft sand massage our weary feet.

The emerald shallows were so inviting that we didn’t hesitate to just wade right in, marveling at the fishes swimming underneath. The island is uninhabited so the only sounds are waves lapping gently on shore and birds chirping high up on the trees, plus of course the sounds of excitement from your fellow travelers.

The main activities are swimming, snorkeling on the reef, sunbathing on the sandbar, photo taking, bird watching, and enjoying a picnic lunch under the shade of the palm trees.
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On the eastern side, there is a small forested area to provide shade. We found a nice spot under a tree to rest. We arrived at almost noon so the sun was scorching hot! The tour operators prepared a delicious spread of grilled fish, rice, and tropical fruit. After refueling, we spent the afternoon swimming and snorkeling. It was incredible to gaze upon the colorful reef teeming with so much marine life right below the surface.

It would have been nice to stay at sundown but unfortunately, our group tour has to leave by 2:30 pm to get back to Malapascua before we lose day time. It would have been the perfect end to an amazing day in paradise. Our boatman rounded us up to head back to the mainland. I took one long last look at glorious Kalanggaman with its palm trees silhouetted against the sky, hoping we can return someday.

As of 2024, the entrance and conservation fees in Kalanggaman Island is P300 for Filipinos (non-Palompon residents) and P1,000 for international tourists. If you are spending the night, it will be P450 for Filipinos (non-Palompon residents) and P1,500 for international guests. Refer to the table below with the updated rates from the Palompon Tourism Office. 
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When is the best time to visit Kalanggaman Island?

The dry season from November to May has ideal weather and water conditions. July-October can experience storms. The sandbar is best seen during low tide.

Can you stay overnight on Kalanggaman Island?

Yes, you can stay overnight in Kalanggaman Island but note that there are no proper resorts in the island. Visitors can stay overnight in nipa huts, tents, or by pitching their own tent. Overnight camping fees is P450 for Filipinos (non-Palompon residents) and P1,500 for international guests. Tents can be rented starting at P400 but this can change.

Is Kalanggaman Island good for kids?

Yes! Kalanggaman is a wonderful tropical playground for kids who love swimming, snorkeling, and playing in the sand. Just be very watchful of them as the sandbar has areas that become abruptly deep and the tide can be quite strong.