I never thought that this quiet municipality in Visayas that seems to be off tourism’s radar is hiding a natural wonder as beautiful as this. 📍Canigao Island
🇵🇭MATALOM ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈🛳🚌How to get to Matalom, Leyte:
⏺ OPTION 1: 📌Take a plane from Metro Manila to Tacloban City, Leyte (e.g. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia). 📌Hail a taxi/jeepney/tricyle to get to the terminal of vans bound for Maasin City then alight in Matalom (travel time: 3.5 – 4 hours).
⏺ OPTION 2: 📌Ride a bus from Metro Manila to Matnog Port, Sorsogon (e.g.i DLTB and Philtranco; travel time: 15 – 16 hours depending on traffic condition and number/duration of stop-overs). 📌Take the RORO ferry from Matnog Port en route to the port of Allen in Northern Samar (travel time: 1 – 2 hours depending on sea condition). 📌Ride a bus or van to reach Tacloban City (travel time: 5 – 7 hours depending on traffic condition and number/duration of stop-overs). 📌Transfer to a van en route to Maasin City to reach Matalom.
🏄🏝🚴Sites to Explore/Activities:
⏺ Canigao Island 📌Take the passenger boat from Matalom Port to Canigao Island (travel time: 20 – 30 minutes depending on sea condition.)
⏺ Mahayahay/Karap-agan Falls
⏺ Hitoog Cave
My friend and I just finished our tour in the municipality of Liloan in Southern Leyte the day before. We woke up early and checked out of our lodge then waited by the national highway for a public van that would take us our next destination.We were fortunate that we didn’t have to wait for too long for our ride. This next one on our list was a not so mainstream tourist attraction among backpackers especially travelers from Luzon.Upon reaching the municipality of Bato, we opted to hire a tricycle that would take us directly to the town of Matalom since we were pressed for time. After all, it was almost lunch time.The driver brought us to the tourism office/registration area of Matalom where the port going to Canigao Island is located.It was a good thing that there are public boats going to the island so we didn’t have to hire a private one and shoulder the transfer fee.Considering it was summer, I was already expecting a crowded island when we reached Canigao. There were quite a number of passengers on the huge boat assigned to us.The sea was calm during our visit and this island is near mainland Leyte so the boat ride was quick.Saying that Canigao Island was jam-packed was definitely an understatement. Boy was it so crowded and full of tourists when we arrived.The fine white sand and turquoise water of the island welcomed us. A perfect combination for awesome shots!Fortunately, there were still available cottages that my friend and I could rent. We decided that we would be spending the night to chill and rest after all the tiring treks and rides from our Mindanao adventure leg the past few days.After choosing our cottage fronting the beach, we settled down and rested for a few minutes then prepared our cameras to explore the island.Canigao may be small but it certainly should be on your list, not just because of its close proximity to the town proper of Matalom but you will certainly fall for its beauty.I lost track of time as my friend and I strolled along the shoreline taking these pictures.It was just quite a challenge though to get solo shots because of other tourists enjoying the clear water of the island under this enticing sunny weather.Who wouldn’t fall in love with this view? It felt as if the turquoise waters of Canigao Island were inviting me to take a swim as we continued walking along its shore.We took a breather at the cottage while enjoying the breeze and this view. It sure was exhausting because of the scorching tropical sun of the Philippines.We headed to the other side of the island where stores and eateries are located. We inquired from some locals where we could buy our food and we noticed some trays of fresh seafood and shellfish that were displayed by the vendors. We could buy whatever seafood we wanted and they would cook for us for an additional fee. We were so famished and we agreed right away.We went back to our cottage and waited out the harsh rays of sunshine before taking a swim.Our food was not yet ready when we went back to the eatery. The locals suggested we could explore the shore behind the stores for chasing sunset.
⏰⏳Sample Itinerary:
DAY 1
8:00 AM ETA Tacloban Airport
9:00 AM ETD for Matalom Port
1:00 PM Lunch
1:30 PM ETD for Canigao Island
2:00 PM ETA Canigao Island for overnight stay
DAY 2
7:00 AM Wake-up call
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM ETD for Matalom Port
9:30 PM ETD for Mahayahay Falls and Hitoog Cave
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM ETD for Tacloban City
6:00 PM ETA Tacloban / check-in
DAY 3
5:00 AM Wake-up call / travel to San Juanico Bridge for sunrise
6:00 AM San Juanico Bridge Photowalk
8:00 AM Check-out / ETD for Tacloban Airport
10:00 PM ETD for Manila
💰💶Estimated Budget (for a solo traveler): Php 5,000 – Php 6,000 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the tricycle transfer and tour rates.
We walked a few meters and discovered this spot for round two of our pictorial in Canigao.The shoreline was deserted since all of the tourists were swimming by the main beachfront of the island.We headed back to the eatery and decided to have our early dinner first before the golden hour arrived.I would never forget the spider shell/spider conch or what is locally known as “saang” which was one of the dishes served for us. It was my first time trying it out and I found it delectable.We returned and patiently waited as the sky painted the splendid sunset colors for our shots.A few tourists arrived but they left right away. Guess they realized there really was nothing to see.At least my friend and I were patient enough and we were rewarded with this soothing ambiance as twilight approached.The faint afterglow was our cue to finally bid goodbye to the spectacle that the heavens prepared for us.I was excited to sleep at our open bamboo cottage with no beddings at all, while feeling the breeze and sound of waves to lull us to sleep. We’re hikers so we are kinda used to roughing it anyway. Sadly, since the place was full of inconsiderate visitors, a lot of them got loud speakers for their sound trips. Some of them were singing on videoke too!We were greeted by low tide the next day. Some tourists were taking photos by the shoreline and enjoying the warm rays of sunrise.My friend and I packed up while waiting for the public boat to fetch us. It was time to bid farewell to this wonderful island. Until next time, Canigao. I really had fun.
📜✏Tips/Reminders: 📌The duration of trek to get to the waterfall and cave of Matalom is quite short and beginner-friendly. Just hire a tricycle that will take you to these spots and also ask the driver if he could guide you. 📌Expect rain and rough sea condition during monsoon season (June-February). 📌Always observe the LNT principles.
☎Contacts: 📌Tricycle Drivers in Tacloban: Kuya Endaw (09463791975) and Kuya Robert (09362081686)
The tricycle driver that took us to the tourism office the day before was already waiting for us at the port. We would be crossing Karap-agan Falls and Hitoog Cave off our bucket list. 📍Mahayahay FallsNot to brag but since my friend and I were both hikers, the trek going here was such a piece of cake. Our legs are used to trails anyway.This waterfall named Karap-agan Falls is also known to locals as Mahayahay Falls considering it is situated in Sitio Mahayahay.Boy is this waterfall beautiful and picturesque. We quickly set up our cameras to capture these shots.Even if it was summer season in the country, the month of May 2019 to be exact, we were fortunate that the place was devoid of tourists during our visit.I decided to scramble up my way through the wet rock walls to get some close-up shots of Karap-agan Falls. I was ready to get wet anyway.We took a few more pictures and we wrapped up our visit to Mahayahay Falls. We still got one more spot to check out in our itinerary here in Matalom.As soon as we reached the jump-off point to this cave, my friend and I just walked the pathway leading to the Hitoog Cave.Remember when I said that we were lucky to have Karap-agan Falls to ourselves since it was empty? It seemed to me that all the tourists were all in Canigao Island and here at Hitoog Cave. It was jam-packed!I noticed the man-made swimming pool near the entrance to Hitoog Cave with PVC pipes connected to the natural cave pool. There were cottages full of visitors as well.We walked closer to the cave pool to take our solo shots. After all, most of the kids and adults were swimming by the man-made pool.Sadly, we really couldn’t afford to stay that long. As soon as we were satisfied with the images that we took, we bid goodbye to Hitoog Cave.We asked the tricycle driver to bring us back to the transport terminal in Bato. On our way to the terminal, while feeling the breeze and warm sunshine onboard the tricycle, I couldn’t help but smile in delight as I replayed in my mind the unforgettable memories gifted by the quaint yet wonderful town of Matalom. My soul was content and satisfied.
***For other destinations in Leyte, you may visit this link.
