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Canigao Island: Itinerary + Budget Guides for First Timers

DID YOU KNOW?

Canigao is an islet located in the Philippines, in the municipality of Matalom, Leyte. The area is known for abundant fishing grounds and scenic coral reef areas suitable for diving. – Wikipedia

The best destination to escape the stress and commotion of city life is Canigao Island.

Traveling to Canigao Island for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money and maximize your time. This guide will also make sure that you get the best out of your money while traveling to Canigao Island.

Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown, recommended hotels/places to stay, things to do/places to visit, and lots of extra travel tips.

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How to get to Canigao Island — By plane + Van, Biliran can be reached on an hour flight + a two van ride from Cebu. Matalom has no airport so you need to travel by boat or airplane.

Always book your hotel early — Avail low rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon as 2-3 months before your travel departure. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.

Authentic Hotel Review >>

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Check discounts and prices online — Save money by checking discounts on tours & airport/hotel transfers. Booking before you leave also saves you time & avoids the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.

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Spend 2 days or more — While it’s possible to explore the highlights of the island in a day, consider planning at least 2 days to tour the island.

Save More while Traveling — I’ve included a lot of money-saving tips in this guide. You can actually save more when you do not include attractions that have entrance fees. You can achieve cheaper expenses by knowing where to find and book the attractions.

Getting around Matalom — There is a lot of transport and tour options available whether you want to go with a private tour or a do-it-yourself trip. You can even go full local and try the motorcycle/tricycle commute to get around or stick with packaged tours that can offer a hassle-free experience.
NOTE: Grab is not offered in this area.

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Pre-Travel Guide

✓How to get to Canigao Isalnd
✓ How to get around Canigao Island?
✓ Should I book my Canigao Island hotel online?
✓ What to prepare for a trip to Canigao Island?
✓ How to find cheap flights to Canigao Island?
✓ When is the best time to visit?
✓ Travel Must Haves
✓ Money-saving tips

How to get to Canigao Island

✓ OPTION 1 (BY VAN/BUS)

Entry Point is in ORMOC PORT.

CHECK FAST CRAFT SCHEDULE & FARE HERE

From the port, walk to Ormoc City Terminal near the Ormoc Public Market/2go Express ticketing.
Then, ride a VAN/BUS bound for Matalom. Fare is PHP 90.00 – PHP 150.00 ( SGD$ 2.25 ,US$ 1.8, € 1.5) – ( SGD$ 3.75 ,US$ 3.00, € 2.5). Travel time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Be sure to tell the driver to drop you off at the municipal plaza of this town. A one-way trip can cost Php 150.00.
When in Matalom’s municipal plaza, ask the locals around about the pier going to Canigao, which is just a walking distance from there. So you don’t need to ride a tricycle. But if you insist, it can cost you P7.
On the pier, you will pay P60, which covers your back-and-forth boat fare and entrance fee to the island. Travel time is 15 – 20 minutes.

(HOMEBOUND)

Wait for any bus/van in the area or ride a habal-habal/motorcycle.

✓ OPTION 2 (BY BOAT W/ BUS/VAN)

Entry Point is in CEBU PIER 4 via HILONGOS.

CHECK FAST CRAFT SCHEDULE & FARE HERE

From Pier 4, ride the Slow Boats (Roble Shipping Lines or Gabisan Lines) & Fast Boat (MV Superjoy) bound for Hilongos. Fare is about PHP 310.00 ( SGD$ 6.89, US$ 6.2, € 5.17) – PHP 2,000.00 ( SGD$ 44.45, US$ 40, € 33.33) for Slow Boats and PHP 550.00 ( SGD$ 12.23, US$ 11, € 9.17) for Fast Boats/Crafts. Travel Time is about 5-6 hours for the slow boats and 2-3 hours for the fast boat.
Then walk or ride a motorcycle to Hilongos Public Terminal.
At the Market, ride a bus/van to Matalom. Travel Time is about 30 minutes.
Be sure to tell the driver to drop you off at the municipal plaza of this town. A one-way trip can cost Php 150.00.
When in Matalom’s municipal plaza, ask the locals around about the pier going to Canigao, which is just a walking distance from there. So you don’t need to ride a tricycle. But if you insist, it can cost you P7.
On the pier, you will pay P60, which covers your back-and-forth boat fare and entrance fee to the island. Travel time is 15 – 20 minutes.

(HOMEBOUND)

Wait for any bus/van in the area or ride a habal-habal/motorcycle.
Note: You can arrange for your motorcycle driver to wait for you so that you won’t have a hard time going out of the area.

✓ OPTION 3 (BY BOAT W/ BUS/VAN)

Entry Point is in CEBU PIER 4 via BAYBAY.

CHECK FAST CRAFT SCHEDULE & FARE HERE

From Pier 4, ride the Slow Boats (RORO Ferries) & Fast Boat (MV Superjoy) bound for Hilongos. Fare is about PHP 310.00 ( SGD$ 6.89, US$ 6.2, € 5.17) – PHP 2,000.00 ( SGD$ 44.45, US$ 40, € 33.33) for Slow Boats and PHP 580.00 ( SGD$ 12.89, US$ 11.6, € 9.67) for Fast Boats/Crafts. Travel Time is about 5-6 hours for the slow boats and 2-3 hours for the fast boat.
Then walk to Baybay Transportation Terminal.
At the Terminal, ride a VAN/BUS to Matalom. Fare is about PHP 200.00 ( SGD$ 4.45, US$ 4.0, € 3.33)
Be sure to tell the driver to drop you off at the municipal plaza of this town. A one-way trip can cost Php 150.00.
When in Matalom’s municipal plaza, ask the locals around about the pier going to Canigao, which is just a walking distance from there. So you don’t need to ride a tricycle. But if you insist, it can cost you P7.
On the pier, you will pay P60, which covers your back-and-forth boat fare and entrance fee to the island. Travel time is 15 – 20 minutes.

(HOMEBOUND)

Wait for any bus/van in the area or ride a habal-habal/motorcycle.

✓ OPTION 4 (BY BOAT W/ BUS/VAN)

Entry Point is in CEBU PIER 3 or PIER 1 via ORMOC .

Notes:

From Pier 1, ride the Slow Boat bound (Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc. and Roble Shipping Lines, Inc) or From Pier 3, ride the Fast Craft (Oceanjet or 2Go) for Ormoc. Fare is about PHP 500.00 ( SGD$ 12.5, US$ 10, € 8.33) for Slow Boats and PHP 1100.00 ( SGD$ 27.5, US$ 22, € 18.33) for Fast Boats/Crafts. Travel Time is about 5-6 hours for the slow boats and 2-3 hours for the fast boat.
From the port, walk to Ormoc City Terminal near the Ormoc Public Market/2go Express ticketing.
When in Ormoc Terminal, ride a VAN/BUS bound for Matalom.
Be sure to tell the driver to drop you off at the municipal plaza of this town. A one-way trip can cost Php 150.00.
When in Matalom’s municipal plaza, ask the locals around about the pier going to Canigao, which is just a walking distance from there. So you don’t need to ride a tricycle. But if you insist, it can cost you P7.
On the pier, you will pay P60, which covers your back-and-forth boat fare and entrance fee to the island. Travel time is 15 – 20 minutes.

Check Fast Craft Schedule & Fare Here

(HOMEBOUND)

Wait for any bus/van in the area or ride a habal-habal/motorcycle.
Check Fast Craft Schedule & Fare Here

✓ OPTION 5 (BY AIRPLANE & BUS/VAN) (From Cebu or Manila)

There are actually daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and Cebu to Tacloban. The flight takes at least an hour and twenty (20) minutes if your entry point is Manila. Air travel takes about forty-five (45) minutes or less if your entry point is Cebu.
After arriving at Tacloban Domestic Airport (San Jose, Tacloban City), go to Tacloban City Bus Terminal via taxicab or transfer service.
From Tacloban City Bus Terminal, one can easily go to the Canigao Island by taking a three-hour bus or van ride bound for Matalom.
Be sure to tell the driver to drop you off at the municipal plaza of this town. A one-way trip can cost Php 150.00.
When in Matalom’s municipal plaza, ask the locals around about the pier going to Canigao, which is just a walking distance from there. So you don’t need to ride a tricycle. But if you insist, it can cost you P7.
On the pier, you will pay P60, which covers your back-and-forth boat fare and entrance fee to the island. Travel time is 15 – 20 minutes.

Notes:

Airlines that travel from Manila to Tacloban: (9+ flights per day)

Cebu Pacific
Air Asia
Philippine Airlines

Airlines that travel from Cebu to Tacloban: (3+ flights per day)

Cebu Pacific
CebGo
AirAsia Zest
Philippine Airlines

✓ OPTION 6 (BY PRIVATE CAR/VEHICLE)

Entry Point is in ORMOC CITY.

Just use the “WAZE” or “GOOGLE MAP” app to navigate your way to Canigao Island.

Exact location: Canigao Island, The islet is located in Eastern Visayas. The nearest town is the municipality of Matalom in Leyte.

Should I book my Canigao Island Hotel Online?

My answer will always be YES but there are no hotels in the island. I recommend you bring tents.

What to prepare for a trip to Canigao Island?

Sunblock— If you don’t have a plan in getting yourself tan, then bring some sunblock to protect your skin from the suns UV rays.
Hats and Eye wear — Protect your eyes from the heat of the sun.
Cellphone Waterproof Case — You don’t want to drench your phone w/ saltwater.
Rent a GoPro – If you are in Cebu, my friend can rent you one here.
Food – Although there is a convenience store in the island, it is much better to bring your own foods and drinks.
Powerbank & Batteries – Electricity on the island only runs from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM
Tent – Even if you are not staying overnight, just bring. It can lessen your expenses.
Snorkel and Scuba diving gears – Bring your own.

How to find cheap flights to Tacloban?

Start your search on Wego, Momondo, and Skyscanner.

Also, check Tacloban promo alerts several weeks or months ahead of your trip if you are planning your trip early. The cheapest promos are sold up to a year in advance of the travel/flight departure date & are often only available if you book directly with the airline.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

In my experience, March – June are the best months to visit Canigao Island.

If you hate a crowded beach, avoid visiting the island during the summer season, national holidays, holy week, and long weekends.

Travel Must-Haves

✓ Google Map App – A life-saver for me because without it, I might get lost.

✓ Google Translate – Super powerful app. Translate anything.

✓Gps-Guided App – Tour the city like a local with this app.

✓ Sunscreen – Protect yourself from sunburn or much worse – Cancer.

✓ Pocket Wifi or Sim Card – The convenience of searching for anything is a go-to. Please don’t forget this baby. It is a life-saver for me though.

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Money Saving Tips

Get a good map and explore the city on your own tour — You can tour the city at your own pace plus you can choose from a variety of options. There are a lot of awesome things to do in Biliran that doesn’t cost a dime.

Drive a motorcycle — This is the cheapest way to get around.

Stay at hostels or airbnb — If you are travelling alone or by group of 3, hostels are best for you. But, if you are travelling in group of 4 or more, then airbnb is best for you. I have calculated the difference and airbnb ones are best for group of travellers.

Where to Stay in Canigao Island?

Since there are no hotels on the island, you can rent a tent, open-air cottage, or an enclosed one.

Canigao Island Itinerary

Guess what? I am such a joiner for this trip. Did not look it up online again.

Day 1: Canigao Island En Route (Prepare to get wet!!)

Time	Activity
0400 am	Wake up Time and Breakfast
0700 am	Buy foods at market
0945 am	Arrived at Matalom Municpalty
1030 am	Arrive at Canigao Island
1100 am	Prepare food
1230 nn	Lunch
12:45 nn	Picture Taking, Chika and Swimming
0300 pm	En route to Jump off Point to wash up
0445 pm	En route to Ormoc City
05:00 pm	Free time

A lot of things can be done in Canigao Island. Will update you with my Biliran Travel and Budget Guides.

1-Day Canigao Island Budget Expenses (for 6 people)

Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 1-Day itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices.

Prices below are ‘per person’, calculated based on a group of 6 people sharing the travel expenses.

Transport expenses breakdown
PHP 660	Roble Shipping Fare
PHP 65	Canigao Boat Fare — PHP 65 per person

Activities/Attraction costs breakdown
PHP 80	Entrance fee per person.
PHP 50	Small Cottage — PHP 300/6 per person.

Budget Trip Expenses Summary
PHP 725	Transport — Shared expenses per group of 6.
FREE	Accommodations — Since we stayed at a house of my bestfriend, then its free.
PHP 500	Food — Full meals x 3 days
PHP 130	Activities — Admission tickets/entrance fees on selected activities above.
PHP 1355	Total — Including all expenses above for a day in Canigao Island.

Other fees to take note of
PHP 300	Open Cottage Overnight Rate
NONE	Corkage Fee
PHP 2500	Lodging Cottage for 12-15 person /day
PHP 100	Tent Pitching per day
PHP 500	Use of Electricity for 3hours
PHP 1500	Tourism Building (24 hours)
PHP 500	Space use (disco, live band disco, weddings and other similar event excluding of tables and chairs)
PHP 10	Chair
PHP 50	Table
PHP 100	Snorkeling Equipment
PHP 100	Camping Tent