Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary Palompon Leyte: Travel Guide
The marine park is also a haven for giant fruit bats, giant golden-crowned flying fox — a rare fruit bat considered the largest known bat in the world.
Traveling to Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to navigate your way inside, save money, and maximize your time.
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How to Get to Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary in Palompon
✓ OPTION 1 (BY 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 going to Palompon. Travel time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- At Palompon terminal, ride a motorcycle going to your destination.
(HOMEBOUND)
- The location is located in the town proper so transportation is easy.
✓ 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 Palompon.
- At Palompon terminal, you can hail and negotiate with a motorcycle to take you directly to your destination.
(HOMEBOUND)
- The location is located in the town proper so transportation is easy.
✓ 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 or ride a motorcycle to Baybay Public Terminal.
- At the Market, ride a bus/van to Palompon.
- At Palompon terminal, you can hail and negotiate with a motorcycle to take you directly to your destination.
(HOMEBOUND)
- The location is located in the town proper so transportation is easy.
✓ OPTION 4 (BY BOAT W/ BUS/VAN) POLAMBATO, BOGO, CEBU PORT
Entry Point is in DANAO, CEBU. By Boat (Roble Shipping Lines)
CHECK FAST CRAFT SCHEDULE & FARE HERE
Notes:
- From Cebu, ride the EB Aznar Shipping Corp. boat from Bogo to Palompon. EB Aznar Shipping Corp. serves the route daily.
- From the port, ride and negotiate a motorcycle going to your destination.
CHECK FAST CRAFT SCHEDULE & FARE HERE
✓ OPTION 5 (BY BOAT W/ BUS/VAN)
Entry Point is in CEBU PIER 1 or 3 via PALOMPON.
CHECK FAST CRAFT SCHEDULE & FARE HERE
- From Cebu, ride any of the boats at Pier 1 or Pier 3 to Palompon, Leyte. The fast craft serves the route daily. Travel Time is around 3 hours.
- At Palompon port, ride and negotiate a motorcycle going to your destination.
(HOMEBOUND)
- You can arrange a motorcycle ride to wait for you.
✓ OPTION 6 (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.
- Then, ride a van/bus going to Palompon. Travel time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- At Palompon terminal, ride a motorcycle going to your destination.
- Check Fast Craft Schedule & Fare Here
(HOMEBOUND)
- You can arrange a motorcycle ride to wait for you.
- Check Fast Craft Schedule & Fare Here
✓ OPTION 7 (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 Palompon by taking a two-hour bus or van ride bound for Ormoc.
- At the Ormoc terminal, Hop on a bus or van en route to Palompon. The van fare is P150 and the trip usually takes about two hours.
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 8 (BY PRIVATE CAR/VEHICLE)
- Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary” in Palompon, Leyte.
Exact location: Palompon, Leyte
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What’s in Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary?
Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary is an interesting place located just a few meters from Palompon where you can get a view of the island.
The Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary is a 72-hectare island with mangroves. It was declared as a marine park and fish and bird sanctuary in 1996.
Tabuk Island is a small island filled with mangroves located right in front of the tourism office of Palompon where boats going to Kalanggaman Island were docked.
This area is temporarily closed at the moment but it is one of the attractions in Palompon that is being developed. The first stop will be an abandoned lighthouse that overlooked the entire Tabuk Marine Park. Its white paint, although seemingly new, could not hide how rundown it actually was. Still, visitors can choose to climb all the way to the top of it. Other than the park, Palompon’s town center and surrounding mountains were also visible from the structure.
The marine park is also a haven for giant fruit bats, giant golden-crowned flying fox — a rare fruit bat considered the largest known bat in the world. The species is endangered and is currently facing the possibility of extinction due to poachers and food hunters.
These classes also teach children about disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), focusing on imparting survival skills.
You can also try to visit Floating Cottages in Palompon, Lantaw Palompon, Palompon Eco-Terrestrial Adventure Park, Agbanga Falls, The Sky Garden & Eco-Village, Kalanggaman Island, L and L Cove, Rock Resort, Cangmoya Falls and Unplugged at Kang Jah Wa Campground.
Estimated time to spend in the place?
You will spend around 1 hour – 4 hours in this place.
Are food and drinks available in the area?
There aren’t any restaurants in the islets and islands so pack your food. Bring garbage bags to keep the areas clean and to protect your belongings from getting wet.
Read More: 101 Things to Do in Cebu
How much are the Entrance Fee and Other Noted Fees?
Tabuk Marine Park Fish and Bird Sanctuary Entrance Fee
International Tourist Php 200
Local Tourist Php 100
Palompon Resident Php 60
College Student Php 50
High School Student Php 30
Elementary Student Php 20
Senior Citizen FREE
Rental Rates of Equipment
Mask Php 20
Snorkel Php 10
Fins Php 15
Reef Boots Php 20
1 Set Scuba Gear + Dive Guide Php 1,000
Additional Scuba Tank Php 200
Cottage Use Php 200
Tabuk Overnight Rates
International Tourist Php 350
Local Tourist Php 150
Palompon Resident Php 75
College Student Php 60
High School Student Php 50
Elementary Student Php 30
Senior Citizen FREE
Opening and Closing Time?
- Everyday:
- 08:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Parking Space?
Available and is FREE. They have an allotted parking space.
When is the best time to visit the place?
Best time to visit is on days weekdays to avoid a lot of people.
For more information, contact them at:
- Proceed to Palompon Tourism Office
You may also want to see 13 Best Things to Do in Ormoc, Leyte.
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TIPS, NOTES, AND REMINDERS
- Bring extra clothes so that in every corner, the outfit is different.
- Visit on weekdays to avoid the crowd.
- Bring water so that you can’t be dehydrated.
- Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary is a protected area, thus permission is needed when visiting this island.
- No fishing or collecting of any marine life within the perimeters of Tabuk Island.
- Kayaks and SUPs are available for rent at the tourism office
- Do not make any loud and unnecessary noise when walking through the boardwalk as it may disturb the wildlife staying there.
- You can buy fresh seafood from the fishermen passing around the cottage.
- Always follow the guidelines set by the local officials
- The peak of Paraiso Island offers a scenic view of Tabuk Island but it is not really a sight to behold and we just went there out of curiosity.
- Local people there are approachable and friendly
- Always practice LNT(Leave No Trace) principle. Be a responsible traveler.
Read More: 101 Things to Do in Cebu
IMPORTANT NOTE: The rates, contact details and other information indicated in this post are accurate from the time of writing but may change without Shellwander’s notice. Should you know the updated information, please message me on Facebook.
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Have a fun day ahead!
Always remember to “Develop your One Days to Day Ones!“
XOXO,
