Are you a beach lover from Region 8 (or anywhere from the nearby province) who is dreaming of a Coron escapade but doesn't have a fund yet? or you can only go for an adventure during Saturdays? then Kandiwata Island's majesty is inviting you to experience its unique and pristine rock formation and Coron Palawan vibes is surely guaranteed!
H O W TO G E T T H E RE
- From Catbalogan, one must ride a motor boat en route to the island. Travel time from the city is specifically 2 and a half hour and the most ideal type of motor boat that can take you to Kandiwata is the "Canter," which can carry up to 13 passengers. Rental fee ranges from 3000 - 3500 (which includes the expenses for diesel)
- If you're hailing from Tacloban or to any parts of the Leyte province, you can go via Catbalogan but there is an ideal option which is via-Babatngon Leyte (travel time to the island is also 2 hours, according to some posts on Facebook)
Note: It is important to seek and hire a boat days or a week before your voyage to Kandiwata to secure a deal with the operator and because of the fact that there are no boats in Catbalogan fish port which could be hired to Kandiwata, Ora Mismo!
Unfortunately, the people whom I went with in Kandiwata wasn't able to provide me the contact number of the operator of the boat (which they've hired on our adventure to the island last year) but if you know someone from Daram or its nearby island towns, you can get in touch with them 'cuz they might be able to look for a boat operator for you or might as well contact the tourism office of the town.
T R A V E L T I P S:
- The perfect time to go to Kandiwata is at 0600H-0700H and the ideal time of leaving the island is between 1200H-1300H to avoid the wild waves on the way back to your starting point.
- Bring food and hydration before going to Kandiwata because there are no vendors in the island
- Avoid scribbling on rocks and don't leave a single trash in the island
- Do not step on coral reefs
- Watch out for sea snakes
- Bring buoyancy aide for those who don't know how to swim and/or for the safety of each
- Wear a durable aqua shoes or sandals
Note: You can go for a sidetrip to Mombon Beach or Villa Alicia Resort but these options are ideal for those who are bound to Catbalogan. If planning to include these in the itinerary of your trip, make sure to leave your starting point, earlier than 0800H.
Here's the itinerary of our Kandiwata Expedition last year (March 30, 2019)
- 0630H: Call Time
- 0700H: Meet up in Pieta Park, Catbalogan City
- 0805H: Left Catbalogan City
- 1039H: Arrived in Kandiwata
- 1045-1155H: Swam and Explored the vicinity of the island
- 1200H: Ate our lunch in the boat
- 1220H-1315H: Last moments of swimming and photo opps
- 1320H: Packed up
- 1339H: Left Kandiwata
- 1415H: Dropped by in Villa Alicia
- 1440H: Dropped by in a coastal community of Daram to buy some diesel for the boat
- 1700H: Arrived Safely in Catbalogan
Here's What Happened on Our Adventure:
Probably the first selfie of the voyage. I was a bit shy on the boat because it was my first time to meet the girls and Almar (except for Reish and Rutch)
On our way to Kandiwata with a perfect weather.
In this photo, we were approaching a barangay which is part of Zumarraga. Still a long way to go!
Selfie with Rutch. Bloated after months of preparation for the board exam and this served as my reward. I was only a joiner in this adventure.
Finally arrived!
Getting closer to her majesty. Good thing that the boat operator was in favor of our first photo opp in the island. Everyone was fascinated and in a rush for their turn.
Setting foot!
But what is the meaning behind the name of this island? "Kandiwata" in the literal waraynon translation means "Kan-Diwata" or a property of a fairy or a supernatural being. According to the myth, Kandiwata is inhabited by a fairy that's why locals and fishermen are nervy about this place, especially when they pass by in the island.
True or not, Kandiwata deserves to be respected and preserved so that the future generations could witness and experience this scenic and spectacular place in Western Samar
Kandiwata and Chill
You can get a better angle of Kandiwata on top of this boulder.
If it is low tide, one should walk along the waters of the island from the boat and climb these rocks to get on top but if it is high tide, one must swim and so on and so forth.
Groufie with the girls. They were strangers at first but after spending hours at the sea, we've finally get along.
Lunch time in the boat. We've had adobong manok, some grilled pork, fried chicken and watermelon which was perfect for the balmy weather
(Photo by Reish)
After having our scrumptious lunch, we've decided to pack up and head home but before that, we went to "Kandiwata Guti" a smaller version of the distinguished island.
And that's "Kandiwata Guti" (as viewed from afar) folks! wasn't able to snap a closer photo of it because I was taking videos.
And we're on our way home, another two hours (and a half) journey in the sea,
passing by the peaceful coastal communities and island towns, as well as vibin' along the salty breeze of Maqueda Bay
All were smiling because we've surpassed the savage waves (from a non-sailor's perspective) near the town of Zumarraga, en route to Catbalogan.
Earlier, I talked about having side trips after Kandiwata and I cited Villa Alicia Resort, for the sake of sea lovers, here it is:
Unfortunately, I won't be able to share infos regarding the amenities and the specs of this resort because we only dropped by for a travel mate's business with the caretaker or owner. (It only lasted for like 10 minutes)
To sum up the experience, it was an idyllic summer adventure in 2019, 'twas my first time to spend hours in a motor boat and with the deep blue sea, (I'm a trail person ya know) witness the town of Zumarraga as well as the coastal communities of Daram and got out of my comfort zone 'cuz I travelled with peepz whom I am not familiar with (just like what I've written earlier, I was only a joiner in this trip.)
Click the link below to witness our Kandiwata Adventure on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvl1lcKV98o
Would love to experience Kandiwata for the second time (especially that the local gov't of Daram have improved the island) not now, but soon after our country is healed from this pandemic, as of now let's stay at home and most of all let us hope and pray that our country and the world will be CoVid free so that we'll be able to travel and witness once again, the wonders of our country and the world as well.
- Bigboy Wanderer (April 11, 2020)
