CANIGAO ISLAND ESCAPADE
(Matalom, Leyte)

It was the end of the summer school and we need to unwind ourselves, thanks to our dear batchmates who accomodated us in their hometown.  From Cebu you need to go to Hilongos port (Pier 3) and purchase a ticket worth of 250++ depends on which level and seat would you like to pay for tourist it was about 500++ to 600++ aircon room. Me and my friends took the 230++ seats.  It's a 6-hour travel depends on the speed of the ship.  

              
                 (Hilongos Port)

We took the 1pm ride and we arrived around 7pm at Hilongos port and took a tricycle (which can accomodate 5 people) to the main city Matalom.  We paid 200 for the tricycle which was expensive since the real cost per person is 15 to 20 / head.  Obviously the driver was taking advantage of our situation as we didn't really know the cost of the tricycle.  

(They call it "Sikad")

We ate first before we looked for a place to stay.  We ate near the ticket area/port in Matalom and ate barbecue chicken worth Php 35.00 and rice for Php8.00 which is affordable and delicious.  After which, we looked for a pensionne house (Holy Child Pensionne House) and since we're 5 the room cost around Php700.  We stayed for a night and checked out early since we wanted to go to Canigao around 11am.  It was my first time in Leyte and I could say that the town is clean and organized, friendly to tourists and convenient stores are open to serve you.  You can bring your own food at Canigao though make sure to clean it up and bring your own garbage bags (let's help the environment).

Tricky part: When going to Canigao Island there were many boat rides in order to reach the island; we didn't go to the first one as there were lots of people waiting for their turn for the boat ride, instead we drive ahead and went to "super ball" boat ride and it took only minutes for us to reach the island.  Good thing was, we were the only people to ride the boat and we didn't have to wait for our turn.

 ("Super Ball" boat ride to Canigao Island) 

The boat ride costs around Php15.00 to 20.00 though we were only 10 persons and we agreed to go to the island for Php 50/head.  They will drop you off and pick you up.  It is important to keep the receipt and take note of their mobile number so you could send a message once you have decided to go home.  

(entrance)

(Canigao Island)

Good Side:

Breath taking before reaching the island.  The water is clear and the sand is fine but not so fine like milky sand in Bohol.  The distance of the beach to the cottages are quite short so you cannot really sun bathed.  The water would be deep with not far from the shore line.  You could have a walk around the island and find your favorite spot and camp there.  We stayed at the far side and swim there because there were less people probably lazy to walk to the end.    

(a short walk around the island)

Bad side of Canigao:                                
There's no entrance at Canigao but there were local authorities collecting Php 20.00 to preserve the Island though I could see a lot of trash and garbages at the sides (from campers and stayers who could store their trashes properly) so I don't see the sense of collecting money when there's nobody looking after it.  There are no garbage cans on the sides in order to throw your wastes.  

After going to Canigao we left at around 4pm and went to KIOSKO restaurant but we didn't eat there but   beside it was a small very cold running water where you can take a bath for free in order to cool off our sun burn.  They said that during Saturdays there were live bands performing in KIOSKO.

Then we head home to our friend's house and stayed there for a night.  If your planning to go home the day after, try to book early for ship ride back to Cebu because it could really be a hassle as it was always fully booked.  Same price for the ship ride though it could change depending on which ship company you're booking for.