by: Trisha Jasmin D. Bandong

When someone mentions Visayas, the top of mind vacation destination is either Boracay or Cebu. However the region has many other beautiful attractions, which may be more difficult to get to, but are worth the adventure.

When you travel around the Philippines, you have many choices of powdery beaches,old churches and many other natural wonders and historical structures that are worth visiting. Biliran is an island in Leyte that has several of these places, making it a popular destination for foreign and local tourists alike.

Discover ISLANDS.

1. Sambawan Island of Maripipi

The island has fine sand that glistens and verdant landscapes that slope down to the shore. This idyllic destination lacks the commercialization of many tourists spots in the region, making it a perfect place to relax and unwind.

How to get there

From Naval, visitors can travel to Maripipi for an hour and a half. From Maripipi,another boat ride is required to reach Sambawan which should take about 20 minutes. The nearest airport from Naval is Tacloban City. The trip from Tacloban to Naval takes about two hours. If you are coming in from Cebu, you can take a fast craft to Ormoc for three hours and another two hours from Ormoc to Naval.

From Naval, Biliran ride a bus, jeep or habal-habal to Kawayan. Once in Kawayan Port, rent a boat to the island for approximatelyP1000 to P2000, for a day or overnight trip.

2. Higatangan Island of Naval

Higatangan Island is popular for its shifting sandbars and beautiful color changes of the water and sand throughout the day. If what you are looking for is a combination of rock formations and unique sandbars, this is the place to go. There are a few private resorts in the island but the beach still remains beautiful to this day. Aside from the rugged rock formations, pristine white beach and crystal clear waters, Higatangan has an interesting history to it. It is said to be the island where former President Ferdinand Marcos took refuge during the second World War. Now, the highest point in the island is called Marcos Hill.

How to get there

From Naval, rent a boat and it only takes a short boat ride from Naval to Higatangan of 30 minutes.

3. Dalutan Island of Almeria

Dalutan Island is a very small island covered with coconut and palm trees which provides shade from the blazing sun. The white sand is not that fine but the main attraction of the island is its pristine beach, abundance in coral gardens, stunning view of the mountains and coastlines of Biliran Island and its proximity to Agta Beach in the mainland. The place is underdeveloped and a caretaker collects a small fee to every visitor. There are small cottages available for day visitors but you can also bring your own tent. Swimming, snorkeling and diving are the best things to do here.

How to get there

Rent a boat from Agta Beach Resort for a 20-minute ride to Dalutan Island, costing roughly ₱500 roundtrip. An entrance fee of ₱50 is collected in the island while cottages are for rent from ₱250 to ₱1,000 a day depending on the size.

Discover WATERFALLS.

With the tropical mountains come the waterfalls. From underground springs to surface runoff, these fresh waters combine to form streams that cascade roughly down steep slopes. Many of them empty on shallow pools hidden in the forest which makes for an exciting spot for nature travelers.

If you are planning to see some of these amazing Biliran waterfalls, you’ll be delighted to find many of them in the towns of Caibiran, and Almeria.

4. Tinago Falls of Caibiran

Tinago Falls is one of the best attractions offered by the province of Biliran. It is simply a hidden paradise worth discovering.  The name “Tinago” is a Visayan term for“hidden” which fits the place. The hypnotic waterfall blends perfectly with nature as its cold waters cascade beautifully in breathtaking scenery

How to get there

It is reachable through a 30-minute habal-habal ride from downtown Naval then a quick 30-minute hike. It is possible to visit it anytime, and the best option would be to rent a habal-habal in Naval for a full day tour which should not cost more than ₱700.

5. Ulan-ulan Falls of Almeria

Ulan-Ulan Falls is one of the most visited tourist spots in Biliran,tucked in the forests of the mountainous province. There are many waterfalls Biliran and Ulan-Ulan falls is one of the four popular ones. The cascading waters creates a mist or sprinkled waters similar to a rain. The word“ulan” in the local language means “rain“,hence the name. The magnificent falls is surrounded with lush of green vegetation and the basin has enough wide and depth for a swim

How to get there

From Naval, Rent a habal-habal or bring your own vehicle to take to you to Barangay Sampao. Travel time is approximately 20-30minutes. Get off the signage leading to the waterfalls.  Hire a local guide or follow the trail.

These are some of the tourist attractions of Biliran Island. There are tons of beautiful islands, waterfalls and beaches surrounding this little island and the locals calls this island the “Hidden Paradise”.