Sambawan Island, formally the Sambawan Dive Camp and Marine Sanctuary, offers the weary a perfect slice of picturesque paradise.
It has all a visitor would expect – a pearly-white sandy beach to frolic in, mildly calm and clear water to take quick dips and do water sports, and an easy-breezy tropical ambiance that offers rest.
From above, the place is three islets joined by stony shallows. One can walk up the peak and the island from tip to tip; something that is best done before sunrise.
Sambawan is part of the island municipality of Maripipi, which in turn is part of the island province of Biliran.
Getting there
Getting to the island from Naval is at the cost of a 20 to 30-minute motorcycle ride to either the municipality of Almeria, or the neighboring town of Kawayan, followed by a close-to-two-hour motorized outrigger boat-ride.
I visited the island twice so far this year.
The first was in January, while in the company of SeaKnights, a non-government organization that does reef management and coastal resource conservation work.
The second was early in March. I assisted Coach Alfie Fernandez in a lifesaving training for resort staff.
On the first visit, our contingent took a 14-hour-slow boat ride, courtesy of Roble Shipping, from Cebu City to the Naval Port.
A convoy of tricycle then brought us and our gear to Almeria, where a motorized outrigger boat was waiting.
On the second trip, we opted to go via Ormoc City, which is somewhat shorter boat ride.
From Ormoc, we took an hour-and-a-half van-ride to Naval, then a 20-minute motorcycle ride to Kawayan, where we were fetched.
Highlight
But as magnificent as Sambawan is when viewed from the shore, the island’s true beauty only truly comes into view when one looks at her from below; from underwater.
The entire island and its surrounding waters are part of a marine sanctuary established by the municipality of Maripipi in 2015. It is a no-catch zone for residents, and entry by commercial fishing vessels is a costly criminal offense.
As a result, the island’s marine biodiversity is the best in the province.
It boasts of 11 different diving sites – from the basic shoals and reefs, to solemn kelp forests, and to huge rock formations that are all simply teeming with marine life.
A group of residents, declared as stewards of the island, make it all possible.
Community
No longer allowed to fish, these residents received training and are now empowered to run the whole place.
Some take care of guests from check-in to check-out. Others are certified dive masters who assist and guide visiting scuba divers.
