Sambawan Island DIY Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary) 2026

Our trip in Sambawan Island, as I would describe it was a full circle moment. We departed from Kawayan for the island one sunny morning in November with the rain clouds catching up on us from behind casting a beautiful rainbow above Maripipi with our day concluding the same way but with a sun starting to set. It was its way, we suppose, of saying hello and bidding farewell to us – as if it knew I’d write about this spectacular scene. Sambawan island had its way of showing us that whatever the season its, the experience would be lovely regardless. It rained and shine (literally multiple times) that day when we visited it but we loved every bit of it anyway.

About Sambawan Island

Sambawan is an island seated off the west coast of Biliran province bordered by Southern Masbate, Northern Cebu and Samar. It is an island under the municipality of Maripipi, its neighboring volcanic island town. Sambawan island is characterized by a rocky islet with rolling hills, lush slopes, and turquoise water kissing a stretch of white pebble beach. We even enjoyed its view from the view deck perched at the highest point of the island accessible by stairs that is some 130 steps from the beach.

Beyond its stunning scenery above waters, we were also able to explore its marine sanctuary that somehow did not disappoint. It’s a reef composed of thriving hard corals that are a home to reef fish.

Things to Do in Sambawan Island

1. Trek to the view deck. Take about 130 steps to the highest point of the island to get a 360 degree view of Sambawan and its neighboring island provinces.
2. Freediving or snorkeling. Explore its marine sanctuary just right in front of the beach.
3. Scuba diving. Explore beyond the shallow reef and experience more of its thriving sanctuary.
4. Swimming. Swim into its calm, turquoise waters – either in its white pebble beach side or the rocky shore, you choose.
5. Kayaking. Rent a kayak and row your way to its turquoise waters.
6. Sunrise or sunset watching. Since the island offers a 360-degree view, you’ll get a chance to view both the sunrise and sunset from it that can be best enjoyed at the view deck.
7. Camping. Spend a night away from the bustle, pitch a tent, sleep under the stars and wake up to a sunrise by a peaceful beach in the island.

How to get to Sambawan Island

From Manila to Naval by Air

1. Fly from Manila to Tacloban city, Leyte since Biliran does not have any airport. From the airport.
2. Take a jeepney to Naval van terminal. Fare is at Php 25.00.
3. Board either a Van-vans, Duptors or Grandtours’ van. The last trip leaves at 5:00 in the afternoon. The trip may take 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Fare ranges from Php 200.00 to Php 300.00.
4. From the drop off point, take a jeep to tricycle to Naval port.

From Cebu to Naval by sea

Make your way to Cebu city port. Board the 7:30 AM fast craft trip by SeaCat to Naval Port in Biliran. This trip by sea takes about 3 hours and half to four hours and fare is at ₱1,450. The same vessel sails from Biliran back to Cebu city at 4:30 PM.

While this trip is regular daily, you may still want to check their Facebook page or contact them through their email (support@grandferries.com) and mobile (+63 935 628 8319) to check some updates regarding their trips or schedule.

A cheaper alternative to this but relatively slower is the Star Philippines Shipping Lines‘ RORO or a passenger ferry. It usually departs from Cebu city at 8:00 in the evening every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The same ferry sails back from Naval, Biliran to Cebu city at 8:00 PM every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

While the fare ranges from ₱ 800–₱ 1,200.00, the trip may take about 7 to 8 hours from Cebu city to Naval.

Naval to Sambawan Island via Maripipi

1. From the drop off point, take a jeep to tricycle to Naval port.
2. Take the 10:00 AM passenger boat to Maripipi island. Bear in mind that this is currently the only trip that goes to and from Maripipi from Naval for about an hour and a half. Fare is at Php 100.00. There is a Php 10.00 terminal fee at the port. The same ferry departs from Maripipi back to Naval at 4:00 AM to 4:30 AM the next day.
3. Hail a tricycle or habal-habal to Brgy. Ol-og. Fare ranges from Php 30.00 Php 150.00 for up to two people.
4. From Ol-og, charter a boat that will take you to Sambawan island. Boat from Sambawan from this point costs Php 600.00 good for 5 people.

Naval to Sambawan Island via Kawayan (direct)

1. From the drop off point, hail a tricycle or habal-habal that will take you to Kawayan, where private boats depart for Sambawan. Rate ranges from Php 900.00 to Php 1,500.00 (may include side trip to Ulan-ulan, Recoletos and/or Tinago falls when you get back to the main land).
2. Charter a small, private boat to Sambawan island. Boat ranges from Php 3,000.00 to Php 7,000.00 depending on the size of the boat. This trip only took us an hour to an hour and a half depending on the waves.

Port of Naval to Sambawan Island (direct)

You may also opt to sail directly from the port of Naval to Sambawan island. From here, you may charter private boats. Rental rates range from Php 10,000 for a 10 to 15-people boat and Php 12,000 to 14,000 for a thirty to sixty people boat. This, however, would only be ideal for tourists in big groups.

Important Contact and a Love Note from the Writer

If you’re traveling with a limited time in the province and would still love to pay Sambawan island a visit, I suggest staying for the night in Naval. Then, travel to Sambawan via Kawayan early morning the next day. This option gives you ample time to spend in this beautiful island. In our case, we contacted Angelica Abad of Isla Biliran Adventures. She arranged the boat for us and showed us around the island, too. We took a small fishing boat to take the three of us to the island and paid Php 3,000.00 only. Instead of figuring out our way around, we were able to spend more time in the beautiful destinations Biliran province has to offer.

If you’re also into diving (freediving and scuba diving), she also knows the best spots in the province and can help you out in filming your underwater adventures.

Sambawan Island DIY Itinerary

DAY 0:

5:00 PM – Depart from Tacloban for Naval
8:00 PM – Arrival at Naval; Dinner and Check in at Marvin’s Seaside Inn
9:00 PM – Lights out

DAY 1:

7:00 AM – Depart for Kawayan; grab breakfast and food for the day on the way
8:00 AM – Expected time of arrival at Kawayan
8:15 AM – Depart for Sambawan Island
9:30 AM – Expected time of arrival at Kawayan; Register
10:00 AM onwards – swim, snorkel/ dive, trek to the view deck
2:00 PM – Depart for Kawayan
3:00 PM – Arrival at Kawayan
4:00 PM – Side trip in Ulan-Ulan falls
5:00 PM – Back at Marvin’s Seaside Inn

We spent three days and two nights in Biliran to give ourselves more time to explore in the province. Other than Sambawan island, we visited two of its well-known waterfalls – Tinago and Ulan-ulan falls but on a different day.

Sambawan Island DIY Estimated Budget

	Amount
Airport to Naval van terminal	Php 30.00
Food (for the entire duration of the trip)	Php 1,000.00
Tacloban to Naval van fare (to and from Biliran)	Php 200.00 x2 = Php 400.00
Tricycle from drop off point to Marvin’s Seaside Inn	Php 30.00 x2 = Php 60.00
Accommodation (Marvin’s Seaside Inn)	Php 1,800.00
Habal from hotel to Kawayan	Php 900.00
Boat rental	Php 3000.00 / 3 = Php 1,000.00
Entrance fee	Php 100.00
Environmental fee	Php 25.00
TOTAL	Php 5,215.00

*Airfare is excluded

Important Fees

	Amount
Entrance fee	Php 100.00
Environmental fee	Php 25.00
Boat parking fee	Php 50.00 – Php 300.00 per boat
Fan room for 7 people	Php 1,500.00 per night
Fan room for 12 people	Php 2,500.00 per night
Tent pitching fee	Php 100.00 per tent
Fresh water (1 Gallon)	Php 50.00
Kayak rental	Php 300.00 per hour

Practical Tips from this Sambawan Island DIY Travel Guide

1. Bring cash. There’s no ATM in the island nor any means to withdraw cash.
2. Secure your stuff in a dry bag.
3. Use reef-friendly sunscreen only.
4. There are no restaurants but a small convenience store in the island only. Hence, see to it that you’ll bring food, drinks and a few snacks good for the entire duration of your stay. Make sure though to bring your trash back to the main land.
5. Fresh water for washing up is available at Php 50.00 per gallon. There’s a toilet and a makeshift changing near the registration area.
6. If you intend to go back to the main land after your Sambawan trip, leave before 4:00 PM. Waves and surges can get rough towards late in the afternoon.
7. If you’re interested in trying freediving, bring your own gear as there is no rental in the island.

Sambawan Island DIY Travel, In a Nutshell

The island’s beach is well-maintained but its underwater scene screams differently despite it being a marine sanctuary. Thus, if you find yourselves snorkeling and diving, see to it that you’ll be able to pick up a few stuck in the corals or the sea bed.

For the experience and sight of its beauty, Sambawan island is worthy of traveling for hours. Had we have more time in the region, we could have spent more days in it. Like what I’d always say to anyone I’d tell my travel recounts to, the photos and videos do not give justice to the experience and the beauty we have witnessed in the island. This sure would make us find ourselves hours in transit again in the future just to be dazed once more by Sambawan.

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