Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte
Among the most beautiful beaches the province of Leyte has to offer can be found in the small island of Canigao off the municipality of Matalom.
White, fine, sandy beaches and crystal clear, unpolluted waters await nature lovers who visit the peaceful and serene island – a perfect place to commune with nature.
Canigao Island used to be under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Coast Guard – there is an existing lighthouse there – but now it’s been turned over and being managed by the Local Government Unit of Matalom. The tiny island is uninhabited and one can walk around it in less than half an hour.
It’s a great place for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and, yes, camping!
One gets to Canigao via a 2-and-a-half hour drive from Tacloban City over well-paved roads to Matalom, and a short 15-20-minute motorized banca ride from the poblacion.
We camped out recently at Canigao Island…
Getting across to the island (in the horizon in pic below) from Matalom, Leyte – a heady 15-min motorized banca ride. With a setting sun, the view was spectacular, to say the least!
Sunset at Canigao Island…
Daybreak…
Update: We were at Canigao Island April 09-11, 2009. View my post here:
http://gerryruiz.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/canigao-island-sojourn/
wow!! what a wonderful beach. that’s what i call nature’s wonder.
thanks mr gerry ruiz for these wonderful pictures in your blog.
malipayon ako nga bisan harayo ako ngada ha tacloban (Abucay), Samar (hernani & catbalogan) nai-ibanan it akon kamingaw ngadi ha middle east, tungod la hini nga imo photoblog. i’m one of your avid blog visitors/photoblog fans. i don’t miss viewing and visiting this site everyday.
how about any new photo updates on the construction of Robinsons and Gaisano Malls?
more power and keep it up!
Hi papa ger! Great pix of canigao! went there when i was still with the Leyte LGU and really liked the place. with the development made by the matalom LGU, we have a new place to bring our guests na.
So where will our next family outing be? canigao? hinunangan? padre burgos? hope we will find time to do that. george and the kids are just as eager to go on a road trip again.
Gerry, imo mga shots talo mo pa an Boracay hini. Makada kami hito. TY again for posting… More power!
kuya, i like the photos… hope more tourists will visit our place.
god bless.
Awesome photos! Thanks for sharing your artwork and talent.
Hello, I never thought that Canigao Island will look so good now. I used to visit Canigao before during my Senior year when I was back home in Leyte. Canigao is very near in our place. We used to go there with my classmates to celebrate whatever occasions we had. Thanks a lot. I look forward to visit it soon when I get back home. Many memories I’ll always treasure of that island.
hi gerry, ang ganda talaga ng view sa canigao. talo pa ang elat or dead sea sa bansang israel. mingao na gyud ko kaayo, dugay na kaayo – mga tuig – wala ka-bakasyon sa canigao, ang meeting place of all of my friends during weekly picnics. before, i resided by the seaside in front of canigao.
your photos of canigao are really awesome. it’s about time somebody took notice and posted professional photos of that island on the web. thank you very much!
hi!tga-leyte q ai, pero la p jd q kaanha ug canigao island,!hehe
tan-aw lang q sa mga pics sa website!!im marian d.i from hilongos, leyte studying here at university of cebu!!you know guys, nindot jd kaau ang mga pics..very awesome!1hay, nig graduate nq puhon, hope nga makaanha q!!naay free?hehe jowk..
you can ad to my frndster
neshel_go@yahoo.com
wow!…thanks for noticing Canigao Island!…great pictures dude!…i’m a native of Matalom…
your pic has brought justice to the awesome beauty of canigao, underneath those powdery white sand and clear blue water is scenery waiting also to be uncovered..and this all can be easily reached from the mainland of matalom. As a matalomnon we salute your features of canigao. Matalom used to be called “MATAHUM” or beautiful, continue discovering matahum of Matalom
hi! canigao is only 20 minutes by small boat (banca) from my home. before i left for abroad, it was not like this. now everything has changed. i’m very happy to hear people now visit this very beautiful place. it’s a very memorable place for me and thanks gerry for the photos.
I appreciate a lot your pix of Canigao Island, Mr. Ruiz. I’m a faculty member of USC and I’m planning to make Matalom the subject of the cultural heritage mapping project of my students, hoping to contribute a little in giving justice to the heritage of our place. Seeing your breathtaking pix in the net are just right on time. Kudos.
hi!!
that place is totally 100% nice. was there 3 years ago. hindi pa ganyan ang view at that time. but it seems much nicer now that there are small cottages. soon to visit there again
How wonderful is God creations, Canigao Island is one of the best beaches in the Philippines or in the world. Matalom is so blessed by this island, truly Matalom means Matahum (beautiful). Thank you, Ger for your WOW PICTURES. God bless you and all Matalomnons.
just visited canigao recently. wow, ang laki ng pinagbago. during my primary years till now, this is our paradise. canigao witnessed every dream i had. thanks, gerry, for making us matalomnons more proud of it.
wow, ang ganda pala nang canigao. i’ve never been there but hopefully, kapag makauwi ako sa pinas i will go there. i like it, it looks like boracay but mas-maganda ba ang canigao? talo na cla. anyway, kuya Ger ur the best. nice kau ang pics na gipost mo. i know if someone wud visit it, i know they wud like it. it’s so nice talaga
god bless u tnx…
maayo ke me nagblog regarding canigao…
thanks gerry
hello, sir gerry… nice photos of canigao…matagal na ako hinde nakapunta sa canigao… last uwi ko was 2008. Dec hinde ako nakapunta… i’m proud to say that we have a beautiful island like boracay… my friends want to go to canigao… thanks sa photos my friends have now seen it… from davao, remy
makada kami hit valentine’s day mga loveless man kuno kami
hi, sir gerry…thanx for posting your masterpieces about canigao. i’m so proud of it as a lumad matalomnon. what you did would surely let the world know about matalom and its greatest asset – the canigao island. naa na koy ikapanghambog about the place where i come from. in behalf of all matalomnons, i thank you for the great job (makatabang ni ug daku sa kauswagan sa matalom sir). more power to you sir….
sobrang kanindot na bitaw karon sa canigao murag dili ko makatoo sa akong nakita…dako na ang kausaban kay sa una ug karon……pwede diha ang reception sa kasal namo? thanks sir gerry sa pagpanindot ninyo sa atong nag inusarang isla diha sa atong lugar…..from arcel of sta. paz
i was there last february 8, 2009 after the fiesta of tabang where my relatives live… i was shocked kasi di na sya tulad ng dati when i was 8 yrs. old. kasi after 10 long years, ngayon lang ako nakabalik ng leyte. canigao island masasabi ku na siguro one of the hot spots for tourism in leyte…
thanks, gerry, for the wonderfull pix. it reminds me of my childhood…..
keep up the good work, bro… thanks again…
kahusay man ine nga imo site,mga photos. Congrats. Nice job igan.
if ever you can visit also my blogsite @ http://pruelpo.wordpress.com. thanks
nice pix of canigao, how much more in reality…i shall go there soon..canigao..here i come!:D
kuya gerry, pano kumada kun tikang ka tacloban? hain it matalom, waah if i knew about this matagal na ak sumulong ngada mas mahusay pa kesa boracay…tutdu-i daw…thanks for the info.
Matalom is the last town of the Leyte Province on the western side. So you take the route headed towards Maasin, So. Leyte. If you’re commuting, I believe there are aircon vans and regular buses either headed for Matalom proper or going further south to Maasin. Once you reach Matalom, head for the Municipal Hall where one can ask for the necessary assistance. Note that Canigao is currently being “managed” by the local municipal government.
Hello Gerry,
I appreciate your wonderful pixs of various tourist attractions in Leyte. This will encourage Leytenos working overseas “para bumakasyon dida ha aton”. Keep up the good work & more power…
wow! nice pix of canigao. thanks sir i’m proud of this. by the way i’m from matalom & i hope these pix will boost up tourism in this island.
woow!!..nice beach..
Naa na diay mga cottages in Canigao? When we went there back in 2003 with my college barkada, we camped in the island for 2 nights and 3 days (amoang version of survivor kunohay) until our freshwater ran out. I remember the only structure in the island at that time was the lighhouse and aside from the caretaker whom we befriended, there were no other people who spent the nights there. That was almost 6 years ago and yet I still remember the feeling of being in awe of the night stars scattered across the dark, clear sky of summer. We spread our mat and passed the drink around while lying and looking up. I thought I could die like this, under the majesty of the beauty of the skies. See, I even got poetic because I was smitten by such beauty.
And just to clear my conscience, just a confession. Since we were so thirsty, we begged manoy the caretaker for a few young coconuts. He said it was owned by somebody and it was not allowed. But finally, he relented hehe. I climbed up and ’stole’ a few bucos. I’m sorry..
Wow Canigao!
hi gerry, you’ve done a great job that makes us “matalomnons” proud of our beautiful white sand island – a place to relax and enjoy…
from: Turista Souvenirs – “keeping your memorable stay last…”
unforgetable!!! yun lang!!
woOow`!.
i alReADy miSs cAnigAo`!,
actuAlLy wE WeNt thErE lAst
sUndAy, apRil 05,2009
aNd WhEn wE gOt hOme
i wAntEd to gO bAck thERe
aGain`!..
AiilHubyoo cAnigAo`!..
canigao island is one of a kind! one in a million!!!
i think canigao island needs a rescue! it has been polluted and is being used like a landfill. the government and the people need to do something about this. Save and Protect this piece of island.
Hi Jane, thanks for your feedback. Indeed, last time we went there (April ‘09) we noticed some lapses in waste “management.” We have brought up this matter to the mayor’s attention and let’s hope they take heed, specially since more people now visit the island.
In fact we even suggested that a take-your-garbage-back-w/-you policy be adopted but to make sure these are not thrown out into the sea on the way back to the mainland.
Mano Gerry, it would be nice if LSF can have a visit and it’ll be nicer if it’ll happen while i’m home.
Nice photos!!!
Hi Cris! Yes, it would be one great EB if it happens. We were at the island during the Holy Week break. View the newer photos here: http://gerryruiz.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/canigao-island-sojourn/
Hi Gerry, very nice post. Finally I’ve booked my schedule to visit Canigao, with my family & kids. We just came from Baguio City and relocated here in Lapu-Lapu City last April 2, 2009 due to work. I’m hoping to enjoy the place.
hai mga taga agbanga matalom, salig ky duol mo ug canigao hehehe, nindotah na kaayo n-u beach dha sah…..regardz q ni meliza ug ni rasil apil sharlyn…moadto ta ninju ug canigao ineg uli nahu ha!!! di na ko k2o nga engana na ang canigao ka lami…..pde mag date dha? bisita nin-u ang canigao mga ky maka relax kaau sa tanan ang lugar bsan sa picture rah hehehe. CANIGAO ROCKZ!!!
hi dis is elsa golz and cherelyn paz.nindot na gyud ang canigao island ang dami nang pumunta na foreigners kaya malapit nang ma discover.hi sa mga clasm8 namo dha hoy mag reunion naman tayo sa canigao kay nindot na kaayo mga guys gu der na!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi guys mangadto ta sa canigao inig uli naho puhon ha kay na xcited na ako mu adto sa canigao kay nindot naman diay kaayo didto!!!!kay lami e lub2 sa dgat na green2 na blue2 unya laum pa kaayo wow maenjoy gyud taana pag dala mo ug lechon ha mga geys puhun kamo!
hi sa mga taga matalom, leyte esp sa koa mga friends dha tawn… haide and ate ivy mga pipol sa zaragosa og mga bugoy sa dumog hi nnju tanan hehehe!!arang nindota na jud d i sa canigao ui murag kaulion ko dah …i was there six years ago nindot na ag place but now nag improve na jud og duro..so guys come and visit d island nah. puhon mamiesta pod ko anha hahaha…
I seriously hope people are educated in the matters of preservation and management of the island. Not just in matalom but all the other “undiscovered” places in the Phils (well around the world too). We’d hate to see it go down the same way as Boracay. Although I’ve never been there, I can’t really say much. I think people only flock there because of the party life. BUT PLEASEEEE for the love of God and all things holy, please take care of our natural treasures.
I’m not a “greenie” but it would be nice if people don’t treat the world as their personal rubbish bin.
I can’t wait to visit Canigao Island or maybe Higatangan Island.
hi sir gerry, thank you sooo much for all the efforts, and to everyone, for all the concerns for our beloved canigao island. i really do love this island. i used to swim in its clear waters and not to mention the staying overnights, i also used to pick up empty beautiful shells while wandering around the island with my family & cuzins or frndz during my younger years. i left leyte in mid 2003, but b4 i left, i noticed that shells were not as visible as b4. i wasn’t sure if it’s jst bcoz people who also do their picnics there were tempted to pick up those, just like me (“,) or sea shells were already ds2rbed and they’d evacuated to another place
…was born & grew up in tag-os, a small and d last brgy of matalom b4 southern leyte, also situated near the shore and jst 15-20mins ride w/ our so called pump boat. Since i’v left home, i do visit my family once or twice a year and my visit is not complete w/o also visiting this paradise… wala q kaad2 last feb coz I ran out of time (‘twas jst a quick family visit), but i’ll make it sure that i’ll b there on june 29 (it’s our brgy fiesta) or july 1, aftr d fiesta… God is sooo good and i’m so blessed, dat after all the encounters of pollution in the big city, there, i cud sit back, relax and regain myself while enhaling d fresh air… not to mention the sea foods including the sea weeds (guso,lato & ambang) with suka (lol)… wheew! can’t wait for it after seeing this photos! for this, i salute u,sir! didn’t i notice an awesome touch and passion in ur photographs? hmmm, i bet u’r a great photographer! this will not b my first and last time to visit ur site and i’m sure of that. thank you again, sir and more power to you!
thanks for posting those beautiful pics of canigao. i’m from tab-ang and my last visit there was on feb 7 ‘08′. i love being there in the island – it’s very very relaxing with the white fine sand… hope to go there again.
thanks again for posting ^^
pwede kong hiramin ang article mo? anyway i will put your name on it…thank you
hey there… great photos of canigao island… beauty at its best… my father is from matalom leyte… we get to visit and stay at matalom twice a year or whenever we feel like wanting to relax. and whenever we have guests, we dare not to let them miss this spectacular view that nature has given us… great photos! you’re an artist!
hi, kip on promoting canigao, we’ll make that place a spot for everyone… matalomnons!!!
Hala, oi, kanindot na sa Canigao… Proud Matalomnon jud mi…
…fascinating!…
very beautiful island. i was there last june 27-28. i was with my friends from manila. superb vacation. you will really appreciate the beauty of nature. hoping to be back soon! i really love the island!
Hala oi kanindot na d i sa among canigao,…dugay na jud ko wala kauli dha,mga classmates naho prepare mo inig uli naho…reunion jod ta dha sa canigao…akong taya tanan basta basta maka uli ko karong august 16…
nice pix sir gerry……..hi, sir gerry…thanx for posting your masterpieces about canigao. i’m so proud of it as a lumad matalomnon. what you did would surely let the world know about matalom and its greatest asset – the canigao island. naa na koy ikapanghambog about the place where i come from. in behalf of all matalomnons, i thank you for the great job (makatabang ni ug daku sa kauswagan sa matalom sir). more power to you sir….
thanks for posting those beautiful pics of canigao. i’m from Brgy. San Pedro Matalom, Leyte and my last visit there was on May 28, 2008′. i love being there in the island – it’s very very relaxing with the white fine sand… hope to go there again. :sir gerry thanks for posting…..louie lora..kmusta naka dha c sio ni, hope nga mo reply napog ka, regards randix nimo…
hi, sir gerry…thanx for posting your masterpieces about canigao. i’m so proud of it as a lumad matalomnon. what you did would surely let the world know about matalom and its greatest asset – the canigao island. naa na koy ikapanghambog about the place where i come from. in behalf of all matalomnons, i thank you for the great job (makatabang ni ug daku sa kauswagan sa matalom sir). more power to you sir….
hi! had been to canigao island also april of last year with only a few cottages available… it’s nice to know it has improvements within a year. my husband used to visit the place also together with his friends and they would stay there overnight.
hi!…
i’m marites gelsano and i come from my very own province of leyte…
tinoud jud nga nice kaayo ang canigao island…
specially if u and ur family go there…
you can relax there sobra… and also you can forget your problems for a while… kadiyot lang gud…hehehehe
Hi!!! My name is Adong. I’m from Cebu City and I go to Maasin City every now and then. It’s like Maasin is my second home and just last weekend I went there for their fiesta. Every time I go there, I never a miss going to and visit Cañigao Island in Matalom. I just love the place, more so before when it wasn’t commercialized yet. The island then had no electric power nor any water pump. I remember we had to bring ‘petromax’ for light and lots of water containers – para pangbanlaw… But the white fine sand beach is perfect!!! Love the place so much…
hi!!! it’s really a wonderful island… that’s why i’m proud to be a matalomnon!
nagbakasyon ko niadtong summer daghan na foreigner didto mostly koreans
Hi sir,
Thanks for posting pictures of Canigao… hope many people around the world would see it and entice them to go there… you serve as an instrument in promoting the island…
Thanks again…
God Bless you.
hhahah lge super i love my country super
Hello Kuya Gerry, what lovely photos of canigao island! When my husband saw all the photos, he said he’s very interested and wants to go there when I have holiday with my family. Thanks a lot. Hope we and family go there. Very nice! I’d like to go there and bring loads of food, specially rosted pig (wow!) with tuba hmmm yumyum…
. . .hmmmmm. . . .
it’s so great to see canigao island that nice and beautiful. .
im so excited n nga mouli dara sa matalom
. . oi classm8s mangaligo baya taG canigao ha nig uli nko
. . ___+ bsf IV-A batch 2008-2009 +______. .
. . .nd tnx sir gerry for posting such nice pics of canigao island