Bongao Island Travel Guide
Bongao Island is a small island and the main gateway to the Tawi Tawi region of the southern Philippines. It is however closer to Borneo than to the Philippines proper.
- What is It?
- A small island right in the south of the Philippines famed for its town and mountain of the same name.
- When to Go
- December through to March is the driest and coolest time on Bongao Island.
- Nearest Town
- Bongao town is the main town on the island and lies in the south.
- Don't Miss
- a two-hour trek up Mount Bongao.
- Trivia
- you can see Borneo from the top of Mount Bongao on a good day.
Bongao is the main city of Bongao Island and comes with a decent amount of hotels, shops and restaurants, as well as several attractions in the town and nearby. It also has an airport and a ferry pier and is straightforward to get to. There are plenty of mosques to check out in town and around the island, while Mount Bongao is the major natural attraction.
This lofty hill is both sacred and good for a two-hour trek, with fabulous views from the top and an important tomb to look at. Those who venture this far to Bongao Island generally have notions of hitting the other Tawi Tawi islands in the group; most notably Simunul, Sitangkai, and Sibutu.
Travel to Bongao Island - Getting There
The best way to Bongao Island is to fly from Manila, or elsewhere that operates flights to Bongao's Sanga-Sanga Airport. Bongao Island is 90 minutes by plane from Manila. There are also regular ferries from Jolo and Zamboanga City.
