Sibuyan Island Travel Guide
The Filipino island of Sibuyan has much to offer holiday makers seeking quiet beaches with great swimming and a whole collection of waterfalls draw avid explorers from all over the world.
Formerly known as the Island of Waterfalls, Sibuyan Island is part of the Romblon archipelago and is shaped like a half moon. The inner landscape is lush jungle with jagged peaks including the famous Mount Guiting-Guiting and has been dubbed by scientists as the Galapagos of Asia.
The forest on Sibuyan, which takes up a total area of 33 percent, is protected as part of a national park on the island and the environment is diverse, with mangroves and heath land scattered between the towering forest trees.
Over 130 bird species share the skies of Sibuyan and an impressive amount of mammals, reptiles and rodents call the island home. Fruit bats take to the sky at night, with 10 different species found on Sibuyan including endangered species and other rarely documented animals.
Cawa-Cawa, Cataja, Lambingan and Lagting falls are among some of the most fascinating water features to be found anywhere in Asia and there is always plenty to do slightly further afield from Sibuyan on the other islands in the group, like Romblon and Tablas, which are also good for exploring.
Getting There & Away
Manila has the nearest international airport with flights to Romblon Island four times a week that takes 30 minutes. From there you can get a jeepney and boat combination to Sibuyan. From Cebu you can get a 30-minute flight to Kalibo, Aklan, then a 30-minute jeepney or taxi to Caticlan, from where 2-hour boat connections to Odiongan, Sibuyan depart. Air-conditioned buses from Manila take 3 hours and run five times a week and there are plenty of boats to take you to Sibuyan or neighboring islands.