We arrived in Balangkayan, Eastern Samar the other night and I was afraid that I would be stuck inside my grandmother’s house to slowly transform my mood in a state of boredom. Desperate, I asked from one of my cousins where I could go, they suggested Minasangay Island. Lucky me, my cousin was bored too so I get to have company while going around.
Walking to the island, I noticed that there were a lot of mangroves in the apog (limestone) filled road. My relatives told me stories that the mangroves were being harvested before and almost wiped out but thanks to the local government they banned the cutting of mangroves in the area.
Entrance to Minasangay Island
Having a leg suffering from jumper’s knee did not help in going around the island. There were a lot of stairs going up and down! Slowly, I took my time to walk up the stairs and see the magnificent view from the top of one of the jumping boards.
With a jumping board that has deep clean water below with a magnificent view, who would not jump? ME! I HATE YOU JUMPER’S KNEE!!!!!!
The Eco-park and Resort facility of Minasangay Island is fairly new, less than 5 years but as of today it is a popular getaway for the locals of Eastern Samar. Being filled with many people during the weekends. I wonder if that is good for the fishes living around the island?
Arriving at Manila, I told my mother that I went to the island. Somehow, her childhood story about Minasangay Island was more awesome than what I had. When she went to Minasangay Island they would cross the sea through corals that can be seen during the low tide, many big fishes and fine white sand. Unfortunately, people over fished and destroyed the corals by dynamite and poison fishing. Don’t get me wrong, the island is still beautiful and worth going especially when you get to the side of the island that is directly facing the Pacific Ocean, but it was much better in my mother’s story. Nothing we can do about that. Live in the present, learn from the past and improve for the future.
How to get to Minasangay Island
- Option 1: If you’re coming from Tacloban City, Leyte ride a van (Van-vans or Duptours) going to Borongan, Eastern Samar. Tell the driver to drop you off at the waiting shed to Minasangay Island in Balangkayan. Travel time is 3 hours. Fare is P190/pax.
Option 2: If you’re coming from Borongan, Eastern Samar ride a multicab to Balangkayan. Tell the driver to drop you off at the waiting shed to Minasangay Island. Travel time is 40 minutes. Fare is P30/pax. - From the waiting shed walk on the white road for about 10 minutes to reach the entrance of Minasangay Island Eco-Park and Resort. Approximately 800 meters.
If you’re lucky, a tricycle would pass by the waiting shed, you can hire them to take you to Minasangay Island entrance.
- Balangkayan Resident – 5 Pesos/person
Filipino Citizen – 10 Pesos/person
Foreign National – 50 Pesos/person
Click on the image to see a large view
- There’s a small sari-sari store insde but it is highly encouraged that you bring your food.
- Best to go there during low tide. Many of the facilities will be submerged during high tide.
- You can stay overnight.
- As of writing, the pathway is still being improved to go around the island.
- Some Rules
Rules in Minasangay Island
Follow my Tacloban-Basey-Eastern Samar Series by checking the links below
Eastern Samar Destinations
- Hagnaya Beach in Salcedo (Awesome!)
- Divinubo Island Eco Tour Park
- Minasangay Island Marine Ecological Park & Resort
Guiuan, Eastern Samar Subseries
- Getting Around Guiuan (Guiuan Travel Guide)
- Bridge to Calicoan Island
- Beaches of Calicoan Island (Awesome!)
- Dumpao Beach Resort
- Airport Town of Guiuan
- Parish Church of the Immaculate Concepcion
- Guiuan Transport Terminal
Basey, Samar and Tacloban City, Leyte Destinations
would also love to jump from that diving board! first saw this in another blog but thanks for posting a ‘how-to’ here josiah.
sayang lang kasi na injured yung knee mo. malalim lang naman ang tubig pag magdidive? parang daming corals kasi sa ibang bahagi.
Oo nga e. I really wanted to jump, kaso itong tuhod ko lang talaga. The diving boards are specifically located sa mga malalalim na lugar so no problem naman if you’re going to dive, wag lang face first.