Kapinyahan and Dalutan Islands

As said in my previous story, this trip was to see and experience these two islands off Almeria, Biliran. Not that there is or was anything to die for in any of those islands. I just heard from many people that they're worth a visit. So here was the curious me, myself and I, off to Kapinyahan and Dalutan islands!

Plan of attack: go to either Agta or Talahid Beach Resort, hire a boat (pakyaw) to tour both islands.

I chose to jump-off from Talahid Beach Resort. They even helped me find a boat for this tour. This can also be done from other resorts like Agta (to the right, after that tree) or VRC (further right, after Agta). I just prefer Talahid Beach Resort, which I will tell you later, as it has no relevance to this 2-island tour!

Since you will privately hire a boat (there are no regular commuter trips to any of the islands), it would be cheaper if there's a number of you on your tour. And, you decide which island you want to visit first.

On this trip, it was only me, myself and I, plus my driver/yaya/PA/guard so I paid for the whole thing. I asked the boatmen (tatlo sila) where best to start. They said Kapinyahan muna so we went there first.

Pushback! That is part of Talahid Beach Resort's wide beachfront. We stayed at one hut in the middle, while their staff scouted for a boat. They even 'reserved' the very same hut for our return at lunchtime!

Oh, there's a newer and (I hear) good resort too (that blue roof), but it's high on a hill.

That haze of an island far in the background behind that boat was our first destination - Kapinyahan!

Leshgo sago!

Kapinyahan (Capiñahan) Island
Kapiñahan, Capinyahan, Kapiñajan, Capiñajan whatever... here we go with Hispanic spellings again!

But I prefer to call it 'Kapinyahan', for that's how we simple Pinoys would write and pronounce it, right? And, it's easier to write on a keyboard - no need to type a complicated "ALT 164" to produce the "enye"!

Speaking of "complications" hehehe, let us further complicate this complicated complication!

My driver, who is going gaga over his phone after I told him about some apps, looked this island up on his google maps. And he started 'kuliting' me IF this wasn't "Caygan Island" we were heading to. I was dumbfoundedly awed! A boatman said he's heard visitors call it 'Caygan' but to them it's "Kapinyahan".

Whoa! I learned something new again today! Isn't travel really interestingly educational? Imagine that, my driver/yaya/cook who I just coerced (2 years ago) to start using googlemaps, waze and flightradar was now helping me discover new things related to my favorite activity - travel. Isn't that "wanderful"?

Alright, so here is a closer look of Kapinyahan (a.k.a. Caygan) Island again, viewed on one of its longer sides, as we approached from the north. The white spots in this pic are not structures but white sand.

Our boatmen told us, that since we were approaching Kapinyahan/Caygan from Talahid, this distance would be about 2kms, but if we approached it from Almeria's little wharf, it should only be just 1km.

Almeria's municipal wharf, by the way, is to the left of the above picture. From there, Kapinyahan looks small yet nearer. That is because only that left edge of the long but narrow island is visible from there.

I asked the boatmen why virtually no tourists (just locals) depart from the wharf when it is nearer. The answer was: because visitors usually go to enjoy the white sands of Talahid Beach before / after they visit the islands. Thus, island-hopping boatmen congregate at, or near Talahid beach. Oo nga naman!

Here we were getting closer to Kapinyahan..,

We were supposed to dock at the other side (south side and the other longer portion of the island) but I realized that boats here cannot just pass anywhere to take shortcuts. They avoid some shallows and rocks that are not easily seen by the 'untrained eyes'. In this place, there were submerged rocks at left.

Here here.., this was how our boat made its round on this two-island tour..,

Follow the yellow line. We started at Talahid Beach going down to and circling around to south side of Kapinyahan Island. You see that strip of white above the word Kapinyahan? There's a resort where we docked and strolled from there. Then out to Dalutan where we also stayed a while (you'll see it below).

I drew the red line just to indicate the way from Almeria Wharf to Kapinyahan that I mentioned above.

Anyway, here are views as we circled Kapinyahan (the short yellow line curving around the island).

That is the eastern edge of the island, and it faces the town of Almeria (way left, not seen in photo).

Still the same eastern edge, the patch of white sandy beach that protrudes as sandbar is now clearer.

That is not yet the main resort area. Boatmen told us though, that is more frequented by the locals of Almeria. There is just one nipa hut. Though open to everyone, the area evokes that feel of exclusivity!

Still the same eastern edge of Kapinyahan, this time we were directly between it and the town area.

Notice how the island looks small at that angle. Notice too that the boat went a little farther from the island this time. That's because boatmen avoid the shallow sand areas made by the shifting sandbar.

Now here's a view from the southeast side of Kapinyahan Island. The longer white beach is clearer!

Approaching.., this is the area where visitors usually go to.., and it looks nice from this vantage...,

Approaching still.., you should already see a snippet of the resort's name, right?

And, touchdown! So that is how the beachfront looks like. And the resort name is WAD Resort!

Note that written at right is the resort address/location. It says Capiñahan Island. So, if that's how the owner spells it, then I guess, that should be the "official" spelling. But I still like "Kapinyahan". Bakit ba!

Teka, just because the resort owner spells it that way, does it mean it should be "official"? Oh well well well, in this case, YES! Why? Because he 'just' owns the entire island lang naman! Ano, mabaribad pa?

That's what we learned from the boatmen. WAD means William Ang Diu, a prominent entrepreneur in Naval who purportedly owns a number of businesses including a mall and a hotel. Yun ang Maritess!

Enough of the tsismis! Back to the island. I'm sure you noticed, it's not made of pure fine white sand.

That is what I actually noticed first. The sand is better-looking when seen from far offshore, like in the pictures above. But "wat da".., it is still "an island getaway enough". And, the sea water is crystal clear!

I would agree however, if you say this island is not for little tykes to romp around as they usually do.

The sand, if we can call it that, is not fine and is naturally scattered with many small rocks and stones.

Hey, they built that wharf over at one end of the beach. I think it's even longer and wider than the one at Almeria. What for? Ah, maybe they're expecting bigger boats to come visit this island in the future.

They also have a number of bamboo cottages. I forgot how many, but I imagine not more than six.

We didn't stay in any one of them, since we immediately walked around the island (where possible).

I remember, not renting a cottage was a 'tip' from the boatmen since we were not staying long, as this island does not have any restaurant yet. Oh, I heard one boatman tell the caretaker "mag-picture-lang"!

We strolled, but not many areas can be accessed by foot (yet) as they're 'foresty'. But we saw this..,

Yep, that is a pineapple. The cute little pygmy type. I looked around and saw just about three. And as if on cue, my witty driver/yaya/guide/cook said "sir, it tawag hini na pinya compliance variety". I knew he was joking again, but I still asked why it's called "compliance". And he said 'they planted pineapples so the name Kapinyahan becomes realistic'! Kapinyahan - a place where you find pinya! So complied. Da!

Okay, enough of that ka-corny-han. But I and the boatmen laughed anyway hehe!

Also by suggestion of the boatmen, we climbed (with them) up this small hill behind the resort..,

It's breezy up there and there's that bamboo cottage serving as some kind of lookout and resting area.

That signage is an announcement saying this is a private property, that there's already an entrance fee of P50 for adults and P10 for children plus some reminders not to throw trash to the sea or anywhere. The perplexing thing (for me) was why would such 'reminders' be atop a hill when it's not an entrance!

Anyway, from that 'not-so-tall' hill (children can even run up there), we could see Dalutan and Talahid.

The landmass at right foreground is part of Talahid (where our tour took-off from), the island far in the distance is Tingkasan - across mainland Kawayan. And that haze of an island farther back is Maripipi.

Of course, the island at left is Dalutan Island, our next destination.

Tara let's go there now!

Dalutan Island
Dalutan is the island that can clearly be seen wherever you are on Talahid Beach - especially if you are at the Talahid Beach Resort, where this island is just right across, as we've seen in the previous story.

That's the same island in the picture above, and this one which I took while on our way to Kapinyahan.

Some folks (locals and visitors) I earlier asked told me they like Dalutan Island more than Kapinyahan.

I will have my say later. Meanwhile...

This is how far Dalutan looked to be, as we emerged out of the western end of Kapinyahan..,

I estimate that to be also somewhere around two kilometers, similar to the distance we traveled from Talahid Beach on mainland Almeria to Kapinyahan Island that we were at this time saying goodbye to.

Okay okay.., here here.., one last glance at the back (west) of Kapinyahan or Caygan Island..,

You'll notice there are no sandy beach strips on that back side. All are jagged cliffs and ridges, though I think, the surrounding waters must be good snorkeling and diving areas. It's dark, therefore deep. Du!

Anyway, goodbye Kapinyahan for now.., and here are some of the views as we approached Dalutan..,

There seems to be only one area with a white sandy beach.., on the east, facing Talahid..,

As said earlier (you can check the map above), we also circled Dalutan Island - from back going front.

The west side is also made up of rocky cliffs and ridges..,

And like in the previous island, there are also tricky shallows where the boatmen must expertly avoid!

Until we have rounded the island to the front, where a wide patch of white sandy beach is located..,

This is front of Dalutan Island, and it is only on this portion that there is a sandy beach..,

But even from offshore, it is already clear that Dalutan has a longer, wider, cleaner whiter sandy beach compared to Kapinyahan. The shallows though are similar to the surroundings of Kapinyahan - strewn with many rocks. But we can't complain about that, they are nice fish tambayans, good for snorkelers!

The sand is not that fine, yet better than Kapinyahan for the younger set to romp-around and play!

This is also a privately-owned island, and we had fun reading this board of reminders!

The "Pahibalo" on the lower right corner particularly caught my attention. Fisherfolk are not allowed to hangout on this island especially at night. A bit harsh, but the owners probably have reasons why they implemented that rule. I can think of many probable reasons, but I would rather not say them hehehe!

The grounds are much more developed than Kapinyahan's, and I like how they keep the trees lush!

The coconuts now tall and sturdy are arranged in rows and equal distance from each other. This must have been planned some years ago. It i's easy to see that owners must have employed 'science' here!

Surely including the bright science of money! Imagine that, makiki-upo ka lang, singkwenta na agad!

My driver, even our boatmen, avoided even getting near that 'contraption', lest they be charged P50!

Ah speaking of money matters, each of these huts called "cottages" are rented at P400 each per day.

I think that's a good fair price as these huts are big sturdy clean with well-maintained surroundings.

But, as advised by the boatmen, we did not stay in any one of those cottages, nor did I even sit on that 50peso makeshift bench! We just roamed around to see things and take pictures as was my real goal!

I must tell you though, some people are just wiser than the wise. As in! Here is an example: when the manang caretaker came around to collect our "entrance fee" payments, the three hunks said they are exempted since they are boatmen (she knows all of them). My driver, ayaw palugi, said he was "just" a driver and bodyguard serving the tourist (me), so he should also be exempted from any entrance fees!

So we ended up paying only "my" entrance fee of P50! The manang looked at them in a mixed face of confusion and mischievous smile. As if she was really saying "estoryaheee pero sige na nga"! Ganun!

This 'resort' also has no accommodation facilities (yet). All visitors must be back at mainland by 5PM. And while there is no store, the manang (I think) has a few little things like chichirya and 'yosi' for sale.

She asked if we wanted her to order food - she apparently could do that by calling mainland contacts - and why weren't we settled in any of the cottages or the 50peso bench! Driver said "dili mi magdugay"!

So piktyur-piktyur kay 'di magdugay! This beach volleyball court is tricky. Don't fall, the sand is rough!

The visitor (ako yun) exuberantly exclaimed "this is the place, this is the life, yeah"!

And the spider probably said "this is my place, this is my life, ayaw mo pakasamok, @#$%@$"!

Hahaha naistorbo si gagamba! Anyway, not long after, we left Dalutan crossing back to Talahid.

Look, this was where we were heading back to. Late lunch was waiting at Talahid Beach Resort!

In no time, Shane Angelo was resting peacefully well at Talahid Beach, while kids played around him..,

Who is Shane Angelo? Aw, ayan sya o, the boat hehe! Yes the boat that took us around to Kapinyahan and Dalutan islands! Capacity is not written on its body, but I think it could carry about 10 passengers.

And lunch was immediately served. This whole 'pugon-cooked' lechon manok was waiting for me!

Interestingly for me at least, Talahid Resort's roast does not even need the usual sauce or gravy. Lami!

Spent the hot noon just sitting around, until Shane Angelo took-off with another set of island hoppers!

Until the place became quiet and my driver/yaya/cook/bodyguard/tourguide said it was time to go!

So off we went, out of Talahid Beach Resort in Almeria, zooming along the national road to Tacloban.

Now.., let me do a recap and answer some questions that I asked myself earlier..,

Could we do day tours to islands in Region VIII, returning to Tacloban same day? Yes, especially if we ride on privately hired vehicles. Via public transport might be a bit tough for the return trip, but doable!

If I was able to do this visiting Almeria in Biliran, then this would probably be doable going to as far as Maasin in Southern Leyte, Guiuan in Eastern Samar, or Catbalogan and Calbayog in (Western) Samar.

Is Dalutan better to visit than Kapinyahan Island? I would say yes if you're a family with young people. Adventure treks and games might be more challenging, therefore more exciting, at Kapinyahan island.

Why do I prefer Talahid Beach Resort? Ah it's just me, I guess. But foremost that I truly like in Talahid is that the beach (the ground) is more natural. I mean it is not elevated via ripraps or breakwaters with stairs going down to the beach. It is really AT the beach. Even if you say 'the others are more upscale'.

Oh well, I kept imagining things along the way.., when I checked again, we were already in Tacloban!

And it was only about sunset - very much still within my land travel protocol: sun-up to sun-down only!

I loved this trip!

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