If someone asks me for an off-the-beaten-path destination in the Philippines, I’ll immediately point to THIS province.
Southern Leyte is one of those places that’s SO beautiful and PACKED with amazing natural spots, you can’t help but wonder why it isn’t more popular.
But hey…
That’s a good thing right?
Anywho, if you’re down for an epic adventure into one of the lesser known provinces of the Philippines, this Southern Leyte travel guide is for you!
In it, I’ll go over:
- A travel map of Southern Leyte
- How to get to the province
- How to get around Southern Leyte
- Where to stay
- 14 tourist spots you should check out
- A sample itinerary
- And answer a few FAQs
There’s a lot to discover so let’s dive right in!
Fast Facts About Southern Leyte
- Best Known For: Ethical whale shark tours, untouched coral reefs, marine life
- Location: Eastern Visayas
- How to Get There: Ferry from Cebu City (book here), or fly from Manila to Tacloban and ride a bus or van to Southern Leyte.
- Language: Cebuano (most tourist zones), Waray (eastern side of the island).
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ For people who love marine life, Southern Leyte is an absolute must-visit. It’s not nearly as popular as other Philippine destinations, but the underwater world here is bursting with life!
Southern Leyte Travel Map
Southern Leyte is a BIG province.
If you tried to explore it all, it’ll probably take you weeks, or even months, to do so.
The truth is, most travelers really only visit four parts of this province. So let’s take a closer look at those!
Padre Burgos
Padre Burgos is known as the “ethical whale shark watching” capital of the Philippines.
Yes, you can see whale sharks in other towns like Oslob, but whale shark watching there is criticized by environmentalists for being “unethical.”
If you’d like to see whale sharks in the wild, Padre Burgos is the place to be! (I’ll talk more about how/when to see them below).
When it isn’t season for whale sharks, Padre Burgos also has several brilliant reefs so close to shore. It’s one of the best places to grab a snorkel, jump into the water, and just explore the underwater world.
Limasawa Island
A quick one-hour boat ride from Padre Burgos will take you to Limasawa Island, another crazily underrated island in the Philippines!
Limasawa is one of those places that, when you set foot on it, you wonder why it isn’t more popular.
It’s the perfect size (small enough that you can walk from point to point, but big enough that there’s plenty to explore), and its filled with white sand beaches, sparkling blue water, beautiful lookout points, and a slow, quiet island vibe.
This island is also the place where Ferdinand Magellan held the first mass in the Philippines. If you’re into history, this place has a very significant part of our country’s story.
Limasawa is truly a special place.
If you had to visit only one place in Southern Leyte, I’d say make it Limasawa!
Sogod
If you’re down for an off-the-beaten-path town, then add Sogod to your list.
Some tourists come here to see the tallest bridge in the Philippines, but few ever stay more than a day (most don’t even spend the night).
And I get it.
There’s nothing brilliant about the place.
However, it’s a very quaint small town, with crystal clear waters, a small little food park, and some nice hills in the backdrop you can climb.
I absolutely don’t regret spending a couple of days here.
Maasin
Maasin is the capital and the only city in Southern Leyte.
It’s small, but you do get the conveniences of city living here, with so many establishments all over the place.
If you’re coming from Cebu, this is where you’ll get your first taste of Southern Leyte.
There are a few tourist spots around here. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to visit.
But my friend from Maasin recommends visiting the famous cross on top of a hill (Monte Cueva Shrine), Guinsuhotan Cave, and Cagnitoan Falls!
Maybe at another time.
How to Get to Southern Leyte
Because it’s a big province, there are several ways that you can get to Southern Leyte.
Here are some of the most common ones for travelers (including how to get to Padre Burgos/Limasawa from around Southern Leyte!):
How to Get to Southern Leyte From Cebu
- 🛥️ Ferry from Cebu City Pier 1 to Maasin, Southern Leyte (Oceanjet, book here)
Travel time is roughly 3 hours.
There’s also a slow boat (Cokaliong Shipping Lines) that does this route once a week. It’s cheaper, but the travel time is roughly 6-7 hours.
Alternatively, there are daily boats from Cebu City to Bato and Hilongos (nearby towns). In Bato and Hilongos, you can easily find vans and buses headed to Southern Leyte (which is just about an hour away).
How to Get to Southern Leyte From Manila
- ✈️ Fly from Manila to Tacloban
- 🛺 Tricycle to Robinsons Terminal
- 🚌 Ride a bus or van bound for Sogod or Maasin
If you’re heading to Padre Burgos or Limasawa, it’s faster if you pass via Sogod!
In both Sogod and Maasin, you’ll find transport terminals with jeepneys, vans, and buses that can take you to your final destination.
How to Get to Southern Leyte From Bohol
- 🚌 Ride a bus to Ubay City in the eastern side of Bohol
- 🛥️ Ride a boat to Bato or Hilongos
- 🚐 Ride a van to Maasin City
If you’re in Panglao or Tagbilaran, head to the Dao Terminal, where there are several buses heading to Ubay every day.
If you’re in Anda, you’ll be even closer to Ubay, and finding transpo shouldn’t be difficult.
From Ubay port, several fast crafts and slow boats do these trips every day, including RLS Shipping, Mama Mary Sea Transport, and a few others.
How to Get to Padre Burgos
In Sogod, head to the transport terminal in the middle of town. You’ll find vans heading to Maasin from there that pass through Padre Burgos.
Likewise, in Maasin, head to the transport terminal close to the pier. You’ll find jeepneys that go directly to Padre Burgos, as well as vans going to Sogod that pass through Padre Burgos!
A jeepney only costs PHP50, while a van costs PHP110.
How to Get to Limasawa
From Padre Burgos, head to the pier.
There are 2 regular trips from Padre Burgos to Limasawa a day. Scheduled times are 8 am and 11 am, and the fare costs PHP150.
However, keep in mind that these schedules are not strictly followed. Boats will leave once they reach maximum capacity.
Don’t worry, though! Aside from the scheduled trips, there are several bangkas that cross once there are enough passengers. Fare for these smaller boats is PHP200.
Whatever the case, it’s best to come to the pier as early as you can so you don’t miss the last trip! When I visited, the “big boat” that does the scheduled trips was damaged, so there were only unscheduled bangkas available that left when they were full.
Alternatively, you can also ride the RLS Shipping boat from Maasin directly to Limasawa.
Check their Facebook page for schedules!
How to Get Around Southern Leyte
Now that you’re in Southern Leyte, the next question is…
How do you get around???
Renting a Motorbike
As a solo backpacker, I ALWAYS recommend renting a motorbike if you can.
The good news is that there are motorbike rentals available in both Sogod and Limasawa.
- In Sogod, check out B’s Car and Motorcycle Rentals. You can contact them through Facebook or by contacting their numbers. Their pin in Google Maps is correct (it’s the sari-sari store). Their units are also new and well-maintained, so it’s a lot of fun driving around lesser-known parts of the province.
- In Limasawa, several locals rent out their motorbikes to locals. It’s a normal practice here, so everyone knows someone who rents a motorbike. If you want something specific, I rented mine from the TRIMULCO canteen. They don’t have a pin in Google Maps, but it’s in between TRIMULCO Lodge and “Assembly of God Church.”
I didn’t find a motorbike rental in Padre Burgos. However, I didn’t look that hard since everything in Padre Burgos is within walking distance.
Also, didn’t find anything in Maasin. But since it’s a city, public transportation there can usually take you anywhere. Speaking of which…
Habal-habals / Tricycles
All four towns I mentioned have a bunch of tricycles milling around.
For shorter distances, just hop on one and tell them where you’re going. The fare should just be around PHP15-25.
For example, from Padre Burgos to Tangkaan Beach, I just paid PHP15 for a habal-habal. From Limasawa Port to the town, I just paid PHP25.
Also, if you can’t rent a motorbike and would like to tour around, you can hire a driver to take you around.
For example, in Limasawa, a tricycle tour costs PHP200/person (you may have to pay more if you’re traveling solo).
Buses / Vans / Jeepneys
Southern Leyte is a very well-connected province.
For longer journeys, you can go pretty much anywhere you want by heading to the transport terminal and looking for a ride there.
There are jeepneys, vans, and buses that go from end to end, passing different routes so everyone can go where they want to!
Where to Stay in Southern Leyte
Where to Stay in Padre Burgos
- Dos Hombres Inn — the cheapest place I could find! Dos Hermanos has a 4-bed fan dorm for php500/night. It’s a bit tight, but I’m not complaining since everything else in Padre Burgos costs PHP1k+. Also, Dos Hombres has a lovely small garden facing the sea, where you can watch boats docking and turtles swimming freely around.
- Padre Burgos Castle Resort — one of the most popular resorts in Padre Burgos. It’s found right beside Tangkaan Beach, which is a few minutes away from town, but a lovely place for snorkeling and seeing turtles. Padre Burgos Castle Resort also organizes whale shark watching tours, so if you’re here for that, this is a great place to stay.
- Sogod Bay Dive Resort — for scuba divers! Aside from the whale sharks, Sogod bay has some pristine reefs that are well worth a visit. If you’d like to stay in a dive resort, check this place out. This resort is a few minutes away from town too, but right in front of a reef.
- JM-RN Pensionne — another cheaper option that’s smack in the middle of town. When you walk out the door, the Padre Burgos pier is right there. Need a meal? All the food options are right at your doorstep, too.
- Blue Deep Resort – this resort was renovated in 2022. It is a charming boutique hotel featuring clean rooms, a fitness center, and a swimming pool, all for you to enjoy.
- Burgos Reef Boutique Resort – spectacular views, modern features, and amenities, which are perfect for romantic getaways.
Where to Stay in Limasawa Island
Note: none of the resorts/inns in Limasawa are on Booking apps! You’ll have to contact their Facebook pages to reserve a room (and you should, especially if you’re coming during peak season).
- Dakdak Beach Resort — this is the most famous (and probably the best) resort in Limasawa. They have a beautiful beachfront, all the amenities you expect at a resort (Dakdak is pretty isolated, but they have their own restaurant, so it’s not a problem). Dakdak only has a few rooms, and it gets fully booked pretty fast (even during off-season when I visited). So make sure you message their Facebook page ahead of time!
- Trimulco Lodge — this is where I stayed! I read some blog posts that you can get a room here for only PHP400/night. However, this is NOT true. The room here costs PHP 1,200/night. That said, Trimulco is a cooperative, and all the people here are super friendly and nice! You can rent a motorbike, get meals, and there are plenty of sari-sari stores around, and all the goods. Trimulco is in the main town of Limasawa, so you can always find what you need.
- Amy Beach Resort — another beach-front resort with super-friendly owners! I came here to ask if I could camp out, but unfortunately, they don’t allow it (only rooms available). The nicest thing about this place is that there are plenty of turtles swimming right in front of the resort.
- South Parola Resort — this is the cheapest place I found in Limasawa. Their kubo room costs PHP800/night. South Parola also has a nice overlooking view of the sea. You’ll have to walk down a stairway if you want to swim, and the waves here can get pretty strong. The owners said you can camp here, but when I arrived, they turned me away because “you can’t camp if there are no guests in the rooms.” 🤷🤷🤷
- Someone’s House! — during peak season, most of the resorts get fully booked, so the locals of Limasawa welcome visitors to their homes! This isn’t something you can book or plan for, but the people here are extremely friendly and welcoming. On my last day in Limasawa, I missed the last bangka to the mainland, but a friendly couple let me stay in their guest house close to the pier! They didn’t ask for money too (but I left a tip anyway).
Where to Stay in Sogod
- Regis BnB — the cheapest place I could find. It costs PHP600/night, and it’s a pretty shabby fan room. But hey, beggars can’t be choosers 😂. Regis BnB is also close to one of Sogod’s tourist spots (Usay Lubi), so I just walked from here. Other than that, nothing much to say about it other than it’s cheap.
- GV Hotel Sogod – another budget-friendly hotel located in the town of Sogod. With comfortable amenities, you’re sure to have a good night’s rest. The wifi is not too good for those working travelers though.
- GMB ARTE’ Hotel – a nice, accommodating hotel located 11km from Agas-Agas Bridge. Car parking and wifi are free so you can come and go as you please.
14 Southern Leyte Tourist Spots (Things to do in Padre Burgos, Limasawa, and Sogod)
Okay…
Now let’s get into the FUN stuff!
What can you actually do and see in Southern Leyte?
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #1: Tangkaan Beach
- Location: Padre Burgos
- Fees: PHP10 entrance fee
- Opening Hours: 6 am – 8 pm
- How to Get There: From Padre Burgos, take a tricycle or habal-habal to Tangkaan Beach. It’s 3km away and the trip takes about 10 minutes. I paid PHP15 for my habal-habal. You can also walk if you’re down for it.
One of the things I LOVE about visiting lesser-known spots is that there is SO much marine life SO close to the shore.
Tangkaan Beach is one of the prime examples of that.
While the beach itself is already super pretty, it’s what you’ll find underwater that’s interesting.
There are plenty of BIG turtles swimming around here, and lots of colorful fish swimming around. I even saw a really BIG white fish as big as my arm (not sure what kind it was).
The only problem with this beach is that the current can get strong.
Be careful swimming out to deeper parts if you’re not an experienced swimmer.
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #2: Padre Burgos Fish Sanctuary
- Location: Padre Burgos
- Fees: Environmental fee PHP25, Snorkeling fee PHP75 (note: I don’t fully remember the fees since I wasn’t able to write them down, but I vaguely remember they added up to around PHP100).
- Opening Hours: N/A
- How to Get There: Walk! This sanctuary is very close to the Padre Burgos pier. It’s right in front of the JD Beach Front Hotel, just look for the small lookout tower in the sea and you’ll know you’ve arrived.
Another beautiful little reef so close to shore!
This one is even easier to get to than the one in Tangkaan, and the current isn’t as strong here.
The corals are beautiful, there are countless colorful fish, and I even saw a LIONFISH!
There isn’t too much to say about this place.
It’s small, seems very unassuming, but once you plunge in, you’ll find yourself in a completely different world — truly a snorkeler’s dream!
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #3: Whale Shark Watching
- Location: Padre Burgos
- Fees: Whole-day tour = PHP3,750 with own equipment, or PHP4,000 with no equipment
- Opening Hours: N/A, it’s a whole-day tour
- How to Get There: Several resorts in Padre Burgos offer whale shark tours, including Padre Burgos Castle Resort, Peter’s Dive Resort, and a few others.
Whale shark season in Padre Burgos runs from November to May!
Personally, I wasn’t able to try this since I visited in September.
However, Edgar Yap from Eazy Traveler wrote an extremely helpful guide about this that you should read if you want to do this!
In a nutshell: you get on a boat, sail to the other side of Sogod Bay, meet up with spotters in smaller bangkas, and search for whale sharks all day.
If you’re lucky, you’ll see several whale sharks.
If not, you’ll go home empty-handed (which happens, even during whale shark season).
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #4: Dakdak Beach
- Location: Magallanes, Limasawa Island
- Fees: Entrance Fee PHP50
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 6 pm (for visitors)
- How to Get There: Hop on a tricycle from anywhere in Limasawa to Dakdak. The fare should only cost PHP25. Or rent a motorbike and drive here yourself.
Look…
Even if you can’t get a room in Dakdak Beach, it’s WELL worth a visit.
This is the most picture-perfect place on the entire Limasawa Island, with white sand, turquoise waters, and a towering cliff in the backdrop.
Now… the sand here isn’t powdery smooth since there’s a bit of coral mixed in (sorry, I have an outrageously high standard for beaches because of my travels around the Philippines 😂). But it’s still white and super pretty.
There are also a few cottages by the sea, just a short swim away, where you can chill and watch the sea.
Dakdak Beach also has rooms, a restaurant, and all the amenities you’d expect from a beach resort.
(Scroll up to the Where to Stay in Limasawa section for more about booking a room here).
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #5: Totoy-Totoy Peak (Limasawa Peak)
- Location: Triana, Limasawa Island
- Fees: None!
- Opening Hours: None!
- How to Get There: There’s a cemented mountain road from Barangay Triana to Barangay San Agustin that doesn’t show up in Google Maps. It starts in the middle of the island, close to the Islander Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Once you’re on the road, just continue until you reach the highest point of the island. (Note: “Limasawa Peak” in Google Maps is an incorrect pin.)
This place will blow you away…
Literally…
Because it’s EXTREMELY windy up here.
Totoy-totoy peak is the tallest in Limasawa, and boy, are the winds powerful — I could barely stand up straight. Be careful if you’re wearing a cap because the wind nearly stole mine.
Aside from the wind, the view up here is also super beautiful.
You get to see Triana (the main town on the island) from afar, you’re surrounded by a grassy hill (with some boulders), and you can see the endless sea on the horizon.
I came here for sunset. But while there wasn’t a super colorful sky, the windy and cozy vibe here was super well worth it.
It’ll blow you away — both literally and figuratively.
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #6: Island Lagoon Resort
- Location: San Agustin, Limasawa Island
- Fees: Entrance fee PHP30
- Opening Hours: Unknown (just don’t come at nighttime, I guess)
- How to Get There: Island Lagoon Resort is at the northernmost tip of Limasawa. If you’re driving, you’ll have to cross a dirt road with some rocks to get here (tricky, but manageable for scooters). You can also hire a tricycle to take you here, or get a tricycle tour (most include this as a stop).
On the northernmost tip of Limasawa, there’s a resort hidden in the cliffside that’s packed with adventure.
If you’re the type of person who enjoys jumping off cliffs and into the sea, this is the place for you.
There are several jumps here, with heights ranging from “pretty short” to “why would anyone want to do this???” (idk the actual measurements, but you get the point).
For the non-adrenaline junkies, Island Lagoon Resort is also a pretty chill place.
You can swim, take pictures in one of their many picture spots, cross a makeshift bridge to a karst, and just relax.
The stairway from the top to the bottom of the cliff (where the resort is) is quite steep, so be sure to watch your step!
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #7: Limasawa Lighthouse
- Location: San Agustin, Limasawa Island
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: None
- How to Get There: Not too far from the Island Lagoon Resort, there’s a dirt junction that leads to the Limasawa Lighthouse. The path is VERY rocky, so I highly recommend parking at the junction and walking the rest of the way. Google Maps pin is correct.
If the Island Lagoon Resort’s view wasn’t nice enough for you, you’ll love the view here!
The lighthouse itself isn’t great.
It’s a modern lighthouse, sure, but nothing much to say about it. The true beauty of this place lies a short walk ahead of the lighthouse… the cliff edge!
The drop here is STEEP.
If you have vertigo, I wouldn’t come here.
But if you’re after stunning views, then sit close to the edge, and take in the beauty of the sea below!
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #8: Limasawa Boulevard
- Location: Triana, Limasawa Island
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: None
- How to Get There: This “boulevard” is found right in front of the Limasawa Municipal Hall in Triana, the main town of the island. You can walk or take a tricycle here.
Looking for a chill spot to watch the sunset?
Well, you’ll LOVE this one!
The Limasawa Boulevard (I just gave it that name) is a small park facing the sea.
There’s a big “Limasawa” signage here, but the part that I love the most is the benches.
You can sit here, watch the sun go down, all while black crowds fly and caw overhead.
Super peaceful!
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #9: Magellan’s Cross
- Location: Magallanes, Limasawa Island
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: Unknown
- How to Get There: You can visit the small museum from Magallanes town. There’s a stairway heading up to the First Cross Monument from there. There is also a small road (not shown in Google Maps) that leads to the First Cross Monument if you don’t want to climb the stairs.
Here’s a super cool history fact:
Limasawa is where the first mass in the Philippines was held!
Ferdinand Magellan and his boats landed right on this island, and held a mass with the Rajahs. The mini museum is said to be where they held the first mass, then they climbed up the mountain and set up a cross there.
Today, the original cross is long gone, but the people here put a replacement monument up there that’s super nice and quiet.
There are quite a lot of stairs to climb from the museum to the cross, so get ready for a quick workout.
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #10: Welcome to Limasawa Signage
- Location: Triana, Limasawa Island
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: None
- How to Get There: The signage is found in the coastal road from Triana (the main barangay of the island) heading north.
Okay… I’m not a super big fan of picture spots, but this one is pretty nice.
There’s a BIG “Welcome to Limasawa” chalk sign on the rocks, and it looks pretty epic.
Also, if you turn around, you’ll get a nice view of Barangay Triana (the biggest town in the island but also still very small), and the powerful waves crashing into the pier.
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #11: South Parola Resort
- Location: Magallanes, Limasawa Island
- Fees: Entrance fee PHP30
- Opening Hours: Unknown
- How to Get There: It’s at the southern tip of the island. You’ll find a small dirt path beside the road. It’s only about a 5-minute walk from there.
Okay… so…
This is one of the main tourist spots of Limasawa.
It’s a pretty nice resort, with a nice view of the ocean (it’s on a cliff), and you can also walk down stairs to a beach and swim.
However, my experience here wasn’t great.
It was my last day in Limasawa, and I wanted to camp out somewhere on the island. So I messaged their official page, asking if I could camp.
They said yes, so I came.
But when I arrived, the caretaker told me that you’re not allowed to camp, “If there are no other guests in a room.”
Weird policy, but okay.
Perhaps they thought I’d pay for a room since I went through all the hassle to get here already (South Parola is quite far away from anything else)?
Anyway, I walked back to Magallanes (about 15-minutes away), and a nice family there told me I could stay at their place for the night!
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #12: Usay Lubi
- Location: Sogod
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: None
- How to Get There: Start at the San Roque Barangay Multi-Purpose Court, follow the main road until you reach the Final Station of the Cross (in Google Maps). From there, just follow the dirt path until you reach Usay Lubi!
When I found out there’s a mini hike in Sogod, I knew I HAD to go!
The view up here is absolutely beautiful! You get a full view of Sogod Bay from above. And behind you, the towering mountains of Southern Leyte are waiting.
The hill here is grassy, there are some colorful flowers here too, making it super pretty.
I didn’t have any guide, so I was just relying on Google Maps and Strava to find my way (probably not the smartest idea).
I started walking from the Barangay San Roque basketball court, and the distance going up was about 4km, and 400m of elevation.
It’s a cement road all the way until I reached the Final Station of the Cross. Then the path turned into dirt and became quite narrow.
I was in a rush, since I wanted to get here before sunset, and I made it just in time!
Had to rush down, though, because the last thing I wanted was to reach nighttime in a place I had very little idea about!
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #13: Agas-Agas Bridge
- Location: Sogod
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: None
- How to Get There: Hire a tricycle or habal-habal from Sogod, or ride a van from Sogod to Tacloban (or vice versa) and ask the driver to drop you at Agas-Agas Bridge (note: very few public transpo pass by Agas-Agas, so you’ll have to be very patient if you choose to ride a van, or you can try hitchhiking).
The TALLEST bridge in the Philippines!
Agas-Agas is an engineering marvel, standing 89 meters (292 feet) over the lush jungle passes of Southern Leyte.
Now… the bridge itself is in a very isolated area.
It was built because the road passing through the valley was prone to landslides, so they needed a safe option.
Today, it serves as both a bridge, and a tourist spot.
You can walk along the bridge. There are some viewing decks in the middle of the bridge where you can hang out and peep down.
It’s not as scary as I was expecting it to be, but if you have vertigo, stay away!
Southern Leyte Tourist Spots #14: Pangi Seaside Tambayan
- Location: Sogod
- Fees: None
- Opening Hours: None
- How to Get There: Hire a tricycle or take a bus or van heading to Liloan, San Ricardo, or any of Southern Leyte’s eastern towns, and tell the driver to drop you at Pangi Seaside Tambayan. Finding a ride back to Sogod shouldn’t be difficult since plenty of transpo passes here.
I LOVE it when I find a random spot that nobody else talks about.
This was one of them.
Found a little way off Sogod, this is a chill spot where you get a lovely view of Sogod Bay.
It’s calm, peaceful, and, if you come during sunset, you’ll be treated to a great show (sadly, I came in the morning).
Southern Leyte Sample Itinerary
Southern Leyte is a place where you should explore at your own pace.
If you’re short on time, you can spend it all in Limasawa, or just do a short trip here just for the whale sharks in Padre Burgos.
Here are a few sample itineraries you can follow (although I HIGHLY recommend just doing your own thing while you’re here!).
Agas-Agas + Limasawa 3-Day 2-Night Sample Itinerary
This is a common itinerary for people who are short on time, and want to see the tallest bridge in the Philippines and visit Limasawa!
Day 1:
- Travel to Sogod from Cebu or Manila (see how to get to Southern Leyte section)
- Visit Agas-Agas bridge
- Spend the first night in Sogod
Day 2:
- Early morning, ride a van from the Sogod Terminal to Padre Burgos
- Get on a boat to Limasawa. You should arrive at around 9 – 10 am, depending on what time you left Sogod.
- Limasawa tour! Visit Dakdak Beach, Magellan’s Cross, South Parola Resort, Island Lagoon Resort, and the Welcome to Limasawa sign
Day 3:
- Head back to Padre Burgos in the morning
- Head home
If you’re doing this, I HIGHLY recommend staying at least 4 days and spending an extra day in Limasawa.
Limasawa is an island that’s best enjoyed when you take things slow!
Padre Burgos Whale Sharks Only Sample Itinerary
So… you just want to see the whale sharks?
Here’s how you can do it.
I’m assuming you’re coming from Cebu in this itinerary, but you could also be coming from Bohol to make this work (see How to Get to Souther Leyte section for details).
Day 1:
- Ride the OceanJet ferry from Cebu City to Maasin City
- Ride a van or jeepney from Maasin to Padre Burgos
- Check into your hotel, book a whale shark watching tour for the next day
- Swim/snorkel in Tangkaan Beach or the Padre Burgos fish sanctuary
The OceanJet from Cebu City to Maasin currently leaves at 7 am. Depending on your itinerary, you might not be able to make this.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of other boats heading from Cebu to Bato, Hilongos, or even Ormoc (Ormoc is quite far, though, so this is a last option). Once you arrive in these towns, just hop on a van to Maasin and make your way to Padre Burgos from there.
Day 2:
- Join a whole-day whale shark watching tour!
- If short on time, head off to your next destination.
- If not short on time, spend another night here!
My 1-Week Southern Leyte Itinerary (What I Actually Did)
Okay…
I’m not expecting anyone to follow this itinerary to a tee.
After all, I spent a week here, and I’m mostly forced to travel slowly since I have to work as I move around.
Nonetheless, if you wanna know exactly what I did, here it is!
Day 1:
- Ride the Davao Metro Shuttle Bus from Ormoc City to Sogod (yes, I came from Ormoc)
- Check in to Regis BnB
- Walk from Regis BnB to Usay Lubi, watch the sunset
- Dinner in Sogod Food Park
Day 2:
- Rent a motorbike from B’s Motorbike Rental
- Visit Agas-Agas Bridge
- Work the rest of the day
- Dinner at the Sogod Municipal Plaza
Day 3:
- Drive/chill in Pangi Seaside Tambayan
- Return motorbike / check out of Regis
- Ride van to Padre Burgos
- Check in to Dos Hombres Inn
- Walk/snorkel in Tangkaan Beach
Day 4:
- Work most of the day
- Snorkel in the Padre Burgos Fish Sanctuary in the afternoon
Day 5:
- Ride a boat to Limasawa Island!
- Check in to Trimulco Lodge
- Cry because it rained all day, and I couldn’t do anything
- Met friendly locals at the Trimulco canteen. I ordered chicken Inasal, and they gave me lots of free extras like bbq and chicken neck.
Day 6:
- Rented a motorbike from Trimulco peeps
- Visited Dakdak Beach, Island Lagoon Resort, Limasawa Lighthouse, Limasawa Boulevard
- Watched sunset in Totoy-Totoy Peak
Day 7:
- Return motorbike
- Check out of Trimulco
- Try to camp out in South Parola Resort, but get turned away
- Try to ride a boat back to Padre Burgos (but there are no more trips for the day!)
- Super friendly family takes me in for the night!
Day 8:
- Ride a boat back to Padre Burgos
- Ride a Jeepney back to Maasin
- Meet an old friend, have lunch
- Ride the 4 pm boat back to Cebu City
There you go!
It’s messy, but that’s how I LOVE to travel.
No plans, just doing things as they happen.
Practical Travel Tips for Southern Leyte
- Cash is KING — There are several ATMs in Maasin and Sogod, but very few elsewhere. There’s no ATM in Limasawa, so bring cash. And I believe there’s only one in Padre Burgos? Either way, I’d bring cash before heading there, too.
- Connectivity — Smart signal is very weak in Limasawa, so get a Globe sim. Otherwise, signal is pretty okay in other parts of Southern Leyte (Globe and Smart).
- Blackouts — Power outages are pretty common in the entire province. I experienced blackouts in Sogod, Padre Burgos, and Limasawa. They didn’t take too long to get the electricity back up, but expect it to happen.
- Choco Moron — if you’re in Sogod or Maasin, definitely look for Choco Moron! It’s a delicacy that’s originally from Tacloban, but the Southern Leyte version is sooooo good!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Traveling Southern Leyte
When is the Best Time to Visit Southern Leyte?
The best time to visit Southern Leyte is from March to May, which is summertime, and also coincides with whale shark season (November to May).
Typhoon season in Southern Leyte is from July to October.
However!
I actually visited in September, and it was okay. There were some rainy days, boats were cancelled to Limasawa for a day, but I wasn’t traveling on that day so it was fine.
So just because it’s “typhoon season” doesn’t necessarily mean there WILL be a typhoon — you can still get some lovely sunny days. Just check the weather updates if you’re traveling at this time.
How Many Days Do You Need to Explore Southern Leyte?
You’ll need at least 3 days to explore Southern Leyte, depending on what you want to see.
If you’re only here for whale sharks, 2 days should be enough.
If you’re only here for Limasawa, I’d recommend at least 3 days.
If you want to combine the whale sharks and Limasawa, 4 days.
If you want to do EVERYTHING, then give yourself a week!
How Can I See the Whale Sharks in Southern Leyte?
Book a whale shark tour from one of the accredited resorts in Padre Burgos, like Peter’s Dive Resort, Padre Burgos Castle Resort, Sogod Bay Scuba Resort, etc.
Additionally, you can also head to Pintuyan on the opposite side of Sogod Bay. Ethical whale shark watching tours are also offered there, and I’ve heard that there are less tourists there (since it’s much farther off than Padre Burgos).
How’s the Internet Connection in Southern Leyte?
Not great! If you’re a digital nomad, make sure your resort/accommodation has stable internet, because mobile data is a bit weak.
Also, blackouts are quite common. They don’t happen every day, but they can happen anytime!
Ready to Visit Southern Leyte?
Southern Leyte is one of those provinces that is MAD underrated.
It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder… “Why isn’t this more popular???”
But that’s just the way I like it!
I hope you’ve found this guide helpful!
Southern Leyte is now one of my TOP provinces of all time, so I hope this blog pushes you to go and visit.
If you have any questions, leave a comment down below and I’ll get to you!
Or send me a dm on my Instagram or Facebook page.
Happy travels!
– Manoling