La Manok Island (Manocmanoc Island)

"Finally, I'll be able to visit the island I've always wanted to see." 

We started our whole-day island trip from Durano Port in Tabango, Leyte and we sailed off across the Visayan Sea for almost 2 hours. The morning was joyful with the Forever Young squad, and everyone had varied great expectations for the island.

The Forever Young squad

The ocean was so calm during our visit to this distant island. The boat appears to be gliding effortlessly across wide azure waters. The boatman said we were fortunate because there are times that the waves might be rather large and powerful.

Sailing Smoothly

The Maria islet of Carnaza provided our first breathtaking view during the trip. We can't stop ourselves from being enthralled by the rock formations and the life that exists beneath the sea. We were speechless because the crystal blue water allowed us to view the beauty below. The corals and the fishes were in a festive display.

The Maria islet

We then proceeded to sail around mainland Carnaza, where we were able to see its stunning cliffs and white beaches. Our gaze was drawn to the blue sea and the breathtaking coastline. Our boatman then made a quick pit stop at his village, the sitio Liog-liog of Carnaza Island, to fetch his meal and buy some refreshments for his crew. This stopover gave me a chance to climb up the nearby islet, which is connected to the mainland by a sandbar, and there, I discovered breathtaking views of the Liog-liog cove.

The Carnaza shores

One of the many beaches of Carnaza

Stopover at Liog-liog village

The Liog-liog cove

Then, we sailed for another 30 minutes and arrived at the tempting stretch of pebbles of La Manok (La Manoc / Manocmanoc) Island. A secluded yet charmingly enticing tiny bit of land lies in the center of the Visayan sea. The La Manok (sometimes called Manocmanoc Island) is a three-part island connected by a sandbar that serves as a rest stop for local fishermen. Though it is located near the Carnaza, the island is already part of the province of Masbate.

Getting ready

It was past 8 in the morning when we arrived. We jumped off our boat and took a stroll around the island, savoring every minute. We can't resist its crystal clear water and everyone had taken a dip even under the heat of the sun. We let ourselves be engulfed with the island's breathtaking beauty.

On the island, we have a good time while eating breakfast. A bucket of sea urchins was offered to us by a fisherman. We purchased three buckets for a total of 100 pesos. The flavor of this seafood dish is sweet and creamy. The island is home to a large number of sea urchins, and the people of Carnaza are excellent hunters. They will dive to a depth of roughly 10 meters below the surface of the sea.

The Landing

The empty shell of Budyong

I had experienced a fun-filled adventure this year's summer and I will definitely be back to enjoy once more the pristine nature of La Manok Island.

Thank you Forever Young for inviting me and planning the whole island trip. See you all on our next adventure.

How to get here:

Major Airlines offers daily flights to Cebu from Manila, Davao, and other parts of the Philippines. From the airport, take a taxi to Cebu North Bus Terminal and then board a bus destined for Daanbantayan town. As soon as you get to the Tapilon Port, hire a boat that would take you to La Manok Island. Oftentimes, the boat operator would take you around Carnaza Island before proceeding to La Manok as part of their island hopping package with no extra cost. The travel takes roughly 2 hours. However, because we were traveling from Leyte, we called the boat owner a week before our planned trip to inquire about availability. Demmar Zamora, a local of Carnaza island, owns a large boat that can accommodate up to 30 people. You can arrange your trip through his contact number: 09197099394 and 09158250685 or through his Facebook page Demar Daño Zamora. 

The Boatmen