Exploring Caluya Island
Antique’s Caluya Island is Heaven on Earth
Photo by Bert Andone
I always look forward to summer because I get to spend more time with my daughter going on travel adventures with her. These experiences and memories are priceless and will stay forever in my mind and heart. Plus, I’m able to see different places, some of which will take your breath away with how beautiful they are. Sometimes I would just mutter and be amazed that such a place exists and thank God that He has created such a place that I’m able to see and explore.
Photo by Bert Andone
The Philippines is home to so many beautiful travel destinations. Beaches, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, valleys, volcanoes and many other natural wonders abound that we sometimes wonder how lucky we are to be inhabitants of this country. There are many popular destinations but there are also places which are lesser known but still offers a paradise that you can take pleasure in. One such place is Caluya.
Caluya, Antique
Caluya is a first class municipality in the Province of Antique. It’s a great destination for those who want to experience exotic and unspoiled beaches, clear water, rocky mountains, deep caves, seaweeds, countless coconut trees, and a coconut crab called Tatus. It’s now considered one of the top beaches in the Western Hemisphere of the Philippines. The Island of Caluya was once called Polo Pandan by Moro pirates, and according to a 2015 census, has a population of 35,496.
Photo by Bert Andone
Getting to Caluya Island
If you’re traveling from San Jose, Antique
| From Dalipe Terminal, San Jose, Antique, ride a bus or van going to Libertad, Antique. Travel time from San Jose to Libertad may take approximately 4 hours. | Fare: Bus – Php 164/pax Van – Php 200/pax |
If you’re traveling from Iloilo City
| From Molo Terminal, Iloilo City, take a bus or van bound for Libertad, Antique. Travel time from Iloilo to Libertad may take approximately 6 hours. | Fare: Bus – Php 264/pax Van – Php 300/pax |
If you’re traveling from Caticlan
| You can ride a bus at Caticlan Jetty Port bound for Antique and tell the driver to drop you at crossing Fullon. Then take another bus or tricycle going to Libertad, Antique. | Fare: Bus A (from Caticlan) Php 50 Bus B (from Antique) Php 25 |
| The moment you reach the Libertad Port, take a ferry boat (MV Express or MV Leonor) going to Caluya Island. A trip is scheduled everyday at 3 am. Travel time from Libertad port to Caluya is approximately 3 hours. | Fare: MV Express / MV Leonor – Php 450 + Php 20 (Terminal Fee) |
| Once you’ve landed at the Caluya port, ride a tricycle going to the Town Proper and find yourself a nice hotel. | Fare: Php 50 (Tricycle) |
Caluya Municipal Hall | Photo by Bert Andone
Resorts and Inns To Stay in Caluya Island
• Island Tourist Inn at Banago, Caluya, Antique
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/IslandTouristInn
• Lumawig Pension House at Poblacion, Caluya, Antique
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/LumawigBusiness
• Island Divers Caluya at Sabang, Caluya, Antique
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/islanddiverscaluya
Photo by Bert Andone
Tour Guides
You may arrange for tour guides if you want to, according to your preferred schedule. Here are the list of contact numbers of the tourism staff:
- Gino Montaño – 09123342555
- Amando Batad – 09301642437
- Rejan Dela Cruz – 09072849228
- Ernie Flores – 09501113009
- Joana Marie Aguilar – 09128057916
You may also directly message them at their Facebook pages.
Projects of Mayor Genevive Lim-Reyes
Municipal Mayor Genevive Lim-Reyes has many projects for Caluya that benefit its residents such as the street lighting project.
Photo from Municipality of Caluya Facebook Page
In 2016, she said that she wants the whole Caluya lighted up from major thoroughfares to barangay streets as an anti-crime measure at night and in continuance of her plan to embellish Caluya to better promote it to tourists. This has become a reality and finally people can now enjoy the most wonderful streetlights in Antique.
Another project is the new ambulance which is used during emergencies and disasters by Caluyanhons. The ambulance was bought by the LGU-Caluya thru the help of the Department of Budget and Management under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
Photo from Municipality of Caluya Facebook Page
The current local government officials headed by Mayor Lim-Reyes should be commended in exerting efforts to improve the municipality because in the long run, if tourism in the island flourishes, it will generate more jobs for the locals.
Tatusan Festival 2019
Photo by Bert Andone
Tatusan Festival is celebrated every year as a thanksgiving for the bounty that they receive. Among the highlights of the festival is the parade of colorful and crab-shaped floats, street dancing, and booth display/sale of coconut crab or tatus of different sizes. This is happening on May 29 to June 01, 2019. Better plan as early as now so you can join the festivities.
Instead of going to crowded travel destinations, why not explore the beauty of a lesser known and isolated island like Caluya. Just enjoy the adventure and take in all the wonderful sights of the island.
For more information, follow the Municipality of Caluya Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/www.1stclassmunicipalityofcaluya
