Nature · Lantawan, Basilan
Kumalarang River
Basilan's westward-flowing river, with waterfalls and a stone said to mark a French landing of the 1840s.
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Island · Isabela City, Basilan
Malamawi Island
A white-sand beach a short boat ride off Isabela.
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The place
Island in Isabela City, Basilan
A white-sand beach a short boat ride off Isabela.
Island
One of the guide’s own places.
Safety in Basilan
Basilan carries standing foreign-government advisories, and several countries advise against all travel to parts of it. The situation around Lamitan and the coastal corridor is markedly better than the advisories’ blanket framing, and Filipinos travel there routinely. That is not the same as it being unremarkable. Coordinate with the provincial or city tourism office, travel with local contacts, stay on the main corridor, and do not improvise into the interior municipalities.
About this place
Malamawi lies across a narrow channel from Isabela and carries the island’s best-known beach — white sand, shallow water, and close enough that the crossing is a few minutes rather than an expedition.
It is the standard weekend outing for Basilan and Zamboanga residents, which means it is busy on Sundays and quiet the rest of the week.
What to do
Cross by pump boat from beside Isabela port
Pump boats leave from a small wharf beside Isabela City port for a 5-minute crossing; in 2012 the shared fare was PHP 5, and a boat to yourself was PHP 45.
langyaw.comRide a habal-habal across to the white beach
The beach is on the far side of the island, more than 15 minutes by motorcycle on a rough trail past villages and a coconut plantation.
langyaw.comRent a cottage on the beach
Cottages line the beach; go on a weekday to avoid the Sunday crowds, and bring water and food.
langyaw.com
What to eat
Breakfast at the Marang Marang floating restaurants
The Marang Marang women's association runs 2 floating bamboo restaurants in Isabela that serve rice cakes and coffee and lunches of imbao clams, shrimp and squid from the mangroves; book ahead.
philstar.comPeanuts from Interco
An Isabela peanut shop with no sign, known locally as Interco, sells roasted and adobo peanuts and peanut butter and often sells out before 5 pm.
philstar.com
Before you go
- The crossing is by pump boat from Isabela City, which is administratively in Region IX rather than BARMM — the island is listed here because a traveler on Basilan will be told to go, and the boundary is invisible on the ground.
- Facilities are basic. Bring water and food.
- Most people swim covered here.
Where you’ll be
Isabela City (Region IX) — crossed to from Basilan, Basilan
Sources
Where to sleep in Basilan
resort
Sitti Auna Riverland Resort
Lamitan
Resort in Lamitan City; venue of an MIPA workshop, October 2026
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-10- No photo of this pension yet
pension
ARCAR Pension House
Lamitan
Listed by Lamitan City under accommodation
lamitancity.gov.ph · as of 2024-05 - No photo of this guesthouse yet
guesthouse
Lamitan City Terminal & Hostel
Lamitan
Hostel at the city terminal, listed by Lamitan City under accommodation
lamitancity.gov.ph · as of 2024-05
Named where a public source names them; no rates or availability. Ask the place directly.
More to see nearby
Everything in BasilanNature · Maluso, Basilan
Maluso River
The river of Maluso on south-western Basilan, noted as a source of fresh water for sailors in an 1843 sailing directory.
City · Lamitan, Basilan
Lamitan City
Basilan’s BARMM capital, and the center of Yakan life.
Best: The Lami-Lamihan Festival, held around June 29, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Beach · Lamitan, Basilan
Calugusan Beach
A white-sand public beach in Lamitan, a short drive from Bulingan Falls.
Best: Avoid high noon, when the sand glares and the heat is fierce