Panampangan Island

The place

Island in Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi

A sandbar that runs for kilometers at low tide, and the clearest water in the region.

• Island

  One of the guide’s own places.

• When to go

  Low tide, when the sandbar is exposed.

• Safety in Tawi-Tawi

  Generally calm, and the province has worked hard at that reputation. It is the part of BARMM most often recommended to visitors without local ties. Foreign advisories covering the Sulu Archipelago frequently name Tawi-Tawi in the same breath as Sulu and Basilan even though the situations differ; read the current text rather than the headline. Coordinate island trips through the provincial tourism office, which is normal practice here rather than a precaution.

About this place

What to do

• Walk the sandbar at low tide

  The crescent-shaped sandbar runs out about 3,128 metres into Basibuli Shoal, so check the tide table before you charter the boat.

  sunstar.com.ph

• Picnic in the beach huts and grilling areas

  In 2018 there were huts and grilling areas on the beach for picnics, with Marines posted on the island; bring your own food, water and shade.

  sunstar.com.ph

• Swim and snorkel off the island

  The water is clear and the reef is in good condition, but nothing is rented here, so bring your own snorkel gear.

  From the guide

• Stop at Simunul on the boat from Bongao

  The trip takes 30 minutes to 1 hour by speedboat or pump boat, and tours from Bongao often stop at Simunul for the Sheik Karimul Makhdum Mosque on the way.

  sunstar.com.ph

• Find the other 3 sandbars

  Besides the long one, the island has 3 more sandbars, 1 at the north-western end and 2 at the south-eastern end.

  philippinebeaches.org

What to eat

• Grilled reef fish under the coconut trees

  Huts on the island serve Tausug dishes and freshly grilled fish; one group ate rabbitfish, unicornfish and barracuda. There is no drinking water on the island, so bring your own.

  gmanetwork.com

Before you go

• The sandbar exists at low tide. Check the tide table before you charter a boat, or you will arrive at open water.
• Reached by boat from Bongao — a substantial crossing, chartered rather than scheduled. Arrange through the provincial tourism office or a Bongao operator.
• Bring water, food, shade and everything else. There are no facilities.
• Take your rubbish back with you; there is no collection.

Where you’ll be

Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi

Sources

• en.wikipedia.org
• philstar.com
• philippinebeaches.org
• gmanetwork.com
• transitpinas.com