Get involved
Spotted an error, or have a document worth adding? Every correction and every source makes the record stronger — and the official source is always right where we are wrong.
A large low island near the Sabah border, home to boat builders and an important site for nature conservation.
The place
A large low island near the Sabah border, home to boat builders and an important site for nature conservation.
Island
Traced to its sources since the guide was written.
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.
Sibutu covers about 109 square kilometres and lies some 14 kilometres from the coast of Sabah. Its people are mostly boat builders, and they also trade seaweed, firewood and stone.
Four small uninhabited islands lie 3.5 to 6 kilometres south of it, ending at Saluag, the southernmost island of the Philippines. The island is counted as an important site for nature conservation.
Through an error in the Treaty of Paris, Sibutu and Cagayan de Sulu stayed under Spain after the rest of the country passed to the United States, until the Treaty of Washington was ratified in 1901. It is also the waypoint on the long boat journey from Bongao to Sitangkai.
Watch boat builders at work
Most people on Sibutu build boats, and a wooden prahu built entirely by hand takes about a year.
sunstar.com.phBreak the boat journey from Bongao to Sitangkai here
Sibutu is the stop on the long crossing to Sitangkai; let the municipality know before you arrive.
From the guideLook for the carved wooden grave markers
Woodcarving is common on Sibutu, and ornate wooden markers are a frequent sight.
rappler.comGo on to Saluag, the southernmost island
From Tandu Banak or Sibutu town, take a habal-habal to Tandu Owak and charter a boat for the 30-minute crossing to Saluag, which has an old and a new lighthouse.
rappler.comSibutu, Tawi-Tawi
resort
Bihing Tahik Resort
Bongao
Beach resort in Bongao; hosted an MIPA consultation, February 2025
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2025-02hotel
Rachel's Place
Bongao
Hotel and restaurant in Bongao; hosted an MPOS and UN Women training, April 2024
mpos.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2024-05resort
Danmar Beach Resort
Brgy. Pasiagan, Bongao
Beach resort listed as a Bangsamoro Parliament venue, July 2026
parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-07hotel
Mayan Hotel
Lomboy, Nalil, Bongao
Hotel listed as a Bangsamoro Parliament venue, May 2024
parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2024-05resort
Dahuwan Tampeh Resort
Brgy. Pahut, Bongao
Resort registered with the Bangsamoro Board of Investments in 2024; a Parliament venue by October 2025
parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2025-10inn
Beachside Inn and Restaurant
Sowangkagang, Pasiagan, Bongao
Inn and restaurant; the MOLE Tawi-Tawi field office gives it as its address
mole.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2024-01resort
Sangay Siapu Island Resort
Off the coast of Simunul Island
Island resort with overwater cottages on boardwalks, described by the municipality
simunul.gov.ph · as of 2025-05inn
Island Inn Resort
Barangay Tabawan, South Ubian
Inn and restaurant in Tabawan; hosted an MSSD distribution, October 2025
mssd.barmm.gov.ph · as of 2025-10Named where a public source names them; no rates or availability. Ask the place directly.
Heritage · Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi
The grave in Tandu Banak, Sibutu, of the 14th-century missionary who brought Islam to the Philippines, declared a National Historical Shrine.
Best: 7 November is Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day, marking the arrival of Islam
Island · Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi
The southernmost island of the Philippines, a 1.6 km strip of white sand with 2 lighthouses.
Island · Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi
A white-sand islet at the very edge of the country, the last island of the Sulu Archipelago before Malaysia.
City · Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi
A town built over open water, where the streets are boardwalks and boats.
Best: A weekend, when traders barter and sell at the market along the town's canals
