Biliran Island by motorbike.
Biliran is a pleasant, but lightly touristed island off the north eastern tip of Leyte. A motorbike trip around the island can be done in a day but you will miss some of the sights.
Biliran has a rugged interior with heaps of coconut trees and rice fields along the coast. A road runs over the top from the main city of Navel to an intersection near the coastal village of Caibiran on the other side of the island facing Samar.
We only spent a day on Biliran because it looked like the typhoon Pepeng might be rolling in with some high winds. (reported to be as high as 230 kph).
Biliran was not in the direct path but we could still get a fair bit of rain and we didn’t want to be stranded over there if there was a landslide or something like that.
We crossed the bridge from Leyte and started around the island counterclockwise in the direction of Cabucgatan.
Gasoline is sold in litre coke bottles for 45 pesos.
Kasabangan falls is about 2 kilometers off the road near town.
This trail would take a bit of skill to ride during the rain so use caution. The steep bits have a narrow strip to stay on with quite a drop should you stray. When wet it would be difficult to keep from sliding into the ruts on both sides.
Walkway to the falls.
Kasabangan makes for a good rest stop. The park entry is 5 peso and there is a wood and steel walkway to the falls.
Two large steel pavilions eliminate any of the wilderness feel that you might have had as you got closer to the falls itself but that is the way things are often done in Asia. Natural beauty usually gets “enhanced” with concrete tables, buildings or memorials.
A few caribao hang out in the pools below the falls. Look at all the flies on the heads of the ones in the lower pics. (probably can’t make them out – but they were covered. When the caribou ducked under the water the flies just hovered ’till the caribou popped his head above the water again.
Caibiran and Culaba are the two villages on the eastern side of the island. The homes often have beautiful gardens out front and there are a few sari sari stores along the way to get breads and drinks.
There is no shortage of monuments anywhere in the Philippines.
Copra drying on the road. This coconut product plays a big part in the local economy. Copra extract is used in cosmetics, feed, cooking oil, and is being studied to see if it can be turned into an economical bio fuel.
Life moves along at a slow pace but that is part of the beauty of this place. There a couple of guest houses on this side but don’t count on finding too many options here.
There are boats from Kawayan in the north to the island of Maripipi. That 
Island is basically the top of a mountain sticking out of the water. I wanted to get over there for a look but with he approaching typhoon kicking up the waves, it was just not to be this trip.
There is a lot of natural beauty on Biliran.
Meat and vegetables are sold from tables set up on the sides of the road.
Harvesting the rice!
Rice.
It was a great day!
Barangay Pawikan – this barangay has concrete turtles atop their waiting shelters. This is with out a doubt, the only place in the Philippines with this feature!
Pawikan – turtle
Maybe this place was noted for it’s sea turtles at one time.
We landed up just zipping through the main city of Naval, but might stop there for a look next trip!
Biliran Island Leyte
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Giday DP
Loved this page, reminds me of the trip Bruce and I did to Biliran a couple of years ago. We went on the inland road that bisects the island and came across a big waterfall with a huge swimming hole. Very beautiful. It was full of local kids, many of their parents were picnicing on the edge. We spent time talking to them and noted how free from garbage the area was. They told us they were very strict with garbage and nobody was permitted to toss candy wrappers etc.
We complimented them on their responsible attitude, a lot of Filipinos could learn a thing or two from those guys.
Can’t exactly remember how we got onto that road, from memory we took the road up the west side of the island out of Navel for some distance, then turned right inland. The road get’s pretty ugly as it climbs up, the waterfall and swimming hole are on the left. It’s signposted. The road runs right over the island and comes out near Calbiran.
I do remember the wonderful flower gardens many of the houses had, neat little yards etc. It is a pretty island and the locals are very friendly.
Cheers
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay,
Sounds beautiful – will have to try to get up there next trip.
We basically circled the island on the coastal road, spent the night in Pili, and returned to Ormoc the following day.
When Dave was up there 6 years ago, a typhoon caused a landslide that shut down the roads for a couple of days.
As it turned out Typhoon Pepeng passed to the north in the mountain region of Luzon (yesterday) – sparing the Visayas. Manila was also bypassed – mercifully (as they are still digging out from Bagyong Ondoy).
Bruce texted me that he made it to Cebu and plans to stop in around Friday with those tubes you sent out.
They are much appreciated and will be put to good use.
The interesting thing is that I have had very few flat tires since relocating from Samar. Those roads were brutal!
cheers
dp
Giday Dp
Yes, he texted me and said he was due to catch up with you.
He climbed Mt Canlaoan recently, well almost, I think he had to stop some distance from the summit due to weather conditions.
http://www.livingincebuforums.com/ipb/index.php?showtopic=13776
Have a look at his post here, very interesting.
Look forward to getting back, missing the bike. Off to do a very tough off-road 4wd expidition in a couple of weeks, Juvee already in training…
Cheers
Lindsay
Hi, I am travelling back to the Philippines next January, Could you recomend me a route for visit Leyte?. Any place to rent a Bike?.
May be you remember me,We met at Mayón Volcano and later in Siargao. I am the spanish guy.
Saludos.
Hello Miguel,
Of course I remember you my friend. That day we spent photographing the volcano was fantastic! I was surprised to see you again on Surigao Island.
I don’t know of any places to rent motorbikes in Leyte so you would likely have to do the ground work on that one. There are a few guys that rent bikes in Cebu but then you would have to transport it by ferry to Leyte with Lite Shipping (560 pesos). Maybe some readers can help out?
The drive around Sogod Bay is probably my favorite. It’s also quite nice to get into the mountains in northern Leyte around where my place – 17 k from Ormoc City. The beautiful and newly constructed Agas Agas Bridge is north of Sogod and worth a look.
The Pintuyan peninsula is undeveloped and pristine. Leyte doesn’t get the big tourist crowds but it is a pleasant enough place to live.
dp – ps I plan to be in Palawan for a while but be sure to text 09205553686 when you get to Leyte – If I am around you will be welcome to stay at my place for a few days.
so nice to see this field and natural view of scenery
Hi! My girlfriends family is from Biliran. I am thinking of relocating to Ormac. Can anyone tell me approximately how long it takes to travel from Ormoc to Biliran. I don’t mind being close to the family, however I want to be far enough so that I don’t have them at my front door every day. :-)
Hello Tony,
Maybe 3 to 4 hours – depends on where you are leaving from on Biliran.
cheers
dp
DP Thanks! As I said, I don’t want to be too close to the family however, I want to try my best to satisfy her desire to be near the family. I be making a permanent move to the PI and will try and get a nice apartment in Ormoc if possible. I am a vet and need to get my medication from the VA. That means that I would have to get easy access to Cebu. Ormoc seems to be close enough to suit my medical needs.
Cheers
Hello DP,interesting site.more importantly the useful information regarding the motorcycle recommended by your good self.My wife is from Maripipi,Her family still living on the Island.We are planning to go back their at the end of the year.Our intention is to buy a motorcycle for our own use while we stay in Biliran,then give the bike to her dad after we finish our vacation.Its one of his dreams to own his own motorcycle,the other was a (Ref) which i bought on our last trip,amongst other things.So it was important for me to get a good idea what bike to go for.Reading what you had to say about the tmx,i now made my choice.It will be a question of trying to do some haggling to see if i can get a discount if i pay cash up front.Who know’s if you dont try you dont get.So thanks Jonb.
Hello Jonb,
Her Dad will probably be very happy with a new Honda TMX bike :)
..the new Kawasaki motorbikes are pretty good too !
Good luck and have a great trip
dp
Biliran is a nice island to run a bike around…..nice views and a warm people….
agreed !
dp
Wife is from Julita Biliran and looking here has brought back many a fond memory when visiting the area.. looking forward to return again last quater of this year for another 6 week break.. anyone else who has not visited this area, are doing themselves out of a pleasurable experience.. I recommend a visit to Biliran island and naval.