Limasawa & Panaon Island Tours from Padre Burgos – FAQ & Travel Guide

Planning a visit to Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte and dreaming of discovering the historic Limasawa Island or the marine-rich coast of Panaon Island? Whether you’re traveling solo or with a small group, this guide will help you explore the best tour options, pricing, and how to make the most of your time in Southern Leyte.

📍 Where are Limasawa and Panaon Island?

• Limasawa Island is a small island located just off the southern tip of Leyte, famous as the site of the First Mass in the Philippines. It features white-sand beaches, snorkeling, and local heritage sites.
• Panaon Island lies just south of Padre Burgos and is home to vibrant coral reefs, occasional sightings of whale sharks (in season), and peaceful fishing villages like San Ricardo and Liloan.

🚤 Can I visit both Limasawa and Panaon Island in one day?

Technically, yes—but it’s best done over two separate trips. While Limasawa and Panaon are geographically near each other, they are in different directions and offer very different experiences:

• ✅ Limasawa Island tour usually takes a full day due to boat travel, snorkeling, beach stops, and optional historical walking tour.
• ✅ Panaon Island (Liloan or San Ricardo area) is accessible via land and short boat rides, perfect for island-hopping, diving, or snorkeling half-day adventures.

Combining both in one day is possible with custom arrangements but may feel rushed—especially if you’re interested in historical or underwater experiences.

🧭 Suggested Itinerary Options from Padre Burgos

Option 1: Full-Day Limasawa Island Tour

• 🚤 1–1.5 hour boat ride (Padre Burgos to Limasawa)
• 🕍 Visit First Mass Shrine, lighthouse hike, and cliff jumping spots
• 🤿 Snorkeling in Dakdak or Himokilan area
• 🥗 Optional picnic lunch or dine in local eateries

Estimated cost: ₱3,500–₱5,500 for 2–4 persons (private boat, guide, entrance fees)
Costs may vary depending on boat size and inclusions.

Option 2: Panaon Island (Half-Day or Full-Day Tour)

• 🚐 Land transfer to San Ricardo or Liloan
• 🛶 Optional boat tour to nearby islets
• 🐠 Snorkeling or diving in coral gardens
• 🥥 Visit local communities or beach resorts like Silago or Pintuyan

Estimated cost: ₱2,000–₱4,000 for 2–3 persons (transport, guide, optional boat)
Add-on for diving/snorkeling gear: ₱200–₱500

💡 What’s Included in the Tour Packages?

The private Limasawa and Panaon Island tour packages from Padre Burgos typically generally include:

✅ Private boat or van transfer (depending on destination)
✅ Licensed local tour guide
✅ Local entrance/environmental fees
✅ Historical or cultural stops (for Limasawa)
✅ Optional lunch and snorkeling gear (on request)

All tours are customizable depending on your interests and time.

💰 How much do the tours cost?

You can request if you’d like joiner tour options—though they are less common in Padre Burgos, especially in May.

🗓️ When is the best time to do these tours?

You’ll be visiting May 1–4, which is an ideal time! May is generally:

• ☀️ Dry, sunny, and perfect for island-hopping
• 🌊 Calm seas for easier boat transfers
• 🐟 Great underwater visibility for snorkeling

Start tours early (around 7:00–8:00 AM) to avoid midday heat and occasional afternoon rain.

🎒 What should I bring?

For either tour, don’t forget:

• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Swimwear and towel
• Snorkeling gear (or request rental)
• Waterproof bag for gadgets
• Cash for small island purchases (no ATMs on Limasawa or Panaon)

📍 Where is the meeting point?

You’ll be based in Padre Burgos, which is perfect—most tours depart directly from the town port, your hotel/resort, or nearby beach areas.

Please provide your accommodation name, and pickup or walking directions can be provided accordingly.

📞 How do I book the Limasawa or Panaon Island tour?

Easy! To reserve your private tour, just send:

1. Your preferred tour dates (May 1–4)
2. The number of people in your group
3. Your accommodation info in Padre Burgos
4. Tour preference: Limasawa / Panaon / Both
5. Any special requests (e.g., lunch, snorkeling gear)

You will be sent back a personalized quote and confirm boat availability right away.

⚓ Experience the Best of Southern Leyte

From the historical treasures of Limasawa Island to the hidden gems of Panaon, let us take you on a truly local, private island-hopping adventure from Padre Burgos.

📩 Book now to secure your preferred date! Following are some tour companies for your convenience.

🏝️ LIMASAWA ISLAND DAY TOURS

Dericks Travel & Tours

• Type: Private day or overnight tours
• Highlights: Includes transfer from Tacloban/Ormoc to Padre Burgos, private boat, land tour (Magellan’s Cross, lighthouse), island lunch, entrance fees, local guide & boat crew.
• Rates: ₱14,520–₱30,000 for 2–12 pax (Daytour); ₱18,520–₱49,920 for overnight 2D1N eazytraveler.net+15derickstravelandtours.com+15islandhoppinginthephilippines.com+15.
• Contact: +63 935 611 1446 • derickstravelandtours@gmail.com

Island Diaries Travel & Tour

• Type: Private Limasawa day tours from Tacloban/Ormoc
• Includes: Round-trip land & boat transfers, entrance fees, island tour, lunch.
• Rates: From ₱3,085 per person (group of 10), ₱5,843 per person for a group of 3 facebook.com+2derickstravelandtours.com+2derickstravelandtours.com+2islanddiariesph.com+2islanddiariesph.com+2imtravelcorporation.ph+2.
• Contact: +63 906 713 9620 (Viber/WhatsApp/Line) • [email protected]

IM Travel Corporation

• Type: 2D1N Limasawa Island private package
• Includes: Land & boat transfers, accommodation, meals (3 full), guide, entrance fees, cottages.
• Rates: ₱7,500 for 3 pax, scaling from solo ₱16,500 to ₱3,590+ for large groups facebook.com+4islanddiariesph.com+4islanddiariesph.com+4islandhoppinginthephilippines.com+12imtravelcorporation.ph+12islanddiariesph.com+12.
• Contact: 0917 687 0588 • 0917 633 0500 • info@imtravelcorporation.ph

🌊 PANAON ISLAND BOAT & DIVE EXCURSIONS

Peter’s Dive Resort

• Type: PADI-certified dive center near Padre Burgos
• Highlights: Custom boat dives/snorkels around Panaon & Sogod Bay marine sanctuaries; whale shark season tours; gear rentals.
• Contact: +63 917 791 0993 • info.petersdive@gmail.com imtravelcorporation.phfacebook.com+12padi.com+12scubaboard.com+12

🚐 COMBINATION & PRIVATE LOCAL BOAT OPERATORS

M/V Asuncion (Padre Burgos operator)

• Type: Private boat from Padre Burgos to Limasawa
• Contact: +63 975 015 0359 padi.com+15eazytraveler.net+15islanddiariesph.com+15
  (A smaller local operator ideal for customization.)

🗺️ Summary Table

✅ Best Fit for Your Needs

• Full-service Limasawa tours: Choose Dericks, Island Diaries, or IM Travel depending on whether you prefer day trips or overnight.
• Custom/private boating: M/V Asuncion is ideal if you just need boat access and already have a guide.
• Underwater experiences around Panaon: Peter’s Dive is the top pick for diving, snorkeling, and marine wildlife sightings.

📲 Next Steps

1. Pick your preferred operator(s) and tour type (day vs overnight, snorkeling vs diving).
2. Contact them with your dates (May 1–4), group size (3), and tour preferences.
3. Ask for availability and a detailed quote (including pick-up from your Padre Burgos accommodation).

At the moment you cannot book a tour here through us, check out info on all the tours we do offer, mostly in the Palawan area, but if you have any questions not answered on this page, feel free to send us a note.

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