I may come from one of the places that has the best beaches, but I really haven't explored my lovely archipelago yet. Ahuh! You got it right. I am not the adventurous type. I'd rather read books on a sunny afternoon by the beach while having tea.
However, for the sake of the people who are enchanted by the group of islands down south, here are some of the fun things to do in Tawi-Tawi.
Chasing sunrises and sunsets in Bongao.Tawi-Tawi has the best sunsets around. If you are in Bongao, the best spot to look at the sunset is the Sanga-Sanga Bay Walk. There is usually a number of people who waits for the sunset there, not to mention you can eat sidewalk food and the local delicacy, pastil, too.
If you want a good sweat while chasing sunrises and sunsets, then you have to consider climbing the stairs to the Provincial Capitol of Tawi-Tawi. At around 3-5 AM, the place is packed with joggers from around the municipality. All of which are waiting for the sun to rise. Before the sunrise, you will also witness the mystic view of the Town of Bongao.
photo by: Johnny Lee
photo by: Johnny Lee
Tawi-Tawi is an archipelago of 107 islands. Yep, 107 of the 7107 islands of the country is in Tawi-Tawi alone. So, if you plan to island hop on a daily basis, it will take you at least 107 days to roam entirely around my lovely home.
The truth is, I only have gone to at least five islands. hahah! But I am now more open to roaming around.
photo by: Basil Sali
Boating/Boat-riding in Sitangkai, also known as the Venice of the South, and other parts of the province.If you have gone to Venice or to Damnoen Saduak and have fallen in love with the romantic scene of being in a boat with your loved one, then why not try it in Tawi-Tawi. Sitangkai is famous for the use of boats as primary transportation, although footbridges connect one house from another.
Panampangan Island is located in Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi. It is very famous among locals because it has powdery white sand similar to Boracay, but still untouched and the surrounding sea has numerous aquatic species you can clearly see with your naked eye.
Talking and interacting with the locals.
Tawi-Tawians are very much hospitable and have a lot of stories to tell. Why not spare a moment of your tour and talk to locals? If you are lucky, you might score an invite to their home and be entertained with spectacular stories while eating local delicacies. And if you are luckier, others may offer to tour you around.
The archipelago is blessed with various classes of seafood that you can never say NO to simply because they come at a really low price. Moreover, the Tausug, Sama and Badjto ao local delicacies should also be in your travel bucket list.
You can also try Malaysian cuisine and products in Tawi-Tawi. Well, most of the products in the province either came from the Philippines or Malaysia. It's like a mixture of both countries!
Try the lifestyle away from the land by living on a stilt house that has no other mode of transportation to reach to except the boat. The Badjaos live away from the convenience of the land and embrace the aquatic lifestyle. It will be an eye-opening experience.
Scuba-diving/snorkelling around the clear waters of Tawi-Tawi.
There are countless Scuba diving spots in Tawi-Tawi. In Bongao, there is an organized Scuba diving club that can accompany you to have a good dive. The clear waters will let you see as much species as you want to.
Bud Bongao is the highest mountain in Bongao. Accordingly, you haven't gone to Bongao if you are not able to climb the mountain. Then, I am sorry to say that I haven't gone to Bongao at all! I haven't climbed the mountain nor fed the monkeys. haha. The magnificent view of Bongao and surrounding municipalities will welcome you once you reach the peak.
The trek to Bongao Peak is near the Silisad Beach. So, upon climbing down, locals would usually go for a beach. I don't know if it should be recommended but people do that.
Trucking from Bongao to Panglima Sugala.
Bongao is now connected through land with Panglima Sugala. Thus, taking a trip to the capital of Tawi-Tawi should not be missed. Bongao is actually the de-facto capital of Tawi-Tawi since all of the local agencies are located in the municipality, even the Provincial Capitol.
There are countless seaweed farms around the archipelago. Why not take the day off and try to be a marine farmer?
While you're at your peak of visiting the place, why not take home with you its native dance? At a glance, pangalay is such a simple dance. But when you try it, your muscles and bones will really have a workout. In fact, Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa teaches this now as a form of an exercise.
Tawi-Tawi is known for being the first place to be islamized in the entire country. It is also where Islam spread to most of the regions in Mindanao and even to Manila where Raja Sulaiman reigns. The mosque shelters the four pillars of the first mosque, because it was renovated several times already.
Just beside the mosque is the tomb of Sheikh Makhdum. The locals will tell you interesting stories when you get there.
Whether you are a tourist or not, there are numerous things to do in Tawi-Tawi. Be sure to indulge yourself in adventures and fun things to do in Tawi-Tawi. Don't be like me who let all the opportunities to travel the archipelago go to waste.
I promised myself that I will be making up for it real soon! There are far more things to do in Tawi-Tawi than the list.
Let's explore the southernmost frontier of the Philippines.
