Ön Apid i Filippinerna - en liten ö dit få turister hittar

The island of Apid is one of four Philippine islands known collectively as 'Cuatro Islas', or 'Four Islands'. The islands are relatively close to the large island of Leyte and we went here during our boat trip in the Philippines. The first of the four islands for us was the island of Apid.

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Apid Island in the Philippines

The island of Apid is a beautiful little island, with a small village and many boat builders. The island has no focus on tourism, although a sign indicates that you can hike in nature, experience local handicrafts or try "homestay". The island is not mentioned in the Lonely Planet guidebook, so very few tourists find their way here.

The island of Apid is located just west of the large island of Leyte, close to the other three islands of the 'Cuatro Islas' archipelago.

By boat from Camotes Islands to Apid

We are out on a boat trip with the Philippine boat Dotche and started today's boat trip at Camotes Islands. The trip went fine on calm waters and when we approached Cuatro Islas we were welcomed by a group of dolphins jumping in front of and next to the boat. Absolutely fantastic!

Soon afterwards, we were able to watch large birds flying alongside us, occasionally diving down to catch flying fish just above the surface of the water. Everyone on board was engaged in the hunt and every time a bird got a bite, it was cheered wildly.

Beautiful beaches - and coconut crabs

Arriving at Apid Island, we docked and jumped ashore to explore the small island. We walked along the beaches and were fascinated by how the unbelievable the water is crystal clear.

It is also possible to see the coconut crab (Tatus), which, according to an information board, can be up to one metre long, from the tip of one leg to the other, and weigh up to four kilos. That sounds crazy!

Along the beaches there are also nice cliffs, and in one place overlooking the sea we saw a nice house surrounded by lots of beautiful flowers.

Village of boat builders

There is a small village on the island, where people live and work. Many seem to make a living as boat builders and others seem to work as fishermen. There is no running water or fixed electricity on the island, but solar panels are used and there are small shops and a small 'internet machine' where you insert coins for a code for one or two hours of internet access.

The village also has a large basketball arena (basketball is extremely popular in the Philippines!) and in the evening we saw families gathering outside their houses to play bingo, which is apparently done during certain holidays.

Accommodation in tents

Our travelling companions Micke and Julia chose to stay on the boat overnight while we took our tent ashore and spent the night on the beach. Perhaps it was lucky that we had not yet read the sign about the huge coconut crabs ...

The boat Dotche had to leave the beach quite early in the afternoon because of the tide, so we brought a thermos of hot water and noodles for dinner. Then we bought some beer and chips in one of the village shops. It was a really cosy evening in the tent, watching the sun set over the sea.

An attempt to find the internet

We had no coverage on our mobile phones (with the operator Globe) so we asked if we could use the village's small "internet machine". We were happy to do so, and friendly villagers kindly led us through narrow alleys to find the machine. However, it turned out that we were a bit too early in the morning - the machine cannot be used until the solar cells are charged. In other words, we had to do without internet for a while longer.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

In the neighbourhood of Apid, you can check out the three other islands of the Cuatro Islas: the island of Digyo, the island of Mahaba and the island of Himokilan. You can also get to the large island of Leyte, the beautiful Camotes Islands with caves or the popular island Bohol.

Video from Apid Island and other islands

Facts about Apid Island in the Philippines

Country: Philippines
Region: Visaya Islands
Provins: Leyte
Municipality: Inopacan
Location: Just west of Leyte Island, north-east of Cebu City
Nature conservation: Cuatro Islas Protected Landscape & Seascape (CIPLS): To stay overnight, you need to apply for a permit at the nearest barangay (smallest administrative unit) and pay a fee.
Getting here: Apid is not a tourist island, but it is relatively close by boat from Leyte.

13 Comments

Add yours →

Anna Nilsson Spets says:

Flying fish... It was my souvenir from Barbados a hundred years ago... A stuffed one. By the way, it looks super nice where you are.

18 March 2023 - 7:48

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fun souvenir 🙂 Like to watch the flying fish!
  
  18 March 2023 - 22:59
  
Carin Ager says:

There is so much to experience, lucky couples who both have the same interest. Fun to read, thank you

18 March 2023 - 17:12

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It is true that travelling is easier when it is both our dream. Glad you enjoy reading!
  
  18 March 2023 - 23:00
  
Ditte says:

Totally enjoyable. And you don't have to do much. I think it pays off pretty quickly. Just relaxing and getting away is a big part of the benefit of the trip itself. Fortunately, you did not know about the coconut crabs before you decided to stay overnight.
Keep up the good work. And I am gratefully following along.
Have you dived yet? Perhaps it's tricky to get to...

18 March 2023 - 17:26

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I'm sure the diving here is fantastic but we are not much of divers. I (Helena) don't dive at all, and Peter is a rather unusual diver. So maybe we will settle for snorkelling. Snorkelling equipment is available on the boat! 😀👍
  
  18 March 2023 - 23:02
  
BP says:

Read up on these coconut crabs, named after the fact that they - yes - eat mostly coconuts... The crabs can live up to 50 years. Unbelievable! Would not want to meet such a "beast" in the dark;-)
The island is another paradise island and is very reminiscent of the life that Robinson shows on television. I would not voluntarily expose myself to the lack of internet and tent life on a sandy beach, but you are on an adventure trip;-)

18 March 2023 - 18:15

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  No, we wouldn't want to meet one in the dark either, at least not a bigger one 😱 Tent life is quite cosy, we think. The absence of internet is for us involuntary when it happens 😜.
  
  18 March 2023 - 23:04
  
4000mil says:

Wonderful adventures! Lucky that the coconut crab only eats coconut and not meat? 🙂

19 March 2023 - 10:28

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Unfortunately, it also eats meat 😱 It eats dead animals and smaller animals, such as baby turtles. I have also heard that they take kittens 😱.
  
  19 March 2023 - 13:53
  
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

What wonderful places you get to see! Although I probably would not have dared to camp considering those coconut crabs.... 🙂

20 March 2023 - 21:18

Anna in Portugal says:

A peaceful place it seems. Beautiful too with the clear water of course!

21 March 2023 - 10:04

Lena - good for the soul says:

It's quite fascinating that these small islands have access to the internet at all.

Hug Lena

24 March 2023 - 20:54

Apid Island in the Philippines - a small island where few tourists find it

Apid Island in the Philippines

By boat from Camotes Islands to Apid

Beautiful beaches - and coconut crabs

Village of boat builders

Accommodation in tents

An attempt to find the internet

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Video from Apid Island and other islands

Facts about Apid Island in the Philippines

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13 Comments

Anna Nilsson Spets says:

Helena says:

Carin Ager says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

4000mil says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Anna in Portugal says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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