Pamilacan Island today is famous for its whale and dolphin watching spots. Yet as recently as 20 years ago fishermen were hunting whales and dolphins on the other side of the island. 

Now, after the government has forbidden capturing the creatures, locals have switched to earning their living by giving the trips around the island for the tourists. 

Unfortunately, we were not lucky enough to see these beautiful animals with our own eyes, due to the poor weather conditions during our trip. But we did manage to entertain ourselves with a few snorkelling trips around the island instead.

For around just 100 pesos per hour you can get yourself a personal guide with a kayak to take you to the most beautiful coral reefs and turtle watching spots for snorkelling. And it is something worth seeing: the virgin waters around the island are incredibly clear, so you don’t even need a mask to explore all the beauty of the underwater world. It’s full of sea stars, corals, and sometimes even water turtles.

Pamilacan island is also a perfect place for diving, it will take only few minutes by boat to reach an area with the proper depth. Diving suits or equipment can be rented easily at the guesthouse and costs are much cheaper than at many other touristic spots.

There are a couple of historic sights you may wish to explore on the island. The old Spanish church, and the ruins of the fortress rising picturesquely on the main beach of the island. For a small charge you can see a number of wooden pavilions: it’s the place where local authorities gather to discuss the vital problems of the island. 

Pamilacan Island has everything to help you easily forget about your everyday routine. It’s a great place to rest your head and forget about civilization. There are no intrusive sellers or noisy parties here, such as you find in many  tourist spots. You won’t even find a shop here. All of the provisions needed are delivered here each morning from Baclayon, so make sure you bring everything, such as medicine or hygiene items, with you. 

The population of the Pamilacan is less than 2000 people, living in the tiny settlements around the island. Taking a walk here can give you a good opportunity to find out what the local life on a Filipino island is like: barefooted children running around, mangoes hanging from the trees, and all kinds of cattle prowling with a harmony of mother earth. Instead of the wildness, the beach of the island looks very clean and untouched by human hand. Local people are very neat and proud of the little piece of paradise they are living in. And I only hope this place will stay like this forever – calming, exciting, glorious and wild.