Olango Island - Philippines

Olango Island is approximately located five kilometers east of Mactan Island in Cebu. It lies between the Bohol Strait to the south and the Camotes Sea to the north. To the east is the Olango Channel while to the west is the Hilutungan Channel. The island has seven barangays, one of which is Sta. Rosa (erroneously used to refer to the whole of Olango Island), where the island’s wharf and parish church is located. Olango Island hosts seven Lapu-Lapu city ba-rangays, namely, Baring, Caw-oy, Sabang, Santa Rosa, Talima, Tingo and Tunga-san. Olango Island is very accessible for those who want to explore
this beautiful place of pure nature. If you are from Cebu City, you can ride a jeepney for Lapulapu City. The jeepney terminal can be found near the old White Gold Department Store, in the reclamation area. Upon arrival in Lapulapu City, go for the tricycle bound for Dapdap or Angasil. Disembark at the Mar Y Cielo Beach Resort. Take a pumpboat for Santa Rosa (in Olango Island). From the Santa Rosa Wharf, the sanctuary can be reached by tricycle or foot.

The whole island including its neighboring islets has a total land area of 10.3 km² (1,030 hectares). The reef flat-lagoon surrounding the island of Olango is considered one of the most extensive reef areas in the Central Visayas. It has 4,482 hectares of extensive sandy beach, rocky shoreline, inshore flats, sea grass beds, coral reefs, mangrove forest, mudflats, and salt marsh grass surround Olango and its satellite islets.

Olango Island is considered a nature and animal-friendly place. In fact, the island has a 920-hectare secluded wetland called the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary. It supports the largest concentration of migratory birds found so far in the country from September to November traveling the East Asian Migratory Flyway. By late February until May, these birds return to their breeding grounds in the reverse Northward Migration. There are total of 77 species of migratory birds use this flyway, and Olango Island supports 62% of this number.

November 30, 2011 · Posted in Philippine Tourist Destinations