Swim with fishes: Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary

Happy new year everyone. 2018 is on! January is the month of fresh start, new memories, and lastly my birth month. So for this month, Dyna and I decided to go to Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary. Medyo malayo but it’s totally worth it. Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary is located in Brgy. Sinogbuhan, San Joaquin, Iloilo. For this travel, I’m happy to say that were not alone ni baby dyna, we have companion from the municipality of Miagao. Introducing Paul (Not the paul on my last recent travel) Kasalanan ko bang andaming “Paul” sa mundo? Dyna and I were so happy that we will not just rely on self-timer this time to take pics cause tadaah may upod na kami.

Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary is an off beaten path right next to the town of Anini-y. Kuliatan is very much accessible to all illlongos since it doesn’t require much hectic transportation. Its only one ride from Molo Terminal up to Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary. This Marine Sanctuary is not your typical beach with white powdery sand cause for this place, the sand is actually dark and mostly rocks from corals. Actually the place thats given for us to stay is full of coral rocks, so it means everything thats under you once a coral reef before.

If you're asking how to get there, simple as this - From Molo Terminal, Ride Ceres Bus to San Joaquin - Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary. Don’t worry for sure di ka maliligaw cause the Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary is along the road lang & if first timer ka, tell the konduktor na manaog ka didto. And tadahh di mo mamamalayan, you’re already there.

Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary is part of a network of marine reserves protected by the San Joaquin municipal government to preserve its coasts' rich variety of marine life. Actually napansin ko sa san joaquin papasok ka palang sa area nila, marami ka na talagang makikitang marine reserves. Kaliwat kanan talaga. So it just means that San Joaquin area is very protected when it comes to their marine life. So back to Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary, it is Located around 22 kilometers from the Poblacion. Brgy. Sinogbuhan is among the town's 15 coastal barangays that hosts a protected area.

A fee of Php50 person is collected upon entry to maintain the marine reserve's facilities as well as to provide a community based livelihood to the barangay's almost 2000 residents. Aside from the entrance fee, minimal additionals fee are collected for the use of cottages and huts (ranging from PhP250/day-use to 750/overnight, subject for verification). Fees for snorkeling and life vest rentals are just PhP 20-30 for hours of use. Kaya nga ayun pag pasok namin register agad dun sa blue book nila then bayad 50 Pesos para sa entrance and 100 Pesos para sa cottage. Ang nakuha naming cottage is yung bandang dulo, dun sa may cliff. Yung tipong isang maling tapak durog ka agad sa mga matitigas na coral rocks sa ilalim na kasing tigas ng ibang lalake jan. HAHAH (opps that’s not double meaning, what I mean is yung puso nilang matitigas. Leche)

The facilities are just very basic with native huts for cottages, reception area, function rooms, restrooms and others. Don’t expect bonggasious mga sisteretss. This place is just simple and beautiful at its own. Yung tipong natural na ganda parang babaeng walang makeup. But honestly their very basic facilities looks so nice for landscape photography. At first it may seem rustic and very laid-back, but it really fits the scene as it blends with the surroundings and at the same time environment friendly.

The main pathways of the area are the only ones that are cemented giving guests a safer trek down as it is a steep descent. The pathway leads to the different parts of the marine reserve - Babaw Bato, Swimming Area, Snorkeling area, Cottages, Grill area and the View Deck. This is the perfect place to have a picnic with whatever food and drinks you brought - no corkage fee. You can bring home-cooked baon, buy along the way or set-up some barbecue at the grilling area. Or just buy from some carinderias outside or at the reserve's mini canteen. But gna recommend ko gd ya na magbalon kamo for food, you know for emergencies na wala na gd ya food sa gwa. Atleast d kayo magutman while on a vacation.

What’s best in kuliatan? A breathtaking panoramic views from the view deck. The sanctuary is a photographer’s delight indeed. Mini view deck is located on top of a rock accessible through a bamboo bridge. It offers a picturesque view of the whole sanctuary where the forest meets the sea. Looking on how clean it is from almost any angle should motivate us to help maintain it in its current state or even make efforts in preserving it more. The sights and sound are very relaxing - the splash of the sea, the rocky seaside and the lush vegetation.

I got to give you some tips how to enjoy more about Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary

First you got to wear proper footwear. This is essential. Cause while you’re there, expect that you will walk on sharp objects like coral stones all the time. You heard me? ALL THE TIME. Next is bring your own food and drinks, if you plan to stay for the whole day or even overnight. Because I repeat, there’s no restaurant where you can buy food. Next is bring your own goggles, snorkel & lifesavers if you want to enjoy more in the area cause it will be really useful especially if you want play with the fishes.

Dyna and I were so happy that we can finally poses for pictures this time without worrying about the timer or the camera stand. Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary exceeds our expectation when it comes to the area but I think the best part for this travel is on the last part where we discover the cave like structure in the far right side of the sanctuary.

"Following your hearts desire will lead you in the direction your spirit wants to go"

So ayun nga, nakahanap kami ng magandang spot na hindi medyo masakit tumapak as well na kaya namin languyin ang lalim. And I’m thinking sooner sana maka overnight kami para mas maexplore pa lalo ang lugar with family or special someone charot. But this time it’s us time muna. And I want to give advice to all travelers out there – if you’re tired of the mainstream travel destinations and crowded Instagram spots sa Western Visayas, then head your way to the Southern part of Iloilo and experience a peaceful adventure among the coastal parts of San Joaquin. And im sure it will be totally WORTH IT!