The Philippines is a marvel. Being an archipelago, we have so many islands with its own rich diverse natural resources. We have so many popular destinations, but there are still more that are waiting to be uncovered. One such hidden gem is the Caluya group of islands in the province of Antique.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WrTdekoWI2w/XNd1u8FMViI/AAAAAAAAd4M/Czfs6M0pTmcUgpms0D17jJir-SPW23sjwCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bcliff%2Bdiving.jpg)
The Caluya Group of Islands
Caluya is a First Class Municipality in the Province of Antique, but it is actually separated from the mainland. It is a quaint, medium-sized island with close to 40,000 residents.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - boating](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XrpmzNaecgA/XNd1sl446EI/AAAAAAAAd4I/iE2p29PniEUpQd5vBpPqN9G9JCZyhzp4wCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bboating.jpg)
Its most notable natural attractions would be its pristine white sand beaches. Unspoiled, you can walk kilometers on the fine white sandy beach without a care and without getting distracted with noise pollution.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - boating](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQYghxvodOU/XNd19vl7FBI/AAAAAAAAd4k/3dlJrr9iToohV1cw4rfgX6n9FXezM6x0ACLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bwhite%2Bsand%2Bbeach%2Baerial.jpg)
Furthermore, travelers will find seaweeds, deep caves, rocky mountain, and endless coconut plantations around the island.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - boating](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JletL3lUqiM/XNd1zkzESzI/AAAAAAAAd4Q/OHdaUgWehs4URrp-79l_CRm8o-eIznfJQCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bcoconut%2Btrees.jpg)
Tatus (Coconut Crab)
But perhaps their most unique “must-try” would be the “Tatus”. It is a coconut crab that grows on dry land. It has a different flavor, too.
I really want to visit the island because of two things – beaches and crabs. We love crabs! Naturally, a seafood trip should be in order, to which I know that my husband would just easily concur.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - tatus crab - land crab](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nu82Fqh8_zk/XNd2EK-i9-I/AAAAAAAAd4w/QcCnQyRAluAsTMhCeALfY8PXKKKlimrXACLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Btatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab.jpg)
Moreover, I think it would also be great to bring our whole family here, as the kids would enjoy frolicking on the pristine white sand beaches. And the eldest is old enough to appreciate snorkeling and seeing underwater scenes.
Streetlights in Caluya
Due to being an archipelago, our islands are not just physically disconnected. Many remote municipalities in the Philippines do not have to electricity because they are not connected to the power plants.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ygP_QKCQDX4/XNd1zgMWjEI/AAAAAAAAd4U/qxhO9MvnpNIZ9oNKtM4w37eQl5ovxwINgCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bstreet%2Blamps.jpg)
However, Caluya Municipal Mayor Genevive Lim-Reyes made a commitment last 2016. She wanted to see the entire island lighted up at night with street lamps. Moreover, the goal included major thoroughfares to barangay streets. She envisioned this expansive endeavor as part of their anti-crime measure.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_a6MrMmVONA/XNd6d41nHTI/AAAAAAAAd5Y/Ex02QBe7e288JnrXsX_3PhYO8IjEtuJaQCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bsunset.jpg)
Additionally, she believes that the lights will add to the romantic and picturesque scenes around the island at night. Mayor Reyes hopes that these vistas will be captured and shared on social media. These will then encourage more tourists to visit the Caluya group of islands.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lnxg6q1aLps/XNd14eTo4YI/AAAAAAAAd4c/YPKUX7opXjUNmcw5f4zEkeGajRTE8JVEQCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bstreet%2Blights%2Bnight.jpg)
The street lighting project is finally completed and people can now enjoy the most wonderful lighted street scenes in the Province of Antique—only in Caluya!
Medical Facilities
For a town that is quite a distance from the mainland, medical facilities are important to cater to the needs of locals as well as tourists.
On this note of Mayor Genevive Lim-Reyes told Vice Mayor Diosdado L. Egina and its SB Members to focus on the delivery of the best medical care possible to the Caluyanhons.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wREcUnzWOs/XNd1qgQpMCI/AAAAAAAAd4E/xeoxL2UOMTIOhh_KaRvZmkS83IbATkk7wCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bambulance.jpg)
Moreover, this mandate covers all visitors to the islands. The mayor knows the need in times of disasters and emergencies and one of their moves is the purchase of the municipal ambulance. This project happened through the help of the Department of Budget and Management under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
Tatusan Festival 2019
The best time to visit the Caluya group of islands is during the summer season, when the sun is out and the seas are safe for travel.
In this regard, Mayor Reyes is inviting everyone to visit Caluya in the event of the Tatusan Festival from May 29 to June 1, 2019. The pageantry is in honor of this unique crab variety that the island has been blessed with.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLRHBVZv4fY/XNd1zs3iKJI/AAAAAAAAd4Y/1xkSzkpUPHYc9jTekB6wjRfQkJ9Ms6VSwCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bstreet%2Bdancing.jpg)
Photo by Rey Peñaflorida.
I believe that during the festival time, there will be an abundance of the Tatus that people will get to enjoy.
Please find the detailed events of the Tatusan Festival 2019 below.
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6J1A1NJDAdc/XNd2JRszuCI/AAAAAAAAd48/Ubb8al3nmx4wYsC4UCKkj9sbX6cDiSPrgCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2Bschedule%2Bof%2Bactivities-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bambulance.jpg)
If you would like to visit Caluya soon, read on for the travel details.
How to get to the Caluya Islands
Entry points to Caluya are from Iloilo City, San Jose in Antique, and Caticlan. Check out how to get to Caluya from different origin destinations.
From Iloilo City
From the Molo Terminal, Iloilo City, take a bus or van bound for Libertad, Antique. The travel time from Iloilo to Libertad may take about six (6) hours. Make sure to pack some snacks, water, and a neck pillow. These are some ways to travel with the least stress.
- Fare: Bus – PhP264/pax | Van – PhP300/pax (Approx. US$6)
From San Jose, Antique
From Dalipe Terminal, San Jose, Antique, ride a bus or van going to Libertad, Antique. Travel time from San Jose to Libertad may take approximately four (4) hours.
- Fare: Bus – PhP164/pax | Van – PhP200/pax (Approx. US$4)
From Caticlan
You can ride a bus bound for Antique at the Caticlan Jetty Port. Instruct the driver to drop you at crossing Fullon. Then take another bus or tricycle ride going to Libertad, Antique.
- Fare: Bus A (from Caticlan) PhP50, Bus B (from Antique) PhP25 pesos
Crossing the Sea
The moment you’ve reached the Libertad Port, take a Ferry Boat (MV Express or MV Leonor) going to Caluya Island. Ferry trips are at 3AM daily. Travel time from the Libertad port to Caluya is approximately 3 hours.
- Fare: MV Express/ MV Leonor- PhP450 + PhP 20 Terminal Fee (Approx US$9.50)
Once you’ve docked at the Caluya port, take a tricycle ride going to the Town Proper where the hotels are located.
- Fare: Tricycle – PhP50 (Approx. US$1)
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-se1x721RlEo/XNd7TXEWsWI/AAAAAAAAd5g/OgFP6Wi2FmICfk6Ced1XDNc9kTS2AE5igCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bsea%2Burchin%2B-%2Bstar%2Bfish.jpg)
Caluya Island Accredited Tour Guides
Professional tour guides are also available in the island. It is best to arrange you schedule with them prior to your visit.
Below is the list of contact numbers of the tourism staff:
FOR SMART
- 09123342555 – Gino Montaño
- 09301642437 – Amando Batad
- 09072849228 – Rejan Dela Cruz
- 09501113009 – Ernie Flores
- 09128057916 – Joana Marie Aguilar
Or you may directly message the Caluya Facebook page for your queries: Municipality of Caluya
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfUCuL_YpuE/XNd1nxFe2PI/AAAAAAAAd4A/SSM23JaQVaoNvSEafGyDoVxF9JlK1cVvACLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2BMayor%2BReyes%2Bcopy.jpg)
Come and Visit
Visit Caluya Island in Antique and discover some more facets to our country that you haven’t seen before. Indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines. See you there!
![Caluya Group of Islands - province of Antique - Philippines - travel - visit Caluya - Tatus coconut crab - Tatusan Festival schedule of activities- Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes - white sand beach - Bacolod blogger - snorkeling - cliff diving - Caluya Island - street lights](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxxFFlIJXIc/XNd2HO_9VHI/AAAAAAAAd40/KyQjGt3V87ocneI5hUvfCKoIV3efHecugCLcBGAs/s1600/Caluya%2BGroup%2Bof%2BIslands%2B-%2BAntique%2B-%2BPhilippines%2B-%2Bvisit%2BCaluya%2B-%2BTatus%2Bcoconut%2Bcrab%2B-%2BTatusan%2BFestival%2B-%2BBacolod%2Bblogger%2B-%2Bwhite%2Bsand%2Bbeach.jpg)
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Oh my gosh, how stunning is Caluya Island! That water is so blue. I would LOVE to go here one day with my family.
Knowing many Filipinos I have learned to love this land of incredible beauty, one that goes beyond what can be imagined.
What a dream, such a clear beautiful beach experience. It is truly striking and I can’t wait to explore the Caluya Islands in the future.
What an absolutely stunning looking island this is! It seems like there are some amazing places to explore on it and beautiful sites to see. I wish I can visit the Philippines soon and make a stop at Caluya islands!
Oh my word! How amazing! Caluya Islands look like such an incredible place with so many things to do. I would love to go there. Such colour and vibrancy.
Oh man, how absolutely stunning. I love how colorful everything is. Thank you for sharing about Caluya Islands. It really looks more fun in the Philippines.
The Caluya Group of Islands looks like a real paradise to me! I’d love to spend my upcoming holidays there! It would be a truly magical experience … Love your photos! 🙂
That coconut crab is huge. Caluya would be a place that I would love to visit. That white sand beach looks awesome!
Oh wow, I have never been there but it looks like there is a lot of interesting stuff. Wow, that tatus crab is crazy big! haha I wonder how it tastes.
I can’t believe how blue the water is! What a beautiful place. It looks like it has a lot going for it with culture and modern convenience as well. I will have to add Caluya to my travel wish list.
Okay, I have added Caluya to my bucket list, in fact, I might just move there altogether. The beach is so magnificent I can see myself spending never-ending days just near the beach on my laptop blogging. The scenery alone will inspire me to write for a very long time.
Indeed our country has so much to offer, especially when it comes to tourism! Iloilo is still on my bucketlist. Hope to tick it off soon!
I have yet to visit the Phillipines. It’s on my travel list and I truly can’t wait to mark it off and include Caluya Islands.
This looks so amazing there. I can see why you consider it the jewel of the province. I love the look of it out there. I really need to make it out to the Phillipines sometime.
We’re going to Caluya Islands this summer for a wedding! Thank you for posting this! I will save this Pin for future planning!
Wow! Do enjoy your trip to Caluya islands! There is so much to explore! 😀
CALUYA Seems to me as a wonderful place to be I love the view of its landmark and the group of islands as well I must say that indeed Love the view concout plantation and the colourful Tatusan festival.
Wow! I didn’t realize Caluya Island is this beautiful. That pristine water is something that I would very much want to jump on in this weather.
A wonderful family destination
Omg! Caluya is so beautiful. Such a wonderful Island.