Cuatro Islas, a Spanish term that translates to “Four Islands,” is a group of picturesque islands in Western Leyte. Three of the landmasses, namely Apid, Digyo, and Mahaba, are under the care and protection of the municipality of Inopacan. Meanwhile, the fourth one, Himokilan, is under the jurisdiction of the neighboring town, Hindang.
Islands of Cuatro Islas
Himokilan Island, among the four, is the nearest to the mainland and is the largest, with a total area of about 48 hectares. Unlike the other three islands, which can be reached via Inocapan, tourists need to go to Hindang Municipality to reach the island. Himokilan is the only islet that offers mountain trekking and cave exploration, alongside reef diving, swimming, and snorkeling.
Apid Island, the second largest in the group, is known for its mat-weaving community. The island is also known as a fishing village. Tourists can mostly enjoy an interactive stay on the island where the locals teach them how to do pandan stripping, handicraft making, and mat weaving.
Mahaba Island, on the other hand, boasts of its two beautiful white-sand coastlines and thriving marine sanctuary. The place got its name from its elongated shape.
Lastly, the smallest island of Cuatro Islas is called Digyo. It features a stretch of white sand comparable to Boracay's, thus dubbing the island Inopacan’s “Little Boracay.” Two sandbars also stretch from the island, each from the north and south ends.
Best time to visit
As the islands are popular island-hopping destinations, it's best to plan a trip to them in the dry season (December to May) to enjoy the white sand beach and blue waters with less rainfall.
