Information about Cuatro Islas

Cuatro Islas, a Spanish term which translates to “Four Islands,” is a group of picturesque islands located in Western Leyte. It is composed of not just one or two, but four magnificent islands. Three of the landmasses, namely Apid, Digyo, and Mahaba, are under the care and protection of the municipality of Inopacan, while the other one, which is Himokilan, is separated from the three as it is in the boundary of the neighboring town, Hindang.

Among all the islands in the Philippines, Cuatro Islas are some of the unspoiled gems, blowing away the locals and tourists with their awe-inspiring natural beauty. Despite the catastrophe brought by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, Cuatro Islas remained incredibly captivating.

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, snorkeling, and “Takobo” nursery viewing.

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 in 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 that is comparable to that in Boracay, thus dubbing the island as Inopacan’s “Little Boracay.” There are also two sandbars stretching from the island, each from the north and south ends.