Brief History
Maripipi is located off the northern coast of Biliran. Maripipi and Biliran are separated by a narrow channel. Southwest of Maripipi is the Visayan Sea, to the north lies the Samar Sea. It has a coastal circumference of twenty-four kilometers. The island has the least population in all the municipality of Biliran. Maripipi is also equidistant to Leyte, Samar and Masbate, so that during the Spanish time, Maripipi was a vital link in the chain of islands used as stepping stones for the Luzon-Visayas commerce. Maripipi was often a calling place for the Spanish galleons.
The Municipality of Maripipi was once a small part of Naval, or what the locals would call “bario”. Maripipi was inaugurated as a town in 1867. Its ceramics industry has received recognition, and its market has reached as far as the provinces of Mindanao.
Maripipi got its newest tag “The Isle of Gems”, because of its recent boom in tourism.
Main Attractions
- Sambawan Island
- Maripipi Watchtower
- Candol Beach
- Viga Cold Spring Pool
- Actual Making of “Ceramic Daba”
Activities
- Kayaking
- Trekking
- Camping
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Fishing
- Ceramic Making
Accommodations
- Sambawan Dive Camp and Beach Resort
- Napo Beach Resort
Souvenirs
- T-shirts with Maripipi Prints
- Native Rattan
- Pottery
How to get there
You can ride a van from Tacloban City or Ormoc city, Leyte to Naval, Biliran. The fare is Php 130.00 only. You must travel early so you can reach Naval on or before 10:30 because the last trip of the boat to Maripipi Island is 10:30 AM. The travel time from the Port of Naval to the Port of Maripipi is more or less one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes.
The main mean of transportation in the island is a for hire single motorcycle, or Habal habal.
