Trifter

It is composed of ten islands, typically enticed with brilliant and dazzling white coral-sand beaches. An unspoiled and rich marine sanctuary island where one can find the exotic yet endangered species of fish, sea turtles, corals, mollusks, colorful sea stars and urchins and other marine creatures luring and enjoying in the expanse of pristine water, Caluya is paradise.

The brilliant and dazzling white coral sand beaches of Caluya were one can found various species of sea stars and urchins entice in the reefs of the island.

Caluya is very famous for their sought-after delicacy, the “tatus” or coconut crab (Birgus latro). A nocturnal creature with strong pincers and has known for its ability to crack coconuts in order to eat the contents. They usually burrow in coral rock and thick undergrowths. The meat of this crab is enormously appreciated, just like lobster and other crabs.

Coconut crab locally known as tatus; a nocturnal creature known for its ability to crack coconuts by using its pincers

Your trip maybe not complete if you don’t try to eat the raw or briefly cooked exotic urchins locally known as “tirik” (Tripneustes gratilla). A rounded-spiny herbivore comes in various colors and species living on the vast coral reefs of the island. The five strips roe or gonads resides within the structure of the urchin, in a yellowish or orange substance resembling into a firm custard has a great tangy flavored after taste and it is also considered as aphrodisiac.

Pincushion urchins abound the coral reefs of the island. The tangy five strips custard like roes or gonads edible part of the urchin; it also considered as aphrodisiac

Wide plantation of seaweeds is very famous in the island. Various kinds of edible seaweeds, locally termed as “tambalang” are abundant in the area. Most of the locals are engaged in the seaweed farming. The fresh and dried seaweeds are very marketable in the local market and exported in nearby islands and provinces.

Seaweed farming is the main livelihood of the locals in the island.

Other profitable activities include mining, copra making, fishing, farming, raising livestock, native and shell crafts making.

The Island is three-hours away from Centro Weste Port in the Municipality of Libertad and five hours travel time from Lipata Seaport in Culasi via a ferry boat. The island has several safe docking places; the Masanag Pier during the habagat season; Tonggo pier during the amihan season and Dapdap Pier in Semirara Island. One can also ride on small cargo and commercial passenger vessels plying regularly the Culasi-Libertad-Caluya-Semirara-Mindoro routes.