Ticlin Island

Philippines , Philippines

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Ticlin Island (more commonly spelled Tikling Island) is a small, private island located in the San Bernardino Strait off the southeastern tip of Luzon in the Philippines, about 4 kilometers offshore from the township of Matnog in Sorsogon province.

The name “Tikling” comes from a local bird (the egret or buff-banded rail) that once lived in large numbers on the island. The island is nearly circular, roughly 51 hectares in size, with several small hills up to 180 feet high, thousands of coconut trees, and natural bush that provides shaded walking paths.

It features beautiful white sand beaches on its western side with clear blue water ideal for swimming and snorkeling, along with pink corals visible along the shore. Fresh water is available from wells and old rice paddies that also attract water birds, and the surrounding reefs offer plentiful fishing and enjoyable scuba diving.

The island has no resort accommodations but has a few nipa huts and a small concrete building, with caretakers who manage copra production and allow visitors to camp on the beach with permission. Tikling Island is easily accessible by a 10–15 minute boat ride from Matnog’s ferry terminal, which connects Luzon to Samar, and it draws mainly local tourists and fishermen seeking a peaceful, uncommercialized beach experience.