February 06, 2012

The Grandeur Beauty of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi

Sitangkai is considered as a 2nd class municipality in the province of Tawi-Tawi. In addition, it is also called the "venice of the south".The majority of the people here are badjaos and sama.  We don't often see floating market in the Philippines; however, when you go to Sitangkai you will  be brought to a new world. 


Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi




Travel to Sitangkai from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi is via Vessel. Visitors and Guests will  love the panoramic view of many islets surrounding the area. What is amazing in this place is the existence of small community also known as " pondohan cluster"   living in the midst of the sea. If you want to have a picture of it- Water World movie is the best to describe it. 
Just do not forget to bring your camera to take a snapshot of the best that Sitangkai can offer.



Seaweeds Capital in the Philippines
Sitangkai is also known as the "seaweeds capital of the Philippines". Aside from fishing, seaweed farming is another source of livelihood in the Island. The economy of Sitangkai is booming due to the production of seaweeds.





Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi is rich in marine resources. The mode of transportation is by sea using the pump boat. There are no tricycles, jeeps and motorcycles in this area. What is amazing in this place is the beauty of trade and commerce. The sellers, mostly badjaos,sell directly from their boats. The visitors and guests from the neighboring place and other cities who happen to visit Sitangkai will appreciate the place. In addition, the people of Sitangkai are really peace-loving and hospitable.





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24 comments:

  1. raelJuly 27, 2013 at 1:30 AM

    Hi Asia! I was wondering, how many days did you stay in Sitangkai? Also, how did you get to Bongao then Sitangkai? I would be very happy to hear from you as I am planning to go to Sitangkai by year's end. Thanks in advance! - Rael

    ReplyDelete
  2. AsiaJuly 29, 2013 at 11:44 PM

    Hi Rael! Thank you for dropping by. I am a native of Tawi-tawi. I stay here in Bongao most of the time.If you don't mind, I'd like to ask where you from. If you are from Manila, you need to get to Zamboanga City before you get to Bongao. Then from there (ZC) via Plane or ferry. Then from Bongao, you can ride a Ferry (Wednesday and Friday) to be in Sitangkai. Its a 4-hour travel. I hope I answered your questions. Feel free to leave a message if you still have a query.

    Thanks!

    Asia

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    Replies
    1. raelJune 8, 2014 at 9:22 AM

      Thank you for replying to my query, Asia! It's a shame I was able to read it only now! Yes, I am from Manila. I guess another question I have is, can I spend a night or two in Sitangkai? Just so I can imbibe and absorb the culture there. Thank you!

      Delete
    2. AsiaJune 9, 2014 at 11:29 PM

      Hi rael, the ferry leaves on wed., fri and sun. I think you can stay as transient while you are there.But I suggest you request for an escort if you pursue on this travel.

      Delete
    3. raelJune 15, 2014 at 6:34 PM

      Oh okay. So I suppose I can ask the local government there to provide me an escort, right? Thank you so much for the informative responses so far. :)

      Delete
    4. paolaAugust 25, 2016 at 8:38 AM

      asia i would like to ask if there is any signal of phone in area of sitangkai? like smart, globe or tm?

      Delete
  3. JB GeraldinoSeptember 20, 2013 at 2:43 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. JB GeraldinoSeptember 29, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    Hi Asia, we will be going to tawitawi and sitangkai this coming Oct 31-Nov 4, where can we possibly stay there? We have no plans yet what we will do but our target is to go to Sitangkai.

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  5. AsiaOctober 4, 2013 at 12:01 AM

    Hi JB! If you get to Bongao, you can choose Inn or lodging (Fortune Inn, Aaron's place, Beachside Inn, etc.) for as low as 350/head. While in Bongao, you can climb the famous Bud Bongao peak, scuba diving in mussaf reef or in plane wreck, snorkeling, sunset viewing in Sanga-Sanga, fishing, joy rides or tour the town, eat satti, etc. I can suggest someone to accompany you as your tour guide. From Bongao, you can ride pumpboats for as low as 200/head to reach Sitangkai. It's a 4-hour ride. There are no hotels, inns or lodging in Sitlangkai. But I know a place you can stay if you really want to. However, it is advised to have coordination with local government if you want to go to Sitangkai.

    ReplyDelete
  6. JB GeraldinoOctober 13, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    Hi Asia, thanks for your reply, would love to try all those things you've mentioned regarding Bongao. We are planning to stay in sitangkai, how is that possible? Who can we contact?

    Salamat! :)

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  7. AsiaOctober 16, 2013 at 8:10 PM

    You can try to coordinate and contact this number 09099212186.. thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. JB GeraldinoOctober 18, 2013 at 2:19 AM

    who's the contact person? By the way, maybe if you have time or not busy on those dates, maybe we can hangout or meetup and join us or tour us hehe =)

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  9. AsiaOctober 18, 2013 at 2:38 AM

    By the way, may I know ( if u dont mind) your purpose of going to Sitangkai?...the contact person's name is Sherwin. I'd love to meet u. If I have time, maybe, I can join your group. However, I am not sure if I can go with u in Sitangkai.. Just text the number I gave you. ; )

    ReplyDelete
  10. AROctober 20, 2013 at 2:26 AM

    Hi! This place seems to be really awesome. Is there any way I can get here from Semporna in Sabah? I've always wanted to visit the Philippines, I thought maybe I should start with somewhere close to home.

    Kind regards from Peninsula Malaysia :-)
    Din

    ReplyDelete
  11. AsiaOctober 20, 2013 at 11:41 PM

    Hi din! There is a regular travel schedule from Sandakan to Bongao via fastcraft. From Bongao, it will be a 4-hour ride to Sitangkai. I hope you can come and visit this place.

    ReplyDelete
  12. JB GeraldinoOctober 21, 2013 at 7:30 PM

    Hi Asia, my friend and I will just visit sitangkai and check its beauty! :) Our plan is to have a day tour in sitangkai (Nov 1 Fri) and then on Nov 2 Sat, we will tour around Bongao and Nov 3 Sun, side trip/tour in Zamboanga. Our flight from Zam-Mla will be on Nov 4 Mon morning.

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  13. AsiaOctober 22, 2013 at 7:09 PM

    JB, I'd like to inform u that the travel schedule for Sitangkai is only on wednesday and leaves on the same date in the afternoon.

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  14. JB GeraldinoOctober 23, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    Sidang (tawi tawi tourism person) said there's a travel sched to sitangkai on friday :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. beachcomberApril 25, 2014 at 1:23 AM

    I am simply amazed by you really. Coming from the same island as you are I must say that I am in some strange way felt a strong feeling of awe upon knowing after so many years that a blogger as brilliant as you are did really exist. You did a great job for being one and I'm mighty glad to have known your facebook page and your blogsite.

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    Replies
    1. AsiaMay 12, 2014 at 1:42 AM

      Hi beachcomber! Thank u, I am flattered. I am happy to see you here. It's a big thing for me that someone (like you )appreciates my blog. This makes me eager to blog more. And maybe one day, we will share common interests in promoting Tawi-Tawi.

      Delete
  16. AndreaAugust 17, 2015 at 5:33 AM

    Hi Asia! I'm doing a case study for my subject in ecotourism and I was wondering if Sitangkai is a great idea for this? I need to think of ideas to develop this place, so if you don't mind can I have your opinion and suggestion on what they still need to develop here, like accommodation, transportation, the cleanliness of the place, where does the wastes of the local people go, and the like, and I haven't seen the place myself and I only have a little knowledge about it. I hope to hear from you soon 'cause it will be a great help. Thank you very much! Btw, I like your post it's very informative and interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 4:33 AM

    Asia..can we communicate by email?

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownAugust 20, 2015 at 4:48 AM

    I need more information about bongao...thanks

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  19. UnknownOctober 22, 2015 at 12:50 PM

    very good and congrats its very informative...

    ReplyDelete

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