Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

10° 14.7′ N · 124° 2.1′ E

A 920-hectare tidal flat at the south end of Olango that was the first Ramsar wetland in the Philippines (site no. 656, 1994): a wintering and refuelling stop for migratory shorebirds from Siberia, northern China and Japan, including Chinese egrets, Asiatic dowitchers, eastern curlews, godwits and red knots.

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Protected under Proclamation 903 (1992); 97 species recorded, 48 migratory. Sanctuary office in Barangay San Vicente sells coconut juice and has a toilet; no restaurants or lodging on site. Entrance quoted at 20 PHP for Filipinos and 100 PHP for foreigners (Wikivoyage), older sources say 30 PHP - verify locally. Best birding from the low-to-high tide shift, roughly two hours before high water, when birds are pushed toward the viewing deck; peak flocks December-February (migration season roughly September-May). Bring binoculars. Reach it by bangka ferry from the Punta Engaño ('Hilton') pier on Mactan to Santa Rosa (40 PHP plus 5 PHP terminal fee in 2024, every half hour or so in daylight), then a pedicab. The tidal flats dry extensively - do not try to take a yacht onto them.

Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

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