Island · Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi
Turtle Islands
Green sea turtle nesting beaches, protected jointly with Malaysia.
Best: Night, when the turtles come ashore to lay their eggs
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Island · Mapun, Tawi-Tawi
Mapun
Also known as Cagayan de Sulu, Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi.
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The place
Island in Mapun, Tawi-Tawi
A remote island far out in the Sulu Sea, home of the Jama Mapun, with freshwater lakes and rocky cliffs.
Island
Traced to its sources since the guide was written.
When to go
Early September, for Mapun Day.
Safety in Tawi-Tawi
Generally calm, and the province has worked hard at that reputation. It is the part of BARMM most often recommended to visitors without local ties. Foreign advisories covering the Sulu Archipelago frequently name Tawi-Tawi in the same breath as Sulu and Basilan even though the situations differ; read the current text rather than the headline. Coordinate island trips through the provincial tourism office, which is normal practice here rather than a precaution.
About this place
Mapun lies in the Sulu Sea north-west of the rest of Tawi-Tawi. It holds freshwater lakes, among them Lake Ernestine, Lake Sapah and Lake Singuan, along with springs and rocky cliffs, and turtles are raised on the islets around it.
The Magellan-Elcano expedition passed here and described the people as Muslim and brave fighters. The National Historical Commission placed a Quincentennial marker on Isla Keana, Barangay Iruk-Iruk, in 2021.
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Mapun Day, the town's foundation day, is on 5 September, after a week of contests in song, dance, oration and the Budjang Mapun pageant.
Before you go
- Mapun is far out from Bongao; arrange the trip with the provincial tourism office and the municipality.
Where you’ll be
Mapun, Tawi-Tawi
Sources
Crafts made in Mapun
Every craft of the region
matSama pandan matTepo are the pandan mats of the Sama of Tawi-Tawi, woven in stripes, multicoloured squares, checks and zigzags. Mats from Ungos Matata island in Tandubas are less pliable but more vivid in colour than the softer mats of Laminusa in Sulu.Valenzuela400 · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo by Valenzuela400, CC BY-SA 4.0. Open the source file.
Where to sleep in Tawi-Tawi
resort
Bihing Tahik Resort
Bongao
Beach resort in Bongao; hosted an MIPA consultation, February 2025
bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2025-02- No photo of this hotel yet
hotel
Rachel's Place
Bongao
Hotel and restaurant in Bongao; hosted an MPOS and UN Women training, April 2024
mpos.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2024-05 - No photo of this resort yet
resort
Danmar Beach Resort
Brgy. Pasiagan, Bongao
Beach resort listed as a Bangsamoro Parliament venue, July 2026
parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2026-07 - No photo of this hotel yet
hotel
Mayan Hotel
Lomboy, Nalil, Bongao
Hotel listed as a Bangsamoro Parliament venue, May 2024
parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2024-05 - No photo of this resort yet
resort
Dahuwan Tampeh Resort
Brgy. Pahut, Bongao
Resort registered with the Bangsamoro Board of Investments in 2024; a Parliament venue by October 2025
parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2025-10 - No photo of this inn yet
inn
Beachside Inn and Restaurant
Sowangkagang, Pasiagan, Bongao
Inn and restaurant; the MOLE Tawi-Tawi field office gives it as its address
mole.bangsamoro.gov.ph · as of 2024-01 resort
Sangay Siapu Island Resort
Off the coast of Simunul Island
Island resort with overwater cottages on boardwalks, described by the municipality
simunul.gov.ph · as of 2025-05- No photo of this inn yet
inn
Island Inn Resort
Barangay Tabawan, South Ubian
Inn and restaurant in Tabawan; hosted an MSSD distribution, October 2025
mssd.barmm.gov.ph · as of 2025-10
Named where a public source names them; no rates or availability. Ask the place directly.
More to see nearby
Everything in Tawi-Tawi
Island · Languyan, Tawi-Tawi
Tawi-Tawi Island
The main island of the province: hilly, wooded and home to birds found nowhere else.
Heritage · Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Balobok Rock Shelter
A cave on Sanga-Sanga that holds some of the oldest evidence of people in Southeast Asia.
Heritage · Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Tawi-Tawi Provincial Capitol
The seat of the provincial government, on a hill over Bongao, with a large dome and minarets modelled on the province's mosques.
Best: Late September, for Kamahardikaan, the founding anniversary of the province (separated from Sulu on 27 September 1973), when decorated lepa fleets sailed off Bongao on 24 September 2023