Marabut Rock Islands

Marabut sits on the southern coast of Samar where a scatter of limestone islets rises out of shallow green water just offshore - small, steep-sided rocks topped with vegetation, close enough together that the standard way to see them is by kayak from the beach rather than by motorboat. Between them are coves, small strips of sand, overhangs and swim-throughs, and the water is calm enough on most dry-season days to paddle for a couple of hours without difficulty. A few modest resorts sit along the mainland shore with the islets in view. The area was hit hard by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, and rebuilding along this coast took years; what stands today is largely post-storm. The coastal road from Tacloban through Basey is itself scenic, which makes the trip an easy half-day out of the city.

What you actually see

• The limestone islets - steep rocks standing in shallow water.
• The kayak channels - paddling routes between them.
• The small coves - sand strips and overhangs on the rocks.
• The mainland beaches - the resort shore looking out.

When to go

December to May for calm water and easy paddling. Mornings are stillest; afternoon wind picks up across the channel.

Honest expectations

The beaches are small and the resorts simple. Kayaks and boats are hired locally with limited stock. This coast is exposed to typhoons and facilities can change between seasons.

Nearby

Sohoton Caves at Basey is on the same road; Tacloban and San Juanico Bridge are north.