Panikian Island is a Haven for Tortoises to Lay Their Eggs

PANIKIAN ISLAND

Photo from: https://limbonisku.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/how-to-go-to-panikian-island-pitogo-zamboanga-del-sur/

It’s summer! So here’s my take on this year’s summer- an island trip to Panikian Island in Pitogo Zamboanga del Sur, just an hour away from Pagadian City. This island is almost perfect, white sand, crystal clear water, perfect corals for snorkeling .Let this video show how beautiful this island is. It is truly a paradise in Mindanao.

This is a turtle island, meaning, this place is a sanctuary for giant sea turtles. It’s an island where sea turtles and other essential marine creatures like sea snake, sting ray ,baby fishes, and corals reproduce. This is a protected island. I’m glad that they opened this place for eco-tourism. The turtles are strictly protected and monitored by the government. Staying overnight is not allowed. The local government only allow visitor to stay up to 6pm. Turtles lay their eggs in this island at night and need not to be disturbed. Read More: https://greedypeg.org/zamboanga-del-sur/Panikian-Island.html

Photo from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/filan/2638735230

Panikian Island is located in the southernmost tip of Zamboanga del Sur. This beautiful island is uninhabited by people and is untainted by human hands. Unique rock formations around the beaches and crystal clear waters create a stunning image that can only be described as heavenly. The waters of Panikian Island resemble a large iridescent gem that changes color depending on how the surface is illuminated. It is truly one fascinating sight to behold. Read More: http://nemiltouristdestination.blogspot.com/2017/09/panikian-island-pitogo-white-sand-beach.html

Photo from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/672866000553486278/?lp=true

This island is a home to “pawikan” or universally known as tortoise. They come here to lay eggs and they come back after several weeks for their hatchlings. Ironically, the term “panikian” is not in any way associated with “pawikan.” The former refers to bats. The islet on the picture is not the island itself, but it is within the bounds of Panikian Island. Not too many people come here because the government is trying to allow tortoises to lay their eggs without human intervention. In line with that, there are “bantay-dagat” authorities assigned here to guard the vicinity from intruders and from people who illegally catch tortoises. Read More: http://mendezroadtripper.blogspot.com/2017/08/panikian-island.html

Photo from: https://greedypeg.org/zamboanga-del-sur/Panikian-Island.html

Photo from: https://www.picswe.com/pics/sur-panikian-1c.html

Photos below from:

https://limbonisku.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/panikian-island-pitogo-zamboanga-del-sur/