Lakawon

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Lakawon, also known as Llacaon, is a small banana-shaped island covering about 13 hectares (32 acres) off the coast of Cadiz in Negros Occidental, Western Visayas, Philippines. It features a white-sand beach resort run by a family and is a popular getaway for both locals and visitors. The name comes from the Cebuano word lakaw, meaning "to walk," because at low tide you may have to walk a long distance to reach the main island.

The island sits about 48 kilometers (30 miles) north of Bacolod and can be reached from Cadiz Viejo by a 20-minute motorized boat ride. Lakawon’s white-sand beach is said to rival Boracay, but the island remains less developed and feels more like a sandbar. The beaches are mostly on the side facing Negros; the opposite side, facing the open sea, is rougher. A small fishing village is on one side.

Getting there: from Bacolod or other parts of Negros, jeepneys or Ceres Liner buses go to Cadiz Viejo. From Cadiz Viejo, a dirt road leads to the shore where you can see the island and catch the boat. Arrive in the morning at high tide for calmer waters and less wading.

There are about 280 houses on Lakawon, and after Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, only around 10 remained intact.