Giant Clam Sanctuary (Taklobo tours) in Samal Island

A must-visit eco-tourism spot in the stunning Island Garden City of Samal, the Giant Clam Sanctuary or Taclobo Tours should be on top of your list. It is where you can catch sight of endangered clam species in the Philippines, including the Tridacna gigas, the world’s largest specie of bivalve mollusk.

This protected sanctuary lies in Barangay Acedor, Kaputian District, a 14-hectare islet that houses over 3,700 giant clams, and around 3,000 are considered mature. At present, these beautiful creatures are considered endangered, so making time to visit the Giant Clam Sanctuary will offer you a worthwhile experience.

Nonetheless, with the protection given by the Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) and partnership with United Fisherfolks Organization (ACUFOR) and Samal’s LGU, these giant clams are being preserved for research purposes and for the future generations to see.

So if you’re planning to visit Samal Island, bring your snorkeling gears and an underwater camera to encounter around 15 to 40 inches long endangered giant clams perfectly arranged on the seabed. While snorkeling, you can see younger clams near the shore, and the bigger ones are in the farthest area of the sea.

Also, remember the dos and don’ts during the short briefing before snorkeling since these underwater creatures shouldn’t be touched or stepped on since they’re too sensitive, and your curiosity can lead to their death. During the Taclobo Tours, you can glimpse colorful giant clams like a flower in bloom, from blue and violet to yellow, green, and brown colors.

How to get there:

The easiest way to get to the Giant Clam Sanctuary is to ride a boat heading to Kaputian Beach, which will take around 45 minutes if you’re coming from Talicud Island, or rent one for Island Hopping.

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