Tawi-Tawi

Tawi-Tawi is a province in the autonomous Bangsamoro region of the Philippines, composed of eleven municipalities distributed across numerous small and medium-sized islands. The capital Bongao sits on an island of the same name and serves as the commercial and administrative center, while other inhabited islands are accessible by ferry connections and smaller boats.

The administrative unit emerged in 1973 when it was separated from the larger Sulu Sultanate through presidential decree and formed an independent province with Romulo Espaldon as its first governor. In earlier centuries the area was an important trading node between Southeast Asian kingdoms and controlled sea routes between southern Mindanao and Borneo.

The Sama-Bajau community has preserved its maritime traditions over centuries and still lives in houses built on stilts above the water. In the island markets, fishermen sell their catch directly after docking and traders offer goods from Malaysia and Indonesia, as proximity to these countries shapes daily exchange.

Sanga-Sanga Airport sits near Bongao and offers connections to Zamboanga City on Mindanao, from where travelers can arrive by domestic flights or ferries. Local boats operate regularly between municipalities, but schedules depend on weather and tides, so flexibility in planning is advisable.

The Turtle Islands in the northern part offer a rare opportunity to watch sea turtles laying eggs at night directly on the beach, as they are managed as a protected area. Few visitors reach this place, and the experience is strictly regulated to avoid disturbing the nesting animals.

Location: Bangsamoro

Inception: 1973

Capital city: Bongao

Reference: 1907000000

Shares border with: Sulu

Website: http://tawitawi.gov.ph

GPS coordinates: 5.20000,120.08333

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:56