San Juanico Strait, Maritime passage between Samar and Leyte islands, Philippines.
The San Juanico Strait is a narrow water passage between Samar and Leyte, two large islands in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. It connects Carigara Bay on the Samar Sea side with San Pedro Bay on the Leyte Gulf side.
For centuries this passage separated Samar and Leyte, and crossing it required a boat. In 1973 a bridge was completed over the strait, linking the two islands by road for the first time.
Fishing boats from both shores move through the water every day, their nets spread between the islands in the early morning hours. The strait is a working space for local communities, not just a passage between two landmasses.
The best view of the strait is from the San Juanico Bridge, which can be crossed on foot or by vehicle. If traveling by boat on the water, be aware that currents in the channel can be strong at certain times.
The bridge spanning the strait also carries high-voltage power lines that link the electricity grids of Samar and Leyte. Without this crossing, one of the islands would be cut off from the national power supply.
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