Tikling Island that is sometimes spelt Ticlin, (Spanish for Egret) lies in the San Bernardino Strait, at the southeastern tip of Luzon, some 4km offshore from the township of Matnog.

Matnog has a vehicular - passenger ferry terminus that handles at least six return trips a day to the Port of Allen on Samar, carrying thousands of passengers, numerous buses and cargo trucks traversing the Marcos Highway to southern islands.

Tikling Island is a titled freehold property of some 51 hec. of which 10 hec. of coastal area is classified as government easement.

The island, nearly circular in shape, has a few small hills, one of which is some 180 feet in height partially covered in natural bush, providing a shaded walk. The hillsides provide a water run-off area that is stored in old disused rice paddies of some 10 has. This fresh water area provides a haven for water birds.

Numerous coconut trees have been planted rather haphazardly and must now total over 4000 trees. A caretaker also looks after copra production as well as his own produce garden. There are no squatters on the island and only a few grass huts as well as a three roomed concrete hollow block, grass roofed building erected some 15 years ago.

Numerous visitors frequent the island mainly on weekends in summer months and local fishermen rest between fishing forays.

A plentiful supply of water is available from wells at a depth of some 2 meters. Flushing of the pump is a requirement if not used for some weeks to remove any brackishness, and though tested potable, boiling for personal consumption is recommended.

Fishing is plentiful off the nearby reefs, though there has been undisciplined bombing of fish in the past. With the prevailing winds from the North East, more than 50% of the Western beaches offer fine white sand along with clear blue water for swimming.

Fresh cool Buko Juice readily available from green coconuts provides a delightful, refreshing bubbly drink, than can be enhanced with the addition of various spirits such as Rum.

My original plan for the island was to set up a rustic resort after retiring from Papua New Guinea, tapping the numerous travelers passing through Matnog, but as my PNG employment was extended by some seven years and building a new house in Subic Bay, those plans were shelved. Due to increasing age, my wife and I have no desire to retire to the island as we are very comfortable in Subic with family members in Manila so much closer than if we were at Tikling.

As a result of our changed plans, Tikling Island is for sale and would be very suitable as a private haven, or rustic resort offering varied water sports, bush walks or a place to just relax far away from commercial pressures.

Also included in the package is a 450m2 lot in the township of Matnog where we had planned to erect a town office –warehouse for island produce.