By Christian Cabañas, Anchor, Brigada News FM Trento
Dotted across the cerulean waters of Lianga Bay are 24 islands and islets collectively known as the Britania Islands. Located in Surigao del Sur’s municipality of San Agustin, these limestone-fringed outcrops are increasingly drawing attention from domestic travelers seeking quieter, nature-based getaways far from urban crowds.
The area, still relatively undeveloped compared to other coastal tourist hubs, offers a chance to slow down. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and picnic among the islands of Boslon, Hagonoy, Naked, and Hiyor-Hiyoran. While each has distinct features—like Naked Island’s barren sandbar or Boslon’s wide beachfront—the appeal lies in their unspoiled simplicity.
Unlike commercial destinations with large-scale infrastructure, Britania’s tourism is largely operated by community-based cooperatives. Local boatmen, fisherfolk-turned-guides, and family-run resorts comprise the backbone of the area’s small economy.
“Before tourism became active, we relied solely on fishing,” said Junel Alvarez, a boat operator and native of Barangay Salvacion. “Now, we have additional income and more stable jobs during peak travel months.”
Most visitors arrive via Butuan or Davao, both of which are serviced by regular commercial flights from Manila and Cebu. From either city, it’s a four- to five-hour land trip to San Agustin. Jeepneys, buses, and vans make the route accessible, while the barangay’s small port serves as the jump-off point for island-hopping tours.
Travelers often describe the Britania experience as restorative. The physical act of wading into salt water, walking barefoot on sand, and disconnecting from digital life is known to support mental wellness. Medical experts have noted that even brief contact with natural environments can help reduce stress and improve emotional resilience.
The Philippine Department of Tourism has also taken note. As interest grows in less-trafficked areas, Britania has been included in regional campaigns encouraging responsible domestic travel.
“Mindanao offers some of the most stunning coastal areas in the country,” said a DOT regional representative. “But our goal is not only to promote, but also to preserve.”
San Agustin’s local government has implemented basic guidelines aimed at minimizing environmental impact. These include designated docking points to protect coral beds, limits on daily boat departures, and waste management initiatives such as “bring your trash home” campaigns.
Despite limited resources, residents are conscious of the challenges and responsibilities of increased visitation. Community meetings often touch on the need to balance income with conservation.
“The islands are our home. If we let them be destroyed, we lose everything,” said Leah Busa, who helps operate a family-owned beachfront lodging. “We always remind visitors to treat the place with care.”
The development of Britania as a low-impact tourism site is a case study in grassroots sustainability. Rather than being driven by large investors, much of its tourism activity is controlled by locals who live in proximity to the islands. It’s an approach that, while slower and modest in scale, has shown promise in generating livelihoods while maintaining ecological integrity.
With its calm waters and relatively undisturbed coastlines, Britania may not attract the same volume of international travelers as Palawan or Boracay. But that seems to be part of its appeal for many.
For now, Britania remains a reminder of what tourism can look like when it grows in step with community values and environmental limits—a destination shaped not just by what it offers, but by how it is cared for.
