Murcielagos Island

Murcielagos Island is a small island in the Sulu Sea off the coast of Zamboanga del Norte in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. It measures over 500m across at its widest point and is situated on an oval reef about 1.6km in length. This low-lying island, also known locally as Baliudyong, is situated some 4.8km north of Quipit Point on the west side of Patauag Bay in the Zamboanga municipality of Labason. It is known for its white coral-sand beaches and rich marine resources. To its west lies an islet called Bayangan Island. The two islands are collectively known as Murcielagos Islands and are administratively part of the Labason poblacion of Antonino.Protected areaThe island is a nesting ground for marine turtles and several migratory seabirds. The surrounding reefs support a rich marine fauna, including giant clams. It was declared a protected area in April 2000 known as the Murcielagos Island Protected Landscape and Seascape. It covers the 100ha Murcielagos Island with a buffer zone covering of surrounding municipal waters including Bayangan Island.