Suluan

Historical marker installed in 2021 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Magellan in the waters of the island.

On March 16, 1521, after 98 days of crossing the Pacific Ocean, Magellan's voyage dropped anchor on the island of Homonhon ("Humunu" in Pigafetta's account). Although Samar ("Zamal") was their first land sighting from afar, Magellan's choice of anchoring on a much smaller island was meant as a security precaution as the island was then uninhabited. On March 18, they were spotted by fishermen from the nearby island of Suluan ("Zuluan").

The islanders called their other leaders together and met with Magellan's crew. Magellan gave them gifts of small trade items. In return, the people of Suluan gave fish, palm wine, bananas and even corn their native food. They promised to return with more supplies later, as they did not bring much since they were just fishing. They returned on March 22 with rice and other supplies to trade. Magellan and his crew spent a week interacting with the tattooed locals of Suluan, whom they described "pleasant and conversable," before they left for Limasawa.[1]^{: 141–142}

The name of the island is derived from the word sulu, the Waray-waray word for a coconut-oil "torch" which the locals would have used during fishing at night. Suluan, therefore, means torch-bearing people in reference to the local fishermen.

During World War II, Suluan was among the first Philippine islands liberated from the Japanese. On October 17, 1944, the 6th Ranger Battalion landed on Dinagat, Homonhon and Suluan, securing the entrance to Leyte Gulf for General Douglas MacArthur's forces. The main landings on Leyte followed three days later.

Eastern Samar tends to be battered by tropical storms during Pacific typhoon season. Most times, 90% of a storm landfall is likely to be Suluan Island. On November 8, 2013, Suluan Island was the first victim of the Typhoon Haiyan (Super Typhoon Yolanda) before navigating to Guiuan which had a tremendous impact not only on the island's economy but also to the people's lives. International organizations created an overwhelming drive to help rehabilitate the people and their livelihood.