As part of our Davao Tour, we visited the Island Garden City of Samal. It is a 10-15 minute boat ride from Davao City. The island is famous for it's beach resorts and beautiful countryside attractions. You can get to Samal Island by riding a ferry boat from Sta. Ana Wharf or by RoRo via Sasa Wharf. What wharf to choose will depend on what part of Samal Island you wish to go. For us, we have the convenience of having worry free transfers courtesy of our tour package from Shore2Shore Travel Services; click here for their website. During our stay in Samal Island, we are to visit some beach resorts and major attractions of the island. Here are some of them:
Paradise Island Resort
One of the well known resorts in Samal Island and accessible by a 5-10 minute boat ride from Sasa Wharf. The resort have a designated boat with daily schedules from 5am-5pm. Below are some images from the resort. Check their website here====>
Entering the Resort From Port
Resort Entrance
Gardens as you proceed to the accomodations
Deluxe Room
Activities In the Resort
Tours Offered By the Resort
Part of the Recreation Area
The Beach
The Beach
The Beach
Port
The Beach
Part of the Recreation Area
Aviary
Monfort Bat Sanctuary
Located at Brgy. Tambo in Samal Island, it is considered one of the major attractions in the island. The Bat Sanctuary is recognized by the Guinness World Records to have the largest colony of Geoffrey's Rousette Fruit Bats estimated at 1.8 million. Entrance fees to the sanctuary is at PHP100 for adults and PHP40 for students and children 15 years old and below.
Entrance counter
Guinness World Record Certification
Garden as you enter
To the Bat Cave
Bat Caves
Bat Caves
Bat Caves
Bat Caves
Bat Caves
Hagimit Falls
Located in Penaplata, Hagimit Falls is a must place to visit in Samal Island. A small falls but a long one with several tears. Experience a real natural beauty of nature with its cool turquoise waters and captivating landscapes. It's a 5-10 minute trek from the entrance to the major swimming spot of the falls. You can also trek further to some of the higher level of the falls for more appreciation of the views. There are also diving/jumping spots for adventurous ones. Entrance Fees are PHP40 for adults and PHP20 for children 7 years old and below.
Entrance to Hagimit Falls
Trek down to the Falls
Lush forestation as you trek to the Falls
One of the springs in the area
One of the major tears of the Falls
One of the jumping spots
One of the springs in the area
One of the other tear of the Falls
Watch video clip from YouTube:
Pearl Farm Beach Resort
One of the most prestigious resorts in Davao and in the Philippines as well. It is a five star resort with pristine white sand beaches and stunning natural landscape. If you are coming from Davao City, resort guests have a complementary scheduled ferries that go to Pearl Fam Beach Resort and vice versa..Aside from the beautiful resort grounds it also has a separate island (Malipano Island) where in guests from the resort can explore. A free shuttle is available from its port that goes through and fro from the resort. Check their website here====>
As you enter the resort
Over water Villas
Small patch of white sand beach
Infinity pool
Stunning views
Mangroves in Malipano Island
Malipano Island
Malipano Island
Malipano Island
Malipano Island
Main Beach at Malipano Island
Main Beach at Malipano Island
Malipano Island
Another stretch of white sand beach in the resort
Taking a dip at the infinity pool
Enjoying the white sand beach
Watch video clip from YouTube:
The Island Garden City of Samal is really a breathtaking place for nature lovers and beach bums. I would recommend it to tourists local or foreign.
Here are some tips if you are visiting Samal Island:
ATMs are only available in the town so make sure you have sufficient cash. Although most resorts have forex but conversion will be more higher than normal.
There are many resorts in the island from affordable to 5 star resorts. The southern part of the island is more serene and quiet compared to the northern part of the island which is closer to the city.
Pick a resort with free boat shuttle from Davao City wharf and vice versa.
Tour Rates from 5 star resorts are more expensive than those from normal resorts. So, you may book your tours from lower class resorts or try to coordinate with the local tourism in the area.
If you are catching a flight, be aware of the boat transfer schedules from the resort to the city. Make sure you allot sufficient time for the transfers.
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