Camiguin is an island just north of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao. It has been one of the rising stars in Philippine Tourism destinations throughout the years. It is called "The Island Born Of Fire", as the island was mostly shaped by the volcanic eruptions it had in the past. The island offers a lot of activities and attractions like beaches, sandbars, hot springs, waterfalls, and historical sights. It's a tourist destination in the Philippines that every local and foreign visitors must explore. Here are some of the things to do and places to go when you're in Camiguin:
SUNKEN CEMETERY
Sunken Cemetery of Catarman in Camiguin is an ancient cemetery which sank beneath the sea due to a volcanic eruption. The archaeological site has been declared as a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. During the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vulcan that lasted from 1871 to about 1875, after continuously spewing out lava into the sea, it gained a height of nearly 2,000 feet and submerged areas of Catarman, including the town’s cemetery. Today, all that remains of old Catarman are the ruins of an ancient Spanish San Roque church, a convent and a bell tower. Remnants of the structures and gravestones of the cemetery were still seen during low tide until 1948 when Mount Vulcan erupted for the fourth time, which buried the area deeper by 20 feet. In 1982, a large cross was built on the solidified lava to mark this old grave site.
Watch this YouTube video of Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin:
Sunken Cemetery
Catarman, Camiguin, Philippines
OLD SPANISH CHURCH RUINS
Located in Brgy. Bonbon in Catarman, the Old Guiob Church Ruins was one of the
structures that remained standing after the disastrous eruption. Although the
church has lost its roof, its sturdy walls and columns still stand today — a
massive, beautiful physical reminder of an almost apocalyptic past. The
Old Guiob Church Ruins was what was left from the old church of the island’s
Spanish era capital called Cotta Bato. It was constructed in the 16th century
but it met its destruction a century later. On May 13, 1871, the capital’s
peace was rattled by an intense trembling of the ground brought about by the
rumbling of a nearby volcano, Mt. Vulcan. The earthquake shook the town
mercilessly until houses and other structures were down to rubble. But that
wasn’t the end of it. That evening, Mt. Vulcan unleashed its most devastating
power when it erupted and destroyed what was left of the town.
Watch this YouTube video of Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin:
Old Spanish Church Ruins
National Highway, Catarman, Camiguin, Philippines
KATIBAWASAN FALLS
Katibawasan Falls is probably the tallest waterfall in the island of
Camiguin. The waterfall is 70-meter drop surrounded by lush
greenery. Although it is one of the most famous attraction in Camiguin,
getting to the falls may be quite tricky and you may ask some locals along to
give you directions.
Watch this YouTube video of Katibawasan Falls in Camiguin:
Katibawasan Falls
Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
WHITE ISLAND SANDBAR
White Island is an uninhabited white sandbar located about 1.4 kilometres
(0.87 mi) off the northern shore of Mambajao in the volcanic island of
Camiguin in the Philippines. The island is generally horseshoe shaped,
although the tides constantly resize and reshape its exact form. There are no
trees or shelter of any kind, and it is composed solely of white sands.
White Island attracts thousands of tourists every year. The island can be
accessed from Barangay Agoho or Brgy. Yumbing in Mambajao about 4 to 6
kilometres (2.5 to 3.7 mi) west of the poblacion or town center. Small boats
can be hired from any of the beachfront resorts that face the island.
Watch this YouTube video of White Island Sanbar in Camiguin:
White Island Sanbar
Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
KATUNGGAN MANGROVE PARK
Katunggan Park is Camiguin‘s well-known mangrove park because of its
enchanting and breezy atmosphere. It can be viewed as romantic and
charming or wonderfully eerie because of its freakish trunks and
irregularly-formed branches. The small mangrove forest that has been
converted into a viewing area to showcase the black Mangrove (Avicennia
germinans).
Watch this YouTube video of Katunggan Mangrove Park in Camiguin:
Katunggan Mangrove Park
Mahinog, Camiguin, Philippines
MANTIGUE ISLAND NATURE PARK
Mantigue Island is one of the best Camiguin tourist spots just a short boat
trip off the east coast of the main island. Mantigue Island is a protected
marine sanctuary that boasts white sand beaches, turquoise waters, colorful
coral reefs and a lush nature park. Once known as a fishing village,
Mantigue Island Nature Park now offers a wonderful experience to locals and
tourists who wants enjoy the clear waters and explore the small forest in
the island. Mantigue Island is also known as Magsaysay Island. The island
typically covers a total of 4 hectares of land size. It is located 3
kilometers from the shore of Barangay San Roque. This island offers the
sight of glowing white powdery sand beaches from San Roque port and the
sight becomes more brilliant and luminous as one approaches the place.
Watch this YouTube video of Mantigue Island Nature Park in Camiguin:
Mantigue Island Nature Park
Mahinog, Camiguin, Philippines
ARDENT HOT SPRINGS
The Ardent Hot Springs are one of real highlights on Camiguin Island!
They are located only 10 minutes or 4 km by motor bike from the tourist
beaches in Agoho and Yumbing, in the mountainside of the famous Hibok -
Hibok Volcano, which supplies the hot and crystal clear water. It the
most popular spring places in the whole of Camiguin, Ardent Hibok-Hibok
Spring Resort is located in Esperanza Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin.
The water comes right out of the forest with a temperature of just above
40°C. It is then mixed with some colder water and guided into 4 seperate
pools which are arranged in cascades.
Watch this YouTube video of Ardent Hot Spring in Camiguin:
Ardent Hot Spring
Esperanza, Tagdo, Bayan ng Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
Here are some tips if you visit Camiguin, Philippines:
- Camiguin is a small island in the Philippines which have a lot of very beautiful attractions. You can experience the island by just spending 2-3 days.
- If you are the adventurous type, you can rent a motorcycle to go the attractions in the island to discover them yourselves. On the average, one day rent of a motorcycle is around Php400-500.
- The Philippines in general is a very humid place so make sure wear light clothing and don't forget to bring sunscreen. In addition, bring insect repelant and bottled water when travelling.
- Some places you visit may not be credit card or debit card ready, so always bring enough cash. Also, ATM's are only available in the major towns, so withdraw ahead of time when you are in Manila or in the Airport.
- Best time to go to Camiguin is in the dry season from Dec-May. But, it is also notable to go to Camiguin in the 3rd week of October during the Lanzones Festival. Lanzones is tropical fruit that is abundant in Camiguin. It is said that the Lanzones fruit in Camiguin are sweeter and cost less when bought there.
- In the Philippines, even if the facility accepts foreign currency like Dollars, Euros, etc., it is still better to pay in local currency, Philippine Pesos. Most facilities charge a higher exchange rate so you can have more savings using the local currency.
HOW TO GET TO CAMIGUIN:
For foreign tourists, there are no direct flights to Camiguin. You
can get to Camiguin via Manila or Cebu International Airports.
FROM MANILA:
By Plane
Take direct flights from Manila to Mambajao Airport in Camiguin by
booking at Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific or Sky Jet. Prices
ranges from Php2,000($40) to Php4,000($80) per way depending on season
and promos.
FROM CEBU:
By Plane
Take direct flights from Cebu to Mambajao Airport in Camiguin by
booking at Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific. Prices ranges from
Php1,000($20) to Php2,000($40) per way depending on season and promos.
By Super Shuttle Ferry
A Super Shuttle Ferry departs every Friday at 8:00 pm from Pier 1 in
Cebu and arrives at Balbagon Port on Camiguin the next morning at
about 7:00 am. It sails back on Sunday evening 8:00 pm to Pier 8 in
Cebu. Ask at the Pier for the exact schedule, it might be changed
slightly from time to time.
FROM CAGAYAN DE ORO:
By Supper Shuttle Ferry
Take a bus or van from Agora Bus Terminal to Balinguan (about 2
hours, 80 km). Busses depart at the terminal every hour or so and
costs around Php100 to Php150. It might be easier and more
comfortable to take a taxi from town or at the airport that will
bring you directly to Balinguan in about 1 1/2 hours. The Price
for the taxi should be around 1000,- Peso. From Balinguan to
Benoni on Camiguin, small ferries depart about every hour.
By Fast Craft
From Cagayan de Oro you can take a jeep or a taxi to Macabalan port.
The Fast Craft to Camiguin will leave at 8:30 AM daily. This is a
two hour sea travel. It will arrive at Benoni Wharf at 10:30 AM.
FROM BOHOL:
By Supper Shuttle Ferry
SUPER SHUTTLE FERRY will leave Jagna Bohol daily at 1:00 PM and
arrives Balbagon Port at 5:00 PM. It will also depart Camiguin from
Balbagon Port at 8:00 AM bound for Jagna Bohol and will arrive at 1:00
PM.
By Fast Craft
The fast craft will leave Jagna Bohol at 1:00 PM every Wednesday,
Friday and Sunday. This is a two hour sea travel arriving Benoni port
at 4:00 PM. The Sea Craft will also depart Camiguin from Benoni port
every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 11:00 AM and will arrive Jagna
Bohol at 1:00 PM.
Recommended Accommodation:
During our time in Camiguin, we stayed in Balai Sa Baibai. It is a
resort located in Agoho, Mambajao, 9100 Camiguin, Philippines,
which a few minutes drive from the airport. Watch the YouTube
video of Balai Sa Baibai:
Balai Sa Baibai
Agoho, Mambajao, 9100 Camiguin, Philippines
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