Camiguin
A hidden gem of the Philippines – a tiny island with local life, abundant nature, and a laidback atmosphere that will let you feel at ease
Camiguin is a small island located within the Visayas (southern) region of the Philippines, and an absolute hidden gem of an island! It’s a very local island without much tourism, filled with lots of nature, and has a very laidback feel. It’s a lovely place to just go exploring around by scooter, to experience a laidback, pleasant environment, and to soak in local life. I would highly recommend Camiguin if you enjoy chill, local, off-the-beaten path places, with plenty of nature to explore.
Contents
How to get to Camiguin
What to do in Camiguin
How long to spend in Camiguin
How to spend 1 week in Camiguin
Where to stay in Camiguin
Where to eat in Camiguin
How to get to Camiguin
Camiguin is admittedly a bit difficult to reach, but completely worth it!
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While Camiguin is a small island itself, it does have an airport! You can fly to Camiguin direct from Manila or Cebu. Direct flights leave from Manila only on select days through Sunlight Air and daily from Cebu through Cebu Pacific.
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Ferry from Cebu or Siquijor to Tagbilaran Port (Bohol). Through Oceanjet (fast craft), the journey takes about 2 hours and costs 800php ($14) from either Cebu or Siquijor.
Bus, tricycle, or van from Tagbilaran Port to Jagna Port. The bus takes around 2 hours and tricycle/van takes around 1.5 hours. The bus costs 150php ($2.50) but is a very crowded, hot local bus with no AC. You will need to take a 10 min tricycle ride from Tagbilaran port to the bus terminal. The tricycle/van costs 750-1000php ($15) for 2 people. Since we were in a rush, we took the van option and would recommend it.
Ferry from Jagna Port to Balbagon Port on Camiguin. The journey takes 3-4 hours and costs 650php ($11). We went the other direction and online it said the ferry only ran a few times a week, but we checked in-person and it ran daily, once a day.
From Balbagon Port to Mambajao. You can either pre-arrange for a scooter to be dropped off to you at the port, or take a tricycle to your accommodation. The port is close to the main town of Mambajao, only about a 10 minute ride.
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This is the journey we took and it was extremely long. Prepare yourself! We managed to make it in one day, but had to plan ahead a bit and get lucky with relatively quick transfers.
Ferry from Dapa to Surigao (2-3 hours). You can buy tickets in front of the port the morning-of (I recommend arriving at least 30 mins early) and they cost 500php ($8.50). If you want to make it to Camiguin in one day, you must take the first ferry at 6am.
Multicab or tricycle to the bus terminal (15 minutes). Multicabs are like small Jeepneys (kind of like the local bus system) and very cheap - only around 15php per person. Everyone is very nice and you can ask someone where to catch a multicab to the bus terminal. Otherwise a tricycle costs ~200php ($3.50).
Bus from Surigao bus terminal to Butuan (3 hours). At the bus terminal, ask for the quickest bus to Butuan. They don’t leave on a schedule and instead leave when the bus is at least half-full. The cost is 300php ($5).
Multicab or tricycle to Robinson bus terminal (15 min).
Bus from Butuan to Balingoan (3 hours). Tell them you want to get on the quickest bus to Balingoan. They will put you on a bus headed for Cagayan de Oro, and you will need to get off partway in Balingoan. You will need to tell the driver you want to get off on the highway at Balingoan Port here. Make sure you pay attention to when you’re approaching, as it’s not a normal stop on the route. The cost is 550php ($10).
Ferry from Balingoan to Benoni Port on Camiguin (1 hour). The home stretch! The ferry schedule from Balingoan to Benoni changes and honestly confused us. Here is the schedule for one of the ferry companies, but when we arrived, ferries were also being canceled and rescheduled so you kind of just need to show up and hope there is still another ferry leaving. Plan to arrive at Benoni Port no later than 4pm to catch the last ferry. The cost is 150php ($2.50).
Benoni Port to Mambajao (30 min). Note that if you are staying in the main town of Mambajao, Benoni Port is still around a 30 minute drive from the port. You can take a tricycle, hire a scooter from the port, or what we did, which I would recommend, is to take a multicab to Mambajao (only 30php). From Mambajao, you will have cheaper scooter rental options and gives you the flexibility of returning it in town in case you don’t leave from the same port.
If you want to make it in one day, you must take the 6am ferry from Dapa. We made no lunch stops or real breaks besides waiting at bus stations, and we arrived Benoni Port at 4pm, just in time to catch the last ferry at 4:15pm. If you know you will not make it in one day, I would recommend staying in Butuan for the night, as there is nothing around the Balingoan ferry port.
How to get around Camiguin
You will definitely need to rent a scooter to explore Camiguin. There are minimal transport options, and you won’t want to be paying for a tuktuk everywhere you go. We rented a scooter from Camiguin Penoria's Motorbike And Car Rental and would highly recommend it! We called them when we arrived to town at 7pm and the owner came and delivered the scooter to us within 30 minutes. The scooter was in good condition and he was very responsive throughout our time. The scooter cost 300php ($5) per day for a 1 week rental. You can reach them via WhatsApp at +63 951 887 1514.
What to do in Camiguin
1. Relax and snorkel with turtles on Mantigue Island
Mantigue Island is a small island where you can spend a few hours relaxing on the beach and snorkeling with turtles! The center of the island has trees, so you can also find some shade. You can also walk around the perimeter of the island in about 20 minutes. It’s a very nice place that I’d definitely recommend! Bring snacks and water as there’s nothing for sale on the island.
How to get there: Go to the Mantigue Island Departure Area, where you’ll take a small boat to reach the island, about 20 minutes away. The boat costs 750php ($13) and can be shared with up to 6 people. It’s easy to find other people to share with once you arrive. The boat will take you to the island and then pick you back up in 3 hours to return. You can rent snorkeling equipment from the departure area or on the island for the same price. We also took a guide for snorkeling, which I would recommend for best chances of seeing turtles.
2. Sunbathe on White Island
Camiguin’s most iconic spot! White Island is a very nice little island sandbar off the north coast of the Camiguin. The best time to visit is during low tide, when the sandbar is fully exposed. Keep in mind that there are no trees on the island, so no shade! Because of this, people prefer to go early in the morning, or later in the afternoon. There are also umbrellas to rent for 200php ($3.50). On the island, there’s not much to do besides swimming and sunbathing. There’s not many other white sand beaches on Camiguin though, so if you’re looking for a nice beach day, this is your best option!
How to get there: To reach White Island, you’ll need to go to the White Island Ferry Terminal and take a short boat ride, about 15 minutes. The boat costs 550php ($10) for up to 6 people. The boat will drop you at White Island, and then pick you back up in 3 hours to return back.
3. Visit Tuasan Falls
Tuasan is a nice single cascade watefall surrounded by lush jungle. The waterfall is nice and the water is good for a refreshing dip, but I didn’t like how commercialized the area felt. There were many vendors selling things outside and a paved path to the waterfall, that it didn’t feel too much like true nature.
4. Visit Katibawasan Falls
I really liked these falls and enjoyed them more than Tuasan. It’s also a nice single cascade waterfall surrounded by lush jungle, but feels less commercial and more like a real nature experience. It’s nice for a quick visit and refreshing dip. I would recommend!
5. Go for a dip in cold springs
Sto Niño Cold Spring – The largest cold spring and many people’s favorite. However, it’s quite commercialized and more like a large pool than a cold spring found in nature.
Sa-ay Cold Spring – Less developed and more like a real, nature cold spring experience. It’s an underrated cold spring and less populated, making for a much nice nature experience that isn’t shared with as many people!
Soda Water Pool – A cold spring fed from water that resembles soda water. This is also a developed cold spring that’s more like a pool.
6. Have a beach day at White Beach
White Beach is the only white sand beach on the island, but it’s just an average beach. It’s nice to go for a swim and lounge for a little bit, but the beach is quite small and not particularly beautiful. A nice little stop, but doesn’t standout. Would be nice to bring your snorkeling equipment if you have it!
7. See the iconic viewpoint at Sunken Cemetery
Sunken Cemetery is an iconic viewpoint in Camiguin. It’s a small platform bearing a large cross, in the middle of the water, and it memorializes a cemetery that sank there after volcanic eruptions in the 1870s. Nowadays, it’s an iconic viewpoint, especially beautiful at sunset time. You can stop by just to look at the landmark, or you can even visit the platform itself by taking a small boat (100php / $1.50), swimming, or snorkeling there! A guide is recommended for snorkeling, as you’ll be shown giant clams and some remains of the cemetery. While there’s not much to do on the platform itself, it’s a nice view surrounded by the sea.
8. Katunggan Park (don’t recommend)
In Katunggan Park, you can walk amongst mangroves on wooden platforms and relax at a kubo built over the water. In theory this sounded nice, but when we arrived, it was a built up area and there were many big groups playing loud music on speakers in their kubos. It wasn’t an enjoyable nature experience at all. If you get lucky that there’s no disturbing neighbors and don’t mind that the facilities are built up, it could be nice to spend a few hours swimming and relaxing at a kubo over the mangroves.
How long to spend in Camiguin
We spent one week in Camiguin and it was perfect. Camiguin is a small island with a very chill, laidback vibe and plenty of nature to see. It’s a nice island to just drive around and explore by scooter, soaking in the local life while also visiting the various nature attractions. One week is a perfect amount of time to explore the island at a relaxed pace.
How to spend 1 week in Camiguin
Day 1: Lunch at a nice cafe (Saga or Utopia). Drive around a bit to see the island but mostly take a rest day after a full day of travel the day before. Catch sunset and get dinner at Daos Plant-Based Kitchen.
Day 2: Breakfast/lunch at a nice cafe again. Visit Mantigue Island and snorkel with turtles. Dinner at La Dolce Vita.
Day 3: Have a mountain day, exploring the waterfalls and cold springs in the center of the island. You could combine Tuasan Falls and Sto Nino Cold Springs, continue to the south of the island, and then loop all the way around back to Mambajao.
Day 4: Have a relax day at the accommodation. Book a massage. Drive around and see the island at your leisure. Dinner at Sapore (nice Italian restaurant) or Farmhouse Pizzeria (amazing pizza).
Day 5: Beach day. Visit White Island or White Beach. Afterwards, drive all the way around the island and stop for a snack at the BeeHive Driftwood Cafe. Stop at the Sunken Cemetery viewpoint and Chan Lookout Point.
Day 6: Have another mountain day and visit Katibawasan Falls and Sa-ay Cold Spring. Dinner at Sapore or Farmhouse Pizzeria.
Day 7: Relax at accommodation. Drive around and see the island at your leisure.
Where to stay in Camiguin
Mambajao is the main town of Camiguin. I’d recommend staying relatively close to Mambajao (within 10 minute drive), as most restaurants and places to visit are around there.
We stayed at Camiguin Volcano Houses and absolutely loved it. It’s located inland up the mountain, about a 10 minute drive from Mambajao. I would highly recommend it if you want a peaceful retreat in nature, away from it all while at the same time, not too far from civilization and things to do. It’s 2 large houses set amidst a huge garden property. There’s the main Panoramic House and the A-Frame House. We stayed in both, and loved all of our time there. For the ultimate holiday retreat, I recommend staying in the master bedroom of the Panoramic House. Many reviews for the property aren’t great due to the house being old and unmaintained, so we were also not sure what to expect. But while it may not be in perfect shape, it was definitely kept well enough and we overall really enjoyed our stay.
For budget options, I recommend Shey's Travellers Inn and Playa del Fuego Hostel and Resort. A friend of mine stayed in both, and she enjoyed her stay in both.
The master bedroom of the Panoramic House at Camiguin Volcano Houses. The ultimate splurge treat!
Downstairs bedroom of the A-Frame House at Camiguin Volcano Houses. Small but lovely and cozy.
Driving the beautiful road to the Volcano Houses
What to eat in Camiguin
Farmhouse Pizzaria – A must have! Amazing pizza at a very reasonable price, and in a cute little outdoor garden restaurant setting.
Sapore – Excellent Italian food at a very cute little restaurant. Small rotating menu, higher quality than La Dolce Vita, but also a bit pricey. A good spot for a special evening or date night out.
Daos Plant-Based Kitchen – Absolutely delicious vegan Filipino food in a small, cute restaurant by the water. Really unique usage of herbs and flavors and very friendly owner. We actually ate there our first night and loved it so much, that my boyfriend surprised me with cooking classes he arranged with the owner and chef! Cooking classes are not typically offered there, but if you’re interested in learning more plant based cooking and Filipino flavors, you may be able to convince him to give you a lesson!
Josh + Luke Restaurant – Very good Filipino food in a cute little restaurant at a resort on the mountain. Also a convenient option if you’re staying on the mountain.
La Dolce Vita – Good Italian food at a cute restaurant (but located along the busy main road).
La Mesa Pizza Station – We didn’t go here, but the chef of Daos Kitchen recommended this place as a no-frills, authentic and delicious pizza spot.
Saga Specialty Coffee – Excellent coffee and pastries in a cute little cafe (but located along the busy main road).
Utopia Cafe – Great spot for breakfast or lunch on the mountain, while not being too far away from town. Very nice views over the island and ocean with good Filipino and Western food options.
Nanaw Cafe – Cafe on the mountain with a large menu of Filipino and a few Western food options. We thought it was just okay, but it’s a decent spot to try if you’re looking for a casual bite on the mountain.
