Looking for a quick summer escape, go for Camiguin Island? — Camiguin is an island province in the Philippines, about 10 kilometers off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is geographically part of Region X, the Northern Mindanao Region of the country and formerly a part of Misamis Oriental province.
Camiguin Island is famous for its sweet lanzones — and they have multiple falls, springs and small island locations on the entire island. Inception right??
Excited already? Let us get started. Join me as I revisit a 2 days experience in Camiguin.
How to get there?
From Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Camiguin Airpot, this can take 35 to 45 minutes of flight. Camiguin Airport is just a small airport where they accommodate 2 – 3 flights a day, so make sure to get the first flight instead.
Lapu-Lapu Cebu Airport to Camiguin Island Airport
I must say, Camiguin Airpot is a modern, cozy and clean airport.
Camiguin Island Airport with its staff holding an umbrella
Philippine Airline passengers at Camiguin Island Airport
Camiguin Island Airport arrival area
Camiguin Island Airport arrival area (above)
Camiguin Island Airport information center.
Camiguin Island tourist spot photos
La Dolce Vita
After 45 minutes of flight, we were hungry. It was nearly 12 PM before we safely arrive in Camiguin Island. After we took some photos, we head straight to La Dolce Vita.
La Dolce Vita is an Italian restaurant, pizzeria, and cafeteria, where you can taste the good dishes of the traditional Italian cuisine, a pizza cooked in a firewood brick oven. All are made with genuine Italian ingredients. You can find this restaurant in front of Camiguin airport, 2 km away from Mambajao (capital town of Camiguin ).
La Dolce Vita near Camiguin Island Airport
La Dolce Vita Entrance
La Dolce Vita Menu
La Dolce Vita Menu
We took photos while waiting in La Dolce Vita.
Maricel Ramos holding Canon M6 while taking a photo of Mango Float
Mango Float serve at La Dolce Vita Camiguin Island
Home Made Pasta at La Dolce Vita Camiguin Island
Where to stay? SJ Villa de Pabua.
You have a number of a good location to stay based budget. In my case, I always choose Airbnb for convenience and for the entire 3 days Camiguin Island experience, we book at SJ Villa de Pabua.
SJ Villa de Pabua is located at Banlas, Agoho, Mambajao, Camiguin. The place has a safe and quiet surrounding. It is a bungalow type that can accommodate a maximum of 12 persons in each room. The place is ideal for rest and relaxation. The villa has 2 spacious bedrooms with each attached bathroom, kitchen, and a terrace. Outside is a beautiful and spacious lawn that is good for Team Building, Company Outing, and Family Bonding. Perfect for family and friends.
If you are interested you may use my referral link to register and book your first location, this should give you ₱1,600 off on your home booking.
In addition to SJ Villa de Pabua, their place was 15 mins away from CheckPoint were you can enjoy great food and Rochelle’s place offers us an island tour, ardent tricycle, and boat going white island. Save us a lot of hassle.
SJ Villa de Pabua spacious lawn
Mantigue Island in Mahinog
Mantigue is a small island located about 3.5 kilometers off the coast of the volcanic island province of Camiguin province in the Philippines. Also known as Magsaysay Island, it is about 4 hectares of greenery fringed with a gleaming white beach of powdery coral sand. Source
As we prepare ourselves to Mantigue island
Mantigue Island, also known as Magsaysay Island, is just a small one with a land area of just about four hectares. It is dotted with mangroves and vegetation on the center and surrounded with powdery white sand. A declared marine sanctuary, the water around the island is teeming with vivid marine life making it ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling.
How to get there?
We took a tricycle from SJ Villa de Pabua to Barangay San Roque (near Benoni Port) in the town of Mahinog for PHP 200. The boat ride takes 20 minutes and you are only allowed to stay 4 hours on the island and if you want to stay longer you have to pay 100 PHP extra per hour.
It’s not allowed to stay overnight in Mantigue Island, at 4 pm you have to leave Mantigue Island.
Boat costs: PHP 600 (for maximum 6 people)
Environment fee: PHP 10
Snorkeling gear: PHP 200
From left Vince Sealza, Jaz Nabu, Maricel Ramos, and Kurt Obando before Mantigue Island
Maricel Ramos in Mantigue Island
Jaz Nabu in Mantigue Island
Mantigue Island Natural Park is a clean area surrounded by white powdery sand.
The water is crystal clear which makes it easy for you to identify the hard, soft corals and seaweeds covering the island. You can enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling. A beautiful sight which adds to the attraction is a lush and green mini-forest with natural grasses, plants, and small trees in the middle of the small island.
Mantigue Island Eagles Club sign
Tourist Information Center in Mantigue Island
From left, Vince Sealza, Jaz Nabu, Maricel Ramos and Kurt Obando in Mantigue Island
You can bring your own food to the island. You can even buy fish in the market and they will cook for you for 100 PHP. There are available cottages for rent and you can buy snacks, sodas, and beers.
Tourist taking a photo on I love Mantigue letters
The entire experience we had with Mantigue Island is worth it. Locals are friendly, and they help us took photos during our tour. I must say, snorkeling was the best experience if you wish to see more Mantigue Island beauty.
Ardent Hibok-Hibok Resort
Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort is located in Esperanza Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin also known as Ardent Hot Springs, it has several pools that you may choose from cold to warm temperature. A perfect place to rejuvenate your worn out body. The temperature of the pool can be attributed to the effects of Mt. Hibok-Hibok, an active volcano of Camiguin Islands. It is also called Catarman Volcano.
How to get there?
SJ Villa de Pabua help us get a tricycle that we can rent for the entire stay of PHP 400. The entire rid took 15 to 20 minutes from Banlas, Agoho, Mambajao, Camiguin.
Entrance Fee: PHP 30.00
Shed Rental: PHP 70.00 – PHP 150.00
Amenities and facilities
- Natural Hot Swimming Pools
- Bar and Restaurant
- Kiosk (Canteen)
- Lodging Accommodations:
- Air-conditioned Duplex Cottages
- Air-conditioned Family Rooms
- Dormitory Type Rooms
- Conference Hall
- Picnic Sheds and Tables
- Camping Ground
- Papillion Garden
Kiddie pool on warm temperature
A larger pool with lifeguards watching tourist
Tourist enjoying the lukewarm water in Ardent Hot Springs
Another view of the large pool in Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort
Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort place nets to avoid fallen leaves on their pool.
Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort with their cottages ready for rent
White Island
White Island is an uninhabited white sandbar located about 1.4 kilometers 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. Source
How to get there?
SJ Villa de Pabua offer PHP 450 boat rent for the entire stay in White Island, which is less hassle from our part considering we do not have to get in line just to pay for the entrance fee. Thank you SJ Villa de Pabua, recommended.
Ryan from SJ Villa de Pabua our guide in White Island
Clearwater in White Island
Boatman helped Maricel Ramos climbed down on our rented boat
From left, Jaz Nabu, Maricel Ramos, Kurt Obando, and Vince Sealza
Tourist with their rented umbrella in White Island
Vince Sealza in White Island
From left, Jaz Nabu and Maricel Ramos
Find sand and crystal clear water in White Island
Find sand and crystal clear water in White Island
Full stretch view in White Island
Fine grain sand in White Island
Facing Mt. Hibok Hibok in White Island
Jaz Nabu in White Island
Maricel Ramos in White Island
From left, Kurt Obando, Jaz Nabu and Vince Sealza in White Island
I highly suggest, better be early, you will enjoy the sunrise experience. In our case, we went, at 6 am. and we stayed for a 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Katibawasan Falls
Katibawasan Falls is one of the treasured gifts nature has blessed the island of Camiguin with 70-meter waterfall plunging into a swimming pool in a lush forest setting. Katibawasan Falls is located at the foot of Mt. Timpoong and ideal for summer splash to tourists as it provides ice cold water.
How to get there?
SJ Villa de Pabua offer PHP 1,500 whole day package tour, which is good for 4 pax. Katibawasan Falls was one of the locations they offered.
Jaz Nabu facing at Katibawasan Falls
A 70-meter waterfal at Katibawasan Falls
A wide shot at Katibawasan Falls
Katibawasan Falls Entrance Fees
Mural paint for Katibawasan Falls
Rock table at Katibawasan Falls
Souvenir Shop outside Katibawasan Falls
Camiguin Northern Lights (Agoho Mambajao Camiguin )
Good food, the good menu at Camiguin Northern Lights.
How to get there?
SJ Villa de Pabua offer PHP 1,500 whole day package tour, which is good for 4 pax. Camiguin Northern Lights was one of the locations they offered.
Old Church Ruins
The Old Church Ruins, also known as Gui-ob Church, features the remains of an old Spanish church. 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.
How to get there?
SJ Villa de Pabua offer PHP 1,500 whole day package tour, which is good for 4 pax. Old Church Ruins was one of the locations they offered.
St. Nino Cold Spring
Santo Niño Cold Spring is a natural cold spring that flows down from Mt. Mambajao and is filtered by layers of minerals from the mountain, therefore it is naturally clean. Sto. Niño Cold Spring main pool measured at 25 meters by 40 meters and a dip of 4 ft to 8 ft.
How to get there?
SJ Villa de Pabua offer PHP 1,500 whole day package tour, which is good for 4 pax. St. Nino Cold Spring was one of the locations they offered.
Entrance Fee:
- Senior Citizen 20% discount PHP 40.00
- Regular Rate PHP 50.00
- Children 4ft below PHP 25.00
Accommodation:
- Picnic Shed PHP 75.00
- Table with 4 charges PHP 50.00
Hours:
- 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Tuesdays, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
- 10:30 AM to 8:00 PM (Mondays and Thursdays)
Tuasan Falls
Tuasan Falls is a well-kept treasure that would surely delight its tourist. It has clear water covers a wide area that’s ideal for swimming. There is a large section of the area has shallow water that’s ideal for kids. Those who are looking for a challenge can swim near the center of the falls where the water gets deeper.
How to get there?
SJ Villa de Pabua offer PHP 1,500 whole day package tour, which is good for 4 pax. Tuasan Falls was one of the locations they offered.
Entrance Fees
- Regular Rate PHP 50.00
- Height below 4ft PHP 25.00
- Senior Citizen PHP40.00
Soda Spring
Soda Water Swimming Pool is the only soda water pool in the country which is filled with soda water. The volcanic springs of Bura fill two pools with fresh, clear soda water. Two large pools are available for both adults and kids. The water in the pool is cold, clear and clean and is maintained on a regular basis.
According to the locals, the water used to “taste like” pure soda water. Soda Spring Swimming Pool provides a good place for swimming and you’re NOT supposed to drink the water. Bubbles making their way up from the bottom of the pool are still very visible.
How to get there?
SJ Villa de Pabua offer PHP 1,500 whole day package tour, which is good for 4 pax. Soda Spring was one of the locations they offered.
Entrance Fees
- Regular Rate PHP 50.00
- Height below 4ft PHP 25.00
- Senior Citizen PHP 40.00
Picnic Shed PHP 75.00
Checkpoint
The Checkpoint is open-air 2nd-floor space at Yumbing. Checkpoint is great if you’re a big group looking for typical Filipino food. The no-fuss selection and familiarity of the items make ordering easy especially after a long day of exploring the island.
How was the entire experience?
Camiguin Island still promises a city escape experience. Totally worth it.
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Kurt Obando
Maricel Ramos
Jaz Nabu
Vince Sealza
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Maricel Ramos
Excellent content. A must visit place here in the Phil.