How to Get there?
Via Ferry
If you have more time and somehow enjoy travelling by the sea, then you can ride a ferry from Cebu to Camiguin. Go to Pier 8 and book the ticket going to this peaceful island, Camiguin. The ride will took you 12 to 14 hours depending on the weather. The ferry boat will cost you around 800 to 1,000 PHP.
Via Plane
Too little time or for convenience purposes? then 30 minutes after you’ll arrive in this little paradise!We booked a promo flight to Camiguin from Cebu in Cebu Pac Airlines for 1,898 PHP roundtrip (I know it was a little bit expensive). You can wait on their piso fare if you want to have it cheaper. Don’t forget to save 200 PHP for your terminal fee upon return. They only have 2 schedules as of this writing. It’s either you want to depart at 5:45 AM or 9:45 AM, return flight at 6:50 AM or 10:50 am. Imagining my life working at their airport until 2PM only but waking up at 4AM. Pretty much cool eh?
Arrived at Mambajao Airport and you will feel like a superstar. Locals calling you to take a van, a tricycle or rent a private vehicle for a price. You can rent a motorcycle for 350 to 400 PHP and enjoy the view by yourself.
Places We Visited
Tongatoc Cove
First stop at Tongatoc Cove. This place is just an overview of the cove along the road. Take some pictures, inhale the beauty of the place and you are ready on your next destination.
Our second stop, “walkway to the old volcano” 1,000 steps to the top (but I think it’s more than) but hey I reached the finish line. You will be fascinated of the view and enjoy the Jesus Christ’s life story in every 100 steps you take. The place is a tourist attraction especially when Lenten season is approaching since it serves as a pilgrimage site.
PS: the path to the top is not all stairs as what you might imagine. The trail is not that hard but watch your steps.
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| See that little white thing? that's the sunken cemetery |
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| Reached the top! Thank you Lord for the guidance |
Swept by the remains of the island’s rested locals when Mt. Vulcan erupted in 1870’s. The large cross has served as the town’s people, a scenic spot to memorialize the departed there. You can ride a Bangka if you want to get near the cross and take some picture but if you are quite curious what it is like down there, then you may dive the site to see actual tombs lie.
Banka ride to the cross - 100 PHP
Old Church Ruins
The only remains of the church when Mt. Vulcan erupted. Historical feels place and you will love the greens and the peacefulness of the place.
Soda Spring
After climbing to the walkway and sweating out while exploring the historical places, a cold spring is the best remedy! Dipped into the ice cold spring water at the Soda Spring and try drinking at their drinking station (not at the pool). Water tastes like soda water as some people claim. The place is a little bit “manmade” but the water sure is from the spring. Spending our time here for an hour and we decided not to rent a cottage since we won’t stay that long. There is a side bench at this place so we just leave our things at the side. BTW, the entrance will cost you 30 PHP and cottage will cost you 75 PHP, I’m sure it won’t be a pain on your budget.
Tuasan Falls
If the cold spring makes you shiver, then Tuasan Falls will surely make you feel stinging due to its ice cold water.
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| inhale the beauty of the place |
Sto. Nino Spring
Unlike at the Soda Spring, you can’t just leave your things at the corner if you don't want to rent a cottage. The place was a bit crowded that time but very spacious. Take your lunch at Sto Nino spring as they serve good food and so that you can rent their cottage. Entrance is for 30 PHP and their cottage will cost you 150 PHP so it is best if you will take your lunch in this place to leave your things. As for us, we just leave our things in the van so we won’t rent a cottage and just swam at the icy water.
Ardent Hot Spring
After a chilly dip, it’s time to dip in the hot spring! Ardent Hot Spring feels and looks a little bit “natural” and the water is just so relaxing. If you want to dip in a hotter surface, try getting close to the upper and lower part of the place. Entrance fee is 75 Php.
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| Greenery side of the place |
White Island
The famous sandbar and got the title - "one of the most beautiful sandbar of the Philippines". Unsurprisingly got its name for nothing. The view is really breathtaking! You can almost see the whole Camiguin Island in this place. Be sure to apply sunblock or bring something to shade you as there are no trees, woods to shade you from the scorching heat of the sun.
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| Waves and a beautiful view |
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| You may also rent an umbrella for 150 PHP or just bring your own. |
After sunbathing at White Island, this place greeted us with its enticing ice cold water and enchanting vibes. It was less crowded area that time so we spent most of our time here and enjoyed the place to ourselves.
From sandy, salty feeling, it was really tempting to take a dip even though you knew very well it will make you shiver.
Mantigue Island
20 minutes boat ride from the town of Mahinog and you will discover one of the Camiguin wonders. There are lots of trees in this place so we stayed in this paradise for quite a while. You can enjoy the place for 4 hours but if you want to extend, you can pay additional 100 PHP per hour. The swimming with the turtle is not that far from the area, you may let the boatman take you there for a cost but it would be worth it.
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| The place’s wonder does not end there coz they have a mini forest and locals or guides are willing to introduce this to you for free!. The trail isn’t that hard as the locals set up bamboo bridge for tourists' convenience. |
You won’t fully enjoy the place if you don’t go dive to see giant clams' nest. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance swim to see the giant clams as we are out of time. But you may still enjoy the place as kids will guide and explains how they take care of the clams.
The place was closed when we got there as it was weekend. The entrance is just 5.00 PHP and you may take a look on the giant ostriches or feed them with grass.
San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish
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| Ending our tour at the church |
CheckPoint Camiguin
there are lot of restaurants to explore in Camiguin (they serve good food and big serving too) but for us, the location of our hostel is quite near to this place and for two days, we only got to try this place coz they really serve good food.
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| vegetarian pizza with overloading veggies |
Contact
We booked at Agency teddypabualan@gmail.com and it was really a good experience. If you wish to avail at their agency, I suggest you book earlier before your travel date so you can stay at their new building. Unfortunately, we got the old one and somehow, not that satisfied at their room but it was still good.
Contact# +639175219391
3 days 2 nights – two persons (3,100 PHP each good for two persons)
Inclusions:
- 2 nights aircon room
- Pick up and drop off Camiguin port
- 2 days Camiguin Tour via private Jeep
- Entrances are free
- Motorized Private boat to Mantigue and White Island
Hmm.. drama during our trip was on our way back home to Cebu. The place was blessed with so many tourist spots so we were a bit tired of 2 days exploring the beautiful place. So on our last day, our swimming attire were left in the tour jeep (from the agency) and we just noticed it when we are packing our things for tomorrow's flight. Due to being thrifty by nature and to admit it, the swimsuit I was wearing that time was newly bought and I don't want to just leave them there 😂. We hurriedly contact our tour guide if he can check his jeep on the forgotten swimming attire and he said yes. I was a bit guilty that time coz we called him at 5Am coz our flight back to Cebu was around 7Am something. We were already at the airport and I can't hide now my worried face again because of my swimming attire hahahhaa. To cut the long story short, we successfully retrieved our swimming attires of course for a fee of 200PHP but I don't really mind it coz they just made it on time on our boarding. Special thanks to the motorcycle driver whom I forgot to ask his name 😂. That's it. Thanks for reading my nonsense dilemma.
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