Camiguin Adventures: Camiguin

Our featured province lies about 714 km southeast of kilometer 0 in Manila. The province of Camiguin is one of the smallest provinces in the Philippines. Located 10 km north of the nearest province in Mindanao, Camiguin is an island paradise worth visiting.

Camiguin

Camiguin Details:

Provincial Capital: Mambajao
No. of Cities: 0
No. of Municipalities: 5
Founded: 1565
Provincehood: June 18, 1966

Camiguin History: 

The name Camiguin was taken from the word Kamagong, which is a specie of ebony tree that was once very abundant in the province. The Spanish called the island Camiguing wherein later on the letter g was dropped hence the name Camiguin. 

The island was formerly part of the province of Misamis Oriental. It became a sub-province in 1958 and was finally made into a separate province in June 18, 1966. 

Camiguin Island as seen from a fast craft

Camiguin Island as seen from a plane

The natural beauty of Camiguin is well preserved by the people living in it. I learned from a local that the provincial board prevents the construction of fast-food chains and malls in any part of the island. (Sorry Starbucks tumbler collectors, no Camiguin tumblers for you guys.) In that way, waste and pollution damage to the island could be minimized if not prevented.

Camiguin's most famous landmark -the Sunken Cemetery

Known as the Island Born of Fire, Camiguin is well known for the seven volcanoes that occupy the central area of the island. Camiguin is also known for the delicious lanzones fruits that is abundant on the island. The locals would always tell you that one day is not enough to fully experience the province. Therefore you would surely Camiguin*!

*Come again

Snorkle or run around White Island

When my wife and I went to Camiguin for our 7-Day Honeymoon Backpacking in Mindanao way back in 2012, we made sure that we visit Camiguin and the other provinces during summer to fully enjoy our trip. You should keep in mind that frequent rain showers greet those who visit during the wet season. The good thing about Camiguin is that it is rarely visited by typhoons making it an ideal destination all year round. 

Team Nicerio visits Camiguin

Before embarking on your own Camiguin Adventure, read my article - Adventurer's List first. Having a tour guide would make your adventure easier, enjoyable, and safe. Our trusted Camiguin guide is Kuya Criz*. If you're planning to stay for a night, I recommend that you rent a room in Pabua's Cottages. The owners, Kuya Polo, and his family are very friendly and accommodating.  

Kuya Criz 09069272420 or 09185912832

This is where friend meets friends

From there all the tourist destinations could be accessed. Pabua's Cottages is just a minute walk to the beach and a 10-minute boat ride away from White Island. Ask Kuya Polo for the most trusted boatman to ferry you to White Island.

Port of Benoni in Camiguin

At the end of your adventure on this island paradise, all you would say to yourself is "I will Camiguin!" *Come again

Places I've visited in Camiguin:

Municipality of Catarman:

Sto. Nino Cold Springs

Bura Soda Springs

Old Gui-ob Church Ruins

Sunken Cemetery

Municipality of Mahinog:

Mahinog Ostrich Breeding Farm

The Lovers' Secret Bridge in Katunggan Park

J&A Fishpen and Taguines Lagoon

Municipality of Guinsiliban:

Giant Clam Nursery

Kabila White Beach

Municipality of Mambajao:

Ardent Hot Springs

PHILVOLCS Hibok-Hibok Volcano Observatory

White Island

Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross

Katibawasan Falls

Take note that for you to fully enjoy your trip to Camiguin, you must at least stay for 2-3 days on the island. In our case, my wife and I were on our honeymoon backpacking around Northern Mindanao thus we only planned a 2-day adventure on the island before heading back to the main island of Mindanao.

Camiguin 2-Day Itinerary:

Day 1:

6:00AM Flight Manila-(Laguindingan Airport) Cagayan De Oro*

*If you want to maximize your travel to Camiguin, better book an early flight to CDO.

7:30AM ETA Laguindingan Airport Cagayan De Oro

7:50AM Take a van to Agora Market then transfer to another van to Balingoan port in CDO/ purchase ferry tickets*

*The earlier you purchase tickets the higher the chance that you'll get to Camiguin earlier.

Van fare to Agora: P200

Van fare to Balingoan port: P150

8:30AM Departure to Benoni Port in Camiguin

Fastcraft Fee: P990

Ocean Jet Fastcraft Schedules:

8:30AM -10:30AM CDO Macabalan Port -Benoni Port 

4:00PM - 6:00PM Benoni Port -CDO Macabalan Port

Ocean Jet Website

10:30AM ETA Benoni Port Camiguin*

*We highly suggest that you prearrange a local tourist guide /driver to fully enjoy the trip. In case it's your second time on the island we would highly suggest that you rent a motorcycle and discover the island yourself. Here's a link with rates and requirements that would surely help in case you want to rent a motorcycle:

Camiguin Motorcycle Tours

Prearranged tour:

11:00AM ETA Santo Niño Cold Springs/swim, photoshoot, order lunch

Entrance Fee: P20

12:00NN Lunch 

Lunch Budget: P500

1:00PM ETA Bura Soda Springs / swim, photoshoot

Entrance fee: P20

2:00PM ETA Old Guiob Old Church Ruins/photoshoot, pray, rest

Donation/Entrance Fee: P20

3:00PM ETA Sunken Cemetery / photoshoot, ride a boat to the cross, swim, dive

4:00PM ETA Walk Way to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross/photoshoot, pray

5:30PM ETA Check-in at Pabua's Cottages / rest, change outfit, snacks

Overnight rent: P800- P2200 Check out the room rates here: Pabua's Cottage Rent

7:00PM Departure to Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring Resort 

7:30PM ETA Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring Resort/swim, photoshoot, relax

9:00PM Head back to Pabua's Cottages/dinner

Dinner budget: P500

10:00PM Zzz

Day 2:

6:00AM Wake up and prepare for trip to White Island*

*Ask Kuya Polo if he could recommend a trusted boatman for the trip.

6:30AM Departure to White Island

Boat rate: P400

7:00AM ETA White Island/snorkel, photoshoot, dive, breakfast

Breakfast budget: P150

8:00AM Return to Pabua's Cottage -Check out, Pack up

8:30AM Departure to PHILVOLCS

9:00AM ETA PHILVOLCS / photoshoot, check out displays

10:00AM ETA Katibawasan Falls / photoshoot, swim, snacks

Entrance fee: P15 adult -P6 children

11:00AM ETA Provincial Animal Breeding Center/ Ostrich Production Center/photoshoot

11:30AM ETA The Lovers' Secret Bridge/photoshoot

12:00NN ETA J&A Fishpen and Taguines Lagoon/lunch, relax, zipline

Lunch Budget: P500

2:00PM ETA Giant Clam Nursery and Kabila White Beach/snorkel, check out displays

Entrance fee: P25

3:00PM Departure to Benoni Port

4:00PM ETA Benoni Port - buy tickets for Malacaban Port CDO

Fastcraft Fee: P990

7:00PM ETA Malacaban Port CDO -proceed to airport*

8:30PM Departure to Manila

10:30PM ETA Manila

Budget Breakdown:*

*airfare not included

Estimated budget: P9,000

Cab fee to Malacaban Port : P100

Fastcraft fee Malacaban Port CDO - Benoni Port Camiguin: P990

Tour Guide Fee: P1700

Sto. Nino Cold Springs entrance fee: P20

Lunch Budget: P500

Bura Soda Springs entrance fee: P20

Guiob Old Church Ruins entrance fee: P20

Pabua's Cottage Rent: P1500

Dinner Budget: P500

Boat Rate: P400

Breakfast Budget: P150

Katibawasan Falls entrance fee: P15
Lunch Budget: P500

Giant Clam Nursery entrance fee: P25

Fastcraft fee  - Benoni Port Camiguin - Malacaban Port CDO: P990

Total expenses: P7,430*

*You could save up by minimizing your food budget.

Getting to Camiguin:

 

Option 1: By Air and Sea

Flight from Davao to Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan Airport):

Book a flight from Davao International Airport (DVO) to Laguindingan Airport (CGY) in Cagayan de Oro. Airlines like Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines operate flights on this route.

Transfer to Agora Terminal:

Upon arriving at Laguindingan Airport, take a taxi or a shuttle to the Agora Integrated Bus Terminal in Cagayan de Oro.

Bus from Cagayan de Oro to Balingoan Port:

From Agora Terminal, ride a bus bound for Balingoan Port. This bus ride takes approximately 2-3 hours.

Ferry from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port (Camiguin):

At Balingoan Port, board a ferry bound for Benoni Port in Camiguin. The ferry ride usually takes about an hour.

Option 2: By Land and Sea

Bus from Davao to Balingoan Port:

Take a bus from Davao City to Balingoan Port. This bus ride may take around 6-8 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Ferry from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port (Camiguin):

After arriving at Balingoan Port, board a ferry to Benoni Port in Camiguin. The ferry ride usually takes about an hour.

Option 3: Combination of Air and Land Travel

Flight from Davao to Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan Airport):

Follow the same steps as in Option 1 until you reach Laguindingan Airport.

Van or Bus from Laguindingan Airport to Agora Terminal:

Instead of taking a taxi, you can find vans or buses that operate between Laguindingan Airport and Agora Terminal.

Bus from Cagayan de Oro to Balingoan Port:

Proceed with the same steps as in Option 1.

Ferry from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port (Camiguin):

Follow the same steps as in Option 1.

In our case, we had a prearranged tour. We rented a multi-cab to tour us around the province for two days.

Ratings:

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