Crocodile Island - Cagayan

Located 2 kilometers off the shores of San Vicente Port in Sta. Ana in the province of Cagayan, Crocodile Island is a small island that resembles a crocodile resting on a sandbar. 

Crocodile Island Details

The island is officially named Manidad Island. However, some call it Rona Island but most refer to it as Crocodile Island.

Crocodile Island - Santa Ana, Cagayan

Can you spot the crocodile?

Up close and personal

The crocodile's head

The back of the Croc

From San Vicente Port, the island is a mere 10-minute boat ride away. the island is also included in the itinerary if you availed of the Palaui Island tour. What I like about the island is that it could only accommodate only a few people. Once you're on the island you'd feel the sense of exclusivity. Aside from that, the island is also a great place to snorkel. Just be careful though, the side facing away from Sta. Ana is battered by rough waves.

From this angle, it seems like the crocodile just raised from the water looking for new prey.

The Backpack Adventures in Crocodile Island

However, it is noticeable that despite having white sand, the island's beauty is plagued by mankind's curse -trash. Our guide, Kuya Nanding, was quite apologetic about it. He explained that it was the guides/ boat operators who are responsible for cleaning after their clients. But for me, it was the tourists who should be educated about respecting their surroundings.

Think first before you swim.

We stayed on the island for several minutes. We didn't swim though, because it was almost sundown. The group just enjoyed the view from the island (while updating our itinerary for the upcoming adventure the following day). Overall, the island is worth visiting. 

Read more:

• Crocodile Island - Aklan
• Palaui Island - Cagayan

Crocodile Island Admission Fee:

Although you won't pay environmental fees to visit this island, you still need to rent a boat or join a tour to reach it. The cheapest one is the  2-hour Crocodile Island Tour which costs around P500 pesos. You can choose to stay longer but you have to pay 800 pesos for 8 hours.

Why visit Crocodile Island?

Crocodile Island is one of the destinations worth visiting in Sta. Ana, Cagayan. It's worth visiting early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is not in its hottest as there are no trees to provide shade to visitors. Make sure to bring your trash back with you though as there were plenty of occasions when the island was disrespected by some tourists when they made it a dumping ground for their trash.

Getting to Crocodile Island:

From Manila, board a bus heading to Sta. Ana, Cagayan. From there ride a tricycle going to San Vicente Port. Rent a boat to bring you to the island.  

Boat Rental: 200 - 500 pesos

Ratings:

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall Rating