Camiguin Island

Posted on 29. Mar, 2008 by Lakwatsero in Destinations, Mindanao

Nested in the northern Mindanao, Philippines, is a pear-shaped volcanic island of Camiguin, aptly called as the “Island Born of Fire”. It is roughly 100 kilometers north of Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental.

It can be considered as the Hawaii of the South East Asia as this island was created by volcanic eruptions and land movements. It has a total of seven volcanoes, one of which is the active Mount Hibok-Hibok that last erupted in 1953. Having been blessed by natural wonders and historical treasures, the island is indeed a paradise.

Among the most famous landmarks of Camiguin is an uninhabited white island that is around two kilometers off the shore of Agoho. It is actually a sandbar that offers a picturesque view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. This sandbar submerges substantially during high tides.

How to Get There:

By Air

Small aircrafts can land in Camiguin Airport in Mambajao. SEA Air offers direct flights to this island from Cebu. But the most common route (and the Lakwatsero’s way) is to take a less than half an hour flight to Cagayan de Oro City via Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific.

From Lumbia Airport of Cagayan de Oro, ride a van (~P300.00/~$7.5) or a cab to Agora Market where you can catch a bus (~P90.00/~$2.25) or a van(~P100.00/~$2.50) to Balingoan Port for a three hour ride. From there, ride a ferry (~P70.00/~$1.8) to Benoni Port, Camiguin. Ferries from Balingoan Port to Benoni, Camiguin leave almost every hour from 5Am to 5PM, travel time is two hours..

By Land and Water

(Though Lakwatsero haven’t try these means of transportation yet, one can possibly reach Camiguin by bus and/or ferry rides to Cagayan de Oro from Manila. These alternatives are relatively cheaper than air travel though quite strenous.)

• Philtranco buses offers Manila(Pasay) to Cagayan de Oro for an approximately 42 hours travel time
• SuperFerry, Negros Navigation and Sulpicio Lines have ferries bound to Cagayan de Oro City for around 30 hours travel time

* Cagayan de Oro City serves as gateway to Camiguin. From there follow the Agora market-Balingoan Port-Camiguin Route. There are also ferries and aircraft deployed to Cagayan de Oro from Cebu. While several bus companies ply their routes to Cagayan de Oro from all points in Mindanao these are: Rural Transit of Mindanao, Bachelor Express, Super 5, LCI, and Bagong Lipunan.

* You can also take a three-hour ferry ride from the Cagayan de Oro Ferry Terminal to Guinsiliban, also in Camiguin on board M/V Yuhum.

Where to Stay:

There are quite numerous hotels/lodges in this island to choose from for budget or high-end tourists. Most are located in Mambajao. There are also homestays, cottages and rooms-for-rent which are decent enough for a stay for as low as P500.00 (~$12.5) per room. But during Lakwatsero’s visit to Camiguin, we stayed at Paguia’s Cottages located at Rocky Village Subd., Yumbing, Mambajao, right in front of Paras. It is owned by Ma’am Hospecia Paguia, contact no: (088)387-9018. A nice room for up to 6 people for only P1400/night. For the Lakwatsero’s compilation of accomodations in Camiguin click here.

Activities:

Camiguin is best experienced than described, they say. Rent a multicab for a tour of the island (~P800.00/~$20 per day). With its natural wonders and historic landmarks, tourists will definitely enjoy these sites:

• Old Catarman (Gui-ob) Church Ruins: In Barangay Bonbon, 16 kilometers from the center of Catarman. What remains are ruins of adobe walls, belfry and convent that are testimonials to the devastating 1871 earthquake which wiped out the illustrious town of Catarman established earlier as a Spanish settlement in 1967.
• Cross Marker and Sunken Cemetery: Sixteen kilometers from Catarman proper; a huge cross was installed in 1982 to mark the community cemetery which sunk during the 1871 volcanic holocaust. A fluvial procession usually organized by the townsfolk of Barangay Bonbon is held to honor the sunken graves of their forefather.
• Stations of the Cross(Via Cruzes) / Walkway (Old Vulcan): A walkway complete with 14 Stations of The Cross leads to the peak of Mt Vulcan Daan. Thirteen kilometers west of Mambajao, it has 70 to 80 meters drop and is a landmark of the PANAAD Pilgrimage.
• Katibawasan Falls: Five kilometers southeast of Mambajao center is a waterfalls which measures 250 feet high cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Its cold water provides an ideal summer splash to bathers and picnickers.
• Tuasan Falls: Six kilometers northwest of Catarman, the trek to this 25 meter high rapid waterfalls entails a very scenic hike passing thru the quaint Barrio Mainit. The falls can be tapped as a mini hydro source of power.
• Binangawan Falls: Where several miniature and gigantic waterfalls gushing through majestic granite stones that converge in one main pool, covered with luscious unspoiled vegetation, and a mystical rainbow is arched by the fall’s mist as the sunlight penetrates through it.
• White Island: An uninhabited white sandbar with Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Old Volcan in the backdraft that reflects the grandeur the Province of Camiguin has ever achieved. It is reached within 10 minutes through a banca from anywhere in Yumbing, Mambajao area.
• Ardent Hot Spring: Six kilometers west of Mambajao is a mineral pool with water around 40 degree centigrade. Vapor rises from the heated waters that run down the vents of the dormant Hibok-Hibok volcano. The springs are ideal to bathe in at night surrounded by cool mountain air. It has therapeutic effects. Picnic huts and tables are available in the beautifully landscaped gardens with a restaurant on site.
• Sto. Niño Cold Spring: Located 4 kilometers north of Catarman is a huge pool of cold spring water with a sandy bottom. The area has native stores, picnic huts and toilets for visitors and guests.
• Others: Taste the Pastel de Camiguin, a very yummy yema filled bun, visit Macao Cold Spring, Tangub Hot Spring, Mantigue Island, Taguines Lagoon, dive spots of Jicdup and Burias shoals, Ancestral Houses, Old Churches and Centennial Tree. Tour nearby Cagayan de Oro City and try White Water Rafting in the river.

Lakwatsero Experience: Lakwatsero has been to Camiguin in 2004. Watch out for the narratives and itineraries of his adventures in “My Travels”.

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