Camiguin Island
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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sa paras maganda ba talaga or sa bahay bakasyunan? ito kc ang recomended place ng travel agent sa davao expo. alin ba dito ang maganda tirahan , hindi masyado mahal malapit sa lahat ng pupuntahan? malapit lang to sa dvo siguro no need na to go to CDO, no idea talaga, can u help me out on this? who knows this is going to be my next place to visit after macau this summer. tnx
Comment by marlene — April 1, 2008 @ 7:40 am
Wow, you just went to macau? I love that place, hehe! I will feature that one of these days.
Anyway, Paras is good so as Bahay Bakasyunan. But I will prefer Paras than Bahay Bakasyunan. Paras rate is around P1700.00/room/night for a standard room and P2500.00/room/night for a family room. But if you are in a group and you are looking for a cheaper and decent place to stay, there are rooms for rent just across Paras for as low as P1500/room/night (aircon, with cable TV) that is good for 5-6 persons. Paras is along the shore of Camiguin fronting the white island, where the boats dock. Dont expect white sand beach in Camiguin, the only white sand is the white island. Davao is on the southern Mindanao, Camiguin is on the Northern Mindanao, so you need to travel by land to Balingoan Port in Misamis Oriental, passing through CDO, or you may opt to travel by Air to CDO or Butuan then head to Balingoan Port.
Comment by Lakwatsero — April 1, 2008 @ 9:04 am
Hi Marlene!
If u will be coming from Davao, u can also take a bus to Butuan. I dont guarantee though that it will be a smooth ride as there are still rough roads, then head to Balingoan Port for the ferry to bring u to the island.
Comment by Ching — April 2, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
Thanks for sharing Ching.
Comment by Lakwatsero — April 2, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
how many hours it will take you to reach balingoan port if you are coming from butuan and or cagayan de oro?..
Comment by allan lopez — April 26, 2008 @ 11:16 pm
Hi allan, it will take 3 hours to get to Balingoan Port from Agora Market, Cagayan de Oro and around 2 to 3 hours from Butuan
Comment by Lakwatsero — April 27, 2008 @ 11:48 am
sir allan, butuanon here. kaya po <2hrs from butuan
madaling araw naman po eh. dere2tso ang byahe
Comment by Lyan — August 10, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
i need a number of a tour guide sa camiguin. apparently mang cris’ number is not working anymore!! pls help
Comment by ish — August 19, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
may ro ro po ba from bohol to camiguin. para po madala namin yung motor, ikutin yung buong camiguin island.
Comment by edythe — August 19, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
Thanks! very helpful information..
I’m planning to visit Camiguin soon. More power to your site.
Comment by Christine — August 23, 2008 @ 8:00 pm
can you recommend a resort that can accomodate at least 180 pax? Im looking for a place for our company outing there in camiguin. will appreciate your fast response to this query.
Comment by Yas Palanca — September 23, 2008 @ 11:48 am
Hello, nice site you have here.. Is there a RO-RO service in the CDO-Camiguin or Balingoan-Camiguin route? Planning to bring pickup truck from Gensan one of these days. Thanks. Regards
Comment by Daxi Weida — October 19, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
Hi Lakwatsero. Your site is super informative! Thanks for all the infos. Is there a ferry from Camiguin going to Bohol? Thanks!
Comment by Happy — October 27, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
hi..
me and my friends are planning to go to cagayan and camiguin on feb 2009.. we need help, what the best place to stay with affordable accomodation, comfortable,clean and nice place to stay..? do you know how much per nigth? we are all excited to go na! hihi
Comment by rubi — October 27, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
Hi Lakwatsero. Happy here again.
Being the travel expert that you are, I would like to share with you our itinerary for our trip and would like to ask your suggestion on how we are gonna do this. From Camiguin, we will transfer to Bohol and then from Bohol we are transferring to Cebu. Our entry point will be CDO going to Camiguin and exit point is Cebu going back to Manila. The reason I’m asking if there is a ferry from Camiguin going to Bohol is because Camiguin is our first destination…Hope you can give us your suggestions on this. Thanks!! 
Comment by Happy — October 29, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
hello!! i’d like to ask, how safe is the travel by bus or van from agora market to balingoan? i mean, are there any cases of kidnapping or hold-up along the way? i would really love to go to camiguin but am afraid becoz it’s in mindanao where abu sayyaf reigns. and also how long is the travel time of a ferry boat from balingoan port to benoni port? thanks a lot!!!
Comment by angel — November 3, 2008 @ 4:00 am
alright..!! thanks a lot again mr. lakwatsero!!! godbLess c”,)
Comment by angel — November 5, 2008 @ 4:39 am
Hi Lakwatsero how many hours fro Benoni to Mambadjao and what mode of transportation is available going there? Thanks!
Comment by Happy — November 5, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
angel, it’s only 30 minutes from benoni to mambajao. aircon vans for hire are available too – it’s more costly now.
Comment by cba — November 6, 2008 @ 7:41 pm
…and the latest rate for aircon cottage @ paguia’s good for 10 pax is P 1,800.00
Comment by cba — November 6, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
hello there,
ask ko lang kung ok sa paguia?may offer kasi sila parang house daw with 2 room na maaccomodate kami na 12 pax.clean ba sya?thanks very much
Comment by bb — November 7, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
hello there,
ask ko lang kung ok sa paguia?may offer kasi sila parang house daw with 2 rooms na maaccomodate kami na 12 pax?eto ba tung mention mo na good for 10.d ba sya masikip for 10?clean ba sya?thanks very much
Comment by bb — November 7, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
hi bb,
d cottages are decent & clean. it’s another cottage if 2 rooms, yong good for 10 pax was 1 bedroom lang. okey naman po, we shared beds and we slept well.
Comment by cba — November 7, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
caMiguin is one of each kind place..
Its very nice place, with nice people and nice foods.
Its very memorable experience every time I go to this place..
Comment by nicenice — November 9, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
good day to everyone… my friends and I are planning to go there this coming Feb. I just want to know how much is the cost of the ferry from Balingoan to Benoni; as well as the bus from butuan to balingoan? thanks
Comment by jayjay — November 18, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
ferry from balingoan to benoni is P 135, bus from butuan to balingoan is P 170-180 aircon/king long…
Comment by cba — November 19, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
Thanks… it is such a big help… btw, is that rate just recently/updated?
Comment by jayjay — November 21, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
welcome. yes it is, it’s the current fare….
Comment by cba — November 24, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
Hi Lakwatsero,
What an informative site! we’re planning to go there with my husband in Jan. 2009 after our trip in China. Just want to inquire where we can find good sea food resto and a place to live with reasonable price for just a couple of days..thank u so much and more power!
Comment by cassandra — November 29, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
how about in cdo? can u recommend us a place to stay for just a night…thanks…
Comment by cassandra — November 29, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
hello. gusto ko lang humingi ng suggestion bout sa van rental in cdo. kase nagtanong na kami and the rate that was given to us is 3500 one way from cdo to balingoan port. do you think that’s the correct rate? or is that too high. do you have any suggestions on how we can get to camiguin na mas cheaper way. thanks.
Comment by kaycee — December 1, 2008 @ 10:19 pm
hello meron ba hotel or resort sa camiguin na whitesand na? ayoko na mag ride ng banca thanks!!!
Comment by Lei — December 3, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
hello cassandra you can go to cdoguide.com marami choices dun
Comment by Lei — December 3, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
hi lei, unfortunately white beach or sands is in white island and mantigue. all resorts/hotels are in main island.
Comment by cba — December 4, 2008 @ 5:18 pm
hi kaycee, you can take the ferry direct to benoni port at P550/pax, tourist class. or bus to balingoan port, then ferry to benoni port about P270 all.
Comment by cba — December 4, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
hi, may i know if you have any idea on where to stay in CDO? pension house? or inns? maybe a cheap yet decent place to stay.we are a family of 5 members.thanks
Comment by JM — December 12, 2008 @ 1:51 am
hi JM, you can try middleton apartelle @ P2100/night. you can check out the hotels posted here.
Comment by cba — December 15, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
hi pls give us how much we spend/hd staying in camiguin hotel and transpo fron balinguan-camiguin tour-balinguan with hotel accomodation. transpo includes van or multicab rental + ferry. thanks
Comment by gmtg — January 7, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
Hi.I checked your site and very informative, good job!
My boyfriend and I will be going for a six days vacation this march… We are thinking of going to camiguin-bohol and cebu. This is our planned way manila-camiguin-bohol-cebu and going home to caticlan… do you think it is more convenient that taking this way manila-bohol-camiguin-bohol-cebu and then to caticlan?
please help me make up the plans.
Comment by Lani — February 14, 2009 @ 1:21 am
Hi mr. lakwatsero!! I love ur site cOz i Love to tRavel tOooo! ^_^
nywAyz, jUst wanna ask for help from d travelxperts…
well, my classmates and I are eyeing for camiguin for our Pre-Internship Group Dynamics Trip this coming April 2009.. and we are bringing along our teachers and clinical instructors and we are kind a paying for them so that means we are really really on tight budget..
can i ask for suggestions of cheaper alternatives?? Like in where hotel or inn can we save best for an accommodation of 3 days, 2 nights of at least 20 pax..??
and which is cheaper or more practical?? by air or sea?? coz i checked the site of sea air and they weren’t posting Cebu-Camiguin vice versa travel skeds.. and i called from Super Shuttle Ferry and the one who answered mehh didnt gave me the exact amount of the fare.. tSk. tSk.
TNx tNx a Loott!!! ^^,
Comment by Bevz — February 28, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
and btw, i wud like to ask more info bout the house at Paguia’s the one that can accommodate 12 pax?? is it true that we can cook there?? tNx!!! ^_^
Comment by Bevz — February 28, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
oWhkie2x.. thAt’s whAt i thought also.. tNx 4d info mr.lakwatsero!! ^^, iTz such a big hELp… ^_^
Comment by Bevz — March 2, 2009 @ 10:37 am
Hi Mr Lakwatsero,
This is very informative especially for me who is planning to go there this May with my girlfriend for 2 night and 3 days stay.
Had a reservation with Bahay Bakasyunan and they seem to be so expensive, PHP2,700 for single accomodation per night.
I would like to ask for any accomodation suggestions? tried to click the link you provided and I think my PC is having a problem opening it for me. Can you just write it here? affordable but decent place to stay, also not too far from the beach of course….thank you and hope to hear from you!
Comment by Miguel — March 2, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
Sir,
thanks we’re able to book our accommodation for paras and ardent thru your website. we’re sched to go there next weekend. please give us the details of our trip since we’re from tagum and we’re hiring van from here we’re not aware of the route. how many hours will it take to arrive camiguin? how much is the ferry rate?
please reply soon. thanks & GOD BLESS!
Comment by isa — April 28, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
hi mr.lakwatsero,
ask lang po ako f wer nkastay na affordable lang sa cam coz me nd my boyfriend plan 2 be der next week 4 a 2days vacation
Comment by crim — May 18, 2009 @ 2:33 am
to all of you who are planning to go to camiguin, i would advise you to do it as soon as you get a chance. you will never regret going there to visit the island. the place is awesome for nature lover and the people are super super friendly and accomodating. my family and I were there last year and ohhhh we love the ripe mangoes. the experience is something to cherish forever.
Comment by marie (USA) — May 25, 2009 @ 10:22 pm
Very informative site.Many thanks
Comment by LC — June 1, 2009 @ 11:42 pm
my friend and i are planning to visit camiguin and stays maybe for a month..pero nakita namin sa mga adds sa net…ang ine expect namin na nature trip parang nabawaan na. ang mga hotel halos pareho na sa manila. even the prizes..my friend an australian environmentalist gusto sana nya yong simple lang at nature inspired.. nakita ko kc sa mga pics halos sobra ang pagpa modern kaya mahal masyado…the most important is we could take a rest from busy lifestyle na parang back to basic. bahay kubo, simple home made meals. etc etc mayron ba nyan?
Comment by jun simene — June 16, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
mayron bang mga furnished house? for one month stay? magkanu kaya? budget is 15 to 20 thou..my friend dont like hotels…july na…. i hope for quick info
thanks…
Comment by jun simene — June 16, 2009 @ 10:31 pm
for jun,
please try enigmata treehouse, it’s nature inspired. something different, tama respite from the busy city life…
Comment by cba — June 18, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
thanks…. enigmata is cool…
Comment by jun — June 18, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
We’ve been to Camiguin last May 2007. We plan to visit there once again to have a 4 days vacation. Can anyone update me of the current fares? from Agora to Balingoan port, as well as the ferry fare from Balingoan to Benoni. Thanks,
Comment by mlags — June 20, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
for mlags,
bus fare:agora to balingoan P 110/135 aircon/kinglong
ferry: balingoan to benoni P 135 + terminal fee
Comment by cba — June 21, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
is there a dive resort in camiguin?
Comment by Ysai — June 22, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
for ysai,
there are two dive operators i know in camiguin – johnny’s dive & fun and camiguin action geckos. johnny’s dive can be accessed from paras beach resort, caves dive resort and secret cove.
Comment by cba — June 23, 2009 @ 12:59 pm