Come again to Camiguin! This island paradise in Northern Mindanao has so much to offer to everyone. This travel guide will come in handy if you plan to visit the Island Born of Fire. Provided in this guide are information on getting there, where to stay, activities, sample itinerary, budget and more.
Discover Camiguin
Nested in the Northern Mindanao is a pear-shaped volcanic island of Camiguin, roughly 100 kilometers north of Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental.
Camiguin Island is said to be created by volcanic eruptions and land movements, thus the moniker “Island Born of Fire”. It has a total of seven volcanoes including Mount Hibok-Hibok, an active one with last recorded eruption in 1953.
Another famous landmark of Camiguin is “White Island“, a sandbar northwest of mainland, approximately two kilometers off the shore of Barangay Yumbing, Mambajao. White island submerges substantially during high tide but a favorite among tourists as it offers a panoramic view of Mount Hibok-Hibok and neighboring mountains.
With all its natural wonders and historical treasures, Camiguin Island is undoubtedly an inviting paradise! Let us discover and rediscover the magic of the island!
How to Get to Camiguin
Camiguin has its own airport in Mambajao but Cebu Pacific is the only commercial airline that has regular flights to the province from Cebu City. For those coming from Manila, make your way to either Cagayan de Oro or Butuan City.
Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights daily from Manila, Cebu and Davao to Laguindingan Airport of Cagayan de Oro City.
From Laguindingan Airport, ride a shuttle (Magnum Shuttle or LAX Van at P199.00/pax as of Dec 2016) direct to Agora Market where you can catch a bus (P148.00/pax as of Dec 2016) or a van (~P200.00/pax) to Balingoan for a two-hour ride. Get off in Balingoan Terminal and walk to the port. From there, ride a ferry (~P150.00/pax) to Benoni Port of Camiguin. Ferries from Balingoan Port to Benoni, Camiguin leave almost every hour from 5Am to 5PM, travel time is two hours.
Via Butuan
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have regular flights daily from Manila and Cebu to Bancasi Airport of Butuan.
From Butuan Airport, catch a motorella or taxi to take you to the bus terminal and hop to any Cagayan bound bus (~P200/pax), travel time is more than two hours. The bus will stop at Balingoan Terminal just a short walk to the port where you can catch ferry to Camiguin (~P150.00/pax).
Jagna (Bohol) to Camiguin Direct
Super Shuttle Ferry serves Jagna, Bohol – Camiguin. Visit their website for schedule. You can book your ferry tickets from Jagna to Camiguin and vice versa below.
Where to Stay in Camiguin
There are numerous hotels/lodges in this island to choose from for budget or high-end tourists. Most are located in Mambajao. There are also decent homestays, cottages and lodges for as low as P500.00 per room.
One of the populars is Paguia’s Cottages located in Barangay Yumbing, Mambajao. 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.
Top-Rated Budget Accommodations in Camiguin
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The Yellow House |
Marianita’s Cottages |
Top-Rated Hotels in Camiguin
Balai sa Baibai Resort |
Kurma Yoga Dive and Beach Resort |
What to Do in Camiguin
Camiguin is best experienced than described, they say. Rent a multicab for a tour of the island (~P2500.00 for a big multicab that can fit 12 persons, including port transfers). With its natural wonders and historic landmarks, tourists will definitely enjoy these sites:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Others
Taste the Pastel de Camiguin, a very yummy yema filled bun; visit Macao Cold Spring, Tangub Hot Spring, Mantigue Island, Kibila Giant Clam Sanctuary and Taguines Lagoon; dine in Luna Ristorante; dive or snorkel in the diverse and unspoiled waters around the province; tour nearby Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon and Butuan.
Sample Itinerary (Camiguin – CDO – Bukidnon)
Day 1: Camiguin En Route and White Sand Bar Sunset
0600H – 0825H: Assembly in NAIA 3 / Check-in
0825H – 0950H: Manila to Cagayan de Oro Flight
0950H – 1030H: Assembly / Baggage Check-in
1030H – 1100H: Cagayan de Oro Airport to Agora Terminal
1100H – 1300H: Agora Terminal to Balingoan Port
1300H – 1400H: Lunch
1400H – 1530H: Balingoan to Benoni Port, Camiguin
1530H – 1600H: Benoni to Paguia’s Cottages
1600H – 1630H: Check-in/Fix-up
1630H – 1830H: Camiguin to White Sandbar (by boat) / Sunset at White Sand Bar / Back to Mainland Camiguin
1830H – 1930H: Wash-up Fix-up
1930H – onwards: Dinner / Socials / Lights off
Day 2: Camiguin Island in a Day
0600H – 0800H: Call Time / Breakfast
0800H – 1300H: Multicab Tour: Ol Vocano Station of the Cross / Sunken Cemetery / Gui-ob Church Ruins/ Sto. Niño Cold Springs
1300H – 1400H: Lunch
1400H – 1800H: Katibawasan Falls / Ardent Hot Springs
1800H – 1900H: Wash-up / Fix-up
1900H – onwards: Dinner / Socials / Lights off
Day 3: Wild Water Ride
0345H – 0430H: Call Time / Paguia’s to Benoni Port
0430H – 0600H: Benoni Port to Balingoan
0600H – 0800H: Balingoan to Cagayan de Oro
0800H – 0900H: Check-in New Dawn Pensionne / Heavy Breakfast
0900H – 1800H: White Water Rafting!!!! (Buffet Lunch included)
1800H – 1900H: Wash-up / Fix-up
1900H – onwards: Dinner / Socials
Day 4: Zip High in Bukidnon
0500H – 0600H: Call Time / Breakfast
0600H – 0800H: Travel CDO to Bukidnon
0800H – 1100H: Zip, Zorb and more in Dahilayan (Lunch and Snacks Included)
1100H – 1300H: Travel Bukidnon to CDO
1300H – 1400H: Hotel Check-out / Travel to Airport
1400H – 1555H: Assembly / Airport Check-in
1555H – 1720H: Travel CDO to Manila
Budget for Camiguin – CDO – Bukidnon
(Approximately P5,000 – P5,500 each for a group of 6)
Taxi (Airport to Agora Terminal): P50.00
Bus (Agora To Balingoan): P143.00
Ferry to Camiguin: P150.00
Multicab (Tour/Transfer): P250
2 Nights Camiguin Accomodation: P600
Boat to White Island: P150
Ferry Camiguin to Balingoan: P150.00
Bus (Balingoan to Agora): P143.00
Taxi to New Dawn Pension: P30.00
1 Night CDO Accomodation: P350
White Water Rafting + Zipzone: P1999
Terminal Fee CDO: P30
Miscellaneous/Foods/Entrance Fees/Etc: P1000
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Approximate Budget: P5100
*First published: 29-March-2008. Updated: 10-December-2013; 02-November-2017; 16-Jul-2019; 07-Mar-2020
Hi Lakwatsero!
My husband-to-be and I are planning to do a Northern Mindanao-Western Visayas honeymoon in December. We will start with CDO and go further to Wes. Visayas. THis Camiguin post is very helpful (even the comments).
After CDO and Camiguin, we will go to Bohol. Just wondering, how much is the ferry ride from Camiguin to Bohol and how long does the trip usually last?
Salamat!
Hi Min, thanks for visiting. Camiguin to Jagna, Bohol takes around 2 hours. For Paras Sea Cat, fare is P400 for decks and P600 for Business Class. Super Shuttle Ferry’s rate is almost if not the same. 🙂
Enjoy your trip and best wishes 🙂
hi! your website is very helpful and i am looking forward to take the camiguin trip this month. i would like to ask though, in which part of camiguin does PARAS SEA CAT dock? is it in Benoni port or somewhere else? So that i can plan my itinerary where to book. is the J&A fishpen lodge the only available accommodation in benoni area? thanks so much. would appreciate it if you could reply thru my email [email protected] thanks! more power. =)
Hi April, Paras Sea Cat docks in Cagayan de Oro City Port in Macabalan district aka Macabalan Port
[…] laid back island with rich history and natural attractions. The island, slightly bigger than Camiguin, has a 75 kilometers circumferential road that spans in its six towns of San Juan, Lazi, Maria, […]
galing po kami sa camiguin last may 1, 2010 and we are so lucky because that day it so happened na fiesta pala sa tinitirahan namin sa Paguia cottages. he he he nakakahiya nga dahil tatlong beses kami pinakain sa may ari kay mrs. hospecia paguia ” walang bayad”.nagpapasalamat po kami and to roel anak ng may ari. guys and gals kung may plano kayo mag vacation sa camiguin i recommend paguia cottages.may vehicle din sila for rent and pump boat going to white island. yond location nila infront ng white island pero d naman along sea shore pero maganda ang location.contact no.:09198942681-roel paguia…
Wow! You are so lucky! Indeed, Paguia’s are nice people.
Thanks for your tips! If I fly from Manila to CGY then can’t I just go directly to Macabalan Pier which goes directly to Camaguin Island? We are planning our trip on June.
we have the paraseacat, it will leave macabalan port at 8am.
Am I right that if I book Manila – Catarman via Cebu Pacific then I’d be able to reach this place? Thanks.
I think that Catarman you are talking about is actually across from Bicol, Sorsogon. NOT the Catarman in Camiguin Island.
there is no airport in catarman camiguin…if u have questions, pls contact 09166645125.
Salamat sa info! I’m planning to go to Camiguin this summer together with my family. Anlapit lang namin sa Camiguin pero di pa ako nakakapunta dito. Hopefully this summer, matuloy na.. 🙂
thanks mr. lakwatsero for your free website where me and my peers arrived in camiguin thru your website successfuly. we tour the island and stayed there for just one night and one day. “nakakabitin eh!” anyway we enjoy alot… maraming salamat din kay roel paguia cell no.:09198942681 for a wonderful stay at paguia cottages.
thanks mr. lakwatsero for your free website where me and my peers arrived in camiguin thru your website successfuly. we tour the island and stayed there for just one night and one day. “nakakabitin eh!” anyway we enjoy alot… thank’s to roel paguia cell no.:09198942681 for a wonderful stay at paguia cottages.
thanks for the post! i’m using your page as a guide for our trip this April. I have a question though… a rather specific one. do you happen to know if there is a volkswagen beetle for rent in the island? hehe
my husband and I will be going to camiguin this summer,what’s the best transporatation that we can get for our island tour since there are only two of us we can’t afford to rent a multicab.is it safe to use a motorcycle?can we rent a motorcycle in PAGUIA COTTAGES?tnx.
I am not sure if Paguia’s Cottages have motorcycle for rent, you can ask around, or you can ride the public multicabs, that would be cheaper 😀
hello, does anyone know what rate to bring pickup van on the ferry from balingoan to camiguin and camiguin to bohol? Thanks. Noel.
noel,
balingoan to benoni is about P 1200.00 while balbagon to jagna is P 4000.00 – got this info from quarantine office.
we are 6pax and we were in camiguin last january 25,26 and 27, 2010. guys, it’s out first time in going there. my gush, it was realy a great vacation!!! ang ganda ng mga beauty spots doon. thank you LAKWATSERO for the info. and thank’s also to roel paguia cel no.09198942681 for a good accomodation at paguia cottages. we love it. we will go back there again.
kakagaling lng namin sa camiguin a few weeks ago and this province is definitely a place to visit.. this is a beautiful province indeed.. we stayed at paguias cottage. this is one of the most affordable place to stay in camiguin and it is only a few minutes away from the white island.. you can contact mr. roel paguia…09198942681 or 088-3879018…
…just been to camiguin last october 11 to 12…so beautiful island.. we stayed in paguias cottage.. a very good resort…less expensive, its clean and hospitable people…tnx to mr roel paguia, my contact person. you can txt or call him..mobile #09198942681 or you can call the resort. tel # 088-3879018
Mr. lakwatsero thank you for your website me and my family was spending our weekend (Oct.17-18) in Camiguin. it was really an unforgetable experienced. that was my first time of going there. Definitely i will go back there. I would extend my especial thanks to my contact person Mr. Roel Paguia mobile no.:09198942681 , we stayed at Paguia Cottages.The accomodation is very affordable and yet clean and friendly environment…thanks again
hi! I heard that there are INNs/lodging houses in White Island? DO you know any contact person or rates? Is it safe to travel to White Island from Camiguin at night say 7pm? 😀
Hi chameronne, there are no commercial establishment in the White Island, it actually submerges during high tides.
hi, i’m planning to go to camiguin, either at oct 19-21 or on oct 21-23 this year, i would just like to ask the rate of an airconditioned room for two..and who can i contact for reservations.please help me.. 🙂
thank you,,,:P
hahah..pang asar…sana ndi ko na ginogle ang camiguin..nsa lakwatsero.com nmn pla…d na kta tlga mareach enjel…prang kelan lng un…pinaglololoko lang kta..hahah..adik?! pag mag sesearch ako ng lugar..sa lakwatsero nlng ako punta..
yes angel – let’s include jigdup reef, sunken cemetery, nudi branch city, old volcano, etc. 🙂 by the way, aldevinco is in davao nd not in cagayan de oro…