Camotes Islands Travel Guide: Go Beyond the Usual Cebu

Camotes

“Camote”, replied the island ancestors when asked by the Spaniards about the name of the place. The natives were harvesting sweet potatoes (camote) then and thought that the Spaniards were asking what they were digging. That was how the group of islands got its name according to local folklore.

Camotes is a group of islands composed of four towns of Cebu (Poro, Tudela, Pilar and San Francisco), geographically located east of the province mainland, in between the islands of Cebu and Leyte in central Philippines, two hours away by boat from the town of Danao, north of Cebu City.

Camotes
Low tide at Santiago Bay

It is a small piece of paradise… of beautiful white sand beaches, great underwater treasures, amazing caves and lake, rich culture and history and lovely people.

Go beyond the usual Cebu. Discover, explore, experience and fall in love with the charm of Camotes Islands.

Camotes
Mangodlong

How to Get to Camotes Islands

Cebu City / Mactan to Camotes (Consuelo)

Oceanjet has twice a day departure of fast craft scheduled at 6AM and 3PM, travel time is 1.5 hours and fare is at least P500. Meanwhile, Jomalia Shipping operates at least one fast craft departure from Mactan Wharf to Camotes everyday, fare is at least P350 and travel time is around 2 hours. You can book your ferry online from Cebu City to Camotes below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CEBU CITY TO CAMOTES

Danao to Camotes (Consuelo)

Danao is a town north of Cebu City, approximately an hour away. There are multicabs from or bus going or passing there, travel time usually an hour and fare is around P30.

From  Danao Port, there are numerous ferry departures daily from as early as 530AM to as late as 9PM. The boat ride is approximately 2 hours and fare is around P200. You can book your ferry online from Danao to Camotes below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM DANAO TO CAMOTES

Ormoc to Camotes (Pilar)

The town of Pilar in Ponson Island is geographically nearer to Ormoc City, Leyte, only an hour by boat. There are public boats serving the route. There are also public boats that connect Pilar to the other islands and towns of Camotes.

Camotes
Tulang Island

Going Around and Away

Camotes Islands is a group of islands and islets with the two biggest islands of Pacijan and Poro connected by a bridge. The primary mode of transport is by tricycle or single motorcycle (habal-habal). The town of Pilar in Ponson Island is accessible only by boat.

The main port of Camotes Island is located in Barangay Consuelo in San Franciso Town, Pacijan Island. There are numerous boat departures daily from Consuelo Port to Danao and Cebu City. You can book your ferry online from Camotes to Danao or Cebu below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CAMOTES TO DANAO

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CAMOTES TO CEBU

Where to Stay in Camotes

Bella Vista Mare Resort (formerly Beach View Resort) offers cheap room with a great view of Santiago Bay. We stayed in a decent fan room for as low as P850 per room overnight. It is along Santiago Bay in Barangay Santiago, San Francisco, where most tourists stay. Contact Number: +63905-3508883, they prefer to be contacted from 07:00AM to 08:00AM and 06:00PM to 08:00PM.

Beside Bella Vista Resort is a popular hotel resort in town, Santiago Bay Garden and Resort. It has a restaurant and a swimming pool. Other accommodations in town include: Masamayor Beach Resort and Payag Beach Resort in Santiago; Mangongodlong Rock Resort in Mangongodlong; and Harbor View in downtown San Francisco.

Camotes
Timabu Cave Pool

Top-Rated / Highly Recommended Accommodations

Sunset Vista Sea Front Guest House

Sunset Vista Sea Front Guest House
San Francisco
Starts at 2,000 PHP

CHECK RATES

Camotes Flying Fish Resort

Camotes Flying Fish Resort
Poro
Starts at 1,500 PHP

CHECK RATES

Mangodlong Rock Resort

Mangodlong Rock Resort
San Francisco
Starts at 1,700 PHP

CHECK RATES

Coco Grove Nature Resort and Spa

Coco Grove Nature Resort and Spa
San Francisco
Starts at 1,500 PHP

CHECK RATES

Things to Do in Camotes

  • Scuba diving, free-diving or snorkeling
  • Beach bumming in Santiago Bay, Mangongodlong and other white sand beaches in the islands of Pacijan, Tulang, Poro and Ponson
  • Island tour: Lake Danao, Timabu Cave, Baywalk, Buho Rock, Bukilat Cave in Tudela, St. Joseph Parish, Kalbaryo, Alta Vista, Guadalupe Cave and Busay Waterfalls
  • Beach sports: volleyball, frisbee
Camotes
A nudibranch underwater
Camotes
Lake Danao

Tips

  • When to go: Summer and dry season
  • Bring cash as much as possible as there is only one ATM in the island
  • Half day motorcycle tour rate starts P700.00 for the following spot: Lake Danao Park, Timabu Cave, Baywalk, Buho Rock and Bukilat Cave

Comments

  1. Windy

    Looking for an affordable tour package in camotes island?feel free to contact this following number Wilbes- (SMART)0908766 3223 or(GLOBE)0935858 0453 or Windy globe 09260361468,smart 09476002169.Enjoy!

    1. Allen

      hi. pano po pag galing kami palompon? pano po kaya yun? thanks

  2. Windy

    Looking for an affordable tour package in camotes island?feel free to contact this following number Wilbes- (SMART)0908766 3223 or(GLOBE)0935858 0453 or Windy globe 09260361468,smart 09476002169.Enjoy!

  3. Lonilyn Linao

    Hi! i am a local guide from Camotes Island and i can help you for your questions or any clarifications on how you get there(:

    1. Allen

      hi. pano po pag galing kami palompon? pano po kaya yun? thanks

    2. Ronald

      Can I have your cellphone number

    3. Lyn

      hi! We are from Bacolod. How do we get to Camotes from Bacolod? Thanks a lot!

  4. Hi everyone, planning a visit in the island ( Camotes Island) you can contact me for assistance… Or if you want i can show you around the island.. We offer cheap rides.. Here is my fb page TRAVEL CAMOTES / TOUR & EXPLORE

    1. Joy

      Just want to know if july/august is a good time to visit.

      1. Windy

        Hi maam joy the weather for that months are not good..thank you

    2. eva aniban

      Hi, we would like to have a trip to camotes by tomorrow, how much would be the package?

Comments are closed.