Michi Photostory

We were supposed to go to Boracay but we did not like the available flights so we decided to go to Cagayan De Oro and Camiguin instead. There’s no regret because we enjoyed our CDO and Camiguin trip. We booked a CDO flight and rode a ferry boat to Camiguin Island.

At that time, I thought we needed to reschedule our trip because my hubby would be in Shanghai, China, fortunately, he was able to go home the day before our flight. Thank God that we were able to make the trip. Our 5AM flight was moved to 6:05AM because of PAL issue, I was a bit worried because we needed to catch up on our 8:30AM boat trip to Camiguin. Our plane touchdown is 7:45AM, so it is like an Amazing Race game just to reach the port. We took a cab and haggled for a P300 and not a P350 trip.

There was a bit of traffic so I really prayed hard that we could make it because I do not want the second option. We are so happy that we made it on time. We rode, Para Sea Cat Ferry but I’m not sure if they are still operating. It is a two-hour travel time before we reach Camiguin Island.

Rates (2011): 
Deck Php. 400.00
View Deck Php. 400.00
Business Class Php. 600.00

Alternate route (2011):   Go to Agora Market, P350 asking price of a taxi driver. Travel time is 30-45 mins. In Agora market, ride a bus bound for Butuan City. (Rural Transit-Yellow buses) going to Balingoan (pronounced as balingwan) port (P130) Travel time is 1hr 45mins - 2hrs. In Balingoan bus terminal, walk or ride a multi-tricycle (P7) to the port proper. (multi-tricycle can carry up to 7pax); port is 100meters away. In Balingoan port,  take the ferry going to Benoni wharf (P135). Travel time is around 1hr 20mins.


Where to stay in Camiguin: 

We stayed in Secret Cove Resort, which is fifteen minutes away from Camiguin White Island. If you are going to Camiguin, finding accommodation is not difficult because there are a lot of guesthouses. The tough part is choosing where you will stay.

I booked our accommodation one month before the trip. Reserving an accommodation is not difficult, I just emailed them and that’s it. No reservation fee.   I chose Secret Cove Resort because

1. Affordable price.
2. Proximity to White Island.
3. Food. I’ve read so many good reviews and they did not fail my expectations. The food is yummy, they have big servings and the price is very reasonable.

During our trip, I was surprised that there were so many tourists in Camiguin maybe because of the approaching Lanzones Festival. I was glad that I booked a tour guide a month before our trip so we had no problem exploring Camiguin Island. Our tour guide also suggested the boatman for our White Island trip.

Secret Cove Resort
Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines
Telephone #: (+63) (88) 387-9084
Fax #: (+63) (88) 387-9184 E
Email: tomsolski@fastmail.fm

We only had two days in Camiguin and here are the places that we visited.

Day 1 Camiguin Tour 

We did not waste our time, we just took our lunch, and off we went for our tour. We visited Tres Marias Volcano, Walkway to the Old Volcano, Ruins of Gui-ob church, Sunken Cemetery, Sto Nino Cold Spring, Soda Swimming Pool and Ardent Hot Spring.


Day 2 Camiguin White Island

Your trip won’t be complete without visiting the Camiguin White Island. As early as 5:30 we’re on our way to the island. It is a 15-20 minute boat ride from the resort. There is no shade or trees on the island so we did not stay that long at baka masunog kami.



Camiguin Tour  Part 2 

After our breakfast, we checked out already and we continued our Camiguin Tour. We visited Katibawasan falls, Camiguin Animal Breeding Center & Ostrich Production Center, Giant Clam Culture.



J&A Fish Pen


After our half-day tour, we ate at J&A Fishpen. Do not leave Camiguin without trying this restaurant. The restaurant has their own fish pond where you will choose your seafood and they will cook it according to your preference.

Pasalubong

For pasalubong, don’t forget to buy lanzones or pastel. When we went there, it was “Lanzones Festival” month so we bought lanzones and boxes of yummy pastel.


Have you been to Camiguin?

4. Mt Pico de Loro Waterfalls - this is also one of the activities of our organization. We’re supposed to climb Mt. Pico de Loro but we were not able to push through because when we’re having lunch at the waterfalls, rain began to pour, biglang taas ang tubig at nagmadali kami makaalis. It better to be safe than sorry. But my ex-boyfriend now husband was able to reach the summit during their trip. It is located in Maragondon, Cavite. 

5. Katibawasan Falls -  it is the first falls that I’ve visited in Mindanao. It is situated in Mambajao, Camiguin. It is 250 feet high and the tallest waterfalls that I’ve visited so far. Sa sobrang taas niya, putol ang kuha ko lagi. We did not swim here because we’re on our way to Cagayan de Oro.


6. Taytay Falls -  it is located in Majayjay, Laguna which is also known as Majayjay Falls or Imelda Falls. We did not stay long during our trip because the place was crowded and my son couldn't take the cold water.

7. Pinlac Falls - when we stayed at Gina’s Garden and Farm, one of the nearest tourist spots is Pinlac Falls which located in Infanta, Quezon. It was more or less 15 minutes drive from the garden so we paid a visit. The entrance fee is PHP30, there are tables and chairs where you can stay at. There are falls for kids and adults.

Itinerary for the day: Buy pasalubong, the famous pastel of Mambajao, Camiguin, Katibawasan falls, Camiguin Animal Breeding Center & Ostrich Production Center, Giant Clam Culture and Lunch at J&A Fish Pen Restaurant. We no longer include Mantigue Island since we already went to White Island.

We were not able to buy pastel in their branch because it is not yet available so we proceeded with our tour and will just buy in the port.  Anyway, you can buy pastel almost everywhere; the only difference is the price.

Second stop was Katibawasan Falls, it was the tallest falls that I’ve ever seen so far. Since we’re going back to CDO after the tour we did not swim. We just took some pictures and went straight to Camiguin Animal Breeding Center & Ostrich Production Center.

We were not able to experience snorkeling in Giant Clam Culture because the waves are too high; I am not a good swimmer so I do not want to take risk. 

But there are clams in the center so you will be able to see the different clams that are available in the Philippines. There are kids who assist and educate us about clams. They are all good and friendly. I am so happy that there are still kids who are passionate in conserving our environment.

Read: UPMSI Bolinao Marine Laboratory - the clams that we've seen here came from this laboratory. 

Entrance fees:

Katibawasan Falls (P15 – adult P6 -children)

Mantigue Island (P550/boat P20-entrance fee P50 – snorkeling fee)

Camiguin Animal Breeding Center & Ostrich Production Center

Giant Clam Culture (P25 per pax, P150 tour guide)

We decided to go there early morning so we waited outside the resort shore as early as 5:30AM where the boat will fetch us. Travel time from Secret Cove resort is 15-20 minutes depending on the waves. P450 is the roundtrip transfer of the boat, you have the option to stay long and the boat will just pick you up. We stayed till 7AM. Entrance fee of P20 per pax.

There is nothing you can see in White Island, there is no cottage, no trees, no shades and no comfort room. It is just a sandbar where you can see the Mt. Hibok Hibok and Mt. Old Volcano. 

The water is not too cold so you can swim and snorkel. I love the place because it is so peaceful. It is a perfect place if you want to unwind and relax. The island is really beautiful and every angle is picture-perfect.