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?
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?
