Camiguin Travel Guide
Camiguin’s fan base is growing exponentially. It’s no wonder: it’s one of those islands in the Philippines that has something for beach lovers and for those looking for more active things to do in Camiguin. The “Island Born of Fire” has more volcanoes per square meter than anywhere else in the world, and this not only gives the island its magic but also results in waterfalls, hot springs, natural pools, and hiking opportunities. If you feel like it, you can climb to the top of a volcano! Because of its volcanic origin, Camiguin’s beaches do not have white sand—but don’t panic. Just a few kilometers off its shores, you’ll find two islands that offer some of the most spectacular beaches in the Philippines. Want to know more? We cover everything in this Camiguin guide.
If you’re looking for an island with local charm that isn’t crowded at all and has beaches as well as things to do away from the sea, you’ve hit the nail on the head! Camiguin is possibly one of the most well-rounded island destinations for your trip to the Philippines. Its complex, beautiful terrain makes it special, and the island offers scenic motorbike routes, waterfalls, pools, great snorkeling and diving spots, and even the occasional historical remnant. Plus, to put the icing on the cake, there are two beach paradises just a few minutes from Camiguin by bangka: White Island and Mantigue Island.
With this Camiguin guide, you will be able to get the most out of this small but interesting island. We promise to tell you what to do, how to get there, where to stay, and many more details that will make you fall in love with Camiguin as much as we did.
THINGS TO DO IN CAMIGUIN
You may already have picked up on this in the introduction, but Camiguin is one of our favorite islands. This little island is known as a “Little Hawaii,” with impressive green landscapes, waterfalls, and dark beaches due to its volcanic origin. Spend at least 3 full days touring it because, honestly, there is so much to do in Camiguin:
- Road trips around Camiguin: It might sound silly, but it’s not. The best thing to do in Camiguin is to travel along its coastal road as well as the roads through its interior. The mountain landscapes with sea views, rice fields, and small villages will win you over from minute one.
- Waterfalls: With so many mountains, it won’t surprise you to learn that Camiguin has plenty of waterfalls where you can swim. From the well-known—and, unfortunately, somewhat developed—Katibawasan Falls to more secluded waterfalls such as Binangawan Falls, you’ll be amazed by Camiguin’s lush natural scenery.
- Snorkeling and diving: Camiguin also has plenty to offer underwater, with several sanctuaries where you can snorkel and enjoy the flora and fauna below the surface. In addition, Camiguin is one of the best places for diving in the Philippines.
- Hiking: Didn’t we tell you that Camiguin has it all? Well, it is also one of those islands where you can stretch your legs. The best-known trek takes you to the summit of Mount Hibok-Hibok, where you can take in views of its caldera. There are other, easier hiking routes too.
- Island hopping: Due to its volcanic origin, the sand on the beaches of this island is dark. If you have a picture-postcard image of white sand in mind, you’ll have to hop over to two neighboring islands: Mantigue and White Beach.
- Hot springs and natural pools: Waters with healing properties emerge from deep within the earth, and you can enjoy a relaxing soak in them. The Ardent Hot Springs are the best known and are perfect after a day spent exploring Camiguin.
In this Camiguin guide, we’ve included only a small selection. If we have sparked your wanderlust, take a look at our article:
ISLAND HOPPING IN CAMIGUIN
Although this isn’t a boat trip around several islands like the ones in Palawan, you can set out from Camiguin to explore two spectacular islands that will win you over from the very first minute:
- White Island: This huge sandbar is a wonder. The shape of this stretch of fine white sand changes depending on the time of year you visit, but you’ll always find turquoise waters where you can take a dip and, above all, a magnificent view of Camiguin’s volcanoes. To get there, simply head to the boat terminal in Yumbing.
- Mantigue Island: Slightly larger than White Island, it offers shade where you can take shelter and, most importantly, beautiful reefs where sea turtles are usually found. So don’t hesitate to bring your snorkeling gear, although you can also rent it there.
You can visit these two islands on the same day, but our advice is to visit them on separate days and spend at least 4 hours on each one. You won’t regret it! What we’ve shared in this Camiguin guide is just a preview. Here you will find all the information about island hopping in Camiguin:
HOW TO GET TO CAMIGUIN
You can fly directly to Camiguin from Cebu. There are also connecting flights from Manila, Siargao, and Clark, among other destinations. Other easy options are the daily boats departing from the ports of Jagna (Bohol) and Balingoan (Mindanao). In this Camiguin guide, we give you a brief overview, but the article below explains in detail how to get there, including the popular route from Siargao to Camiguin:
WHERE TO STAY IN CAMIGUIN
With its growing (but moderate) popularity, more and more hotels are popping up in Camiguin. Most of them are concentrated in Mambajao and the barangays (neighborhoods) of Agoho and Yumbing. You’ll find very modest hostels and, although there aren’t many true luxury resorts yet, there are some distinctive hotels and resorts overlooking the rice fields or located in the beautiful mountains of this volcanic island.
To save you time searching for the best place to stay in Camiguin, we’ve created this comprehensive guide, where you’ll find our recommended hotels listed by price.
HIBOK-HIBOK TREKKING
One of the most unique experiences Camiguin offers is the trek to the summit of Hibok-Hibok Volcano. At over 1,300 meters, the summit offers truly incredible panoramic views of the entire island. The route is also quite an adventure, taking you through lush vegetation and along steep paths. Are you up for it? It was a wonderful experience for us and, of course, we couldn’t leave it out of this Camiguin guide.
WHERE TO EAT IN CAMIGUIN
Camiguin will win you over whether you’re high up on Hibok-Hibok Volcano, underwater and surrounded by turtles, or sunbathing on White Island. But it’ll win over your taste buds too. This island has many more interesting places to eat than you might expect at first glance. We’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to the best places for dinner, lunch, or breakfast. You’re in for a treat! We also show you each place’s menu to make it much easier for you to choose where to eat in Camiguin. Bon appétit!
TIPS FOR VISITING CAMIGUIN
- HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED TO VISIT CAMIGUIN? As you may have seen, there are quite a few things to do on the island, so we recommend spending at least 3 full days there, not counting transfers.
- BEST TIME TO VISIT CAMIGUIN: Unlike the rest of the Philippines, the best time to visit Camiguin is usually from June to November or December. Even so, predicting the weather in the Philippines is not an exact science. October is a great month to visit the island, as the lovely Lanzones Festival takes place then.
- HEALTH IN CAMIGUIN: Camiguin has a hospital, but its healthcare infrastructure is not the best. If something were to happen to you, you would have to be transferred to Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, or Manila, which have better hospitals. The key to protecting your health (and your money) is to travel with good travel insurance for the Philippines. As one of our readers, you can get a 5% discount here.
- MONEY IN CAMIGUIN: There are a few ATMs in Mambajao, but, as always, we recommend traveling with enough cash. You never know whether they’ll be out of order or have enough cash. If you have euros or dollars in cash, you can exchange them at the Palawan Pawnshop. Even so, the best option is undoubtedly to use Remitly to collect cash at any pawnshop.
- HOW TO GET AROUND CAMIGUIN? If you have the appropriate license and experience, the best way to discover the island is to rent a motorbike for about 300 pesos a day. If that’s not the case, don’t worry: you can use public transport (jeepneys, motorelas, and tricycles) or hire a jeepney or tricycle, or a motorbike with a driver.
- WHERE TO EAT IN CAMIGUIN: Although it is not a very touristy island, there are more and more great places to eat. Places we like: La Dolce Vita, Hayhay Café, Luna Ristorante Italiano, or The Beehive. You’ll also find plenty of carinderias and barbecue places in Camiguin where you can eat for very little money.