The “Island born of fire” is one of the trendiest islands among travelers heading to the Philippines. Its lush nature offers plenty of things to do in Camiguin, making it one of the country’s most varied islands. If you’re set on it, find out how to get to Camiguin in the easiest way.
Where is Camiguin Island?
Camiguin belongs, just like Siargao, to the Mindanao region, specifically Northern Mindanao. To give you an idea, it sits 12 kilometers off Mindanao Island, south of Bohol and west of Siquijor.
The island has 2 main ports, Balbagon (with boats to/from Jagna in Bohol) and Benoni (with boats to/from Balingoan in Mindanao). In addition, there is a small airport that receives flights from Cebu and Manila. On Mindanao itself, the closest airport is Cagayan de Oro (IATI code: CGY), which is larger and operates flights to/from more destinations within the Philippines.
How to get to Camiguin step by step
Here we tell you all the options you have to reach Camiguin from different parts of the Philippines. If you need the route from another place in the country, ask us in the comments and we’ll be happy to give you more information.
To get ahead a bit, if you’re thinking of arriving by plane, we always book using the Skyscanner flight search, which will always give you all the possible options from whatever departure point you want to use. To book boats, the page we’ve found most reliable is 12go. Even so, throughout the guide we’ll give you different options.
Whether you arrive by sea or by air, you must fill out a form to enter Camiguin called Isle Visit Camiguin. Don’t worry—it takes no time and it’s free from this official page.
How to get to Camiguin from Cebu
Although there used to be an overnight ferry route from Cebu to Camiguin, it was suspended years ago, so the only direct way to get to Camiguin from Cebu is by plane.
At the moment, Cebu Pacific Air (CEBGO) operates direct flights from Cebu to Camiguin (IATA code: CGM) almost every day and sometimes two days a week. The flight takes just 50 minutes and prices start around $20, although it depends on whether you book in advance or not. That said, it’s not a flight that increases too much even with little advance notice (one of the few in the country).
Keep in mind that you’ll need to add a checked bag to this price, if you have one. And yes, if you go over the carry‑on limit (7 kg allowed), note that it’s common for them to make you pay for a checked bag by the kilo, which is more than double what it would cost to book it online.
Book cheap flights from Cebu to Camiguin
How to get from Bohol to Camiguin
Given the island’s popularity, most travelers who want to visit Camiguin do so from Bohol. To get from Bohol to Camiguin you’ll first need to go to the Port of Jagna, which is located roughly halfway along the island. It’s relatively close to Anda (an area of Bohol we love), but you can also easily get there from Tagbilaran (the capital) or Panglao.
The steps to follow to get to Camiguin from Bohol are as follows:
- Get to Jagna. If you’re in Alona, you’ll need to go to Tagbilaran (you can do so by bus for 70 pesos in about 45 minutes or by tricycle for around 300 pesos) and at Dao Terminal take one of the buses or vans that go toward Jagna. The bus ride takes about 90 minutes and costs around 100–120 pesos (depending on whether it’s a bus or van, the type of bus, etc.). You can also take a taxi or a van, which charge about 2,000 pesos from Alona Beach. If you’re in Loboc, take any jeepney or bus to Loay (15–20 pesos) and then any bus heading toward Jagna. Don’t cut it close—give yourself plenty of time. If you’re in Anda, you can take any bus or van heading toward Tagbilaran and get off in Jagna, negotiate a tricycle (about 600 pesos) or a car with driver. If you leave us a comment, we can give you a car‑with‑driver contact from any of the places mentioned.
- Take the Super Shuttle ferry from Jagna to Balbagon (Camiguin): they depart every day at 14:30 (they’ve been daily for years; if you read something different elsewhere, we’re always updating). The ticket costs 766 pesos. The trip takes 3.5–4 hours. Our advice is that, if you don’t buy the ticket online, be at the ticket office a couple of hours earlier. Otherwise, 45’–60′ is enough. Watch out for periods like Christmas and Holy Week, as Camiguin has a very religious tradition and the island fills up with Filipinos.
The Super Shuttle ticket can now be booked online here or via this other link. Compare prices between them and, above all, which one offers availability and which doesn’t, since many times tickets aren’t sold until 1 week before.
This way you won’t have to worry or arrive much earlier—especially useful if you’re in Anda, Loboc, or Panglao and don’t want to be stressed. We strongly advise buying in advance for periods like Christmas or Holy Week. Regarding the latter, keep in mind that this boat usually doesn’t operate between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday.
How to get to Camiguin from Siquijor
We receive many questions from travelers about how to get from Siquijor to Camiguin. Unfortunately, there are no direct boats between the two and, indeed, the best way is via Bohol (unless you go back to Cebu and take a flight to Camiguin).
You have everything explained in great detail in a dedicated article: How to get from Siquijor to Camiguin, but we’ll tell you now that you’ll need to go from Siquijor to Tagbilaran (boat), from Tagbilaran to Jagna (bus or van), and from Jagna to Camiguin (boat).
How to get from Manila to Camiguin
You have several alternatives:
- Book a flight from Manila to Camiguin. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights right now. Connecting flights are usually operated by Cebu Pacific (CEBGO). We recommend booking both flights with the same airline and within the same reservation so that, in case of delay, they can rebook you on the next flight. Duration and price depend a lot on the connections, but the earlier you book, the better.
- Book a flight from Manila to Panglao (Bohol’s airport) and then follow the steps we’ve shared from Bohol.
- Book a flight to Cagayan de Oro and from there apply the tips we’ve given from this city in Mindanao.
Obviously, the most convenient way to get to Camiguin from Manila will be the first one.
How to get from Siargao to Camiguin
Since Camiguin and Siargao are two of the most sought‑after destinations for travelers going to the Philippines, many people want to combine a visit to both. To go from Siargao to Camiguin, you have two alternatives:
- Combine a flight from Siargao to Cebu and a flight from Cebu to Camiguin. This is the fastest option, but it can’t always be done in one day due to flight schedules. We strongly recommend buying the flights with the same airline or, otherwise, leaving at least 3 hours between flights in case anything happens.
- Do the journey by public transport. This is the cheapest option (a little over 1,300 pesos), but keep in mind that you’ll have to leave Siargao very early and it will take you the whole day. These are the steps to follow:
- Take a boat from Siargao (Dapa port) to Surigao. If possible, take the first boat, which leaves around 4:45 or 6:00 (check in advance because this changes constantly). The trip takes about 2.5 hours and prices are around 400 pesos. You can book here.
- Go to the Surigao bus terminal by tricycle or jeepney (about 50 pesos, 15 minutes) and take a bus or a van to Butuan. The journey takes about four hours and they usually charge around 330 pesos per person. The van tends to be faster. There is also a Surigao–Balingoan bus that goes direct, but there are very few departures. This one is slower (around 7 hours) but costs 572 pesos. In any case, you can ask. Of course, you can also negotiate private transport, but it’s a long trip, so it’s rare they won’t charge around 4,000 pesos.
- Take a bus or van from Butuan to Cagayan de Oro and get off in Balingoan. It will take a couple of hours and usually costs 300 pesos. Make sure it’s going to stop in Balingoan by asking the driver.
- Take the ferry from Balingoan to Camiguin (Benoni Port). They depart roughly until 16:30 (sometimes there’s one until 17:00, but it’s better not to rely on it 100%) and it costs 360 pesos. It takes about 90 minutes.
As you can see, there are many legs, so our advice is to leave as early as possible to be able to reach Camiguin in time that same day.
Discover more details and how to do the route in reverse in How to get from Camiguin to Siargao.
How to get to Camiguin from Cagayan de Oro
Cagayan de Oro is one of the most important cities in Mindanao and receives flights from other Philippine airports such as Cebu or Manila. It’s easy to get to Camiguin from Cagayan de Oro if you follow these steps:
- Take a bus or a van from Cagayan’s Agora Market Terminal to Balingoan Port. The air‑conditioned bus is better, as it makes fewer stops. It costs around 200 pesos and will take you 2.5–3 hours. There may also be vans, but we don’t know the price.
- Take the ferry from Balingoan to Benoni (Camiguin). The journey takes roughly 90 minutes and the ticket costs 359 pesos. Boats run from 4:00 to 16:30 and are operated by Super Shuttle, St. Benedict Ocean Shipping Lines, and Philstone Shipping Corporation. It’s also possible to take it to Balbagon Port at 4:15 and 12:00.
If you arrive at Cagayan de Oro airport, you can take a shuttle from there to Agora Market for 200 pesos. It takes about an hour.
How to get from Malapascua to Camiguin
There are several alternatives to link these two beautiful destinations, but the most interesting are:
- Do the whole route toward Cebu City (boat from Malapascua to Maya + bus or van to Cebu + bus or taxi to the airport) and once there take a flight from Cebu to Camiguin. This will be the best and fastest.
- Also go to Cebu and there take a ferry to Cagayan de Oro (allow 10–12 hours) or a flight to Cagayan de Oro. After that you’ll need to hop on transport to Balingoan Port (approx. 2 hours) and a ferry to Camiguin. We find this the least convenient.
- Go to Cebu, take a boat to Bohol, go by bus or van from Tagbilaran to Jagna Port, and there take a ferry to Camiguin. You can book this last ticket here.
You have more details in How to get from Camiguin to Malapascua and vice versa.
How to get to Camiguin from other places in the Philippines
Although we could stay here for hours, we wanted to leave you a small selection of routes that might interest you to figure out how to get to Camiguin:
- How to get from El Nido to Camiguin: you’d need to choose between flying from El Nido to Cebu (only operated by Air Swift) or taking a van or bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa (5 hours) and then flying from Puerto Princesa to Cebu. From Cebu, you’d need another flight to Camiguin.
- How to get from Coron to Camiguin: you’ll need to take a flight from Coron (USU) to Cebu and then another from Cebu to Camiguin.
- How to get from Port Barton to Camiguin: van to Puerto Princesa (3 hours) and then a Puerto Princesa–Cebu flight and a Cebu–Camiguin flight.
- How to get from Bantayan to Camiguin: you’ll have to retrace your steps to Cebu City—i.e., Bantayan–Hagnaya ferry, bus or van to Cebu, taxi or bus to the airport, and a flight from Cebu to Camiguin.
If you want to know another way to get to Camiguin, you can leave us a comment and we’ll tell you as soon as possible.
How to get from Camiguin airport to your hotel
If you’ve decided to arrive in Camiguin by plane, you’ll do so at Camiguin’s small airport, located between Mambajao (the island’s capital) and the Agoho/Yumbing area, where most of the hotels where to stay in Camiguin are concentrated (and the area where we recommend you stay). The time and cost to reach your lodging will depend 100% on the type of transport you choose, but also on where it’s located. In any case, these are the options:
- Motorbike: you can negotiate a motorbike at the exit; it’s common to see people waiting. If you want trusted contacts with good prices, you can leave us a comment and we’ll send you all the info. Expect motorbike rental in Camiguin to be around 350–500 pesos per day.
- Motorela (the tricycles in the photo below, which are a bit larger) or private multicab: that is, negotiate one just for you or your group to your accommodation. From the airport to the Agoho area shouldn’t cost you more than 100 pesos for the whole vehicle.
- “Line” motorela: in Camiguin they have 2 routes, “West bound” and “East Bound”, i.e., toward the west or east of Mambajao. If you want to go to Yumbing, go out to the road and wait for one heading toward Yumbing; it shouldn’t cost you more than 15 pesos per person, but keep in mind you’ll need to share with other people. If you’re going farther east, i.e., past Mambajao, you’ll first need to take a motorela to Mambajao (stop at the market) and then another “East Bound”.
How to get from the port to your hotel
If you’re arriving by sea, you’ll do so at either Balbagon Port or Benoni Port.
If you’ve arrived at Balbagon Port, where the boats from Bohol dock, you can:
- Motorbike: there are always people waiting to rent you a motorbike. Please always check the general condition of the bike and especially the tires. Request 2 helmets if there are 2 of you. You’ll have to negotiate, but expect between 350 and 500 pesos per day. If you want a trusted contact, we can give you one if you leave us a comment.
- Motorela or private multicab: Balbagon Port is farther from the Yumbing area, so if you’re going there, it’s normal to be charged about 150 pesos per vehicle; even 180 would be reasonable.
- “Line” motorela: in this case you’ll need to take one to Mambajao first (10–12 pesos) and then another from Mambajao to Yumbing (12–15 pesos).
If you’ve arrived at Benoni Port, where the boats from Balingoan (Mindanao) arrive, keep in mind that the port is much farther away. You’ll have the same options as in the previous case, but private rides will be much more expensive. From our perspective, Benoni to Yumbing should be around 300 pesos. If you want to save, you can take a motorela to Mambajao and then to Yumbing, which shouldn’t cost you more than 40 pesos per person.
Camiguin guide
You have much more information in our Camiguin Guide: things to do, where to stay, and other useful details.
Do you have any questions about how to get to Camiguin? We’ll be happy to answer you in the comments.
