Travel Guide to Camiguin + 3 Days Itinerary

First of all, let me say that Camiguin Island is an extremely underrated destination in Mindanao. I wasn’t expecting much seeing as most local travelers only go here on a day trip, but my friend and I decided to stay here for 3 days, and oh boy, was I blown away. In particular, I love the amazing snorkeling spots in Mantigue Island and Giant Clam Sanctuary. I also liked the mountain island vibes that I wouldn’t mind staying here for several days in the future.

A little background about Camiguin:

Camiguin Island is a pearl-shaped island in the northern area of Mindanao. It’s dubbed the “Island Born of Fire” since it was formed due to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in the past. Interestingly, it has one of the highest densities of volcanoes in the world — with a land area of 282 square kilometers (92 square miles), it’s home to 7 volcanoes with Mount Hibok-Hibok considered the remaining active volcano.

The island is blessed with nature attractions including white-sand beaches and sand bars, snorkeling and diving spots, natural hot and cold springs, and waterfalls tucked away in the mountains.

Here’s your complete travel guide to Camiguin Island! Don’t forget to read our separate post on Best Things to Do in Camiguin Island.

How to get to Camiguin

There are different ways to get to Camiguin Island.

Via Mambajao Airport

Camiguin has its own airport located in its capital Mambajao. Currently, flight schedules are only on selected days.

Via Laguindingan Airport (Cagayan de Oro)

Cagayan de Oro is a common jump-off point to Camiguin Island. From Laguindingan Airport, it takes about 5 hours to reach Camiguin Island.

• From the airport, ride a van to Agora Terminal. Travel time is 45 min to 1 hour.
• From the terminal, ride a bus or van to Balingoan Port. Travel time is 2-2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can also ride a van in Gaisano Mall parking lot in the city proper.
• From Balingoan Port, ride a ferry to Benoni Port in Camiguin. Travel time is 1 hour. Ferry departs every hour, starting at 4:30AM to 6:30PM (last trip).

We suggest taking the bus instead of the van from Agora Terminal to Balingoan Port especially if you are the first passengers because waiting can take up to 45 minutes or more.

The earliest trip from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port is 4-4:30AM and the last trip back to Balingoan Port is 4PM.

Via Butuan Airport

• From Butuan Airport, take a taxi to the bus terminal.
• Ride a bus en route to Cagayan and get off at Balingoan Port. Travel time is 2 hours.

Others

Camiguin Island is also accessible from Cebu and Bohol via ferry.

How to get around

There are habal-habals, motorbikes, and jeepneys you can ride for commuting.

For the island tour, here are your options :

• Rent a motorbike. Make sure to bring your driver’s license.
• Avail of a habal-habal tour (good up to 2 people). For groups, you can also avail of a private car or multicab tour (seating capacity depends on vehicle type).

What to see in Camiguin

These are the top tourist spots in Camiguin Island, which you can explore during an island tour in 2 days.

• White Island. White Island is the most iconic tourist spots in Camiguin. It’s It’s a naked sand bar ideal for swimming and sunbathing, similar to Naked Island in Siargao. Mount Hibok-Hibok and Mount Vulcan can be seen in its backdrop. The best time to here is on weekdays, on mornings so it wouldn’t be too hot yet!

• Tongatok View Point. This is a viewdeck you can pass by on your way to the Walkway or Sunken Cemetery. It offers mountainside and coastal views. It’s easy to miss, but the guides are familiar with the island and know about this spot so just tell them you want to stop by here.

• Walkway to the Old Volcano. This is a hiking trail to the old volcano aka Mount Vulcan. Trek for 30-40 minutes to reach the summit, where you can see a view of the surrounding mountainside and ocean, including the Sunken Cemetery.

• Sunken Cemetery. This is a fantastic place for snorkeling. You can see different fishes, corals, and even giant clams! It’s also a popular place for sunset viewing.

• Sto. Nino Cold Spring. A cold spring to cool off from the summer heat. It has a large pool that goes up to 7 feet deep, with water coming down from Mount Mambajao. There are cottages and tables for rent inside the resort. There are also food stalls where you can buy food & drinks. Another place you can visit is the Saay Cold Spring.

• Bura Soda Spring. This is another spring pool area, with water that is said to taste like carbonated water. The pool isn’t as cold as that in Sto. Nino Cold Spring, so depending on your preference you might want to swim here instead. Fun fact: the resort has a tap where you can taste the spring water!
• Ardent Hot Spring. This resort features a cascade of six hot springs. Recently, the water from the springs have gone lukewarm. Local says a recent earthquake might have blocked the source of hot water. (This is the only place we skipped in our itinerary.)
• Old Church Ruins. Also called Guiob Church or Catarman Church. This is the remnant of a 16th-century Spanish Catarman Church, which was buried during the eruption of Mount Vulcan back in 1871. The eruption wiped out the island’s then-capital, Cotta Bato. You can still the main church structure, bell tower, and chapel. As with other buildings at that era, the structures are made with corals.

• Mantigue Island. This is one of my favorite spots in Camiguin Island, and I recommend that you allot several hours to snorkel around the island. Mantigue Island is considered a marine sanctuary — it is fringed with white-sand beaches and beautiful reefs. There are cottages in the island. Snorkeling gears are available for rent.

• Katunggan Mangrove Park. A small mangrove forest where you can see the species of black mangroves. There’s a pathway that goes around the mangrove park and cottages where you can sit down and rest. You can also swim in the water among the mangroves during high tide or in the open sea. It’s similar to the Mangrove Park in Bantayan Island in Cebu.
• Giant Clam Sanctuary. This is another one of our favorite places in Camiguin! It is home over a thousand giant clams. A guide will take you to the nursery area where there are young giant clams a few months old and then to the deeper part of the ocean where you can see giant clams spanning as much as 4 feet in length. The corals here are also impressive — they are HUGE and thriving.

• Tuasan Falls. This is a 25-meter-high waterfall located along the mountain roads in Barrio Mainit. It used to be a secret, but road developments have eventually led to its public discovery. Tuasan means “natuklasan” (discovered). The waterfall has a knee-deep basin where you can take a short refreshing dip.

• Katibawasan Falls. Katibawasan Falls is a 70-meter-high waterfall with a small man-made basin. The flow of water has weakened over the years, but it’s still worth visiting even if only for taking pictures. There are cottages around the waterfall where you can rest or have a picnic.

For other options, refer to our separate guide on the Best Tourist Spots in Camiguin Island.

3 Days Itinerary to Camiguin

Here is our 3 days itinerary to Camiguin. You can use this as a guide on your visit.

Day 1	Arrival via Mambajao Aiport / Pickup from Benoni Port Early check in / bag drop-off at accommodation Camiguin island tour: – Mantique Island – Katunggan Mangrove Park – Giant Clam Sanctuary – Tuasan Falls – Katibawasan Falls
Day 2	Continue island tour: – White Island – Tungatok View Point – Walkway to the Old Volcano – Sunken Cemetery – Sto. Nino Cold Spring – Soda Spring – Old Church Ruins – Ardent Hot Spring
Day 3	Free time Check out of accommodation Flight home

We spent 3 days in Camiguin which I feel is just enough. On our third day, we just rested in our accommodation in Bintana sa Paraiso.

Here are other things to note:

• If you’re coming from CDO city proper, it’s best to leave at 3-4AM so you can arrive at the island at 7-8AM. Similarly, if your return flight is via Laguindingan Airport in CDO, make sure that it’s a late-night schedule because the airport is about 5 hours away from Camiguin, not counting the traffic.
• I recommend spending at least 2 days here for the island tour. If you plan on doing other activities such as hiking or diving, extend your stay for a few days more.

Where to Eat

There are various eateries in Camiguin. Here are the most recommended ones:

• Check Point Camiguin. A BBQ style restaurant.
• Hagahay Cafe. A restaurant that serves juices and smoothie bowls.
• Penisular Kape Art. A restaurant that serves Spanish dishes.
• I 8 See Food. A local favorite that serves seafood. Group meals are available.
• Daos Beach Bistro. A new restaurant serving delicious vegan food.

Where to Stay

Most people stay in the capital of the island: Mambajao. It’s considered a tourist hub with resorts & homestays, restaurants, and shops. That saying, there are plenty of good accommodations around the island depending on your preferences.

We stayed in Bintana sa Paraiso – Binunsaran, which is a beautiful luxury mountain resort. We also wrote a separate guide for the Best Resorts in Camiguin.

Budget and expenses

Here are the rates in Camiguin (Updated as of 2023):

Tourist spots/activities	ENTRANCE FEES: Tongatok View Point: None Walkway to the Old Volcano: P25 Sto. Nino Cold Spring: P75 Bura Soda Spring: P75 Ardent Hot Spring: P50 Old Church Ruins: P50 Katunggan Mangrove Park: Entrance fee – P20 Tuasan Falls: P75 Katibawasan Falls: P50 OTHERS: White Island: Entrance fee – P50 Boat rental – P550 (good up to 4 pax) Umbrella rental – P150 Mat rental – P50 Sunken Cemetery: Entrance fee – none Boat ride to the cross – P100 (good up to 5 pax) Snorkeling fee – P100 Guide fee – P150 Lifevest, mask and snorkel, fins – P50 (all-in) Mantigue Island: Entrance fee – P75 Boat fee – P750 (good up to 6 pax) Guide fee (snorkeling) – P300 Snorkel and mask rental – P100 Cottage – P150 / Table – P100 *You also have the option to add P200 to the boat fee so the boat can go around the island and you can take picture of Mantigue Island with the mountains in the backdrop. *Maximum of 3 hours stay. Additional P100 every additional hour. Giant Clam Sanctuary: Entrance fee – P25 Clam viewing fee – P150 Mask and snorkel – P100 / lifevest – P50 / fins – P50
Others	Hiking in Mount Hibok-Hibok: Registration fee – P200 per person / guide fee – P1200
Fare	Van from Laguindingan Airport to Agora Terminal: ~P200 per person Bus or van from Agora Terminal to Balingoan Port: ~P120 per person Ferry from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port (Camiguin): P360 ISLAND fares/tours: Motorbike rental: P500-600 per day Habal-habal tour: P1000 per day (max of 2 people) Private car or multicab tour: P1800 above *You can book your tour via L&M Camiguin Tour Services

Budget depends on how many you are in a group. For a group of 4-5 people, a safe budget would be P4000 per person.

Where to book your Camiguin Tour

We recommend getting the tour service of Kuya Lehmann of L&M Camiguin Tour Services. Kuya Lehmann was our guide during our 2-day island tour. He’s very friendly and professional and he gave us tips on how to maximize our vacation in the island.

He also offers complete packages including accommodation, transportation, and entrance fees and boat fees. You may also include meals and snorkeling gears you can use for the duration of your stay. Rate depends on the number of pax, so it’s best to contact him directly.

Let him know that I (Katherine / Tara Lets Anywhere) referred you!

Contact: Kuya Lehmann (L&M Camiguin Tour Services): Facebook | 09156498840

Travel Tips

• It’s best to travel with a group to save costs. If you’re solo, you can share boat rentals with other joiners.
• Bring your own mask and snorkel so you can save money from rental fees.
• The best time to go here is during the summer months. During bad weather, boat tours may be cancelled.

Contact

For other inquiries, kindly refer to Camiguin Tourism Office.

Has this Camiguin Island travel guide and itinerary been helpful to you? If you have questions or suggestions, let us know in the comment section below!

What to read next:

Planning a trip to Camiguin? Here are our guides about Camiguin!

• Camiguin: Travel Guide and Itinerary
• Camiguin Tourist Spots + Things to Do
• Mantigue Island
• Giant Clam Sanctuary
• Best Resorts in Camiguin
• Where to Stay in Camiguin: Bintana sa Paraiso

Other related posts:

• CDO-Bukidnon-Iligan-Camiguin Itinerary