Camiguin. An island province in the north of Mindanao that is “born of fire,” or created because of volcanic activities some eons of years ago.
Here’s our short Camiguin travel guide for those planning to explore this island:
1. Describe Camiguin.
Enzo: Camiguin is such a wonderful place. To me, it’s magical, it’s enchanting. Camiguin offers peaceful surroundings.
James: Camiguin is paradise. A small province that can offer almost everything to the keen traveler. A perfect solo getaway, a honeymoon destination, a barkada trip or a family vacation. It has lush mountains, cold, hot and soda springs, white-sand beaches, world-class dive sites, sumptuous food and of course warm locals.
2. What do you like most about Camiguin?
Enzo: The most I like about Camiguin is the province itself. It’s like a haven of peaceful people.
James: I like that its too small a province that you can travel it for a day if you are in a hurry or enjoy it if you free for 2 weeks and still don’t run out of something to do.
3. Is there anything the local government can do (or stop doing) in order to make the place more tourist friendly.
Enzo: I think Camiguin is underrated. Camiguin is a beautiful place that everyone should be discovering. It doesn’t have to be commercialized but a little push to promote Camiguin will be good enough so people will know the beauty of the island.
James: Please don’t allow Jollibee or McDo or Starbucks to be there, please, pretty please. Limit the visitors and encourage localism in the area.
4. Don’t go home without seeing/visiting/experiencing ________________.
Enzo: Sunken Cemetery, White Island and the Old Church Ruins.
James: Snorkeling at Sunken Cemetery- its a marine sanctuary and Nemos are easy to find. Snorkeling at Mantigue Island- we spotted a resident hawksbill sea turtle. Beach-bumming at White Island- its picturesque sandbar of all!

Sunken Cemetery at sunset
5. Don’t go home without trying/eating _______________.
Enzo: Pastel, the delicacy bun filled with sweet fillings.
James: Plus one of the pastel. Also, you can try the street foods near the Mambajao Public Market- what I love about street foods are its cheapo, fresh and yummy. Their are also kiping topped with latik before you enter Katibawasan Falls.
6. Traveler’s Tips.
Enzo: Expect a solemn place and almost quiet island. Make friends with the locals.
James:
The cheapest tour would be do-it-yourself. Ride the habal-habal or the local tricycle or the multi-cab when going around.
You can arrange going to Mantigue island and White Island on the day of your tour itself. If you have only a day for this, go to Mantigue first and then to White Island.
If you have an extra day, climb Mt. Hibok-Hibok.
Bring Pastel for pasalubong.
7. Recommendation Hotel, Inn?
Enzo: I recommend Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin for its scenic view of theocean front. BBC also have great villa-like guest rooms and wonderful amenities.
James: If you want to splurge, go to Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (www.bahaybakasyunan.com), If you are on a budget (and artsy too), try Enigmata Tree House (www.camiguinecolodge.org).
How to get to Camiguin?
By ferry: Via Balingoan or CDO or Bohol, please check Getting to Camiguin here.
By plane: The easiest way is to book a flight from Cebu via Cebu Pacific Air.
Cebu Pacific flies every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, for as low as P588, to Camiguin from Cebu. For bookings and inquiries, go to www.cebupacificair.com or call (02)7020-888. The latest seat sales and promos can be found on Cebu Pacific Air’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages (/cebupacificair).
For more information and stories about Camiguin, please do check my past articles:
- Swimming with Turtle at Mantigue Island
- Camiguin Quickie
- Cheap Accommodations in Camiguin Island
- In Transit: CDO to Camiguin
- Camiguin’s Sunken Cemetery: From Top to Bottom
- The Cheapest Camiguin Island Tour (+Hitchhiking)
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Thanks to Enzo for helping me out in this feature. Do visit Enzo’ blog at: Juan Traveler, connect with him on Facebook: /daJUANtraveler and follow him on Twitter: @daJUANtraveler.
If you want to join the Travel Bloggers Collab, please do email me at journeyingjames(AT)gmail(DOT)com together with the place you want to talk about. I want to learn from you and see from your perspective.

I want to go back here and concentrate more on exploring Camiguin. Squeezing Camiguin-Bukidnon-CDO in 3D2N trip is not advisable.
I really enjoyed the waterfalls and spring hopping.
Nevertheless, I need to explore the other side of the island and play more in the White Island.
May pwede bang connecting travel jan maam, para sabay sabay na pupuntahan ang mga karatig lugar, sana
yes geannie, camiguin deserves a 3-day exploration.
The best wasy to roam around is through a habal habal or motorcycle. Camiguin Ride
Sinusubaybayan ko talaga ang blog na to, Hope makasama ko si Journeying james sa mga lakad nya
just keep posted po. you can also check the sidebar of my blog for my scheduled trips. thanks for the support to journeyingjames.com
What a Great Post !!
Its my plan na pumunta jan
The island of Camiguin is one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines. The advantage of Camiguin versus other local tourist destinations lies in the “completeness” of its natural environment and the high diversity of the ecosystem.
Thank you James for the Review bout that Place!!
Great Help
pleasure is mine po! hope you can visit the soonest
Awesome James, havent visited your site ina while, super dami kong namimiss sa mga posts mo!
havent been to camiguin in aaaages. and even wasnt able to go to white island because it was too windy that day. glad that cebupac has flights from Cebu now although i still wouldnt mind doing the long route via CDO land trip
heya eileen! did you missed a lot? haha
wazzup wazzup?
tip to the honeymooners or couples…ardent hot spring is best enjoyed during the night when there are less people (esp. on weekdays). this is what we did when my husband and i went there. and we had a great time.
to hike up to mt. hibok-hibok you can contact ronald rabile to guide you (take yumbing-ardent traverse) 09106593349; 09059783183. he can also help you with itineraries and accommodation. he also rents out his single motorcycle if you are up to exploring the island by yourselves.
have a great time in camiguin. i bet you, it wont disappoint you. and you will keep on coming back.
oh last but not the least, come during the month of october for the lanzones festival. they got the sweetest variety in the whole of mindanao!
I’m visiting Camiguin and Bukidnon this August. I’m so excited! Thank you for the helpful tips here.
glad it helped!
enjoy camiguin and bukidnon 🙂
I haven’t been here. Your write up makes me wanna go there. Thank you for sharing this. This photos by the way! 🙂
Planning to go here too. great posting mr. james
naku naalala ko ung hoorrr movie dito, may nakalibing sa ilalim ng dagat. Ouija ata un.. ahh.. sa camiguin pala nila shinoot un kung ganun pero ang freaky naman yan sa ilalim ng dagat waaahhh until now may linilbing pa din dun?