Article mis à jour le 19 Mar 2024

What can you do in Camiguin, the unspoilt jewel of the Philippines ?

Camiguin is an island that is still little known to tourists, but it is a nugget of the Philippines, very different from the other islands you see on social networks. It has the most volcanoes per square kilometre in the world, with over 7 volcanoes and 25 craters. So let’s take a look at what you can do in Camiguin !

How do I get to Camiguin ?

• By plane : There are direct flights from Cebu, but plan your flight in advance as there is only one a day from Cebu and the planes are very small.
• By ferry : there is a ferry between Bohol and Camiguin that takes 4 hours, or from Cagayan de Oro.

I recommend that you spend between 3 and 5 days of your trip in Camiguin. In fact, everything can be done in just 3 days (the island can be circumnavigated in 1 hour 30 minutes by scooter). But if you’re able to stay longer, don’t hesitate, because you’ll really fall in love !

What to do on Camiguin Island ?

White Island

This is my favourite part of the island : a stretch of white sand in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by crystal-clear waters. I paid 550 pesos for the return boat trip + 50 pesos (€0.80) per person entrance fee. Like me, I recommend that you hire a small parasol on site, as there’s nothing to shelter under and the sun can quickly become oppressive. I paid 100 pesos (€1.70) for my parasol.

It’s the most important thing to see on Camiguin Island so don’t be surprised if you’re not the only one! After that, crowds at Camiguin are 10-20 people maximum. I was there around 12 noon and there was hardly anyone there. You can stay as long as you like, but make sure you bring some water as there’s absolutely nothing on the sandbar.

The waterfalls of Camiguin

There are many waterfalls on the island, all easily reached by scooter. There is often an entrance fee of around 50 pesos (€0.80) per person.

• Katibawasan waterfall : this is a very impressive 70m high waterfall, the largest in Camiguin. I went there at around 9am and I was alone. It will always be engraved in my memory, as it was here that I had my first drone crash in 7 years of experience.
• Tuasan waterfall : this is in the middle of the island. The road is good, but steep, so bring a fairly powerful scooter. You can easily swim at the foot of the waterfall.

Ardent Hot Spring

This is a Camiguin must if you want to swim in the natural pools. Admission costs 30 pesos (€0.60) and you can hire chairs and a table for a picnic. The thermal water is very clear and as hot as a jacuzzi, divided into 4 natural pools. I recommend going during the week to avoid the crowds.

St. Nino Cold Spring

South of Camiguin, you’ll find these incredibly beautiful natural pools. The surroundings are truly magnificent and the water is very clean. Don’t worry, the water isn’t that cold (around 24 degrees) so you can have a swim. This is a favourite spot for Filipino families at weekends. It costs 75 pesos per person (€1.20).

Mantigue Island

Located just east of Camiguin, Mantigue Island is perfect for a day’s snorkelling or diving. If you’re wondering what to do in Camiguin, this is a place not to be missed ! You can get there easily by boat and the crossing takes around 15-20 minutes. Entry to the island costs 30 pesos per person (€0.50).

I went there to dive, as the waters are beautiful and it’s the best place to see turtles. I paid 4,500 pesos (€75) as a beginner, but if you’re certified you’ll only pay 3,500. I went via Camiguin Souldivers, as the dive site is opposite Mantigue. There are two dives included (or just one if you’re a beginner) and small snacks, water and coffee during the break on the beach. I was lucky enough to see lots of turtles, some of which were almost 2 metres long !

Sunken Cementery

South of Camiguin, there is an ancient cemetery buried by a volcanic eruption. You can snorkel between the ancient tombstones, now covered in coral and giant clams. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to do so, as the weather was bad that day. But apparently the marine life there is incredible.

Katunggan Park

A must for nature lovers. There are numerous wooden pontoons and little huts where you can rest or have lunch. The locals gather here for aperitifs with friends and family. Don’t be surprised if they invite you to join them for a drink. They really are adorable on this island !

Where to eat/drink in Camiguin ?

I didn’t find many good restaurants, but here are the best 4 in my opinion :

• Daos Plant-Based Kitchen : the best restaurant on the island! I’m not vegan, but I was blown away by the quality of the dishes, which were all delicious. Special mention goes to the burger, which is truly incredible.
• Luna Restaurant : it doesn’t look like much, but the food is excellent and hearty, especially the spaghetti carbonara.
• Tambayan Sa Kanto Tuna Restaurant : specialises in tuna. I tried the grilled tuna fillet (tuna belly) which cost just 500 pesos (€8) for 2-3 people, as well as the local dish pansit (fried noodles).
• Dolce Vita : If you’re looking for a good pizza, this is the place to go, even if the prices are a bit higher than in traditional restaurants.

Be warned, the dishes are often slow to serve and on several occasions I had to wait 30-40 minutes for my meal, so leave some room for manoeuvre if you have a busy schedule.

Where to stay in Camiguin ?

I had the opportunity to try out 3 accommodation options during my trip to Camiguin.

• For accommodation with a private pool and sea view, you can book at the Bintana Sa Paraiso. It’s a great place to stay, with an incredible view of the sea and a good position for watching the sunset. But there’s no breakfast and in the rain I could feel the humidity. I paid €70 a night.
• On the side of the volcano, the Bintana sa Paraiso Binunsaran offers a haven of peace, a lovely pool and an unobstructed view. But like the first one, there’s no breakfast and a lot of humidity if the weather isn’t good. Expect to pay around €40/50 a night.
• Finally, Camiguin has a real resort on the east side of the island : the New Resort. It’s aptly named, as it’s modern. Here you’ll have nice rooms, pressure under the shower, good insulation, a large pool by the sea, a gym and a good restaurant. I find the price of €95 very reasonable for its standing.

I hope this article will help you find out what to do in Camiguin during your trip. Enjoy your stay ❤️. If you like Asia, take a look at our other travel guides on the Philippines or my 10-day itinerary in Laos !

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Amoureux du Monde - Aurélie

Je suis Aurélie, co-créatrice du blog et de l’Instagram Amoureux du Monde. Depuis 2016, j’ai eu la chance de visiter de nombreuses destinations et de me former à la photographie via ces expériences. Ce que je recherche en voyage, c’est l’apaisement devant un magnifique paysage, l’émerveillement devant la beauté de la nature et l’émotion devant un coucher de soleil.