Jay Ledesma
I have been here twice, and each time I can’t help but fall in love with this beautiful Island of Camiguin.
Never mind that this is the smallest island in Mindanao and the second smallest province in the Philippines, Camiguin is considered one of the favorite tourist destinations in the Country.
Whether traveling from Cagayan de Oro or from Butuan (have tried both), our jump off point to Camiguin is the Balingoan port. Ferry ride from Balingoan to Benoni Port in Camiguin is about 2 hours.
Upon arriving the Benoni Port, you can already feel the peaceful and laid back island vibe Camiguin offers to its guests. You will immediately notice the lush vegetation in and around the Island. It’s interior forest reserves called Mount Hibok-Hibok Protected Landscape has been declared as an ASEAN Heritage Park.
You’ll be fascinated to know that Camiguin is said to be created by volcanic eruptions and land movements, the reason why it is dubbed as the “Island Born of Fire”. It is home to seven volcanoes which continue to reshape the Island’s landscape. One of the seven volcanoes is the Mount Hibok-Hibok, considered to be an active one.
We stayed at Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin which is considered the best resort on the island. The resort has a charming nature-inspired interiors and nipa hut style villas completing the Island feel. It has its own swimming pool and girl stations for guests who would just like to stay in the resort.
But not for us. After some freshening up, we hurriedly left the resort and started our Island tour.
Our first stop is the Island’s most famous spot, the Sunken Cemetery. It is a graveyard under the sea marked by a huge cross.
This iconic landmark was formed when one of the 7 volcanoes, Mt. Vulcan erupted causing the cemetery along with the capital city of Catarman to sink below sea level.
From the main coastal road, you can see the big white cross which serves as a commemorative marker for those who lost their lives. Tourists can take a short boat ride should they wish to step onto the platform and cross itself.
We didn’t try it but we saw some tourists went snorkeling and scuba diving to see the cemetery underwater. According to our guide, these scuba divers can still see tombstones encrusted by corals beneath the cross platform.
We then proceeded to another historical site, the Old Church Ruins which was also destroyed during the Mr Vulcan eruption. From afar, it looks like an ordinary ancient wall covered with moss and and standing behind tall trees.
Although the church has lost its roof, you can still see it’s sturdy walls and columns. The walls will give the guests an idea of how massive the church was. Once inside, we were greeted by a newer small chapel, where locals go to pray and hear mass. Opposite the Church ruins was what used to be the Convent. This too was destroyed by the catastrophic eruption and earthquake, with only the walls left as a reminder.
My favorite part of Camiguin is the White Island. The White Island is a scenic white sandbar with powdery fine sand. It is uninhabited and has no trees or any structure of any kind on it.
Though the Island often looks like the letter C or a boomerang, it’s shape varies according to the tide. Accordingly, it can even disappear or get lost in the sea during high tides.
But during low tide, when it is in its full glory, the White Island is a beautiful dump of fine sand with Mt. Hibok-hibok and Mt. Vulcan as the backdrop.
We cannot stop marveling at this beautiful site.
While we were there, we noticed that while the waves on one side of the Island were pretty strong, the waves on the other side were calm and gentle. It’s as if we’re in two different places!
We definitely enjoyed swimming, snorkeling and wading on the beach that we did not even notice that our 3-hour Island tour is over.
Small boats can be hired to get here. The best time to enjoy the beach here is in the morning and leave before noon. Since there are no trees or any shelter, it can get very hot at noon and early afternoon. Make sure to bring your hat, sunblock, sun glasses and wrap for that needed protection against UV exposure.
As a volcanic island, there are numerous hot and cold volcanic springs that can be found on the Island. To complete our Camiguin experience, we tried one of the most popular… the Ardent Hot Springs. We, especially my husband, enjoyed the fresh and hot sulfuric waters heated by Hibok-Hibok Volcano ranging from 33°C to 40°C. The water comes right out of the forest and is mixed with colder water into the different pools. It’s relaxing and therapeutic. A must try in the Island!
We were able to enjoy and maximize our 2-night stay on the Island. It may not offer the vibrant nightlife and party scenes found in other Island destinations but guests will definitely appreciate the unspoiled sights, peaceful ambience and local hospitality.
Once this pandemic is over, Camiguin is surely in our list of destinations to revisit! (Jay Ledesma)