Camiguin: Travel Guide to the Philippines` Best Kept Secret

Who wouldn’t want to explore an island with sandbanks, coral reefs, waterfalls, hot springs, and volcanoes—all without the crowds? That’s exactly what I found in Camiguin, a hidden paradise in the Philippines.

Before visiting Camiguin, I had no idea what to expect. Even locals from the nearest islands barely knew anything about it. As a result, I had my doubts too, and almost didn`t visit it.

Therefore, in this travel guide, I gathered all the information I wish I had known & anything you might need before traveling to Camiguin: how to get there, where to stay, best activities, and more. If you are hesitant like I was, consider this your ultimate resource. Let’s start.

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Where to Stay – Camiguin Hotels

I’ll start with this section because the best hotels do get fully booked quickly. In the Philippines, in general, hotel booking tends to be more complicated compared to other Asian countries.

If you check accommodation options on Booking.com, you’ll notice that many places have quite bad reviews. On the other hand, properties with suspiciously too many great ratings should also be approached with caution.

So, after searching for many days, we found and decided to stay at Camiguin Lanzones Resort. It was the perfect hotel in every aspect. The resort has a clean, well-maintained pool, a spacious garden area with basketball and padel facilities, and spacious and spotless rooms in the main house.

Pro Tip: If you plan to stay there, I recommend booking a room in the main building. They also offer bungalows, but they looked a bit run-down compared to the main rooms.

In general, I recommend staying in the northeastern part of Camiguin Island. This area is close to most attractions, restaurants, and slightly farther from the semi-dormant volcanoes — just in case. 🙂

How to get to Camiguin

Camiguin is a small island North of Mindanao, and its beautiful mountains are visible from far away, also from Anda in Bohol. Getting there is possible both by air and boat.

If you are coming from Siquijor, you need to travel via Bohol. First, go to Tagbilaran Port, then continue to Jagna Port, where the ferries to Camiguin depart.

Reach Camiguin by Air

If you choose to fly, there are daily direct flights from Cebu City. The flight takes less than one hour, making it the easiest option if you are already in Cebu or nearby areas like Oslob.

Camiguin Airport is located on the northeast side of the island, around the central Mambajao area.

Reach Camiguin by Boat (From Bohol)

If you prefer to travel by boat, you can reach Camiguin from Jagna in Bohol. This is the route we used ourselves.

The ferry from Jagna to Camiguin takes around four hours. The sea is usually calm because the route is sheltered by nearby islands, which makes the crossing relatively comfortable.

It’s best to book your ferry ticket in advance. Locals recommended Barkota, and the process was straightforward. The ferry departs daily at 2:30 PM from Jagna Port, and you should arrive at least one hour before departure to allow enough time for check-in and port procedures.

From Panglao, you can either take a taxi or use public transportation to reach Jagna Port. We paid 2,800 PHP for a taxi to make sure we didn’t miss the ferry. On the way back, we took the public bus, which cost only a few hundred pesos and was comfortable. The bus stops directly next to the port, so it’s an easy option if you leave Panglao early.

Jagna Port is easy to navigate. You check in yourself and pay the usual harbor and environmental fees, which are common in the Philippines. The ferry departed on time, and the ride was smooth.

There are several eateries, a small market, and a McDonald’s near the port, so it’s easy to grab food before boarding.

This ferry is mainly used by locals and can fill up quickly. Once onboard, head to the upper deck to find seating and enjoy the views during the journey.

Arriving at Camiguin – Rent a Scooter

Once you arrive on Camiguin, you’ll likely be offered a ride to your hotel. However, the best way to explore the island is by scooter. Daily rental rates are around 300–400 PHP, and it gives you the freedom to visit attractions at your own pace.

Best Things to do on Camiguin

In the next part, I’ve gathered the best things to do on Camiguin. Because Camiguin is a volcanic island, it doesn’t have white-sand beaches. However, if you take a short boat trip to nearby Mantigue Island or White Island, you’ll reach some of the most beautiful beaches in the area within minutes.

Camiguin is also best seen from outside the island, where you can truly appreciate its volcanic mountains, lush jungles, and palm tree plantations.

If you have limited time on the island, it’s best to start strategically from the top of the list. I’ll begin with the absolute best things to do on this island in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines.

1. Visit Mantigue Island

Mantigue Island is the absolute highlight of Camiguin. If you do just one thing on the island, make it this. It was the most beautiful island we saw during our entire month in the Philippines.

To get there, head to Mantigue Port and pay for a boat ride to Mantigue Island. The round trip costs 750 pesos in total, and you can wait for other travelers to share the boat and split the cost. Snorkel sets are also available for rent at the port.

The boat ride takes less than 10 minutes and drops you off at a truly pristine place: crystal-clear water, white sand, and vibrant coral reefs right off the beach.

We snorkeled with loads of fish, saw healthy corals, and found stunning, unique shells along the sand. We walked around the island, and every single spot felt like a movie set.

The island also has plenty of trees, so it’s easy to stay in the shade. Good to know: most group tours visit the island in the morning. While the light is probably best earlier in the day, the island is much quieter and more relaxed in the afternoon. We went around 1:30 pm, and there were very few people—both on the beach and in the water.

Pro tip: You’re only allowed to stay on Mantigue Island for up to three hours. Go before 1 pm, as the island starts closing down around 4 pm, and the last boat from the mainland leaves at 3 pm.

2. Chill on White Island Sandbank

Visiting White Island comes second for me among the best things to do on Camiguin, mainly because there is no shade. We only stayed for about an hour due to the midday heat. That said, it’s probably at its most beautiful around midday, when the turquoise water looks the most dramatic.

To visit, go to the nearest point on the mainland called the White Island Ferry Terminal. It’s not an actual ferry—small local boats take you to the island for 550 pesos per boat.

You simply arrive, register your name, and you’ll be guided to a boat. To return to the mainland, just ask a local and show your ticket, and they’ll call your boat to pick you up, as boats generally don’t stay on the island.

To protect yourself from the heat, you can rent umbrellas on the island. If you have a drone, this is an incredible spot for aerial shots. Although we didn’t have snorkel gear, locals told us there is a coral reef, so snorkeling is also an option. Otherwise, just enjoy the beach—the color of the water was the most beautiful I’ve seen so far.

3. Cool Down at Katibawasan Waterfall

According to the locals, this is the best waterfall on Camiguin. It was also close to our accommodation (Lanzones Camiguin Resort), so we visited it by motorbike. This activity takes about an hour, but it’s absolutely worth it thanks to the beautiful jungle setting surrounding the waterfall.

We didn’t swim because the water felt quite cold, but we saw others swimming. There is a rope in place, so you’re not allowed to swim directly under the waterfall, which makes sense as rocks can fall from time to time. The entrance fee was 100 pesos.

Pro tip: On the way back, stop at this beautiful photo spot surrounded by palm trees.

Further Activities on Camiguin

In the previous section, I highlighted the very best things to do on Camiguin. However, there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied on this hidden gem island.

Watch a Cockfight on Camiguin

We found this place completely by chance—call it luck or bad luck. We were driving around the island when we suddenly heard loud shouting, as if a big event was happening nearby.

We saw around 100 scooters parked along the side of the road, so we stopped and followed the noise. We asked a local if we were allowed to go inside, and they said yes. There was no entrance fee. Soon after, we saw the roosters and ended up watching a few matches.

It was definitely a shocking experience for me, but at the same time interesting, as it’s part of Filipino culture. The cockfights (location of cockfights) take place on Sundays, starting around 1–2 pm and lasting for a couple of hours.

Visit the Giant Clams Beach

We visited this beach, and even though the giant clams sanctuary was closed due to no permits available, we found a beautiful local beach. Families, teenagers, and kids were having fun in the water. The sea was clear and inviting, and it looked like a great spot for snorkeling, although we didn’t have our snorkel gear with us.
(Location of Giant Clams Sanctuary)

Visit the Sunken Cemetery + Old Spanish Church

One of Camiguin’s most iconic sights is the Sunken Cemetery, marked by a large cross in the middle of the sea. The cemetery sank after a volcanic eruption centuries ago, and today it’s a spot for photos and reflection. It has corals so it`s good for snorkeling – and mandatory to take a guide with you.

Another historical highlight is the Old Spanish Church of Bonbon, also called the Bonbon Ruins. This 19th-century church was partially destroyed by a volcanic eruption, leaving only its stone walls standing.

Visit Hot, Cold, or Soda Water Springs

Camiguin is famous for its variety of springs. The island has a soda water spring, the Ardent hot spring heated by volcanic activity, and several cold springs worth visiting. The diversity of springs makes it a unique stop for anyone exploring the island.

Take Photos Surrounded by Palm Trees

On Camiguin, we finally found the perfect tropical photo spot—full of coconut palms, just as we imagined the Philippines. For anyone wanting the same shot, simply put the address into your map and enjoy the scenery.

Visit the Mangrove Forest at Katunggan Park

If you love mangroves, Katunggan Park is a great stop. It makes sense to visit this park together with a Mantigue Island trip, as it’s on the way and adds a quiet, nature-filled stop to your day.

Drive Around Camiguin with a Scooter

Driving around Camiguin on a scooter was incredible. The views are phenomenal, and there are few feelings more freeing than cruising a tropical island with the wind in your hair. Count on a couple of hours to make a full round.

Hike at Mt. Hiboc Hiboc

Hiboc-Hiboc volcano is a popular hiking spot for visitors from all over the country. We couldn’t hike it ourselves, as I felt sick and exhausted from continuous activities, but it’s highly recommended.

To hike Hiboc Hiboc, make sure you hire a local guide—restaurants, hotels, or coffee shops can point you to someone reliable.

Best Restaurants on Camiguin

Camiguin has many restaurant options, although we were somehow missing fruits and vegetables; it`s true for the entire Philippines.

On Camiguin, Italian pizza is surprisingly everywhere, thanks to the pandemic-era, when locals had time and learned the art of pizza-making from an Italian expat (great pizza places are La Mesa Pizza Station, and La Dolce Vita.

Although we are not vegetarians, the best food we found was Daos Plant-Based Kitchen. It was so great that we did not want to eat anywhere else after we found it.

As for coffee, we only found one spot with good coffee, it`s called the Hayahay Cafe. (And we kept looking for good coffee.) They also have great and healthy food options.

How Many Days to Spend on Camiguin

We stayed four days on Camiguin, though we had to leave earlier than planned due to Christmas and ferry shutdowns. I was also unwell, so we couldn’t do all the activities.

In general, if you can, spending a week on the island is ideal. This allows you to explore the beaches, springs, hikes, and local attractions at a relaxed pace. Shorter stays are still possible, but you may need to prioritize the highlights.

Is Visiting Camiguin Worth It?

Yes. Camiguin is very worth visiting. There is a unique charm to small islands, and the combination of beaches, springs, and volcanoes makes it special. Even if you’re visiting other islands in the Philippines, Camiguin has a distinct atmosphere that sets it apart.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Camiguin

Camiguin may be small, but it offers a unique mix of beaches, springs, hikes, and local culture that makes it well worth a visit. Whether you’re exploring the island by scooter, relaxing at the hot springs, or snorkeling at quiet beaches, there’s plenty to see and do.

Plan at least three to six days to fully enjoy the highlights, and don’t forget to bring cash for local eateries and small fees at attractions. Camiguin is perfect for travelers looking for a laid-back, authentic Philippine island experience.