Of all the tourist spots in the Philippines, Camiguin is definitely one of the most underrated. With its stunning landscapes and multitude of activities to do, Camiguin is definitely a destination not to be missed. If you’re looking for an adventure, then this is the place for you!
From its white sand beaches to its volcanoes, Camiguin has something for everyone. So if you’re looking for an escape, be sure to put Camiguin on your list!
White Island
White island is one of the most popular tourist spots in Camiguin. As its name suggests, the island is covered in white sand which makes for a stunning contrast against the blue waters. The best part about White Island is that it’s completely uninhabited. From here, you can see Mt Hibok Hibok and Old Vulcan in all their glory.
If you’re looking to relax, this is the perfect spot for you. There are no buildings or people, so you can truly feel at peace. The only things on the island are the sand, the sea, and the sky. But this means that it can get hot during the day, so make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen!
To get to White Island, you can take a boat from Mambajao. The ride takes about 10 minutes.
Guiob Church Ruins
The Guiob Church Ruins are one of the most popular tourist spots in Camiguin. The church was built during the Spanish Era but was destroyed when Mt. Vulcan erupted in 1871. Today, all that remains are the ruins of the church’s upper walls. The church is twice as big as it is today. The ruins are a beautiful sight and definitely worth a visit.
It’s surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees all around. There’s even a century-old tree beside the church. You’ll also see the ruins of a bell tower and a convent beside the church.
Sunken Cemetery
The Sunken Cemetery is a cemetery that was sunken when Mt. Vulcan erupted in 1871. It’s a haunting yet beautiful sight. A big cross marks the spot where the cemetery used to be. You can rent a boat and a guide to take you to the cross. If you’re up for it, you can snorkel around the area.
Ryk was interested in snorkeling around the area but the thought of it didn’t sit quite well with me. The history behind it just felt too eerie. Snorkeling above gravestones just didn’t feel right.
Mantigue Island Nature Park
This is our favorite tourist spot during our week-long trip. Mantigue Island is a small island off the coast of Camiguin. It’s a nature lover’s paradise. Unlike White Island, this island is covered in lush vegetation.
From the white sand to the turquoise waters, the island is absolutely stunning. You can rent a table by the beach and enjoy the view of Camiguin’s mountains. We highly recommend you snorkel around the island. There’s an abundance of marine life and the corals are beautiful. We even saw two sea turtles!
Mt Hibok-Hibok
A lot of hikers and nature lovers come to Camiguin to climb Mt Hibok-Hibok. It’s an active volcano with an elevation of 1,332 meters. The last time it erupted was in 1953.
The hike to the summit is quite challenging but the view is definitely worth it. The hike will take you about 6 to 9 hours. From the summit, you’ll be able to see a panoramic view of the ocean. Sounds exciting?
Katibawasan Falls
Katibawasan Falls is a popular spot for both locals and tourists. . The falls are about 70 meters high and has a plunge pool where you can swim. The water is crystal clear and refreshing. The waterfall is surrounded by lush greenery. There are several cottages where you can take a break and enjoy the view.
We arrived in the afternoon and there weren’t a lot of people around. The falls looked majestic.
Tuasan Falls
Tuasan Falls is another one of Camiguin’s beautiful waterfalls. It’s about 20 meters high and has a small pool at the bottom. It’s a great spot to take a dip and cool off after a long day of exploring Camiguin. There are also several cottages where you can relax.
There’s a signage near the waterfall that says “beware of falling rocks”. There’s a rope that marks where it’s safe to swim so make sure you don’t go past that.
Binangawan Falls
Binangawan Falls is the shortest waterfall in Camiguin. It’s only about 15 meters high but it’s still a beautiful sight. The water is crystal clear and refreshing. Its name comes from the Bisayan word “Bangaw” which means “rainbow” since rainbows form at the base of the waterfall when the sun hits the water.
You’ll need to hike to reach the waterfall so pack some hiking shoes if you plan on visiting.
Taguines Lagoon
Taguines Lagoon is a beautiful man-made lagoon surrounded by mountains. You can find here J&A Fishpen and Restaurant where you can enjoy a meal with a view. It’s a great spot to eat lunch in after a trip to Mantigue island.
We went there on a high tide and the water came up to our knees. From the cottage, we saw several fishes swimming around the restaurant.
We ordered several dishes and especially loved the “panga”. It was pricier than the rest but it was delicious!
The Walkway in Mount Vulcan
The Walkway in Mount Vulcan is a pilgrimage site for religious Catholics on Lenten season. There are 14 stations of the cross on the way up. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists. The views along the way are absolutely stunning. You get a view of the western side of Camiguin.
Giant Clams Ocean Nursery
The Giant Clams Ocean Nursery is a great spot for snorkeling. It’s located in Mambajao. You can find here several giant clams. Unfortunately, they are closed as of July 2022. For the past two years, they have been closed due to political intervention. Stay updated, check here from time to time to see if it’s open.
Springs
As an island filled with volcanoes, Camiguin has several springs that are open to the public. However, when we visited, each place only looked like any other resort which was a bit disappointing. If you don’t plan on swimming, you can skip these.
Bura Soda Water Park
Bura Soda Water Park is a man-made pool with natural spring water. The water is crystal clear and refreshing. It’s well-known for its soda taste.
There’s an area where you can drink soda water. It tasted a little bit like carbonated water but not that strong. We had to try it twice to get the tingling sensation you get when drinking soda.
Other than satisfying your curiosity, the place isn’t worth visiting if you don’t plan on swimming.
Ardent Hot Springs
We didn’t visit Ardent Hot Springs. Unfortunately, according to locals, the water isn’t hot anymore. Apparently, it’s either temporarily or permanently closed.
Sto. Nino Cold Spring
Aside from the cool water, there’s nothing much to see here. It’s just a pool with cold water.
Macao Spring
Unlike the other famous springs on the island, Macao spring is free and open to the public. The spring water is blue and surrounded by lush greenery. It’s a hidden gem that not a lot of tourists know about.
Burias Shoal
Burias Shoal is a small island off the coast of Camiguin. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists as a diving spot.
Tongatok Viewdeck
The Tongatok Viewdeck is a great spot to see the ocean and the mountain. Stop by on your way to the Sunken Cemetery.
Katunggan Park
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a lot when we were traveling to Katunggan Park so I was surprised when we toured around the place. The park looked pretty cool. You can rent a shed for 3 hours and swim in the waters.
There were a lot of families having a blast in each of the sheds we passed. It’s like renting your own treehouse but with the sea water below. There are also a few benches around so you can stop for a few minutes and take in the forest. As someone who loves trees, the place looked like paradise to me. Definitely a must-visit!
