Camiguin Island - From Volcanoes to Hot Springs, from Beaches to Waterfalls..

Camiguin is a small island (238 km in diameter) off the coast of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao and home to hot and cold springs, a number of dormant volcanoes, waterfalls and white sand beaches. Truly another island to explore!

Reaching the Island
From Cagayan de Oro City, we took a van bound for Balingoan which is about one and a half hour travel. Buses going to Butuan City and Gingoog City are also alternatives as they usually drop off passengers in the wharf. Ferries from Balingoan regularly sail off to Camiguin island in 1-hour intervals to either ports of Benoni or Guinsiliban. If you are heading to Mambajao, the capital of Camiguin, Benoni is closer -- but it doesn't make much difference though -- the island is small, and public transportation is available as soon as you got off the ferry. So we ended up travelling on a barge headed for Benoni. From Benoni, we took another van heading to the capital town of Mambajao which usually cost Php30.00.

The Accommodation
We wanted to book for a resort near the White Island so we ended up in Agohay Beach Resort. Too bad mosquitoes are everywhere! these bloody creatures could seem to feast on us the whole night, so we decided to transfer to a more comfortable Paras Beach Resort in Yumbing -- a few kilometers away from Agohay. We got a room fronting the pool and just had a wonderful late night and early morning swim. There were only a few guests so we enjoyed the whole resort to ourselves -- dined at the restaurant and enjoyed a game or two of billiards.

The Island's 'Must-Sees'
After a lazy morning at the resort, we went out to explore the island's must-sees and paid for a motorcyle to bring us to Ardent Hot Spring a few kilometers away from Mambajao. The resort was not quite developed but the waters are just sooo good to the senses. The pools are divided into two -- the bigger one was like the 'lukewarm' pool and the smaller pool is a few degrees hotter. At first, i thought I could not stand its temperature but dipping into the water gradually, i eventually had a good hot swim.

After a few hours in Ardent, we again hit the road for the next destination - the Sunken Cemetery and the famous walkway. So we took lots of pictures, drop by to check on some cool souvenirs along the highway and went ahead. We did not bother going far up to the walkway coz it would be a tedious steep kilometer walk throughout. So we went ahead, stopped at an old church ruin and proceeded to Sto. Niño cold spring -- the total opposite of Ardent's hot waters. The pool was quite creepy for me. The pool was fairly big but the bottom of the pool is all pitch black. Crazy things run into my mind -- there might be some hideous creatures below - or i might disappear anytime on these dark waters.

We strolled a bit in Mambajao - not too many to see anyway, just went to the bay plaza and again back on the road for Benoni. We left early for Benoni to drop by at J&A fishpen, a few distance away from the wharf and had a sumptuos meal of freshly harvested clams and squid. The restaurant was just amazing, you can feed the fishes in the fishpen and you can actually see the staff harvesting clams ordered at the restaurant. You can also dine at one of the nipa hut connected by the boardwalk from the main restaurant site. I have to mention though that the waters nearby the fishpen is a man-made lagoon and the sight was just wonderful without the waves.

Dolphin Show
At midnoon, we finally catch the ferry bound for Balingoan. It was one amazing ride! At a certain point, 4 young dolphins just popped out of the waters and made their own show! such an amazing sight! I was even worried when it seems all the passengers are flocking to the other side of the ferry to watch the dolphins which lasted for 2 to 3 minutes.

So we finally docked and head back towards Cagayan de Oro City and looking forward to another getaway.