Travel in Camiguin
Camiguin is a small but beautiful island located just north of Mindanao in the Philippines. Known as the “Island born of fire” due to its volcanic landscapes, it offers a mix of natural beauty, history, and adventure.
We first stumbled upon Camiguin while browsing a map, noticing this tiny island just north of Mindanao. Initially, it seemed like a place worth visiting for a few nights. But the more we looked at it, the more we uncovered: crystal-clear waters, epic snorkeling, and waterfalls abound.
How to Get to Camiguin
Camiguin has its own airport, with two daily flights from Cebu City. We flew to Camiguin from Siargao, connecting through Cebu, and had no issues getting there. It’s a convenient option if you’re flying in from nearby islands.
There are two ferries that travel to Camiguin: one from Bohol and one from Mindanao.
The ferry from Bohol leaves from Jagna and arrives at Balbagon port in Camiguin. The ferry from Mindanao departs from Balingoan Port and arrives at Benoni Port in Camiguin.
No matter how you plan to get to Camiguin, you’ll need to register online at islevisitcamiguin.com beforehand to get a QR code. This is a leftover from COVID-era tracking, but the local government now uses it to monitor tourism statistics. If you forget to do this before arriving, you’ll have to register once you arrive in Camiguin.
Best Time to Visit Camiguin
The best time to visit Camiguin is during the island’s dry season, which usually lasts from February to May. If you want to enjoy all the beaches, island-hopping, and waterfalls that the island has to offer, this is the ideal time to go.
The rest of the year doesn’t see much more rain than the dry season, so it would be fine to visit any time of year, as long as you’re flexible. We visited Camiguin in June and only experienced a few passing showers, which didn’t stop us from going sightseeing.
Where to Stay in Camiguin
Most accommodations in Camiguin are located on the north side of the island near Mambajao. This is convenient because Mambajao is the biggest town in Camiguin and has the island's only airport, making getting to and from Camiguin much easier.
Here's where we would stay if we visited Camiguin again. It's a place called Nypa Style Resort. We actually found this place because we had dinner at their restaurant one night, and their staff was kind enough to give us a tour of some of their vacant rooms. This place is set near Mambajao with beautifully kept grounds and immaculately clean rooms.
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Camiguin.
How to Get Around Camiguin
The best way to get around Camiguin is by motorbike. It gives you the most freedom to explore the island at your own pace, and since Camiguin isn’t that big, you can easily reach almost any destination. We rented a motorbike in Mambajao for 350 pesos per day for our adventures around the island.
Another option is to use local transportation like jeepneys, tricycles, or tuk-tuks. However, you'll be limited by their schedules, and since Camiguin is quite rural, there aren't many of them driving around.
What to Pack for Camiguin
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Camiguin.
- Crocs: During our time in Camiguin, I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when exploring rocky terrain and chasing waterfalls. They are the ultimate shoe in the Philippines for a reason – many Filipinos wear them too!
- Snorkel: With all the amazing snorkeling spots in Camiguin, it helps to have your own snorkel set like this one if you plan to do some underwater activities! Plus, you won't need to worry about renting a snorkel, which may be of... questionable quality.
- Sunscreen: For some reason, sunscreen is expensive in the Philippines and I've even encountered places selling fake sunscreen that doesn't work! So I recommend bringing your own sunscreen to Camiguin.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Camiguin! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Camiguin Google Maps Locations
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