Adventure Island

The island of Camiguin is a small package filled with diverse attractions for the adventurous

By Dorothee Haar

The name Camiguin might as well have originated from "come again." The inhabitants of this small, pear-shaped island in Mindanao say that a person who has been there once will definitely come again. With a population that is very welcoming and always smiling, it is difficult not to understand why one wouldn't want to go back. And that's just the people -- the sites to see are just as great.

The name Camiguin comes from a tree from the family of ebony, the kamagong, which was used by the Manobos -- the first inhabitants of the island. It is located in the Bohol Sea and is approximately 90 kilometers north of Cagayan de Oro City's airport. Small as the island may seem -- it has 56 kilometers of road -- Camiguin merits that you spend a few days.

The island is known for many other things. For one, it is called the Island of Seven Volcanoes. The three best known are Tempoong, Mambajai, and Hibok-Hibok.

Camiguin is also famous for bearing the sweetest lanzones in the Philippines. The two-day Lanzones Festival happens every third week of October, with inhabitants and visitors enjoying without end this absolutely delicious fruit.

Most of the inhabitants have Chinese origins or come from the Visayas. With a population of 70,000 people, most of them earn their livelihood by farming and fishing.

The diversity and the wealth of the fauna and flora make Camiguin a destination favorable to ecotourism. With its mountains, rain forests, rivers, beaches, and hot and cold water springs, the adventurous traveler gets to have a vast choice of things to do in Camiguin without sacrificing the solace of its peaceful atmosphere.

Camiguin Waters

There is a lot of water on the island -- rivers, waterfalls, and springs. The five most important rivers are Dinangasan, Mahinog, Buguak, Sagay, and Bugon.

Waters coming from the Hibok-Hibok Volcano are those that people enjoy bathing in at the Ardent Hot Springs, located six kilometers from Mambajao. Since the water temperature is around 40 to 60 degrees Celsius, people are advised to take their plunge early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the heat will not be too intense for for the skin.

Santo Ni-o Cold Spring, on the other hand, is located four kilometers north of Catarman. This spring is 40 meters long. For P10 per person, visitors can enjoy bathing and picnicking.

Just as inviting are several waterfalls in this small but extraordinary island. Katibawasan Waterfalls, located southeast of Mambajao, is a very nice place with waters falling 60 meters into a pool surrounded by rich vegetation of orchids, forests, and plants. Ten pesos is a very cheap price to pay for this favorite place for picnics during the summer because of the very refreshing water. On the other hand, Tuwasan Waterfalls gives a strong contrast to that of Katibawasan, with a very powerful downpour of water.

Then there are waters for the beach lovers. Kabila Beach is the only beach in Camiguin that is not volcanic and is known for its white sand.
White Island is a deserted island surrounded by water during high tide. The clear water in the area is very inviting and is good for snorkeling. People interested in visiting the area (you can go there via banca for P500, roundtrip fare) are advised to go either early in the morning or late in the afternoon since there is absolutely no place to hide from the sun when it is at its hottest.

Mantigue Island -- also called Magsaysay -- is yet another nice place to plunge in. Located at the east coast off Camiguin, there are only 17 families of fishermen living there. It is also endowed with white sand -- even whiter than that of White Island's. It's a great place for snorkelling and diving.

Ruins and Volcanoes

Mt. Hibok-Hibok is the only active volcano in the island. Its last eruption was in 1951, killing 500 people and destroying the entire city. Today, an observatory of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology stands 400 meters on the side of the mountain, which tourists can visit to get information concerning volcanoes and other related geological activities. It is best to get a guide for hikers who are interested to climb the 1,300-meter-high volcano. It's a grueling six-hour hike, a challenge even to experienced hikers, but the nice view on top is worth the effort.

The Way of the Cross from the Daan Mont is a place where anybody can walk. There are 13 stations and each of them is charming. The last one is made of volcanic rock.

Yet another attraction in Camiguin is the Sunken Cemetery, which one can see from the surface during low tide. It sank due to an earthquake in 1871. Now, only the top of the church with its big white cross can be seen.

Then there is the Prehistoric Magting Cave, said to be a million years old. Don't forget to tag along a guide with a good lamp in touring this area because it's difficult to find your way through. Archaeologists are said to have found primitive tools and skeletons in this cave.

Luscious Cuisine

Most of the resorts in the island have restaurants, with numerous specialties such as kinilaw, beef caldereta, and ginataang manok.
Sagittarius, a small restaurant with only four tables, offers Filipino food at a very affordable price. It is open only in the evenings.

For P50 -- P150, you can enjoy a meal from CafŽ Marlyn between 7am and 7pm. It serves very good coffee, which comes from Bukidnon. The owner, Arlyn, worked as a guide in the caves for a long time.

And since nightlife in Camiguin is not intense, you might actually enjoy a subdued moment at the Paradiso where there is music every night. A meal costs between P100 -- P200 per person.

A packed island indeed, it's hard not to consider Camiguin as your next adventure destination.

About the author

Dorothee Haar is a French travel writer who spent the last several months in the Philippines partially on assignment for Le Club French Chamber of Commerce and the Makati Business Club (publisher of Philippine Business).

Her last project with Philippine Business was the special supplement on French business in the Philippines.