Although Camiguin island is more of a tourist destination than a hiking ground, most mountaineers visits the place after climbing the Cagayan de Oro vicinity mountains like Kitanglad or use it as a part of a Mt. Hibok-Hibok exploration. This is one of the best places here in the Philippines and it has a lot to offer, from hiking, climbing, snorkeling, diving, beach combing and biking. You can explore the island through short hikes from specific portions of the island but if you have the time, you can actually hike the entire island itself. The island province of Camiguin has more volcanoes than municipalities -- that is 7 vs. 5. It has the distinction of having the most number of volcanoes per square kilometer than any island on earth, though only one is active. Camiguin's volcanic origin is responsible for the exciting landscape: hot springs, breath taking water falls, lush forests, rugged terrain, intriguing caves and exotic black beaches. The 7 volcanoes are namely: Mt. Vulcan Daan, Mt. Hibok-Hibok, Mt. Guinsiliban (Tres Marias), Mt. Mambajao, Mt. Timpoong, Mt. Karling and Mt. Ulay.

LEGENDS

    Legends tells the origin of the island through a story of two lovers. A king who has a beautiful daughter ruled one of the villages in mainland Mindanao. His daughter fell in love to a foreigner, a Tagalog. Objecting to that relationship, the King commanded the foreigner to leave the place. He sailed the next day and the princess upon learning of the situation tried to follow him by swimming into the ocean. She died without her lover knowing it. From the spot where she had died arose an island. Once in a while, the island cries calling the lover who left her. This is manifested by the eruption of the volcanoes of the island.

WHEN AND HOW TO GO

    There are two ways to go to Cagayan de Oro. From Manila you can go straight to Cagayan de Oro or you may opt the Manila to Cebu then Cebu to Camiguin route. From Cagayan de Oro, you may either take the more expensive fast ferries or the slower Ro-Ro vessels from the Macabalan Pier. Royal Star Ferry (1 hour 45 minutes at 110-160 pesos per head) leaves Cagayan at 6:15 AM, 10:15 AM and 2:15PM. Cheaper ferry services (18 pesos but slower at about 2 hours) which leaves every hour from Balingoan is also available but travel from Cagayan de Oro City to Balingoan is another 1-1/2 hours by bus. Once on the island, you have to look for accommodation facilities or you may opt to camp out on either the mountains, the beach front or any open spaces. There are a lot of resort facilities in the island ranging from 150 to 1500 pesos, dormitory type or per cottage, aircon or non-aircon. The only problem is the availability of the resort because some resort are already fully booked even months ahead. You can contact Region 10 Tourism office for assistance. As per our experience, it is recommended to stay at Ardent Hot Springs (cottages, dormitories and camping) or Caves resort. For a more expensive but great accommodations you can try Paras Resort. Food is available on the resort facilities though some may be quite expensive being on an island province. There is one Italian restaurant you should try -- Paradiso Restaurant.

   Note from editor:  When I visited Camiguin there were no direct ferries from Cagayan de Oro.  The only ferries available were from Balingoan.  Contact the DOT in Cagayan at (0822) 726-394 or (088) 856-4048 for more info.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• Katibawasan Falls (Soro-soro Mambajao)

• Philvocs station (Guiboro Mambajao)

• Ardent Hot Springs (Tagoo Mambajao)

• White Island (Offshore Agoo Mambajao)

• Natural Soda Water (Agoo Mambajao)

• Tangub Hot Springs (Naasag Mambajao)

• Sunken Cemetery (Offshore Bonbon Catarman)

• Walkway to the top of the Old Volcano/ Station of the cross (Bonbon Catarman)

• Hibok Hibok Volcano (Southwest of poblacion Mambajao)

• Ruins of Gui-ob Church (Bonbon Catarman)

• Tuasan Falls (Mainit Catarman)

• Sto. Niño Cold Springs (Sto. Niño Catarman)

• Pasunglo Cold Springs (Poblacion Sagay)

• Pebbles Swimming Pool (Bugang Sagay)

• Moro Watch Tower (Poblacion Guinsiliban)

• Magting Swimming Pool (Magting Mambajao)

• Macao Cold Spring (Tupsan Maquehe Mahinog)

• Mantigue Island (Offshore Mahinog Town)

• Taguines Lagoon (Benoni Mahinog)

• Shoals of Hikdop (Offshore Magting Mambajao)

• Shoals of Burias (Off Matingue Island)

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

Check for the schedule of ferries leaving the Benoni wharf, Camiguin for Balingoan or Cagayan de Oro before traveling. During tourist peak season, you may find it difficult to arrange for accommodations.  The busiest travel periods are during Holy Week, Christmas and during the Lanzones Festival in October.