Photo credit: Steve Currington
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Another stretch of sand, a mini-island sandbar, a haven and a heaven for beach bummers like me. Camiguin’s White Island off the shores of Mambajao town.
How to Get There
There are several ways to get there. From Cebu, you can either fly or swim from Cebu to Cagayan De Oro, and then take a bus plying the route of Cagayan De Oro to Butuan at the Agora Integrated Bus Terminal. It would take around two hours to reach Balingoan where the port is to Camiguin. Then you’ll take a ferry boat that would take around forty five minutes to reach Benoni, about 30 minutes ride where Mambajao is.
Another route is Cebu – Camiguin via Bohol. You can take a ferry boat (4hrs) or a fastcraft(1hr40minsand22seconds) from Cebu to Tagbilaran, and from Tagbilaran Terminal near Island City Mall take a bus going to Jagna. It would take no more than two hours to reach there. A ferry boat travels from Jagna to Camiguin that would take around four hours to reach Mambajao. There is a fastcraft available but I don’t think they have a trip everyday.
So if you ask me, I’d rather go through the Cebu-CDO-Balingoan-Benoni route. 
Where to Stay
In Mambajao there are lots of resorts to choose from. There are also dorm type rooms great for large groups on a budget. We chose to stay at Sabacajan Cottages By the Beach because it was cheap, and it was beside the beach. The resort can cook food you buy from the market for a minimal fee. If you befriend them enough, they would do it for free. They can also arrange tour packages around Camiguin inland, and island hopping as well.
What To Do What to Do What to Do
Camiguin Island has a lot to offer, from beaches to hot springs to snorkel and diving, you name it. It has White Island where it’s most famous for, Sunken Cemetery, and of course its volcanoes.
We went to Katibawasan Falls and took a dip there. It was very cold, and the wind generated from the falls was surprisingly strong despite the water’s low volume. Must be because of the height.
The PHIVOLCS observatory of Mt. Hibok-hibok was our next stop. There was a gallery of pictures about the volcano’s destructive activities in the past. You can see the history of the Sunken Cemetery gathering dust as it has happened relatively a long time ago. We went there but didn’t find it remarkable. The coffins has long been ossified and looked more like stones than anything else.
Our last trip, because we only rented the multicab for half-day which ridiculously cost Php800, was Ardent Hot Springs. It was 38 degrees Celsius only. I was a bit disappointed because I was expecting a hotter temperature than that, given that its near Mt. Hibok-hibok. Despite that, me and my friends were enjoying goofing around and of course, the hot or should I say lukewarm water.
The following morning, we went to White Island, and it was as I expected it to be. The only problem is, we only had limited time staying there since we rented the banca good for half-day only.
Approaching White Island
The cloud didn’t cooperate, it covered the scenic view of Mt. Hibok-hibok
Facing the tides as they come in… Ultimate beach bumming!
White Island would be one of my top islands for beach bumming, so if you plan to have some fun this summer and to cool off, head off to the nearest booking travel of your choice, fill out the form with your name, address and signature, and drop in designated drop boxes. Hahaha…
Photo credit: Charito Tan
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oh i love this place…been here a long time ago…it brings back good memories.
Wow, this is a nice place. I hope I can bring my family here for a vacation in the near future.
i like white sands and hot springs… pero murag layo lagi ni..
Yep, it’s a nice place.. as in it’s just 68 kms circular the island is, am glad you like it there..
That’s my hometown, yep am proud Camiguingnon… woohoo! 
anyhow, you can also take a ferry from Cebu to Bohol then to Camiguin—it is now currently available. Have fun! (~_~)
wow! beautiful beach…would love to walk through that sandbar someday.
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I’ve done a lot of traveling, but this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.
what a lovely place! one day i wish i can visit camiguin.
we had a one day tour in the island three years ago. we left cdo riding a van at 230am. we took the first trip from Balingoan. we hired a large jeep even if there were only 4 of us. we had a bumpy ride to the farthest destination, and then moved backwards, just enough to get out from camiguin on the last boat trip out. i love the white island, though we only stayed there for 3 hours, to swim, take pics and had our lunch.
What I like about the island are its people, very friendly and accommodating. Not to mention that the island is pretty much laid back and calm, a great place to get some much needed R&R.