Friday, February 11, 2011

Camiguin Island Location Map and Directions

There are three ports operating in the province of Camiguin. The main port of entry is in Benoni, with minor ports at Balbagon and Guinsiliban. Balbagon Port links Cagayan de Oro and Cebu, Benoni Port links with Balingoan and Cagayan de Oro, and Guinsiliban Port which also has a roro landing facility links with Balingoan and Cagayan de Oro.

How to get there

Camiguin can be reached either by ferryboat or small aircraft. The fastest way to get to the island from Manila is to take any of the commercial flights to Cagayan de Oro City. In Cagayan de Oro, one can either hire a taxi right outside the airport terminal or take the bus in the city center to Balingoan Port in Misamis Oriental. The bus terminal is located at Agora, Lapasan.

Depending on the weather condition, it takes about one hour and a half to two hours by land to reach Balingoan Port, which is 84 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro. This port is the nearest jump-off point to Camiguin. The ferryboat ride to Benoni Port in the Municipality of Mahinog takes about one hour. This port is 17 kilometers from Mambajao, the capital of Camiguin Province which can be reached by jeepneys.

For those who would like to take their own vehicles to Camiguin, some of the ferryboats at Balingoan Port can transport cars, pick-ups, vans, and even large trucks to the Benoni Port at Camiguin. It must be noted however that a number of fees have to be paid to transport these vehicles. These includes wharfage, barangay taxes, and miscellaneous other fees that are imposed when going in either direction and these fees get to be quite a substantial amount.

Some vehicle owners avoid paying for these fees by leaving their vehicles at Balingoan and just avail of public transportation when in the Island of Camiguin. The advantage of bringing along one's vehicle to Camiguin is the convenience of having one's own ride in moving about the island. It does get to be uncomfortable riding in overloaded jeepneys and motorelas when in Camiguin Island since there are no taxi cabs or rental vehicles available. Portrayed below are three photographs of the Benoni Port in Camiguin.

Camiguin Transportation Schedules by plane and ferry

Airlines

SEAIR Departure Cebu-Camiguin 4:00 p.m. Sunday/Tuesday
Camiguin-Cebu 4:55 p.m. Sunday/Tuesday
Cebu-Camiguin 2:45 p.m. Every Friday
Camiguin-Cebu 3:40 p.m. Every Friday
Arrival Cebu-Camiguin 4:35 p.m. Sunday/Tuesday
Camiguin-Cebu 5:30 p.m.
Cebu-Camiguin 3:20 p.m. Every Friday
Camiguin-Cebu 4:15 p.m.
Fare: 1,315.00 o/w

Shipping

(Cebu-Camiguin-Cebu Route)

M/V Shuttle Ferry VII (Asian Marine Transport Corporation)
Schedule:
Cebu-Camiguin: Departure 8:00 p.m. (friday)
Arrival 7:00 p.m. (saturday)
Camiguin-Cebu Departure 8:00 p.m. (saturday)
Arrival 7:00 a.m. (saturday)
Fare Rate:
Tourist class 500.00
Economy 350.00

Guinsiliban to Balingoan and Vice-versa

M/V Shuttle Ferry :
9:00 am
6:00 am
1:15 pm
11:30 pm
4:30
2:30 pm
Arrastre: 6 Wheelers P 248.00
4 Wheelers P 97.17
Motor P 22.00
Boat: 6 Wheelers P 1,650.00
Elf/Canter P 1,100.00
4 Wheelers P 660.00
(Service Vehicle)
Car P 550.00
Motor P 110.00

Camiguin Distance Table

Distance Table

Town/Barangay
Kilometer
Distance
(via east)
(via west)
(via east)
(via west)
Mambajao:
0
64
0
14*
Balbagon
2.5
61.5
2.5
11.5
Anito
4
60
4
10
Magting
5
59
5
9
Tupsan
7
57
7
7
Tupsan Pequeño
10
54
10
4
Cahugan
11
53
11
3
Hubangon
12
52
12
2
San Jose
13
51
13
1
Binaliwan
13.5
50.5
13.5
0.5
Mahinog:
14
50
14*
9*
San Roque
15
49
1
8
Benoni
17
47
3
6
Maac
19
45
5
4
Guinsiliban:
23
41
9*
10*
Li-ong
26
38
3
7
Balite
28
36
5
5
Manuyog
29
35
6
4
Alangilan
31
33
8
2
Bonbon
32
32
9
1
Sagay:
33
31
10*
6*
Mayana
34
30
1
5
Bugang
36
28
3
3
Tangaro
37
27
4
2
Alga
38
26
5
1
Catarman:
Looc
40
24
1
24
Compol
41
23
2
23
Panghiawan
43
21
4
21
Lawigan
45
19
6
19
Catibac
48
16
9
16
Bonbon
50
14
11
14
Naasag
55
9
16
9
Yumbing
57
7
18
7
Agoho
59
5
20
5
Bug-ong
60
4
21
4
Kuguita
61
3
22
4
Baylao
62
2
23
2
Mambajao:
Poblacion
Pandan
2.5
Soro-soro
3.5
Benhaan
9.0
Tagdo
4.5
Tubod
15
San Isidro
14
Puntod
16
Owakan
18
San Miguel
21
Butay
26
Cabuan
21
Cantaan
23.5
Cuña
34
Bacnit
34
Mainit
25.5
Sto Niño
27.5
Liloan
25
Bura
21
Manduao
27

Camiguin Island Hot Spots

Camiguin island is a one of an island that popular to visit the tourist and vacationers because of the unique wonderful nature and beauty, and so many beautiful places or hot spots that you enjoy or explore and filipino residents are so polite and hospitality to the tourist, many exotic food and delicous food you can avail, so we start to introduce to you a beautiful places resides in camiguin.

Historical

1. Catarman Church Ruins

famous for the name Ruins of Gui-ob Church located in Barangay Bonbon, 16 kilometers from the center of Catarman town. What remains are ruins of adobe walls, belfry and convent that are testimonials to the devastating 1871 earthquake and volcanic eruption which wiped out the illustrious town of Catarman established earlier as a Spanish settlement in 1697.
Available Transport: Jeepneys and rented vans/multicabs

2. Sunken Cemetery

sunken cemetryA large white cross marks a cemetery swept into the sea by Old Vulcan Daan's eruption in 1871. From here it is a perfect place to watch the glorious sunset over the ocean. It is also an ideal place for snorkeling and diving. An annual fluvial procession is held by townsfolk in honor of the sunken graves of their forefathers and as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

16 kilometers from Catarman proper.A fluvial procession, usually organized by the townsfolk of Barangay Bonbon, is held to honor the sunken graves of their forefathers, usually done on the month of November.
Available Transport: Jeepneys and rented vans/multicabs.

3. Old Sto. Rosario Church of 1882 now restored to its former glory in Sagay, Camiguin

Old  Sto. Rosario Church

4. Via Cruzes - Old Volcano Slope

Via  Cruzes - Old Volcano SlopeIt is where life-size statues depicting the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - the 14 Stations of the Cross that dot a trail to Old Volcano's peak are found. At the last station is a sepulcher carefully carved and chiseled out of volcanic rocks. The pilgrims congregate here to pray during Lenten Season.

5. Ancestral House in Los Libertadores St., Mambajao now dwelled by the Francisco Family and built in 1800's

6. Centennial House in Lakas, Mambajao owned by Corrales Family and built in 1800's

Nature

7. Katibawasan Falls

Katibawasan FallsA beautiful, clear stream of water cascading 70 meters into a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Its cold water provides a refreshing summer splash to all bathers.

5 kilometers southeast of Mambajao center. The Waterfalls, which measures 256 feet high, cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Its cold water provides an ideal summer splash to bathers and picnickers.
Available Transport: Jeepneys and rented vans/multicabs.

8. Tuasan Falls

The approach to the wild and mighty falls entails a very scenic hike passing through the quaint Barrio of Mainit, Catarman and along the rocky river bed. The pool below the deafening waterfalls is deep and clear. The surrounding scenery is virgin and perfect for a peaceful picnic. The only sound you hear is that of the tumbling falls and running water. It is 6 kilometers northwest of Catarman proper.

9. Binangawan Falls

Binangawan FallsIn Sagay is Binangawan Falls wherefrom several miniature and gigantic waterfalls gushing through majestic granite stones that converge in one main pool, covered with luscious unspoiled vegetation, and a mystical rainbow is arched by the fall's mist as the sunlight penetrates through it.

10. Ardent Hot Spring

Ardent Hot Spring6 kilometers southwest of Mambajao. The hot spa of the locality is a natural pool of about 400C coming from the bowels of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Cottages, restaurant, and dormitory facilities are provided to local and foreign tourists. Ideal time for swimming is early morning or late afternoon till night. Due to hot temperature, suggested length of bathing should not be more than 20 minutes.

Picnic huts, cook-out facilities and restrooms are put up to cater/accommodate the increasing number of visitors. Dipping in its hot water is the best treatment for any therapeutic ailment because the water contains sulphur, a medicinal element that can cure illness.
Available Transport: Jeepneys and rented vans/multicabs.

11. Macao Cold Spring

It is a spring of natural cold and blue-green waters that overflow with grandeur, perfect to soothe and quench one's humid feeling. It is situated at Tupsan Pequiño, Mahinog.

12. Sto. Niño Cold Spring

12 kilometers north uphill of Catarman proper. The pool measuring 25 m x 40m is 11/2 meter deep with cold spring water sprouting from its sandy bottom. The area has sari-sari stores, picnic huts, cook-out facilities and restrooms for picnickers.
Available Transport: Jeepneys and rented vans/multicabs.

13. Tangub Hot Spring

It is a volcanic hot spring not fully developed a little beneath sea level where a pool is formed by sea stones and corals. Water temperature shifts from cold to lukewarm to warm then to hot as tide changes. Immerse in the warm water inside the pool at low tide and enjoy the cold sea water merging with the hot spring. This rare spring is situated at Naasag, Mambajao - about 12 kilometers west of the capital town; 10-20 meters offshore is ideal for scuba diving.

14. Mt. Hibok-Hibok

Its approach is via the base of Barangay Tagdo in Mambajao. It is a volcano 1250 meters high above sea level. Its slopes are challenges/barriers for professional climbers as they trek skillfully and maneuvers on loose rocks and boulders towards the peak. At the zenith, there is a crater like lake and steam outlets where one can have a clear panoramic view of the entire island and the Bohol Province during sunny clear days.

15. Old Volcano

A volcano located 13 kilometers away from Mambajao with stiff drop off measuring 580 meters high above sea level. It is the landmark for PANAAD.

Mt.  Vulcan
Mt. Vulcan
Mt.  Timpoong
Mt. Timpoong

16. Mt. Ilihan

Mt.  IlihanIt is located at Butay, Guinsiliban and a 3-hour climb uphill. There, one can see bluish green ridge of mountains and majestic slopes as he recites his Stations of the Cross, especially on Lenten Season. One can experience a sense of relief when reaching the top with its cool mountain breeze. Its splendid beauty is very touching. At the pinnacle, climbers can peacefully camp and take pleasure in unbothered world.

17. White Island

White IslandAn uninhabited white sandbar where the view of towering Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Old Volcan reflects the grandeur the Province of Camiguin has ever achieved. It is reached within 10 minutes through light water transport from anywhere in Yumbing, Mambajao area.

18. Mantigue Island

The island is 4 hectares of evergreen forest, fringed with white granule sand beaches. A fishing village is found in the north of the island. One side of the island is a white sand beach with coral offshore, and the other opposite side provides a deep drop-off for snorkeling and diving. One gets there by light water craft in 25-30 minutes from San Roque, Mahinog.

19. Jicdup Shoal (Dive Spot)

It lies approximately 2 nautical miles from the shore of Balbagon, Mambajao. The seabed rises forming a shoal about 10 hectares in size hosting a variety of aquatic life. It is one of the best dive spots in Camiguin Island teeming with fishes of different species and shapes/sizes. It has excellent visibility and is best for underwater photographs, and novice divers.

20. Burias Shoal (Dive Spot)

Slightly smaller than Jicdup, Burias is among the favorite spot for high adventure seeking divers. It hauls the thrill seeking divers to the shoal to see schools of jacks, tuna, mackerels and barracudas. A verdant black coral covered bottom is also one of its treasures. Diving here can be strong, however, the little effort spent fining against the current is worth the excitement.

21. Taguines Lagoon

Taguines LagoonIt is a lagoon mantled by limpid water, large cliff and gently rolling hills. The brackish water is engulfed in there by a century old crater, ideal for boat and fishing. It is located at Benoni, Mahinog.

22. Centennial Tree

Centennial TreeA Pili Nut tree which is more than century old situated at Lakas, Mambajao owned by the Corrales Family. One can marvel how the tree survived the tests of

Beach Site

23. Cabua-an Beach

Located at the right side of the old pier of Mambajao. It is the nearest beach in Mambajao proper. Unique corals are found 75 - 100 meters from the shore. Site of the annual “San Juan sa Hibok-Hibok Festival”.
Available Transport: Jeepneys and rented vans/multicabs.

24. Agohoy Beach

7 kilometers from Mambajao proper. Located in Barangay Agoho, Mambajao. One of the favorite sandy beaches of the island. Native cottages, multi-purpose building and a restaurant are also available.
Available Transport: Jeepneys and rented vans/multicabs.

Dive Site

25. Cabu-an Point (Dive Spot)

Located between Guinsiliban and Benoni Ports of Camiguin Island lies a colorful reef, displaying gigantic brightly colored sea fans, branching corals. The pleasant light currents offer relax diving & fun. Cabu-an is accessible by shore entry. Visibility in the area varies from 40 to 120 feet, and is ideal for seasoned underwater photographers and beginners as well.
Available Transport: Pumpboat

26. Jicdup Shoal (Dive Spot)

Lies approximately 2 nautical miles from the shore of Balbagon, Mambajao. The seabed rises forming a shoal about 10 hectares in size. Hosting a variety of aquatic life, it is one of the best dive spots in Camiguin Island. Teeming with fishes of all kinds and sizes and having excellent visibility. It is good for underwater photographers and novice divers as well.
Available Transport: Pumpboat

27. Burias Shoal (Dive Spot)

Slightly smaller than Jicdup, Burias is among the favorite spot for high adventure seeking divers. To see schools of jacks, tuna, mackerels and barracudas. A lush, black coral-covered bottom is also one of its treasures. Diving here is tricky because the current can be strong, but the effort spent fighting against such current will be worth the excitement.
Available Transport: Pumpboat

28. Old Volcano (Dive Site)

A unique underwater lava formation that rises from the depths of more than 80 feet from the bottom forming a series of pinnacles is the main attraction here. The coral-covered molten rocks are surrounded by tropical fishes such as anthias, clown fish damsels, and the like. Hug jacks and napoleon wrasses occassionally patrol these areas in search for food.
Available Transport: Pumpboat

29 Sunken Cemetery (Dive Site)

Lying 20 feet underwater in front of barrio Bonbon, Catarman, lies the sunken cemetery, the remains of the past volcano eruption. Coral- encrusted tombstone can still be explored by snorkellers and scuba divers.
Available Transport: Pumpboat

Special Interest

1. Scuba Divin and Snorkelling

  • Shoal and Burial Shoal
  • Sunken Cemetery, Jigdup

2. Mountain Climbing

  • Mount hibok hibok, Old Vulcan
  • Tres Marias, Guinsiliban Peak and timpo-ong

3. Rapelling- Katibawasan Falls

4. Squid fishing tours

5. Giant Clams Ocean Nursery, Kaantaan Guisiliban