Dinagat Islands: Into the Mystical Island Province of Caraga Region

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 Rex Lim Lim 2023, ADVENTURE, BLOG, BUDGET, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, TOURIST SPOTS, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

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San Jose, Dinagat Islands: It is quite fascinating that this mysterious province still shies away from the limelight when it is just a stone’s throw away from the world-renowned island of Siargao.

In this adventure, let us take you to the “Mystical Island Province of Love”, the raw and enigmatic province of Dinagat Islands.

Let’s go!

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Table of Contents

Third Youngest PH Province

The province is one of the smallest island provinces in the country and the third youngest (established in 2006) after Davao Occidental and Maguindanao Del Sur and Norte.

Dinagat Islands is curiously wrapped in a mysterious culture that once believed in gods and goddesses dating back to the olden times. If you are into roughing it out, devoid of commercial establishments, and just after raw and appealing slices of paradise, then this province tops the list.

I flew in from Sayak Airport and spent the first three days in Siargao before heading down to Surigao City. Then from the city, I boarded the fast crafts at Surigao City Boulevard heading to the town of San Jose. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour from Surigao City Port to San Jose Port.

Cathedral of San Nicolas De Tolentino, Surigao City

San Jose: Where Politics and Religion Hold the Most Power

Because of the torrential rains and poor sea conditions, I decided to postpone the island hopping tour and then do it tomorrow. Consequently, I just toured around San Jose to get a glimpse of what there is to see in this town.

It is interesting to talk to the locals and hear their stories. They speak “Dinagatnon” and the majority of them are members of the predominant religion on the island called the “Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association” (PBMA) which was founded by the Ecleos.

After a ten-minute tricycle ride, I found myself standing in front of a wrought-iron gate with a castle-like structure erected on a sprawling estate.

This is called the Islander’s Castle, the residence of Former Governor Glenda Ecleo. Reportedly costing around 350 million pesos in 2007, this estate is overlooking the town’s shanties and unfinished roads. A remarkable feat of where local funds can allegedly go once you hold the power and authority.

Right after, I headed down to San Jose Beach just in time for the sunset. This is a quiet spot where one can chill after a long day.

Pangabangan Blue Lagoon: Raw and Unassuming

The following day, the sea conditions were a lot better, and immediately boarded Kuya Percing’s outrigger boat that would take me to Libjo to visit the iconic Pangabangan Blue Lagoon!

After almost two hours passing through Melgar Bay out to the Surigao Strait, we have finally reached Pangabangan Blue Lagoon!

This limestone island has a beautiful stretch of white sand beach on the eastern side. Moreover, north of the island, a circular blue lagoon is flanked by limestone walls that look like something taken straight out from the islands of Palawan.

This part of Dinagat Island is rather raw and unassuming, and also a gem that’s just waiting to be discovered! There’s a limestone karst that you can climb to get a good view of the island. At the top, you can clearly see that the lagoon is really deep because of the deep blue color at the center.

There’s no water or electricity on the island, but there are toilets one can use to relieve themselves. On the other hand, there’s a 20php entrance for the maintenance of the island.

Jelmar’s Islet Resort

Just a short boat ride away from Pangabangan Blue Lagoon lies Jelmar’s Islet Resort. Arriving at the cottages built on stilts, the turquoise water greeted us, and it was as if our boat was hovering in the air.

Easily, I can say that this is one of those beautiful natural pools I have visited in a while. I immediately took a dip then time seemed to pass by a little bit faster before realizing that I still had to catch the last fast craft heading back to Surigao City.

Too bad that it was all the time I had that day. There are still a lot of places to visit, but my time was cut short because of the less-than-ideal weather conditions yesterday.

How to Get There

Dinagat Islands is located to the northeast of Surigao del Norte, bounded by Southern Leyte on the west and Siargao Island to the southeast. Dinagat Islands still as of today, still remains an off-the-radar destination for travelers and adventurers.

There are no commercial airports in Dinagat Islands, and the easiest way to access the province is by flying from Manila to Bancasi Airport in Butuan or Surigao City Airport.

From Surigao City, head to the Boulevard by chartering a tricycle. There are several fast crafts departing to San Jose, Dinagat Islands on an hourly basis (200php/pax, 1 hour travel time). Please check the schedule below (updated as of August 2023):

Upon arrival at San Jose, you can check in at your accommodation of choice, mostly basic homestays and inn-type with both fan and air-conditioned room options.
- I stayed at 3RJA Pension house which is just a few meters from the port and public market. The rate for the air-conditioned room is 800php/night for 1-2 pax.

Getting Around

There are only Tuk-tuks called locally as “Bao-Bao” that can take you short distances around San Jose.
To add, there are also several tour operators in San Jose. But since my schedule does not fit with their joiner’s tour, I rented out an outrigger boat for 3000php for the Libjo Tour. You may contact Kuya Percing at 0946 587 7825 or through his Facebook Profile HERE.
If planning to stay directly at Jelmar’s Islet Resort, here are their contact details and fees:
- Pump Boat – Evelyn Bugais (FB Account here)- 0951 255 7092
- Accommodation:
  - Airconditioned Room – 3,500php/night (10pax)
  - Function Hall with Karaoke Up and Down – 3,500php/day
  - Function Hall with Karaoke – 1,500php/day
  - Cottage – 500php/day tour, 1500php/overnight
  - Entrance Fee – 20php/pax
San Jose is where you can find most of the eateries and establishments, please note that stores close early so better to buy all your essentials and supplies before dinner time.

All for 200php! You can buy any fresh seafood at the market and have it grilled at the local “Sugbaan”, the grilling rate starts at 20php.

There is a bank with an ATM Machine in San Jose, but cash is not always guaranteed, so better to withdraw while still in Surigao City.
Signal and data for all networks are present in San Jose.

The province of Dinagat Islands is the 80th Philippine Province that I visited last September 2023. Two more provinces to go!