Camiguin | Mantigue Island
If you haven’t visited Mantigue Island yet, there’s another reason for you to come back and Cam-iguin (Come-again!)
Most people only visit and spend time at the White Island Sandbar in Mambajao. When all along a marine sanctuary is just a stone throw away from Benoni Port.
Our trip from Katibawasan going down to Mahinog almost took an hour and we arrived at Brgy. San Roque in Mahinog where we hired a boat going to Mantigue Island.
Mantigue Island
The boat rate for the back and forth day trip costs 550php good for 6 persons, and another entrance fee of 50php. There are also stalls around the registration area where one can rent snorkeling gears such as fins, goggles, and lifevests. Around 20mins of boat ride from Mahinog, we arrived at Mantigue Island, the sky is painted in bright blue hues and accompanied by the afternoon sun and clouds.
Reefs and starfishes were seen before we docked because of its clear waters. Inside the island, there’s a store wherein you can buy fresh seafoods and other foods ranging from chicken to pork and have it cooked for a fee.
Contrary to White Island, Mantigue has lush vegetation that you can take shelter under the canopies of the trees. The sand appears to glimmer under the intense heat of the sun, while the inviting blue waters will keep on seducing each visitor for a dip.
Mantigue or Magsaysay Island, is a 4 hectare oblate shaped island located. Moreover, this is three (3) kilometers off the shore across Brgy. San Roque in Mahinog and is adjacent to the Bohol Sea.
Sanctuary
The whole island boasts of its evergreen stretch of Bakawan forest trails fringed with its fine white sand beach. Its background are the surreal and post card worthy views of Camiguin island. The surrounding crystal clear waters coming in waves, washing up the shore is really good for snorkeling and swimming.
After having lunch, we then proceeded for another boat ride going to the marine sanctuary. Coral reefs and different kinds of fishes flock the area.
In addition, one must also witness the presence of large Taclobo’s (Giant Clams) in the area. What makes this island special is that it has been declared a protected area.
We were back in Mahinog by 4:00pm and washed up and prepared for our long travel going back to Cagayan de Oro. There are toilets around the area where you can wash up for a fee.
Not Too Good at Goodbyes
With the island already growing on us, we had to bid goodbye and got back at the Benoni Port at 5:00pm. Guess what, we spent our remaining time buying pasalubong. We even bought the island’s sweetest treasure, the Lansones Camiguin – definitely the sweetest in the country.
The Lansones fruit was really cheap in there that it only costs around 20 per kilo, since it is in season. One must also not miss the famous yema buns filled with happiness while in the island, the famous Vjandep Pastel!
Simple yet warm, Camiguin is definitely the charmer that going back again will be on your list. Such a small island filled with volcanoes, beaches, diving spots and attractions.
Our group will definitely be back on this super island to explore it a little bit more. The remoteness and peacefulness of Mantigue Island adds up to its unique experience that even some foreigners chooses to stay in there for months.
Updated December 2016
