Mt. Monkyawa (430+) Davao Occidental | Gone Coconuts in Santa Maria
Mt. Monkyawa in Davao Occidental is a picturesque mountain to visit in the province. It is just a fairly easy hike that will give you a panoramic view of the shores of Santa Maria, Malalag Bay and the Davao Gulf.
Trail Notes
Mt. Monkyawa (430+)
Santa Maria, Davao Occidental
Jump-off Point: Poblacion, Santa, Maria
Alternate Jump-off Point: Brgy. San Agustin, Santa Maria
LLA: 430+
Days required/ Hours to summit: 1-2 days/ 2-3 hours
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty: 2/9, Trail Class: 1-3
Features: Scenic views of Malalag Bay and Davao Gulf
Updated March 2022
Yap Beach Resort
Coming from General Santos City, I arrived at the Ochenta Junction in Malalag, Davao Del Sur at around 08:00 in the evening. The once busy thoroughfare seems to be a ghost town, buses and vans are nowhere to be seen.
Luckily a Motorella was going back to Santa Maria and I hitched a ride. Some twenty minutes later, my contact, Ate Dessery Caneso, was already at the highway waiting for me then brought me to Yap Beach Resort where one of my mountaineer friends are staying.
The following day, we were met by Kuya Carlito Bautista, our guide for that day who will be taking us to Mt. Monkyawa. We then continued for around a kilometer before turning right on a dirt road where we started the hike.
The trail was mostly a straightforward ascent passing through steep mountain slopes planted with corn and other crops.
Then halfway through the hike, you will be welcomed by a community and a dirt road that stretches all the way to the summit of Mt. Monkyawa. Little did we know that you can actually ride a habal-habal going to the very top. But we chose the hard way.
Gone Coconuts
After two hours, we finally arrived at the viewing area of Mt. Monkyawa, there is a shed where you can take pictures of the beautiful shores of Santa Maria. A small mountain stretches out into the sea with Bitaug Beach on the other side.
The summit gives you a 360-degree view of the municipalities of Malita, Malalag, Sulop, and Padada. Moreover, on the north is Malalag Bay which includes Piape Hill.
We asked the caretakers of the Sto. Niño Shrine if we can stay for a while inside and just take pictures. They gladly let us in and even gave us giant coconuts that morning.
After an hour in the area, we took the 3-kilometer traverse trail going down to SBBR in Brgy. San Agustin and avoided going to the second peak as the sun started to perch on its highest peak.
You may choose to visit other beaches in Santa Maria after the hike like the El’Lemar Beach resort, Bitaug Beach, Kulagsing Beach, and the Little Boracay Beach of Mariscal Beach Resort.
How to Get There
- Monkyawa is located in Santa Maria, Davao Occidental, straddled by three barangays
- From Davao City, take any bus bound for Malita, Davao Occidental, and alight at Poblacion, Santa Maria (210php, 2.5hrs travel time, 90.5 kilometers)
- Upon arrival at Santa Maria highway, transfer to another habal-habal or skylab going to your accommodation of choice
- We spent the night in Yap Beach Resort at 500php/fan room good for one person
- You can also try their airconditioned rooms for 1500php/night good for two persons
- Splash Blue Beach Resort (SBBR) has much better facilities but if you are on a budget, the neighboring Yap Beach Resort is for you
- There is no data reception in the area and the network signal is only serviced by DITO and Smart
- There is also no internet connection offered in the resort, but you can access the five-peso wifi machine in SBBR
- The trail is mostly straightforward passing through small communities and vegetable plantations
- You may actually ride a habal-habal going to the Sto. Niño shrine at the summit of Mt. Monkyawa
- For tours and assistance when in Santa Maria, Davao Occidental you may contact them:
- Ate Dessery Caneso – Facebook Account HERE
- Kuya Carlito Bautista – Facebook Account HERE
- You may search the trail by accessing Strava’s heat map of Mt. Monkiuaua.
- Trail length is around 3 kilometers to the summit, with an elevation gain of 503 meters
- Traverse trail going to SBBR is also around 3 kilometers, without passing through the second peak
Itinerary and Expenses
0500 Wake up, explore the area around Yap Beach Resort (500php/fan room)
0600 Breakfast at SBBR
0645 Tricycle to Santa Maria Municipal Hall (50php/pax)
0700 Meet Guide (600php/day)
0720 Start Trek
0900 Rest and snacks
0945 Summit Mt. Monkyawa (430+)
1030 Start Descent via traverse trail to SBBR
1100 Back at Yap Beach Resort, tidy up
1200 Habal-habal to highway (60php/pax)
1315 Ride bus back to Davao City (210php/pax)
1530 Ecoland Bus Terminal, Davao City
Mindanao 3-Day Adventure Series 2022
This adventure is a part of my 3-days Mindanao day hike challenge covering the provinces of South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Davao Del Norte last March 11-13, 2022. Saka ra ta!
Updated March 29, 2022
