Some Camiguin tourist spots are just worth sharing. From Tuasan Falls ( in case you missed it, click this link to read) let’s proceed to Mantigue Island.
I want to tell you every bit of Camiguin, but this is something I want you to know now. Many visitors know about Mantigue, but not all of them visit this island when they are in Camiguin maybe due time constraints – there are so many places to see in Camiguin and a 2-day tour may not be enough. So I’m telling you now to put this island on top of your places to go in Camiguin.
Also known as Magsaysay Island, Mantigue Island is 3 kilometers away from mainland Camiguin, and part of the Mahinog municipality. You can see this island as you approach or leave Camiguin from Benoni port. A small white-sand island with vegetation, very distinct from White Island, which is actually a sand bar.
To get to Mantigue, you have to go to Barangay San Roque. You don’t have to worry,in case you are on a DIY tour in Camiguin, you can just ask the locals for directions. From the jump-off point, you have to wade to reach the bancas that will take you to the island.
Can you see the island?
The trip is between 15-20 minutes, depending on the passengers. The boatman will slow down if you have kids. Look at my Liam’s face..poor thing!
Finally here!
The island of Mantigue has been declared as a nature park, protected and governed by the local government. If you know someone who’ve been here 10 years ago, the island was very off-the-beaten back then, with a local community of fisherfolks.
Now, only a few families remain. According to Manong Isoy, one of the staff, they are the ones who are still contesting the government in court.
Now let’s go back to my story.
The first thing that you will notice is how inviting the water is..very clean and the landscape of the island with the peaks of the mainland in the background is just picturesque.
We arrived when the sun was up and it was really hot. Good thing, Mantigue has some shade. Therefore, if you will be visiting White Island and Mantigue on the same day, you go to White Island first, early in the morning. Expect to spend more time in Mantigue.
There is a small store and tables with chairs. If you want to dine there, you can surely do that, someone can cook for you.
If you will be bringing kids, never miss the glass-bottom boat for Php300 (30 minutes, good for 6 pax). It was the highlight of our Mantigue tour.
I thought it will be for the kids alone, but I’m telling you now, even the adults will have a blast. It makes me wonder, how wonderful it would have been if you go Mantigue diving. My husband, couldn’t resist that he jumped from the boat and went free-diving. Please don’t follow! haha.
We saw all kinds of fishes..all the characters of Shark’s Tale with their resident hawksbill turtle. The photos can’t do justice but these corals are alive…These are the table-top corals
It was the closest we can get to the underwater beauty. It was amazing. Can you spot the giant clam?
You should go snorkeling or diving in Mantigue. The most impressive thing about our glass-bottom boat tour in Mantigue is that it was not very far from the shore, like 10 meters away! It was really great but looking at the small glass bottom with a running boat made us seasick. haha.
Still, I want you to try the glass-bottom boat tour. The sun was not blazing anymore that much and it was great for some dip! See how clear the water is?
Not to missed when you are in Mantigue Island Nature Park is their mini-forest trail. The starting point is at the main area of the island and I’m glad my father forced me to join him and my kids. I could have missed the opportunity for another insightful activity with them.
I like how they built these bamboo platforms. We initially thought the mini-forest is just filled with pandan trees but it is really a forest!
Big trees, there are signs for their names. My dad knows most of them. The boys love the walk! I think we spent 20 minutes inside. Totally safe, there is a rope for you to keep track of the trail.
Some of the trees inside Mantigue Island’s forest
I love the experience. The only forest I’ve been to is Bulabog National Park in Iloilo. At the end of our “lasang” tour curated by my father.
And this view opened at the end of the trail. My father can’t resist but to swim before heading home.
Hope you enjoyed this post and my Mantigue Island photos will entice you to visit this island in Camiguin. It is a must! There are many attractions in Camiguin, but you must prioritize this island, ok?
Hope to hear your story in the future. Thanks for reading!
5 Comments
I have been here 23 years. I live near Manila and would like to visit. What is the best flight to go to where I can find this place. How good we did in the past gives us the oppertunity of how better we can be today and in the future. We meet all kinds of people in our life time. Every one wants to feel they are inportant and each of us should make that happen. We only have 8 to 12 years to teach children. After those years we can only hope they will have a good memory of how they were treated, taught. and how to keep looking to become a better person in the future.
One person wrote: it is impossible to over emphasize the immerse needs that humans have to be really listened to, to be taken seriously, and to be understood. Proverb 18:13 he, who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame. Feelings are like paper. The elements can be bound to hold tightly together. But making quick judgments before hearing the whole story can shred those feeling into a disaster!
The great Jewish philosopher, Malmonides, in his laws of Megillah (Chap.2:17), reasoned that the greatest happiness attainable by man is the joy of satisfying and providing for the needs of others. This feeling, Malmonides continues, brings one to a state of sublimity. The reason being, that upon reflection, his altruistic endeavors on behalf of humanity can be likened to God’s work. For the Lord’s work is always for the ultimate good of His world, people, and for all mankind. The great singer of Israel, King David, stresses that God constantly uplifts the oppressed, provides for the poor and needy, and mends the brokenhearted (Psalms). We can emulate God’s work by coming to the aid of our brothers and sisters, thereby attaining depths of inner joy unperceived heretofore.
“One should always remember that small acts have far reaching power – some of them can last a lifetime or even for generations. Each year I had the oppertunity to teach children at Christian Youth Camps for five days. I remembered my Church youth camps in the past. Christian people paid for it because our family had no money to send us to camp.
Our President at Lincoln Christian College had a private talk with me in his office. He asked me where would you like to become in 10 years? I have never forgot his question. “Everything in this life passes away — only God remains, only He is worth struggling towards.
We have a choice: to follow the way of this world, of the society that surrounds us, and thereby find ourselves outside of God; or to choose the way of life, to choose God Who calls us and for whom our heart is searching.” ~ Seraphim Rose –
Hi Chris! There’s direct flight to Camiguin now.