Camiguin Island
The "Island Born of Fire" off northern Mindanao: a white sandbar, a sunken cemetery, waterfalls, hot and cold springs and sweet lanzones. A slow scooter loop with a short flight from Cebu.
Camiguin is a small pear-shaped island in the Bohol Sea, just off the north coast of Mindanao. It is one of the smallest provinces in the Philippines, yet it packs in at least seven volcanoes, a shifting sandbar, waterfalls, hot and cold springs and the ruins of a church swallowed by lava. It is called the Island Born of Fire, and it is one of the friendliest, slowest-paced places you can reach from Cebu. Most visitors base themselves around Mambajao, the provincial capital on the north coast.
Why go to Camiguin
- White Island, a bright sandbar with views of Mount Hibok-Hibok across the water.
- Volcano scenery: Mount Hibok-Hibok, the old volcano, and the Sunken Cemetery.
- Waterfalls and springs for swimming, from cool pools to naturally warm water.
- An easy island loop of about 64 km by scooter or tricycle.
- Lanzones, the sweet local fruit, celebrated every October.
Things to do in Camiguin
White Island
Off the north coast of Mambajao, White Island is a crescent of pale sand and coral rubble that rises and shrinks with the tide. A short boat ride from the mainland brings you to a spot with no shade, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water. Go early or late in the day for the best light and fewer people. A small entrance fee and a boat fee apply; the entrance was reported at about ₱50 per person in 2026 (check locally). Keep the sand clean and take all your rubbish back with you.
The Sunken Cemetery and Guiob church ruins
In 1871 the eruption of a volcano buried the town of Catarman, and the old cemetery at Bonbon sank into the sea. Today a large white cross marks the spot, and it is lovely at sunset. You can see it from the shore for free, or hire a small boat for a closer look. Nearby, the Gui-ob church ruins are the remains of a Spanish-era church buried by the same eruption. Both are places of remembrance, so be quiet and respectful, and do not climb on the walls.
Katibawasan and Tuasan Falls
Katibawasan Falls drops about 70 metres into a cool, forest-ringed pool near Mambajao, with a short paved path from the gate. Tuasan Falls, on the west side in Catarman, is a taller, thinner cascade with a deep pool for swimming. Both charge a small entrance fee, reported at around ₱50-₱75 in 2026 (check locally). The water is cold, so go in the late morning when the sun is up.
Hot and cold springs
Camiguin's volcanic heart feeds several springs. Ardent Hot Spring near Mambajao has pools of naturally warm water, best enjoyed in the late afternoon or evening. The Santo Nino Cold Spring is a clear, cold pool in a shady garden, and a soda water pool is nearby. Each charges a small fee. Take a towel and dry clothes, and shower before you get in.
Mantigue Island
Mantigue (Magsaysay) Island is a tiny protected island off Mahinog, reached by a short boat ride from the coast. It has a ring of white sand, clear water and snorkelling over a marine sanctuary. An environmental fee applies, reported at about ₱75-₱200 in 2026 (check locally). Do not touch coral or stand on it, and keep fish and turtles undisturbed.
Mount Hibok-Hibok and the old volcano
At 1,332 metres, Mount Hibok-Hibok is the island's active volcano; it last erupted in 1953. The hike from the visitor centre at Itum in Mambajao is a long, steep day trip, so go with an accredited local guide and check the volcano's status with the tourism office first. A gentler option is the Walkway to the Old Volcano, a short climb past the Stations of the Cross to a viewpoint.
Lanzones season and festival
Lanzones ripen around September and October. The Lanzones Festival takes over Mambajao each October with street dancing, a fruit-eating contest, concerts and a parade. The 47th festival ran from 18 to 25 October 2026. Expect crowds and full rooms that week, and book early.
Where is Camiguin Island?
Mambajao, Camiguin
Directions open in Google Maps, starting from where you are. Its travel times are estimates, and ferries and island boats may not be included.
Getting there from Cebu
Schedules change often and boats can stop in bad weather, so check with the operator a day or two before you travel. Camiguin is not in the same region as Cebu, so there is no direct boat.
- Fly direct. Cebgo (the Cebu Pacific group) flies from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Camiguin Airport near Mambajao. The flight takes about 50 minutes, and flights were listed on most days of the week in 2026 (check the airline). One-way fares started around ₱2,300 in 2026 (estimate). A tricycle or resort van takes you to your hotel in about 15 minutes.
- Fast ferry, bus and car ferry via Bohol. Take a fast ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran; see our Cebu to Bohol ferry guide. Then take a bus or van to Jagna, on Bohol's east coast, about 2 hours (estimate). From Jagna, a car ferry crosses to Balbagon port in Mambajao, Camiguin, in about 4-4.5 hours. It sails around 2:30 pm, so catch an early boat from Cebu. The fare was roughly ₱1,100 in 2026 (estimate), and the days of sailing vary, so check.
- Allow 7-9 hours for the ferry route, from the first boat in Cebu to arriving at Balbagon, and plan an overnight in Tagbilaran or Jagna if you miss the afternoon sailing.
- Via Mindanao. From Cagayan de Oro, buses reach Balingoan port in about 2-2.5 hours, and frequent ferries cross to Benoni port in Camiguin in about an hour (about ₱360 in 2026, estimate).
Combining islands? Camiguin and Siquijor make a good pair, but they are not directly linked, so read our Siquijor guide separately. Or visit Bohol's beaches first in Panglao.
Getting around
A paved ring road of about 64 km circles the island, so the loop is easy. Most travellers rent a scooter for around ₱500 a day in 2026 (estimate) and ride it in one or two days. Or hire a tricycle with a driver for a day tour; agree on the price and stops first. Jeepneys and multicabs run along the coast road, but they are infrequent after the afternoon.
Where to stay and eat
Mambajao is the best base, with the port, the market and the road to White Island, and it is close to the springs and falls. The beach resorts of Yumbing and Agoho are quieter, with sea views and sunsets. Look for local favourites such as fresh seafood, lanzones in season, and the soft sweet bread called pastel, a Camiguin speciality.
When to go
The drier months, March to May, are best for the sandbar and island hopping, though it is hot. From about June to November there is more rain and rougher seas, and storms can cancel boats and flights. October brings the lanzones harvest and the festival, which is busy but joyful. Keep a spare day in case boats are cancelled.
Tips for a good trip
- Bring cash. ATMs are few and many small places take cash only.
- Expect small entrance and environmental fees at most sights; keep small bills.
- Take a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and water to White Island; there is no shade.
- Wear a helmet, ride slowly on wet roads and do not ride at night.
- Never touch coral or turtles, and take your rubbish with you.
- Treat the Sunken Cemetery and church ruins as places of remembrance.
Planning more island time? Read our ferries from Cebu guide, then add Siquijor or Panglao to your trip.
Photo gallery
Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.
Watch before you go
Photo: "Camiguin White Island" by Theglennpalacio, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated October 28, 2026
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