Camotes Islands

The Camotes Islands sit in the Camotes Sea, east of mainland Cebu and actually closer to Leyte than to Cebu City. They belong to Cebu Province, but they feel like a different world: quiet roads, coconut farms, small fishing villages and white beaches that are rarely crowded. Most visitors stay on Pacijan and Poro, two islands joined by a short causeway, and explore them on a rented scooter.

Why go to Camotes

• Lake Danao, a wide, calm freshwater lake with a lakeside park and small boats for hire.
• Swimming caves such as Timubo, with cool, clear water inside.
• Santiago Bay, a long stretch of white sand with calm, shallow water.
• A slow, friendly island pace, with fewer crowds and lower prices than the famous islands.

The islands at a glance

Camotes has four towns. San Francisco on Pacijan Island has Lake Danao, Santiago Bay, most of the resorts and Consuelo port. Poro and Tudela share Poro Island, which is hillier, with caves, viewpoints and Poro port. Pilar, on the small island of Ponson, is further out and sees very few visitors.

Things to do in Camotes

Lake Danao in San Francisco is a peaceful, tree-lined lake, lovely in the late afternoon. The lakeside park usually has pedal boats and small boats for hire and charges a small entrance fee. It is a good place to slow down and watch local life.

The islands are full of limestone caves. Timubo Cave has steps leading down to a pool of cool, clear water, perfect on a hot day. Bukilat Cave in Tudela is a large, open cave where sunlight falls through holes in the roof onto shallow water. Floors are slippery, so wear water shoes and take your time.

For the beach, Santiago Bay is the classic choice: soft white sand, gentle water and several resorts and places to eat. Mangodlong Rock, on the coast of Pacijan, is a rocky point with a resort, a swimming area and lovely sunsets; day visitors usually pay a small entrance fee. On Poro Island, Buho Rock is known for cliff jumping. Only jump where locals say the water is deep enough, and never after drinking.

How to get to Camotes from Cebu City

1. For the most common route, take a bus or van from the Cebu North Bus Terminal to Danao City. The ride takes about 1-1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
2. At Danao port, take the ferry to Consuelo port in San Francisco. The crossing takes about 2 hours, with several trips a day.
3. Or take a fast craft from Cebu City port straight to Poro port. It takes about 1.5-2 hours and usually runs once or twice a day.
4. From the port, take a tricycle or habal-habal (motorbike taxi) to your resort, or pick up a rented scooter.

Ferry schedules and fares change, and trips can be cancelled in rough weather. Buy tickets early on weekends and holidays, and check the times of your return trip as soon as you arrive. Other routes, for example from Mactan or from Liloan, have also run at times, so ask locally what is operating.

Getting around

Most visitors rent a scooter, usually for about ₱300-₱500 a day. The roads are quiet, but some are hilly or rough, so only ride if you are confident, and always wear a helmet. If you would rather not drive, habal-habal drivers offer island tours for the day. Groups can hire a multicab with a driver. Agree on the price and the stops before you set off.

Where to stay and eat

Most resorts are in San Francisco, around Santiago Bay and along the nearby coast. You will find everything from simple fan rooms to comfortable beach resorts. Poro Island has fewer, quieter options. For food, eat at your resort or at small local eateries (carinderias) in town, where fresh fish and grilled dishes are cheap and good. Many places close early in the evening, so plan dinner ahead.

When to go

The dry season, from about December to May, usually brings sunny days and calmer seas for the crossing. From around June to November there is more rain, and storms can stop the ferries, so keep a spare day in your plans. Weekends, Holy Week and the summer holidays are busy with local visitors.

Tips for a good trip

• Bring enough cash in small bills. ATMs are few and can be offline.
• Carry your driving licence if you rent a scooter, and wear a helmet.
• Pack water shoes for the caves and rocky beaches.
• Do not touch cave formations, leave no graffiti, and take your trash with you.
• Dress modestly when you visit churches or walk through the town centres.

Travelling through Danao? See our Danao and Danasan guide. For more island time, read our Bantayan Island guide.

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: "Lake Danao in Camotes Island" by choypictures, via Wikimedia Commons, released into the public domain (CC0).

Last updated October 15, 2026