Things to see and do Mindanao

Also known as Magsaysay Island, it can be reached from the village of San Roque in 20 minutes by boat. It lies off the east coast of Camiguin and is home to a few fishing families. The sand on this small island is even whiter than on White Island, and the rocky seabed makes it ideal for snorkeling. You can also enjoy grilled fish, shellfish or soup. Please note that the maximum time on the island is 4 hours.

Located not far from Mambajao, the volcano or Mount Hibok-Hibok is the only one of Camiguin's seven active volcanoes. However, the volcano last erupted in 1951, causing extensive damage to the town. In the aftermath of this catastrophe, which killed almost 500 people and caused major losses to animals and plants, a national observatory called Philvolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) was set up 400 metres up on the mountainside to monitor and analyze the volcano's activity. This observatory is well worth a visit before reaching the foot of the volcano, if you wish to learn more about volcanoes and earthquakes. It is also advisable to consult the observatory before considering climbing the volcano, accompanied by a local guide (your hotel or tourist office will undoubtedly be able to direct you to one). At 1,300 metres high, it takes around eight hours to walk up and back down. It's a real challenge for climbers, but after this effort, which starts gently on the prepared paths, you'll be sure to appreciate the magnificent view over the sea and forest, and further afield to the islands of Bohol, Siquijor, Cebu and Negros. Hibok-Hibok has four craters, some of which have become small lakes. All the more beautiful for the view. A unique hike in an exceptional environment.

White Island" is an incomparably soft sandbank - immaculately white, if you must know - up to three hundred metres long at low tide, disappearing completely at high tide. White Island lies two kilometers between Agoho and the beaches of Yumbing, just behind the Hibok-Hibok volcano. It's the ideal place to sunbathe, snorkel or simply enjoy the view of the surrounding area from this paradise islet. However, it's best to get there early in the morning or at the end of the day, as there's no shade on this sandbar glistening in the turquoise blue of the Mindanao Sea, and what's more, you may be the only ones to enjoy the island for an hour or so.

Underwater. White Beach is also an excellent expedition for snorkeling enthusiasts, just around the beach and some three hundred meters from the islet. Its seabed is actually home to a sloping reef ranging in depth from six to twenty-five metres. To explore it, however, you need to be a certified " advanced " diver. Among other things, there's a magnificent black coral garden, and an occasional current offers the chance to see bigger fish and feel yourself fly as the current carries you away... For experienced divers only. Fish are abundant here, with stingrays, moray eels, scorpion fish and crabs to name but a few.

The Katibawasan Falls are a breathtaking sight. Their clear waters tumble like a veil from a height of over seventy meters into a natural pool surrounded by rich vegetation: wild orchids, ferns and other woody components of tropical flora. These are Camiguin's highest waterfalls. Bathers and picnickers frequent this spot, especially in summer, for its refreshing waters.

It is said that this waterfall is the highest in the Philippines with its 250 m height. A very impressive place.

At the top of a hill, this open-air chapel features relics of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague and Our Lady of Fatima, as some Filipinos call her. From here, surrounded by fruit trees, you have a panoramic view of the city and Mount Apo. It's a major place of pilgrimage, especially during Holy Week. Go on Sundays to share a true moment of life, when there are more people, including Filipino families.

This beach with volcanic sand is long and strewn with open cottages for picnic. Very pleasant with natural spring water pool. Water sports proposed.

Located sixty kilometers from Davao, it's a fairly small lake, barely six hectares in size. It is in fact a crater lake, as Mount Leonard is an active but dormant volcano. On certain sides of the lake, small fumaroles can sometimes be seen, suggesting that a volcano lies well below the lake. The lake is home to many species of colorful butterflies and a few rare specimens of Philippine crocodiles, increasingly threatened by human pollution.

20 minutes from Barangay Lake. Six years ago, five families settled around this mysterious lake, a supernatural place where they modestly cultivate their small plots of garlic, sweet potatoes, cabbage and sayutis, the delicious cristophines.

Amy and his family welcome you in their modest house and prepare fresh, but very healthy, vegetable and corn meals. Coffee is prepared with grilled corn. They fish for congresses and carp in the lake.

Legends weigh around this very deep lake. American researchers had sent divers, who had never been able to reach the bottom and who were never back on the surface. These disappearances are still talking in the region.

Very well known for its abundant fauna and flora.

It's a small lake where it's nice to spend a few moments in a picnic with fishermen.

Mainit is a Cebuano word meaning "warm". Lake Mainit is the fourth largest lake in the Philippines, at 150 ^km2, and also the deepest in the country. In places, it is over 220 metres deep. Located between the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, the area has remained quite wild, but the quality of its waters is declining due to pollution, threatening its biodiversity. In summer, it's possible to take beautiful photos of the water lilies and other water flowers between which ducks swim.

On this tour, the guides can put you in touch with the indigenous Manobos at Sitio Panlabuhan. The best time to visit AgusanMarsh is from October to January, during the rainy season. The lakes are overflowing, so it's easier to travel through the forest by banca. Discovery becomes an extraordinary safari, where you can observe wild birds and endangered species. The arrival of migratory birds in October is a real spectacle. Around a hundred species are listed, from purple herons and wild ducks to storks and sea eagles. Multicolored butterflies are also present (70 species in all). Fish abound: tilapia, haw-an (mudfish), gurami and pantat (catfish). On this walk, you may have the opportunity to meet the danata, a spectacular aquatic species living in freshwater, a kind of giant tortoise without a shell, covered with thick skin and equipped with claws. Other animal species include rare Philippine crocodiles, monitor lizards, macaques, the Philippine cobra and the python. Agusan Marsh is also a botanist's kingdom. The Manobo dialect is a mixture of indigenous dialect and foreign languages, very different from Tagalog and Cebuano. Other tribes derived from the Manobos share the same dialect, such as the forest-dwelling Dibabaons and Manguyangans.

Twenty minutes by jeepney from Iligan, this waterfall is the pride of the town and features on every tourist brochure. At one hundred metres high, the waterfall nicknamed "The Twin Falls" is majestic. Legend has it that the waterfall represents two sisters, Cristina and Maria. Falling in love with the same man, they threw themselves off the falls so as not to have to choose. Often referred to as "the mother of industry", the falls are a real asset to the city's development, producing the electricity needed by 70% of Mindanao.

Beautiful white sand beaches and several caves.

Established as a national park, Sohoton Cove is famous for its superb scenery of caves set in turquoise lagoons. It is three hours from General Luna. Its subterranean blue lagoons are home to a multitude of harmless fish and jellyfish, and the lush vegetation surrounding the caves will make you wish you'd never come. Jumping, kayaking, snorkeling... Impossible to get bored. The best time to come is between March and July, when the sea is calm and the winds are light. A must-see excursion from Siargao!

Located seven kilometers from Surigao, it takes around 15 minutes to reach Silop Cave, also known as Campamento Cave. The cave consists of four chambers, the central one of impressive size. There are twelve different entrances. Giant stalagmites and stalactites can be seen, as well as different species of bats. During the Second World War, the cave served as a garrison for Japanese soldiers. An interesting visit if you like caves.

Maca means "cave" and hambus means "to fall from the top of the river". This was the site of the Battle of Macahambus Hill. On June 4, 1900, a confrontation took place between the Kagayanon tribe and American soldiers. It is said to have been the first Filipino victory over the Americans during the Philippine uprising. Inside, there's a view of the Cagayan River, where the Spaniards once found gold. Outside the rainy season, the water level is quite low and you can take a dip in the pool.

Camiguin's beaches are mostly black volcanic sand, and Kabila Beach is an exception, with its fine white sand. Kabila (or Kibila) is the smallest fishing village. It's also home to the giant clam sanctuary, where a guided tour will teach you all about this species. The big plus? Snorkel right across the beach to observe these clams in their element.

A sort of large ecotourism complex, the Malagos features several parks with a wide variety of orchids. Horticultural enthusiasts will be delighted by the variety of traditional and hybrid orchids. There's a pavilion garden and a swimming pool surrounded by restaurants. And as this is a resort, it is of course possible to stay on site in charming rooms. There's also a chocolate museum and spa, for a unique sensory experience.