Camiguin beckons

FROM culturally diverse Boracay and the gracious place down south known as Cebu, nature worshippers can now fly over to Camiguin to experience its rustic charm as domestic carrier South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) offers a complete island-hopping experience this coming summer and the rest of the year.

With SEAIR’s From Paradise to Paradise’ routes, travelers can take the airline’s Manila-Caticlan (Boracay)—Cebu—Camiguin flight and enjoy what all three islands have to offer – all with the convenience of having just one ticket.

Another way of reaching the volcanic island of Camiguin is to take the trunkline route Manila-Cebu via other domestic commercial airlines, and then from Cebu’s Mactan International Airport, hop onto SEAIR’s 35-minute Cebu-Camiguin flight. SEAIR now serves the Cebu-Camiguin-Cebu route every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and even offers chartered flights on your preferred dates.

"SEAIR is committed to helping increase tourism and commerce in Camiguin. The island has much to offer tourists in terms of natural and historical attractions, local culture and cuisine, and activities such as diving, rappelling, trekking and snorkeling. We are the only commercial airline flying to Camiguin and as such, we provide the market with the fastest and most convenient way of reaching this remarkable destination. SEAIR has been flying travelers to Camiguin since 2001," said Patrick Tan, SEAIR vice president for commercial affairs & director for corporate planning and development.

For a tiny island with a land area of only 238 square kilometers, Camiguin boasts of a diverse array of luch forests, teeming marine life, untouched coastlines, and numerous waterfalls and hot and cold springs. It is popularly referred to as the ‘Island Born of Fire’, home to seven majestic volcanoes the serve as dramatic contrasts to the unspoiled white-sand beaches of the area.

It lies in the Bohol Sea and is part of Northern Mindanao.

As an island with varied ecosystems and unique terrain, Camiguin has been identified by the Philippine Department of Tourism as one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the Philippines, and the No. 7 diving spot in the world.

Camiguin’s Attractions

Volcanic eruptions and land movements over time have created Camiguin into a rich island with a host of natural and historical attractions to delight even the most seasoned traveler.

Sunken Cemetery. A large white cross marks a cemetery swept into the sea by Old Vulcan Daan’s eruption in 1871. An annual fluvial procession is held by the townsfolk in honor of the sunken graves of their forefathers and as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. The site of the sunken cemetery can be found in Bonbon, 16 kilometers from Cataruman, and is especially picturesque at sunset.

Katibawasan Falls. A clear stream of water cascades 70 meters into a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Its cold waters provide a refreshing summer splash to bathers and picnickers. Those looking for adventure can rappel down the waterfall and plunge into the pool below. Katibawasan Falls is located five kilometers southeast of central Mambajao.

Via Cruzes along Old Vualcan Daan’s Slope. The slope of the old volcano is dotted with life-size statues depicting the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These correspond to the 14 Stations of the Cross, which make a trail leading to the volcano’s peak. At the last station is a sepulcher carefully carved and chiseled along the entire 64-kilometer road to the top as a form of prayer and penance for their sins.

Mt. Hibok-Hibok. One approaches this mountain through its base located in Barangay Tagdo in Mambajao. It is the only active volcano among the seven in the island. The 1250-meter slope is a challenge to climbers as the trek entails skillful maneuvers in loose rocks and boulders. The challenging climb is rewarded by a vista of the entire Camiguin island and nearby Bohol. A crater-like lake as well as steam outlets and located at the peak of this mountain.

White Island. This is an uninhabited white sandbar with the picturesque Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Old Vulcan Daan as its backdrop. Situated two kilometers across the sea from Agoho and Yumbing, postcard-pretty Island is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, diving and viewing the sunset over Camiguin.

[ Sunken Cemetery Wiki | Mt. Hibok-Hibok Wiki | White Island Wiki ]