Getting There and Around in Camiguin
Part of the Camiguin travel guide — see every topic in All Camiguin Guides.
Camiguin is easy to reach from northern Mindanao and not too hard from Cebu or Bohol. Once you arrive, a single coast road loops around the island, so it is hard to get lost. Plan your days by side of the island, and think about timing your trip with the lanzones harvest.
By ferry from Mindanao
Most visitors arrive by ferry from Balingoan, a small port town on the north coast of Mindanao. From Cagayan de Oro, buses and vans go to Balingoan in about two hours. Ferries then cross to Benoni port in the south of Camiguin in about one hour or a little more. Boats run often during the day, but the last trips leave in the late afternoon, so start early from Cagayan de Oro. On holidays and in October, queues can be long. Laguindingan Airport, which serves Cagayan de Oro, has many flights from Manila and Cebu.
From Bohol and Cebu
There has also been a ferry from Jagna in Bohol to Balbagon port in Camiguin, a trip of about three to four hours. Check current days and times, because schedules on this route change. Camiguin also has a small airport near Mambajao, with flights from Cebu that take about 45 minutes. The planes are small and seats are limited, so book early, and expect weather delays at times. If the flight does not suit you, you can fly to Cagayan de Oro and take the ferry from Balingoan instead.
Around the island loop
The coast road around Camiguin is about 64 kilometres long. Mambajao, the main town, is on the north coast, and most resorts are along the north and west shore. The most popular way to get around is a rented motorbike, but only ride if you are experienced, and wear a helmet. Motorelas, the local tricycles, take you around towns and on short trips. You can also hire a driver with a van or motorela for a full-day island tour. Jeepneys run along the main road but are not frequent.
The lanzones season
Camiguin is famous in the Philippines for its lanzones, a small round fruit with a thin yellow skin and sweet, juicy white flesh. The trees grow well in the rich volcanic soil. The harvest is usually strongest around September and October, when the fruit is cheap and fresh at roadside stalls. The Lanzones Festival is usually held around the third week of October, with street dancing and music in Mambajao. Rooms and ferries are busy at this time, so book ahead. If you love fresh fruit, this is a great time to visit.
When to go and how long to stay
The calmer, drier months are usually from about March to June, when the sea is better for White Island and snorkelling. Rain can come in any month, and the end of the year is wetter. Three or four days is a good length for a first visit. Spend one day on the north side with White Island and the springs, one day on the west side with Mount Vulcan and the sunken cemetery, and one day for a hike or the reefs. Bring cash, as ATMs are few outside Mambajao.
Getting There and Around at a glance
| Getting there | Ferry Balingoan to Benoni, about 1 hour; flights from Cebu |
|---|---|
| From Cagayan de Oro | About 2 hours by road to Balingoan |
| Hours | Ferries run daytime; last boats late afternoon |
| Cost | Ferry fares are low; motorbike rental per day |
| Best time | March to June for calm seas; October for lanzones |
| Island loop | About 64 km around the coast |