They usually say that every place is beautiful in its own right. But there are just places that stand out among the rest. That it will sound like an insult if you compare these spots with natural wonders which can be found in other parts of the globe. šJelmarās Islet Resort, Libjo
šµšDINAGAT ISLANDS ADVENTURE PRIMERšµš
āļøš³š How to get to Dinagat Islands:
āŗ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Butuan City (e.g. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific).
āŗ Charter a tricycle to get to the bus terminal in Butuan.
āŗ Ride a bus bound for Surigao City (travel time: approximately 3 hours).
āŗ Hail a tricycle to Pantalan Dos.
āŗ Ride the public boat en route to San Jose Port, Dinagat Islands (travel time: 1.5 – 2 hours depending on sea condition).
Ā
ššš“ Sites to Explore/Activities:
Ā
Jelmarās Islet Resort, Libjo
Pangabangan Beach, Libjo
Blue Lagoon, Pangabangan Island, Libjo
Babas Cove/Bababu Beach, Basilisa
Lake Bababu, Basilisa
Sundayo Beach, Hagakhak Island, Basilisa
Isla Aga, Basilisa
Bitaog Beach, Basilisa
Duyos Beach, Basilisa
Cabacungan Beach, Basilisa
Our journey to the paradise of Dinagat started the instant we boarded the bus at Agora Terminal in Cagayan de Oro City. We checked in first for two hours or so to bathe and freshen up at an inn outside the terminal since we werenāt able to wash up properly after our Bukidnon day trip. šSundayo Beach, Hagakhak Island, BasilisaWe arrived at the bus terminal in Butuan City by 2:00 in the morning. We immediately transferred to another bus bound for Surigao City. I was hoping we would be on time for the first trip of the passenger boat going to San Jose, Dinagat Islands. šCabacungan Beach, BasilisaUpon reaching the bus terminal in Surigao City, we hurriedly chartered a tricycle to bring us to the port. Unfortunately, the boat was already full of passengers when we reached Pantalan Dos. It was only 5:30 AM but considering it was a Saturday, we were welcomed by loads of tourists and locals at the port. But luck was on our side because another boat would be leaving for San Jose Port by 6:30 AM. šSundayo Beach, Hagakhak Island, BasilisaIt felt like we were competing in “The Amazing Race” as we hastily checked in our stuff at our booked accommodation. After prepping and buying our packed lunch for the day, we headed straight to the port to get to our rented boat. šLake Bababu, BasilisaMy original plan was for us to avail of island hopping packages but I created our own timetable which somehow deviated from the usual itinerary followed by tour agencies. So we opted to hire our own private boat that would take us to the islands. šSundayo Beach, Hagakhak Island, BasilisaBoy was I so ecstatic as we endured the treacherous southwest monsoon waves of Surigao Strait. Honestly, I was worried that our boat wouldnāt survive the ordeal because of its miniscule size. The scorching sun also contributed to our agony as the boat didnāt have any roof. Thank the gods I didnāt forget to bring my umbrella. Moreover, our boatmen didnāt provide any life vests for us. It would be too hard to survive huge waves like this even if youāre an expert swimmer. I may be used to bumpy boat rides but being on board a small fishing boat was on a whole new level. šCabacungan Beach, BasilisaThis amazing pool of water was the farthest destination in our itinerary. It was almost lunch time when we were greeted by one of most beautiful natural swimming pools I have ever seen. That sudden feeling of anxiety after our battle with the waves vanished right away upon seeing the turquoise water at Jelmarās Islet Resort.This could have been mistaken for a drone shot but this was just taken from the resortās view deck.It no longer surprised me to see lots of people when we docked at Jelmarās. After all, weekends always equate to family days and vacation trips. We actually found it a bit hard to frame photos with no people so I decided to swim outside the resortās fence. Because this portion was already deep and the current was way too strong especially for kids, I was the only person frolicking here during that time.My friends and I then headed to this island called Pangabangan. Loads of boats were already parked at one of the islandās beachfronts.We decided that it was time to eat our lunch first before going to the island’s best-kept secret. We sat right by the shoreline, munching on our meals while enjoying the warm vibes of the tropics. šPangabangan Island, LibjoReaching Pangabanganās hidden Blue Lagoon requires a quick walk as you will pass by some rock formations surrounded by fine sand and crystal clear water. One will surely be enticed by the picturesque spots as you make your way to this tidal pool.The moment we arrived here at Blue Lagoon, I was like, āWell, this doesnāt seem to be a secret.ā The place was full of kids swimming and tourists who had set up their picnic areas. It was so difficult to find angles with no photobombers. The province of Dinagat may still be off the radar in terms of mainstream tourism but travelers and locals from nearby provinces flock to this place especially during weekends. I had to swim farther to the deeper portion just to get frames with no people in it.The heat of the sun was at its peak when I decided to take a quick dip. The sun was just too harsh and my skin was already sunburnt from our adventures in Davao and Sarangani Province.This place somehow reminded me of the lagoons I have seen in Palawan, although Pangabangan has its own aura that makes up for its unique identity among the tidal pools in the country.Pangabangan Island will always be memorable to me and my friends. This was where my friend’s drone malfunctioned. As he was prepping the little machine whilst I was swimming away towards the center of the tidal pool so he could film me without any people in the camera’s frame, the drone suddenly accelerated and hit one of the karst walls surrounding the lagoon. Luckily, it fell near the kids by the shore so we were still able to retrieve it. We immediately removed the memory card inside the drone. Fortunately, our photos from our Sarangani, Davao and Bukidnon trips were undamaged.We left the tidal pool by 2:00 PM with our hearts broken due to our drone’s demise. We were not able to get any decent drone shots in Dinagat but we just needed to accept the fact that unpredictable mishaps like this happen when you travel. šPangabangan Island, LibjoWe took more photos on our way back and I quickly noticed the fine granules of sand of this portion of Pangabangan Beach as we walked towards our boat.Caraga never really disappoints in terms of sand quality. Itās official; itās now among my most favorite regions in the Philippines.
ā°ā³ SAMPLE ITINERARY:
DAY 1
1:00 AM ETD for Surigao City from Butuan
4:30 AM ETA Pantalan Dos
5:30 AM ETD for San Jose Port, Dinagat Islands
7:00 AM ETA San Jose Port / check-in
9:00 AM Start of island hopping
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Jelmarās Islet Resort
Pangabangan Beach
Blue Lagoon, Pangabangan Island
Babas Cove/Bababu Beach
Lake Bababu
Sundayo Beach, Hagakhak Island
Isla Aga
Ā
5:00 PM Head back to accommodation
6:00 PM Dinner
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DAY 2
5:00 AM Wake-up call
6:00 AM Continuation of island hopping
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Bitaog Beach
Duyos Beach
Cabacungan Beach
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9:00 AM Head back to accommodation
10:00 AM Breakfast
11:00 PM Check-out
12:00 PM ETD for Surigao City
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š°š¶ ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo joiner of public island hopping tours): Php 5,000 ā 6,000 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities.
Ā
We passed by some islands en route to the next destination on our list. Sadly, we had no choice but to skip them. We were pressed for time thatās why I already removed some of these islands in our itinerary. There will always be a next time. After all, we already got a million reasons to go back to Dinagat after how it impressed us early that day with its grandeur. šSundayo Beach, Hagakhak Island, BasilisaThe sunās rays were already directional when we reached Sundayo Beach which was evident in this picture because of the shadows cast by the coconut trees. It’s as if Mum Nature was reminding us of the time constraint.We were lucky to have this beach to ourselves. It somehow felt to finally be at peace amidst the noise and chaos with other tourists at Jelmarās Resort and Pangabangan Island.One distinct feature of this place that will pique your interest is the presence of these two huge rocks by its coastline.We frantically took our shots. We didnāt want to run out of time and travel back to the town proper in the dark. If we were only able to board the first trip of the passenger boat that morning, our itinerary might not be ruined. Contingencies like this usually happen when you travel so itās advisable to move quicker as you adjust your itinerary accordingly.The rock formations plus the coconut trees seem to be the best elements in these photos we captured.I noticed that the waves were now much calmer compared to when we left the town center of San Jose. We thanked the caretakers of the beach and finally decided to bid goodbye to Hagakhak Island.It was already 4:00 in the afternoon when we traveled to our last stop that day. After a few minutes of sailing from Sundayo Beach, we finally reached Babas Cove which serves as the jump-off to another hidden gem of Dinagat. šLake Bababu, BasilisaOriginally, we wouldnāt be including this lake of Bababu in our itinerary had we been pressed for time. But I’m really glad we did. It would have been heartbreaking if we missed this.As it was nearing sundown, we hastily trekked our way to this natural wonder. Our guide led the way as we braved the sharp trail. Thereās no room for wasting our time for rest stops to take a breather. The second I caught the faint sound of talking and laughing from other tourists, I knew we were almost there.How do I describe our magical experience in this mystical body of water? After the group of tourists decided to go back to the jump-off and we were left alone with our guide, it was that moment when I felt how serene and enchanting Lake Bababu is. And for someone with a sixth sense like me, it was creepy as well. This lake has an underwater cavern connected to the sea and this underwater cave is known to be the longest in the Philippines. What I really love about the lakeās water was how it touched my skin when I dipped in it. It felt so soothing and snug as if being covered in a soft blanket.We only stayed at the lake for roughly 30 minutes. We immediately trekked back to the cove and hopped on our boat. Fortunately, we were able to reach San Jose Port before dusk. Day One was so exhausting yet fulfilling. Boy were we so fascinated by the beauty of this piece of paradise in Mindanao.
šā Tips/Reminders:
šPlease note that the trek to get to Lake Bababu from Babas Cove takes about 30 minutes – 1 hour depending on your pace. It is not a leisurely walk-in-the-park type of hike as you will be trekking through a jagged trail of sharp rocks.
šThe first trip of boat bound for San Jose Port from Pantalan Dos normally leaves between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM while the last trip departs between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. As for the schedule of boats going back to Surigao City from San Jose, the first trip usually leaves at 6:00 AM while the last trip leaves at 3:00 PM. Itās much better to confirm with the boat operators and staff of the port for the time of departure since the schedule may change depending on the number of passengers. There is also a Montenegro ferry that plies the Surigao City-San Jose route.
šPlease be reminded that there is another boat en route to the municipality of Dinagat (also part of Dinagat Islands province) so make sure that you ask the crew if youāre on board the boat bound for San Jose which is the capital of Dinagat Islands.
šThe town of San Jose is a laid-back 4th class municipality and it is still under the radar of mainstream tourism so donāt expect fancy hotels, bars and restaurants. You may roam around Poblacion to check out some of the eateries (a few of them can be found near the port).
šExpect rain and rough sea condition during monsoon season (June-February).
šAlways observe the LNT principles.
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āļø Contact:
šJmalls Island Tourist Inn (09171634907) – you may contact them to book your accommodation and island hopping tours if you are a solo joiner.
The next day, the first thing I did when I woke up was peek out the window. Uh oh, I couldn’t see any signs of sunshine. The overcast weather greeted us that morning. But at least it wasn’t raining. šBitaog Beach, BasilisaWe walked towards the wet market where our boat was docked. Breakfast would have to follow. It’s a must we finish the remaining beaches first in our itinerary. šBitaog Beach, BasilisaIt was cloudy yet there were no rough waves to deal with. We sailed through calm waters towards this beach called Bitaog. We were lucky to be the first visitors. We were expecting to see the islandās caretaker but the place was deserted.Even if the sunrays were absent to create more lively shots here at Bitaog, it still radiated the charm of Dinagat Islands that welcomed us the day before.To be honest, it was actually frustrating that we only had less than two days to explore Dinagat Islands and our tour was coming to an end that day.By the way, I would like to introduce you to our mini boat that braved the monsoon waves the day before. Isn’t it cute? šWe continued our way here at Duyos Beach where we had a quick stop-over. It was a bit crowded being it a mainstream spot with cottages for families and big groups. A few more minutes or so had passed after we explored Duyosā small coastline and we returned to our boat to cap off our Dinagat getaway at the next island.Because this was our last destination thus concluding our unforgettable Dinagat trip, we opted to spend the rest of our time here at Cabacungan Beach and dip in its inviting water of jade and emerald hues.I quickly noticed that the shore of this beach does not have the creamy fine sand of its sister islands here in Dinagat but pebbles and crushed corals instead.I lost track of time as I savored the unspoiled beauty of this beach. It felt like I floated and chilled out at this portion for hours while watching the two hornbills flying and playing atop this huge cliff.Aside from the karst formations which reminded me of the beaches in Palawan, the awesome line-up of coconut trees on the other side of Cabacunganās coastline is an added attraction for visitors.I think what made our visit here extra special and memorable was the lack of tourists. It felt as if we got our own private island with no nuisance at all.Just right before we bid goodbye to the island, we noticed a small boat approaching us. It was definitely one of those dreamy āawwwwā moments that you seldom encounter. I couldnāt help but adore this sight of the islandās caretakers paddling to reach the shore with their cute dog. I quickly took a shot of this priceless moment.There were tons of spectators when we reached the town proper of San Jose because the province was holding its Bangkarera (boat race) event. We were just right in time to wash up and pack our things at our accommodation. By lunch time, we were already on board the public boat going back to Surigao City. I will surely miss the islands of Dinagat. This pretty much calls for a comeback trip in the near future. šCabacungan Beach, BasilisaFor me, the aura of Dinagat Islands is akin to that of Balabac. It feels so pristine. Everything glistens as the islands exude impeccable beauty. šJelmarās Islet Resort, Libjo
***For other destinations in Caraga Region, you may visit this link.
Very nice blog! May I just ask sir if its the same boat you hired for day 1 and day 2? How much and if I can ask for their numbers..Thank you & Godbless
Sa Jmalls na lang po kayo mag-avail ng island hopping package (nasa blog po yung link sa FB page nila). Wala na po ako contact nung bangka namin. And I wouldn’t recommend it as well kasi fishing boat lang sya na maliit tapos walang bubong at lifevest. Malalaki pa naman alon when we made our visit.
2 Comments
Shiela Mae Dacer
Very nice blog! May I just ask sir if its the same boat you hired for day 1 and day 2? How much and if I can ask for their numbers..Thank you & Godbless
Riley
Sa Jmalls na lang po kayo mag-avail ng island hopping package (nasa blog po yung link sa FB page nila). Wala na po ako contact nung bangka namin. And I wouldn’t recommend it as well kasi fishing boat lang sya na maliit tapos walang bubong at lifevest. Malalaki pa naman alon when we made our visit.