Samal Island is one of the must-go destinations in Davao del Norte. It is an island full of tranquility, making it a perfect escape from everyone’s busy lives. What most people love about the Island Garden City of Samal is its accessibility from the heart of Davao City. With just a 20-minute ride from the said city, you’ll step foot on this famous island.
If you are traveling on a budget, Hagimit Falls is one of the top spots on Samal Island. It has a unique layout due to its multiple pool cascades, measured at 3 to 7 feet deep. With this, you have the option to take a deep swim or just lie down in narrow areas.
It’s also a relaxing spot as it is surrounded by a lush forest. Couple this with the placement of several picnic huts that you can use to hangout with your family and friends.
For the ultimate relaxation experience, Pearl Farm Resort should be at the top of your list. It is known for being one of the best luxury resorts, not only on Samal Island but also in the whole Philippines.
One of its winning features is the view from the rooms. The placement of the rooms is perfect if you want to take in the fantastic view of the beach, especially the azure-colored waters that it houses.
If you don’t have the budget to splurge, you may opt to enjoy the amenities of the resort through its day tour. The food here is also an added bonus that you can maximize.
Samal Island is known to have the best marine life and coral gardens. There are several fishes, clams, and corals that are unique to Samal Island alone. If you want to have a diving experience in this rich marine area, you may work with the Carabao Dive Center in Coral Garden. Its services are relatively cheap at Php 850, inclusive of equipment and an in-depth tutorial from a divemaster.
There’s also an Open Water Certification which you can take for Php 12,500.
There are a lot of beaches that you can visit on Samal Island but if you want a more unique swimming experience, the Vanishing Island is the way to go. Don’t be intimated with its name. The Vanishing Island is called such because half of this 80-hectare island vanishes when the high tide comes in. It creates an illusion that there is an open sea in front of you but in reality, there lies a magnificent island.
Outside the high tide, the island emerges as a sand bar where you can hang out with family and friends.
With the beaches and tranquil waters as the main reasons why travelers visit Samal Island, the best time to go here is during Summer, anytime between March to May. At this time, you won’t have to worry about the rain hampering your vacation day.
Make sure to set aside three to four days to tour the island to ensure that you get to have that complete experience. Samal Island is a great place to break the stress from the city-life through the help of its relaxing ambiance.
Planning to visit Samal Island in the next coming days? Checkout the weather in Samal Island.
Keep in mind that Samal Island does not house its own airport. The only entry point is through Davao City. Here are a couple of ways to reach the said vacation destination.
The main jump-off airport to Samal Island is the Francisco Bangoy International Airport or popularly known as the Davao International Airport. There are various airlines that cater to this route such as Air Asia, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific. This is pretty accessible from several key cities of the Philippines like Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran, and Clark.
Once you have arrived in Davao City, there are different modes of transportation that you can take. First, you may ride the Island City Express bus which is the only bus line that has the license to take passengers to Samal Island. Its terminal is situated in Agdao in Davao City. Once passengers are set, the bus will then be loaded into the RORO (Roll-on, Roll-off).
Another option that you can take is by riding the ferry. Depending on your initial point in Davao City, proceed with taking jeep rides to the Sta. Ana Wharf. In the said wharf, you will find the Palboros ferry boat which can take you to Kaputian Beach.
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