Believe it or not, the #1 attraction in Camiguin is not "White Island" as we know it, it's actually Mantigue Island. At least according to Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel website.
To be honest, I never heard of Mantigue Island before going to Camiguin so I thought it was worth the check, and the comparison. For me, here is the contrast between the two.
Before that, feel free to read the following
White Island Camiguin
Mantigue Island Camiguin
Location:
White Island : Northern Tip (near town center)
To be honest, I never heard of Mantigue Island before going to Camiguin so I thought it was worth the check, and the comparison. For me, here is the contrast between the two.
Before that, feel free to read the following
White Island Camiguin
Mantigue Island Camiguin
White Island : Northern Tip (near town center)
Mantigue Island: Southeast (near Benoni Port)
Location-wise, both are accessible. For Mantigue Island, you can actually see it from Benoni Port so you can easily drop by here upon arrival or before leaving Camiguin. The thing about White Island is that it is way North where the municipal core of Camiguin here which also is the concentration of the island's population as well as most accommodations.
Distance from Main Island
White Island: 5 minutes by boat ( pwede languyin. Joke!)
Location-wise, both are accessible. For Mantigue Island, you can actually see it from Benoni Port so you can easily drop by here upon arrival or before leaving Camiguin. The thing about White Island is that it is way North where the municipal core of Camiguin here which also is the concentration of the island's population as well as most accommodations.
Distance from Main Island
White Island: 5 minutes by boat ( pwede languyin. Joke!)
Mantigue Island: 15-20 minutes
In terms of access from the nearest port to the following attractions, it is easier to go to White Island because it only takes 5 minutes via small pump boat. But twenty minutes for Mantigue is not bad at all.
Boat Rental Rates:
The Beach/Sand
White Island: White Sand. Fine -coarse/grainy.
Mantigue Island: White Sand. Super-fine -very coarse.
That feeling though is short lived because immediately around that section, the sand could go to coarse and then very coarse. In one area, you can find layers of fine sand, coarse sand and coral deposits. Mantigue is such an extreme when it comes to the sand component. White Island is more consistent.
super fine sand in Mantigue
White Island: None
The Feel-good Experience
At the end of the day, it is not about how beautiful the place is, it helps, but it is more of the overall experience. I call that, " the feel-good experience" and I really felt soooo good in White Island. My friends did too. I dreamed of this and it didn't fail me.
White Island
Mantigue Island
In terms of access from the nearest port to the following attractions, it is easier to go to White Island because it only takes 5 minutes via small pump boat. But twenty minutes for Mantigue is not bad at all.
Boat Rental Rates:
(Max 5 pax capacity)
White Island: 450/ boat
White Island: 450/ boat
Mantigue Island : 550/ boat
Not much difference in terms of boat rental. 100 pesos more if you are a group of 5 wouldn't hurt at all. In terms of entrance fee, it's 20 pesos per head for White Island and 10 pesos per head for Mantigue. Same environmental fee for 20 pesos per pax. So if you are a group of five, you spend almost the same amount on either destinations for boat rent and entrance fees. The thing with Mantigue though is that the boat rent is good for only 4 hours. Yes, and we felt pressured with out boatman reminding us that our 4 hours is up when in fact he couldn't remember what time we docked at the island and he doesn't have a watch to tell time. We did and we asserted that it was not yet time to leave. He went back to his boat with a frown in his face.
To White Island
The Island
White Island: Sandbar , Vegetation. NO
Not much difference in terms of boat rental. 100 pesos more if you are a group of 5 wouldn't hurt at all. In terms of entrance fee, it's 20 pesos per head for White Island and 10 pesos per head for Mantigue. Same environmental fee for 20 pesos per pax. So if you are a group of five, you spend almost the same amount on either destinations for boat rent and entrance fees. The thing with Mantigue though is that the boat rent is good for only 4 hours. Yes, and we felt pressured with out boatman reminding us that our 4 hours is up when in fact he couldn't remember what time we docked at the island and he doesn't have a watch to tell time. We did and we asserted that it was not yet time to leave. He went back to his boat with a frown in his face.
To Mantigue
To White Island
White Island: Sandbar , Vegetation. NO
Mantigue Island: Beach + vegetation
Since White Island is a sandbar with no vegetation at all, you will be exposed to the scorching heat of the sun. The advice I got from a friend before going to Camuguin "dala kayo payong sir at lagay ng maraming sunblock, lakas maka-nognog". So my advice to you is to better be in White Island early in the morning before sunrise or late afternoon for sunset. We got here 5:30am and left 10am so we really enjoyed the place, especially before the crowd started building. Better secure a beach umbrella for rent at around 150 pesos. Sulit na. At least you have a spot to go back to when you feel like resting under a shed. Surprisingly, White Island is larger and longer than I expected, it could accommodate quite a sizable number of tourists at one time so you can still find your perfect spot to lay on the sand. For a romantic stroll, you to the tip, that's where the crowd are too lazy to go to so you can still have your moment alone or with a special someone. Not sure during summer though, the place might be overflowing with people.
Mantigue Island
White Island
Hospitality
Since White Island is a sandbar with no vegetation at all, you will be exposed to the scorching heat of the sun. The advice I got from a friend before going to Camuguin "dala kayo payong sir at lagay ng maraming sunblock, lakas maka-nognog". So my advice to you is to better be in White Island early in the morning before sunrise or late afternoon for sunset. We got here 5:30am and left 10am so we really enjoyed the place, especially before the crowd started building. Better secure a beach umbrella for rent at around 150 pesos. Sulit na. At least you have a spot to go back to when you feel like resting under a shed. Surprisingly, White Island is larger and longer than I expected, it could accommodate quite a sizable number of tourists at one time so you can still find your perfect spot to lay on the sand. For a romantic stroll, you to the tip, that's where the crowd are too lazy to go to so you can still have your moment alone or with a special someone. Not sure during summer though, the place might be overflowing with people.
With Mantigue Island, space is not a problem. The island is way bigger and it has vegetation at the center so there is no need to worry about over exposure to the sun. There are a few nipa cottages too that one can rent.
Mantigue Island
White Island
of Tour Associated Individuals
White Island: friendly and relaxed
White Island: friendly and relaxed
Mantigue Island: Strict and Stiff
I don't know if I can generalize on this but only speaking of our experience, people in White island ( from port assistance to boatman to vendors) were a lot friendlier and tourist oriented. We were so relaxed while at the island because we were not bothered by anybody unlike in the case of our boatman in Mantigue. And also the vendors at the lone store in Mantigue were stiff. Tsk tsk tsk
Food
White Island: Yes. (Makeshift store)
I don't know if I can generalize on this but only speaking of our experience, people in White island ( from port assistance to boatman to vendors) were a lot friendlier and tourist oriented. We were so relaxed while at the island because we were not bothered by anybody unlike in the case of our boatman in Mantigue. And also the vendors at the lone store in Mantigue were stiff. Tsk tsk tsk
Food
White Island: Yes. (Makeshift store)
Mantigue Island. Yes. (Permanent Store)
I think I need to emphasize this. The thing about Camiguin is that the population, and therefore establishments including restaurants and food shops, are on coastal areas. And that coastal area on most part of the island is thin limited by the 7 volcanoes occupying most of the island center. That means it's not easy to hop from one restaurant to another for your food needs. And if you are lazy like us, and too excited to be in White Island (and even Mantigue) before sunrise, chances are you tend not to eat breakfast or even forget about it because of over-excitement. Then a few hours later, you feel starved. Worry not. There is a store (one and only) in White Island which sells basics like chips, beer, saba, softdrinks and best of all, cooked dishes. And the price is reasonable. One order of a vegetable dish costs 25 pesos and 45 pesos for meat. We had breakfast here after discovering this amidst the dramatic backdrop. Food suddenly became more delicious because of the view.
Same is the case in Mantigue, only one store except that this on is permanent. And it opens 9:00am. We were in Mantigue before 8:30am so there was nobody to talk to or collect our fee for the cottage. When it finally opened, we figured that food here is way more expensive.
I think I need to emphasize this. The thing about Camiguin is that the population, and therefore establishments including restaurants and food shops, are on coastal areas. And that coastal area on most part of the island is thin limited by the 7 volcanoes occupying most of the island center. That means it's not easy to hop from one restaurant to another for your food needs. And if you are lazy like us, and too excited to be in White Island (and even Mantigue) before sunrise, chances are you tend not to eat breakfast or even forget about it because of over-excitement. Then a few hours later, you feel starved. Worry not. There is a store (one and only) in White Island which sells basics like chips, beer, saba, softdrinks and best of all, cooked dishes. And the price is reasonable. One order of a vegetable dish costs 25 pesos and 45 pesos for meat. We had breakfast here after discovering this amidst the dramatic backdrop. Food suddenly became more delicious because of the view.
Same is the case in Mantigue, only one store except that this on is permanent. And it opens 9:00am. We were in Mantigue before 8:30am so there was nobody to talk to or collect our fee for the cottage. When it finally opened, we figured that food here is way more expensive.
They sell fresh fish (or maybe not so fresh fish because I saw them in ice boxes) , shells and meat. We ordered 1 kilo of pork and 1 big can of sardines. 300 pesos per kilo for pork which includes the cooking--either grilled or adobo. We requested (with many attempts) if it is okay to have 1/2 kilo grilled and 1/2 kilo for adobo but they declined so we went for adobo instead. People at the store were not accommodating. And their big can of sardines costs 100 pesos. Mahal. To be fair, masarap naman luto nila so all of us had 2 rice each.
Food and store in Mantigue Island
Food and store in White Island
The Beach/Sand
White Island: White Sand. Fine -coarse/grainy.
Mantigue Island: White Sand. Super-fine -very coarse.
There's not actually too much difference in terms of the quality of sand between the two, unless you are really very observant. On the surface, what you will notice in both beaches is the fine to coarse granules of sand. Be careful when you walk around bare feet, you might suddenly a coral and it could really hurt. After all, these are coral islands. In Mantigue though, there is a small section leading to the one and only store in the island where sand is really very fine. I haven't found any beach sand this fine, even in Boracay.
Nakakatuwa. As if pinulbos talaga.
That feeling though is short lived because immediately around that section, the sand could go to coarse and then very coarse. In one area, you can find layers of fine sand, coarse sand and coral deposits. Mantigue is such an extreme when it comes to the sand component. White Island is more consistent.
White Island
Mantigue Island
super fine sand in Mantigue
Permanent Residents
Mantigue Island: Yes
permanent residents in Mantigue Island
Snorkeling
Both Island are prefect for snorkeling because of sandy seabed extending meters and meters beyond the shoreline. Mantigue Island has a little edge because it has this section they call marine sanctuary where one can see giant corals and clams. Don't expect something like the ones in Coron's Coral Garden where corals are so packed you can hardly notice any space from one coral to another. At Mantigue's Marine Sanctuary, you have to be patient in snorkeling to see one coral after another as they seabed is mostly sand with a few surprises. Mabibigla kanalang, ay, me isang malaking coral, and then a few meters away, me isa na naman. Pa-isa-isa nga lang.
This is the surprise, there are permanent residents in Mantigue Island. I realized this when I walked around the island. The one facing the main island of Camiguin is stripped of any settlement except for the lone-store embedded within the trees but the opposite side facing the open sea is where houses are. I saw the fishing boats first and then the houses. This is the other face of Mantigue island and there is a unique appeal to it. The residents you can hardly feel unless you go to their section of the island, it seems that they are disciplined not to disturb tourists.
The Other Face of Mantigue Island
permanent residents in Mantigue Island
Snorkeling
Both Island are prefect for snorkeling because of sandy seabed extending meters and meters beyond the shoreline. Mantigue Island has a little edge because it has this section they call marine sanctuary where one can see giant corals and clams. Don't expect something like the ones in Coron's Coral Garden where corals are so packed you can hardly notice any space from one coral to another. At Mantigue's Marine Sanctuary, you have to be patient in snorkeling to see one coral after another as they seabed is mostly sand with a few surprises. Mabibigla kanalang, ay, me isang malaking coral, and then a few meters away, me isa na naman. Pa-isa-isa nga lang.
The Feel-good Experience
At the end of the day, it is not about how beautiful the place is, it helps, but it is more of the overall experience. I call that, " the feel-good experience" and I really felt soooo good in White Island. My friends did too. I dreamed of this and it didn't fail me.
White Island
Mantigue Island
The Verdict
Matigue Island
It seems like Mantigue Island has an edge over White Island in terms of diversity. It is multi-faced, more variety in the landscape including flora. It is also less crowded so one doesn't have to compete for space but this looks like a typical island with beach for me. Just another good island destination and we have so many of these islands in the Philippines.
White Island
White Island is a standout for me. There many sandbars in the Philippines but this one is the grandest in my opinion because of the dramatic backdrop of the volcano in the main island. Lakas kasi maka feel-good ng place. Postcard perfect and thanks to its proximity to mainland cellular signal is strong. Ang sarap mang-inggit sa social media on real-time status updates. I enjoyed snorkeling in Mantigue Island but I love having a perfect tan in White Island. Pag ganito ang backdrop, sarap humilata sa beach. Sorry Mantigue but White Island is my #1 destination in Camiguin.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ:
-- CAMIGUIN TRAVEL GUIDE: Itinerary, Budget + Attractions and Tour Contacts
____________________
P.S. We were lucky to have found Teddy online. Teddy is the owner/manager of a small tour group called Camiguin Transport. He has a few multi cabs for hire and travel packages suit for your budget and schedule. He is very diligent in checking his email and replying to text messages so streamlining our tour based on our time availability was so easy.
TEDDY PABUALAN
Camiguin Province Accredited Local Tour Guides
Globe: +62 9175219391 Smart: +63 939-2440521
Blog: http://camiguintransport.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camiguintransport
E-MAIL: teddypabualan@gmail.com
White Island is a standout for me. There many sandbars in the Philippines but this one is the grandest in my opinion because of the dramatic backdrop of the volcano in the main island. Lakas kasi maka feel-good ng place. Postcard perfect and thanks to its proximity to mainland cellular signal is strong. Ang sarap mang-inggit sa social media on real-time status updates. I enjoyed snorkeling in Mantigue Island but I love having a perfect tan in White Island. Pag ganito ang backdrop, sarap humilata sa beach. Sorry Mantigue but White Island is my #1 destination in Camiguin.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ:
-- CAMIGUIN TRAVEL GUIDE: Itinerary, Budget + Attractions and Tour Contacts
____________________
P.S. We were lucky to have found Teddy online. Teddy is the owner/manager of a small tour group called Camiguin Transport. He has a few multi cabs for hire and travel packages suit for your budget and schedule. He is very diligent in checking his email and replying to text messages so streamlining our tour based on our time availability was so easy.
TEDDY PABUALAN
Camiguin Province Accredited Local Tour Guides
Globe: +62 9175219391 Smart: +63 939-2440521
Blog: http://camiguintransport.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camiguintransport
E-MAIL: teddypabualan@gmail.com
The best part of Camiguin!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://frankcessroadtoinfinity.blogspot.com/2016/03/white-island.html
kinsai naai contact number nga pwd namo ma contact sa camiguin diri? kung pwd locals jud didto para kabalo jud sa lugar. text or pm me.. 09157226722 or add me up on facebook Nathan Niel. Salamat
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your great experience in camiguin your such a big tips to those who wanted to go their like us! Hope to hear your other travel experiences around Philippines God bless you!
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