74C Aaliyah River, Bayerhaven
The Island
A Camotes Island Travelogue
Off the coast of Cebu lies a little known group of islands, sparsely populated and hardly noticed, but fully immersed in the wonders of island life. Here, there are no overcrowded beaches, no franchised eateries, and no transported manila night life. In a world that espouses ‘more’ and ‘now’, life in the Camotes Islands remains unapologetically unhurried— embracing a slow living ethos that encourages one to make purposeful decisions to live better rather than faster. ‘ Over the last seven years, we have discovered wondrous places that have brought us joy from their beauty, their delicious food, or simply because of the amazing people that run them. We have curated a list of our favourite spots in the hopes that others can fall in love with them as we have.
Snorkeling Tulang Diot
Tulang Diot means “little island” and is a secluded islet on the northern tip of Camotes. It is known for its pristine sandbar and as the best snorkelling, free diving and scuba diving spot on the island.
- San Francisco
Bukilat and Paraiso Caves
Located in the municipality of Tudela, Bukilat is the largest cave on the island. It was discovered by a priest in the 1970’s and was used as a shelter by the local residents during WWII. It has beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites and has a ceiling bell hole that lets natural light come in. The cave is filled with water knee-deep during high tide.
Paraiso Cave
Paraiso Cave is situated in the middle of a manicured garden inside a resort with lodging facilities and a restaurant. It takes just a few steps to reach the refreshing, turquoise waters of its cave pool which are best enjoyed during high tide.
- Tudela
Dapdap, Santiago & Bakhaw Beach
Santiago Beach is the most popular public beach on the island and is known for its powdery white sand, wide beach and long shoreline.
Bakhaw Beach
If you’re looking for an out of the way, isolated spot to spend a beach day, this is the place to go. Best part is that it’s just a hop skip and a jump away from Hidden Hut’s delicious food.
- San Francisco
Hanna & Marvin’s Island Cup
Located at the Santiago Bay Food Park, Island Cup’s yummy cocktails won’t break the bank and they quite possibly offer the best coffee on the island. Hang out around sunset for a pre and post-dinner cocktail. We might even join in for one of Marvin's luscious Espresso Martinis!
- Santiago, San Francisco
Hidden Huts
Aside from our own Kitchen, this is our favourite place to eat. Delicious food and even better company. Its undeniable charm is encompassed by Dani and Frank, Hidden Huts’ lovely owners and quite possibly the island’s sweetest couple.
- Esperanza, San Francisco
M Cafe & Deli
Aside from our own Kitchen, this is our favourite place to eat. Delicious food and even better company. Its undeniable charm is encompassed by Dani and Frank, Hidden Huts’ lovely owners and quite possibly the island’s sweetest couple.
- Campo, San Francisco
Free Diving
There is no better place to learn the art of freediving than on Camotes Island. With flat seas, calm currents, no drifts, 25 meter visibility and up to 150 meters of depth, the island is considered the best place in Asia to freedive.
Led by Thibault Guignés, France’s top ranked freediver and the world’s 5th ranked professional, Camotes Freediving is open to freedivers of all levels, from beginners to professionals and top athletes. Camotes Freediving provides expert training with an emphasis on safety, laying out a complete freediving guide with a personalized training plan under the Molchanovs curriculum. From discovery dive, to instructor-in-training, or competition athlete, Camotes Freediving offers in depth training with a world class facility.
You only live once.
Scuba & Snorkeling
The Camotes islands are home to an underwater paradise with beautiful walls that go down up to 85 meters (280 feet) and are covered with an abundant population of colorful corals, sponges, a variety of sea fans, huge gorgonians, crinoids and numerous tropical marine species.
From snorkeling and pure fun dives for the recreational and the less technical divers to more technical wreck and cave diving for more experienced divers, there are a myriad of underwater sites to explore. Dive and experience the breath-taking underwater world of the Camotes Islands today.
Other Places
SPELUNK IT.
Amazing Cave
Timobo Cave
Holy Crystal Cave
Heaven Cave
Mangodlong Beach
Himensulan Beach
Esperanza Beach
BEACH IT.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Panganuron Falls
Busy Falls
Lake Danao
The Baywalk
Agora Market