Mantigue Island is one of the best Camiguin tourist spots just a short boat trip off the east coast of the main island.
Mantigue Island Camiguin is a protected marine sanctuary that boasts white sand beaches, turquoise waters, colorful coral reefs, and a lush nature park.
I visited this tropical island during my travels around Camiguin and have put together this complete guide on how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive on the island.
WHERE IS MANTIGUE ISLAND?
Mantigue Island is located in Mahinog, 3.5km off the east coast of Camiguin Island.
From the main tourist area of Mambajao, it’s approximately a 30-minute drive to reach the departure area in Mahinog, and the boat ride over to the island takes around 20 minutes.
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HOW TO GET TO MANTIGUE ISLAND
The best way to get to here is to rent a scooter in Mambajao and make your way to San Roque port in Mahinog and from here you can take a boat over to the island.
I rented my scooter from Camiguin All In One for 350 pesos per day.
Alternatively, there are tricycles and shared van options available to get around Camiguin Island. A 30-minute tricycle ride from Mambajao to San Roque port will cost around 150-200 pesos whereas the shared van is only 40-50 pesos.
When you arrive at the San Roque port, you’ll find a small tourist office where you can book your Mantigue Island tour.
The cost of the boat is 600 pesos for a maximum of 6 people, so ideally if you can find a group of people to head over to the island with it will be much cheaper to split the cost.
Some other Mantigue Island Nature Park fees are as follows:
- Environmental fee: 30 pesos
- Mantigue Island snorkeling fee: 50 pesos
- Rent a mask and snorkel: 100 pesos
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MY EXPERIENCE
As soon as we arrived on the island we set our belongings down on the sand and went for a snorkel along the outer edges of the reef. The water is extremely clear and we saw sea stars and lots of fish.
We then decided to go for a walk around the island which took us around 20 minutes, stopping several times for a dip in the ocean to cool off along the way. The water here is so inviting it would be rude not to go for a swim!
There are a couple of simple restaurants on the island where you can purchase drinks and local food.
These local eateries offer fish, seafood, chicken, pork, and rice. They also sell water, soft drinks, and beer to watch it all down.
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THINGS TO DO ON MANTIGUE ISLAND
Other than swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the shoreline around the island there’s also a nature walk that takes you across a wooden boardwalk from one end of the island to the other.
If you fancy a game of volleyball, there is a net located on the main beach where the boats arrive and you can ask one of the locals for a ball to play with. It does get hot and sweaty very quickly but it’s a good thing the ocean is just a stone’s throw away to cool off.
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There are a number of sheltered huts dotted along the beach that can be rented for 150 pesos. Believe me, the sun can be quite intense during the middle of the day, and taking shade in one of these huts is much needed.
For such a small island, there are many things to do to keep you entertained for a couple of hours and I highly recommend adding this incredible location to your Camiguin itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY IN CAMIGUIN
Camiguin Island has countless accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Bintana Sa Paraiso
I personally stayed at Bintana Sa Paraiso and can’t recommend this place enough!
They have 2 properties, one is on the beachfront in Mambajao and the other is high in the mountains in Binunsarun.
It’s currently one of the best 5-star accommodations in Camiguin featuring a restaurant, swimming pools, sea views, and mountain views!
The rooms are modern and spacious with private bathrooms, air conditioning, flat-screen tv, and a kitchenette.
Mid Range: Tongatok Cliff Resort
Tongatok Cliff Resort is your second-best pick for accommodation in Camiguin.
Located on the cliffs overlooking Tongatok Bay, the resort features a restaurant, room service, bar, garden, terrace, and free wifi.
The units are fitted with air conditioning, flat-screen tv, a private bathroom, a large patio, and ocean views!
Budget: Pabua’s Cottages
Pabua’s Cottages is the best budget accommodation in Camiguin, featuring beautiful gardens, a shared kitchen, free wifi, and room service.
The units are basic but perfect for a few nights’ stay, featuring a seating area, flat-screen tv, large bed, air conditioning, and a private bathroom.
Recommended for solo travelers, couples, and friends.
FOR MORE OPTIONS, SEE MY COMPLETE GUIDE ON WHERE TO STAY ON CAMIGUIN ISLAND.
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FINAL THOUGHTS – MANTIGUE ISLAND CAMIGUIN
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
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THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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Many thanks!
Hi Jonny, you might not remember now but was there anything available for vegetarians at the local eateries on Mantigue? I’ve been assuming not but it’d be great if you knew! Thank you
Hey Jesselyn, unfortunately I can’t remember, best to take some snacks over just incase you can’t find any vegetarian food. Enjoy!
Hi Jonny! I found your pictures so great. I am a blogger just for fun and I used 2 of your pictures in Camiguin. These are the places in Camiguin that I have not been to but would like to include it in my blog for suggestion. Please let me know if it is okey for you to use those two pictures. Thanks.
Hey, thanks for reading! I have just sent you an email regarding the use of images 🙂