Picture a pristine sandbar surrounded by crystal-clear waters, with volcanic peaks in the distance. That’s White Island Camiguin — a stunning natural wonder in the Philippines.
Located just 2 km from Mambajao, this powdery sandbar is one of the island’s must-see destinations.
This guide has everything you need to plan your visit to Camiguin White Island, including transportation tips, costs, the best time to go, and what to expect when you arrive.
WHITE ISLAND CAMIGUIN – OVERVIEW
Let’s start this guide with a brief overview of White Island in Camiguin, from the location to the getting there and more.
WHERE IS WHITE ISLAND CAMIGUIN?
As mentioned above, Camiguin White Island is located just 2 km off the north coast of Mambajao and it takes no more than 10 minutes to reach by boat.
Click here to see the location of the ferry terminal on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO WHITE ISLAND CAMIGUIN?
The only way to get to this Camiguin sandbar is by boat from the White Island Ferry Terminal in Mambajao which is located right next to Paras Beach Resort.
The boat operating hours from Camiguin Island to White Island start at 5:30 am and finish at 5:30 pm, 7 days a week.
HOW MUCH IS THE WHITE ISLAND CAMIGUIN ENTRANCE FEE?
The entrance fee is 50 pesos ($1) and the pump boat fee is 550 pesos ($9) which seats a maximum of 6 people.
You will find a small ticketing office at the boat terminal in Mambajao where you can purchase your ticket.
Alternatively, you can book a full-day private Camiguin Island Tour which includes a stop at White Island.
For those traveling solo, it would be ideal to find a group of people to split the cost of the pump boat between you.
If you wish to go snorkeling on White Island in Camiguin, you can rent a mask and snorkel set from one of the kiosks near the White Island Ferry Terminal for 100 pesos ($2) per day, as well as a life jacket for 50 pesos ($1).
BEST TOUR IN CAMIGUIN
The best way to visit is to join a Camiguin Island Tour with White Island!
It includes all entrance fees, private transportation, and a fun guide to spend the day with!
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT CAMIGUIN SANDBAR?
The best time to visit this remarkable Camiguin sandbar is at sunrise which is between 5:30 am and 6:00 am.
There are two reasons why it’s best to visit White Island Camiguin as early as possible:
- White Island is one of the most popular Camiguin tourist spots and it can get VERY busy during the day as boatloads of people are constantly coming and going. Get there as early as you can to beat the crowds and enjoy this heavenly sandbar almost completely to yourself.
- There are no trees, houses, or sheltered huts on the island so there is no shade and it can get sweltering hot! It’s much cooler on the Camiguin sandbar in the earlier hours of the morning. The only means of shade on White Beach Camiguin are small beach umbrellas which can be rented for 150 pesos ($3) each.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED ON THE ISLAND?
You can spend anywhere between 1 hour and 1 day on White Island Camiguin, it all just depends on how many days you have allowed yourself to explore the rest of Camiguin Island.
Commonly, some visitors spend an entire day on this unique sandbar, lounging on the sand, reading a book, and just kicking back all the while taking in the sweeping views.
We spent about 1.5 hours on the island and felt like this was more than enough time to enjoy this natural wonder!
Must Read: 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary
The BEST Hotel in Camiguin
Need a place to stay? Bintana Sa Paraiso is conveniently located in Camiguin.
Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Bintana Sa Paraiso offers the best of both worlds.
OUR EXPERIENCE ON WHITE ISLAND CAMIGUIN
Stepping off the boat and sinking our toes into the sand on White Beach Camiguin was an experience in itself! I don’t think I have ever felt sand this soft before.
We walked from one end of the sandbar to the other in a matter of minutes and noticed there was a second sandbar across a shallow water channel.
My buddy Jay crossed over to the other side and I flew my drone camera to capture some aerial shots. He had the entire Camiguin sandbar to himself, it was unreal.
RELATED ARTICLE: 15 BEST TOURIST SPOTS IN CAMIGUIN
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This travel-sized drone captures 4K/60fps video, 48MP photo, and has 34 minutes flight time.
We were in complete awe of the vibrant turquoise-colored water that surrounded the sandbar and couldn’t resist taking a dip in the ocean, more than once!
The best part about this location is the view facing back towards Camiguin Island where Mt Hibok Hibok and Mt Vulcan can be seen reaching high into the skyline, creating the ultimate backdrop.
From the sky, White Island Camiguin looks like a boomerang which is a pretty impressive sight and it’s also known to change shapes throughout the year with the shifting tides.
WHERE TO STAY IN CAMIGUIN
Camiguin Island has countless accommodation options to choose from, so we’ve 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.
Luxury: Bintana Sa Paraiso
We personally stayed at Bintana Sa Paraiso and can’t recommend this place enough!
They have two 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, a 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 THIS GUIDE ON WHERE TO STAY ON CAMIGUIN ISLAND
WHAT TO PACK FOR WHITE ISLAND
When visiting Camiguin White Island, here is a list of items to bring with you;
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
FINAL THOUGHTS – WHITE BEACH CAMIGUIN
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about Camiguin White Island, please leave a comment below this post and we’ll get back to you as soon as we 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
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide about White Beach Camiguin!
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Many thanks!
Yeah, useful! Love reading this article
Thanks so much Jackie, enjoy your trip to White Island Camiguin
This is the best article that i’ve read so far. Its very informative and useful, thanks for the tips!
You’re most welcome, enjoy White Island!!