Grace walking along the powdery, white sand beach of Mantigue Island
After lunch at J&A Fishpen at Taguines Lagoon, we again boarded our multicab for the short, 4.9-km. (10-min.) drive to the beach at Brgy. San Roque where we boarded a light, 4-pax pumpboat for the short, 20-min./3.5-km. (2.2 mi.) boat ride to the small (6.9-hectare) but captivating, mushroom-like and uninhabited Mantigue Island, located southeast of the main island of Camiguin. Though Jandy and I have visited Camiguin way back in 2001, this would be our first visit to the island.
Check out “Taguines Lagoon”
L-R: Jandy, Grace and the author
The island seen from our boat
Also called Magsaysay Island, this island is also accessible from Barangay Hubangon and Binaliwan (Binatubo) and about 12 nautical miles from Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort (Balingoan, Misamis Oriental).
The “Camiguin Isle Be There” sign that welcomed us upon landing
L-R: Lorraine, Gelyn, Lourdes, Grace, the author and Jandy
It has a 4-hectare (9.9-acre) evergreen forest (providing plenty of shade) surrounded by a captivating and gleaming powdery, white coral sand beach, a sprawling fringing reef, with corals offshore, and crystal-clear waters. Trails lead to scenic viewpoints with panoramic views of the surrounding sea and nearby islands.
Lorraine, Jandy and Loudes exploring the island
The north side of the island used to be home to a fishing village and a seaweed culture farm until the government prohibited any locals from residing therein and declared the island a protected area (Mantigue Island Natural Park) and marine sanctuary for sea turtles.
The now disused lighthouse on the island
The island is only open to the public during daytime only (until 5 PM) and people can stay in cottages (for rent) or swim in the sea. Overnight camping is not allowed. The provincial government of Camiguin mandates the local government of Mahinog as the official caretaker of the island.
One side of the island has a mix of shallow reefs, ideal for snorkeling, and a deep drop-off ideal for scuba diving (both beginners and experienced), with a rich variety of marine life such as sea turtles, jacks, barracudas, ribbon eels, trumpetfish, pufferfish and even rays and blacktip sharks.
Mantigue Island: Brgy. San Roque, Mahinog, Camiguin. Coordinates: 9°10′18″N 124°49′31″E.