White Island

Come early morning of our second day in Camiguin, we were picked up by Quin Acala, our local guide and, together, we all walked towards Brgy. Yumbing, at a boat station behind Paras Beach Resort.

Boats docked at the beach at Brgy. Yumbing

Jandy and Grace waiting at the boat station

Here, we boarded two small motorized bancas for 1.4-km. (0.87-mi.) boat ride to the horseshoe-shaped, 2.4-hectare White Island, Camiguin’s pride. Not visiting the island, on the northern shore of Mambajao, would be like not visiting Camiguin at all.

On our way…..

It was drizzling when we left the port and, during our journey, the waves were slightly rough but we reached the island after 20 mins. The rain stopped soon after and a rainbow soon appeared in the sky, soon to be followed by the early morning sun.

The drizzling stop and a rainbow appeared…….

Also called Medan or Medano Island, it is a small, uninhabited and treeless, shape-shifting sandbar with dazzling white, sugar-fine sand.

The island’s shape differs depending on the tides and the constantly shifting currents.  This would be our second visit for Jandy and I, having first done so during a visit in 2001.

Back then, there were makeshift snack stands allowed on the island, marring its beauty.  Today, save for day trippers, there were none.

Check out “White Island (2001)”

L-R: Lourdes, Jandy, Grace, the author, Lorraine and Gelyn

The island is known for its postcard-perfect and Instagram-worthy views, with its backdrop of picturesque and majestic, 1,250 m. high Mt. Hibok-Hibok, an active stratovolcano, and the dormant, 838 m. high Mt. Vulcan Daan.

The 1,250 m. high, cloud-shrouded Mt. Hibok-Hibok

The 838-m. high, cloud-free Mt. Vulcan Daan (locally called Tandang Bulkan), a now dormant volcanic fissure, created by Mt. Hibok-Hibok, that spewed out lava and destroyed the town of Catraman on May 1, 1871.

You can swim its shallow, crystal clear waters, take Instagram-worthy shots, sunbathe or just relax along the beach.

White Island: Brgy. Agoho, 9100 Mambajao. The island shrinks substantially during high tide, so visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon.