2023 • 09 • 27
Samal Island is the go-to destination of Davaoeños looking for a quick beach trip. Its proximity to the city and its beautiful beaches and other attractions often make it a top choice. Those from other cities and provinces will also enjoy all that the island offers. If you’re planning a trip, here are some of the places and activities to consider.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
Hagimit Falls
Hagimit is a must-visit while exploring the island. It has multiple tiers and pools that tourists will enjoy. It is developed for mass tourism with tables, chairs, and stores inside. Despite this, you can still enjoy nature with a half or whole day trip. Jump from one of the cliffs into the pool below as many times as you want. Get a ‘massage’ under one of the falls or simply wade in the waters. The turquoise waters are clear if it doesn’t rain for a couple of days, but could get muddy after a downpour. There is an entrance fee of about P40.
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Island-hopping
Like many other famous destinations in the country, island-hopping is a popular activity while on Samal Island. Rent a boat from Red Parrot Inn for around P1800 to explore nearby islands. The stops include Coral Garden, Isla Reta 2 and Starfish Island. During your excursion, you’ll see colorful corals and starfish. The beaches have fine, white sand and azure waters. Go swimming, sunbathing or just sit back and relax at each stop.
Hike Mt. Puting Bato
This may not be Mt. Apo, but as the peak towering over the island, reaching the top will provide you with bird’s eye views of the surroundings. It’s an easy couple of hours to conquer Puting Bato. You can do this as a half day trip to have more time to visit the island’s other attractions. For day tours, there is an entrance fee of P 100.
Canibad Beach
Canibad Beach may take time and effort to reach but is worth the trouble. It has a white-sand shore and cerulean, clear waters on a fine day. Go for a swim or jump off a cliff into the azure waters below. Get a tan, beach bum, read a book or play volleyball during your visit. From the Penaplanta Municipal Hall, it’s a 20 to 40 minute trip to Canibad Beach. If you’re taking your own car, resort owners warn of the rough roads to the beach. There are resorts near the shore where you can spend the night in. Some have entrance fees and cottages, and tables and chairs for rent.
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Monfort Bat Cave
Samal Island’s Babak District is home to fruit-eating bats. You can see them in their natural habitat when you visit the Monfort Bat Cave. When you go to this attraction you’ll see four interconnected caves where hundreds of bats sleep or go about their routine. The sanctuary ticket costs P100 for adults with an additional P20 for the environmental fee.
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Pearl Farm Getaway
Pearl Farm is one of the most famous resorts on the island. This luxurious accommodation offers first-rate services, amenities, and facilities. The resort has a beautiful white sand beach with turquoise waters. Beach bum, get a tan or cool off by swimming. You can also rent equipment for water and/or jet skiing, enjoy a banana boat ride, scuba-diving, kayaking and other similar activities. Pearl Farm has a bar and restaurant where you can eat, drink and be merry. Try the local cuisine and fresh seafood if you plan to have lunch and dinner here.
From the airport, head to Pearl Farm Marina in Lanang Davao Beach Club, where boat transfers to Samal Island are available. There are 4 regular trips to and from Pearl Farm daily, but guests may also request special transfers with the hotel.
Regular boat transfers:
Davao Marina to Resort – 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Resort to Davao Marina – 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM
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Kaputian Beach
This beach is popular with locals, you’ll see them taking their family or friends for a day trip or overnight stay. Kaputian has a white sand shore and azure waters. Relax and unwind here after hours of exploring the island’s attractions. For non-locals, there’s a fee of P50 for day trippers, plus an environmental fee of P50. For an overnight stay, the rate is P200 plus an environmental fee of P50. There are tables and chairs, cottages and picnic sheds of rent. If you want to pitch a tent, it will cost you P100.
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Try Maxima Aquafun’s Slide
There are a number of resorts on the island, and Maxima Aquafun is one of them. This resort sets itself apart with its 40m slide. Sliding on it is an adrenaline-pumping experience. It only takes a few seconds before you hit the deep sea. The first attempt will leave you thinking and hesitating, but after, you’ll want to go a couple of rounds more. The resort offers other activities such as banana boat rides, jet ski rental, scuba-diving, and kayaking. There is an entrance fee of P300.
UPDATE: As of September 2023, we’ve confirmed that Maxima Aquafun is no longer operational.
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Where to Stay on Samal Island
The island has some affordable and luxurious accommodations for all budgets. Babak District has some affordable resorts as well. You have the option to camp in Kaputian Beach if you want to rough it out and save money. Since Samal is near and easily accessible, you can head back to Davao City and book a place there. Here are some of the recommended resorts and hotels by online users, in no particular order.
- PEARL FARM BEACH RESORT
✅ Booking.com | Agoda - HOF GOREI BEACH RESORT
✅ Booking.com | Agoda - CHEMA’S BY THE SEA
✅ Booking.com | Agoda - LA VIDA HOSTEL
✅ Booking.com | Agoda - RedDoorz @ ALTAVISTA BEACH RESORT SAMAL
✅ Booking.com | Agoda
For more options, search here: Samal Resorts
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