Cheaper than its neighbouring islands, Camotes Island has everything you could desire from a tropical vacation: Talcum-fine sand beaches, swaying palm trees, caves with turquoise-hued swimming spots, healthy coral reefs, budget-friendly accommodation and tranquil sunsets. As Camotes remains relatively undiscovered by foreigners, weekdays on the islands are rather quiet.Â
The Camotes Islands, located east of Cebu, are a group of four islands: Pacijan, Poro, Ponson, and Tulang.
Join us as we discover the top Camotes Island tourist spots for an unforgettable vacation away from busy city life.
Cebu City To Camotes Islands
To get to Camotes involves a bus journey out of the city and to nearby Danao, followed by a couple of hours ferry.Â
- Take a taxi to Cebu City’s North Bus Terminal.
- Board a bus bound for Danao City (1-1.5 hours).
- From Danao City, take a 2 hour ferry to Consuelo Port in Pacijan Island
Mactan To Camotes Islands
Jomalia Shipping now offers two daily direct ferries from Mactan to Camotes. It is best to book online in advance to ensure you secure a seat.Â
Leyte To Camotes Islands
For those in Leyte, there is a daily direct ferry which leaves from Ormoc City.
- Head to Ormoc City Pier in western Leyte.
- Take a 3-hour ferry to Camotes Island.
Best Time To Visit The Island
A trip to the picturesque Camotes Islands is best when it is quiet. As the islands are a beloved beach break for many local Cebuanos, organising your trip to avoid weekends and public holidays will give you a much more peaceful experience! Planning your trip in the dry season will help you make the most of your vacation.
Camotes Island Map With Tourist Spots
Interactive Map Of The Top Camotes Island Tourist SpotsÂ
Camotes Island Tourist Spots
Quicklist:
- Beaches:
Santiago White Beach | Tulang Diot |Â Bakhaw Beach | Mangodlong
- Caves:
Paraiso Cave | Heaven Cave | Timubo Cave | Bukilat Cave | Amazing Island
- Nature Spots & Waterfalls:
Buho Rock | Lake Danao | Century Old Tree | Panganuron Falls | Busay Falls
- Snorkeling & Diving
Tulang Diot Island | Esperanza Marine Sanctuary
1 - Beach Bum on the Pristine Beaches Of Camotes Island
What’s a trip to a tropical island without spending some time on the beach? Camotes Island is teeming with secluded beaches, boasting more palm trees than people.Â
The most famous is Santiago White Beach, also known as Santiago Bay, with its long stretch of fluffy white sand stretching hundreds of meters. High tide provides the perfect time to paddle in its shallow crystal-clear waters. The beach offers an ideal balance of affordable accommodation, delightful restaurants and secluded swimming spots. For those looking to work off the extra holiday lechon, there are ample opportunities to get active – rent a snorkel, kayak, paddleboard or partake in a game of beach volleyball.
Do you want to spend the night here?
Venturing off the beaten track, Bakhaw Beach sees relatively few foreign tourists and offers a more rugged adventure. It is necessary to come prepared with food and water, as there are no facilities here. The upside to the lack of amenities is you may get this little patch of palm-fringed paradise to yourself!
Tulang Diot Beach is a short Bangka ride from the main Pacijan island. Most people come here to snorkel the vibrant reef or simply relax on the fine silky sand and soak up the late afternoon rays while enjoying the sunset.
2 - Kayak In The Heart Of Camotes Island: Lake Danao
This peaceful lake, with its silhouetted mountainous background and seemingly endless greenery, often makes visitors feel instantly at ease. However, to truly appreciate this natural spot, you need to get active.
The best way to see the lake is to rent a boat or kayak and head out to the deep turquoise-tinged waters. Overlooking the lake while enjoying a picnic is the perfect opportunity to rest from a busy day exploring Camotes Island.Â
3 - Search For Exciting Marine Wildlife
The small size of the Camotes Islands and their lack of development have made them a haven for marine wildlife. The oceans are teeming with vibrant corals often graced by the presence of turtles. The best snorkelling is around Tulang Diot Island, but Mangodlong Beach and Santiago Bay also offer relaxing snorkeling for beginners.
Camotes is a fabulous and often underrated destination for scuba diving due to its crystal-clear visibility and remoteness. Esperanza Marine Sanctuary, arguably the best dive site in Camotes, is a protected marine area rich in biodiversity, formidable coral formations and energetic reef fish.Â
If swimming in the depths is not your forte, arrange to rent a bangka boat to take you exploring the ocean during sunrise. Dolphins are most active in the early morning and enjoy playing near the ships. Watch as they twist and turn, effortlessly gliding through the turquoise waters.
4 - Adventure At Buho Rock
Once a luxury resort, Buho Rock is now managed by the government after its swift abandonment. The unusually shaped resort, perched on the edge of the clifftop, is surrounded by turquoise waters, ideal for swimming.Â
Visitors flock here by the masses to partake in a heart-pounding cliff-jumping experience! The nerve-wracking jump starts at 10 feet, but for those with unshakable confidence, the 40-foot jump awaits!
If throwing yourself off the cliff seems intimidating, the good news is they have a small swimming pool to paddle in instead.
5 - Explore The Caves Around Camotes Island
Laced underneath the beautiful foliage of Camotes Island are eight rugged caves (that we know of), all with unique rock formations and sapphire-hued, gin-clear pools inside. You won’t need to worry about the dark in these caves as they are all lit with dim white lights.Â
The largest and most visited cave is Bukilat, on the far side of Poro. After descending some small stone steps, you reach a big opening to the cave. The magnitude of the cave is impressive in itself, but the true attraction is wading in the luminous blue tidal pool, which is most spectacular during high tide!
Our favourite was Amazing Island Cave, a hidden gem often overlooked by tourists. After changing into swimming attire, a guide leads the way through a narrow passage, requiring you to submerge entirely underwater to reach the main cave pool. The pool is deep and best suited for experienced swimmers.
Other caves worth visiting are Paraiso Cave, Heaven Cave and Timubo Cave​
6 - Explore Secluded Waterfalls: Panganuron & Busay
While there are no roaring waters or translucent pools like those in neighboring Cebu, Camotes offers two off-the-beaten-path waterfalls. Nestled in the forest and away from the crowds, a visit here promises an inexpensive nature retreat—a heavenly escape from the sticky climate of the Philippines!
Busay Falls, located in Southern Poro, is the more popular of the two. An exhilarating 10-minute trek through the forest and across rivers leads you to a small waterfall with a cave above the first tier and a swimming spot. However, a recent landslide in 2023 has degraded the falls, making them less pleasant than before.
The other waterfall on the island, Panganuron Falls, is picture-perfect. The challenge is finding the falls without getting lost, so it’s best to ask for local guidance along the way
Where To Stay In Camotes Island
There are many different accommodations available on the island, many of which are beachfront and have their own pools exclusive to guests. For the best deals, check out the accommodation on Tripadvisor. It is best to book your accommodation beforehand, particularly for weekends!
Camotes Island Beach Resorts & Hotels
Santiago Bay Garden Resort – Spacious Rooms with a large swimming pool overlooking Santiago White Sand BeachÂ
Camotes Backpackers Hostel – Budget-friendly, top-rated hostel close to Santiago White Beach
Camotes Ocean Haven Resort – Resort boasting a large outdoor swimming pool, with a convenient location in San Franciso
Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort – A beachfront hotel with a pool and comfy rooms
Thank you for reading our blog!
We are Em & Yul – An English & Filipino Travel Couple. Now based in Cebu, we frequently explore the best destinations, hidden gems and cultural attractions across the Philippines.Â
Subscribe to our email list (in the sidebar) to keep updated with our latest travel advice, content and recommendations.
You can get in contact with us using one of the methods below:
Please note that this website contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links (at no extra cost to you). This helps us keep the website up and running. We only recommend genuinely useful products and resources 🙂