Cebu is better off with a Camotes side trip

Finally I got a good place worth writing for in Cebu and it is the Camotes Island, a secluded site east off mainland Cebu that offers a laidback experience out of a hectic city activities. Camotes Island is a classic definition of simplicity and perhaps a good relief of rather bittersweet weekdays. More often than not my travels are zests of good vibes but this one is an exact opposite. I have been filled with so much frowning due to traumatic experience at home. Nonetheless, it was still a very unforgettable trip and in all honesty it gave me flashes of pessimisms.

The island’s natural attractions made it one of the more promising side trips in Cebu. The caves here offer light and easy spelunking adventure different from other cave destinations in the country. The most attractive to me is Bukilat Cave in the town of Tudela which is highlighted with a natural pool inside and unspoiled speleothem. Timubo and Paraiso caves are also worth a visit and a plunge with its cool waters.

As a tropical island there are equally interesting beaches in Camotes. Good beach resorts are dotted around the four municipalities of the island, most notable among them are Buho Beach, Mangodlong Rock and Santiago Beach. The latter we had a memorable sundown relaxation of beers and grilled seafoods.  

Lake Danao in Pacijan is an important natural piece of Camotes’ heritage. The lake substantiates the natural compactness of the island along with its coastline, underground rivers, caves, waterfalls and mountain ranges. According to local authorities several notable wildlife exist in Lake Danao such as the Philippine Duck. I have not seen one during our visit and I still have a lot of solo tripping to do in the place to explore some of the birds there. Other than some common birds like flowerpeckers, starlings, swallows, shrikes and few waders in Santiago Beach I think there are more interesting species which have yet to be fully documented. Mindanao is for me still a good place for birding.

Camotes Island has been a must-try outlet for Cebu visitors especially this summer. With the province maximizing available transport options for its island tours, Cebu is presently having a good sea transportation mechanism which allowed people to have access to Camotes daily. In our case we took the Mactan wharf, a newly-opened docking area on our way there. The ferry operated by Jomalia Shipping navigates less than two hours through Consuelo Port in Camotes. Another port in Danao is a good alternative as well with bigger RORO boats travelling daily from Consuelo.