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Welcome to Camiguin
Philippines
What on earth is Camiguin?
That’s what we were asking ourselves in 2009 when we received an invitation from our friends working in diving industry.
We have visited Philippines many times before and dove in the most popular places, but we didn’t have Camiguin Island on our radar yet.
Google revealed very attractive information such as, it is an island of a famously delicious fruit Lansones. The island is difficult to reach, located far from mass tourism, surrounded by breath taking beaches & untouched reefs. This information made us even more curious to explore what Camiguin island has to offer.
When we arrived on the island, first thing we have noticed, that the driving was slow and not rushed. The locals are known for taking their time with everything. Along the road you can see standing children, smiling, and waving on us. International tourism doesn’t practically exist here. Domestic tourism on the other hand is flourishing and Camiguin island is one of the most popular islands, visited by Filipinos. Camiguin´s population is consisted of 97% very devoted Christians, and it is an island with the lowest crime rate in the Philippines. It is truly a paradise for a reason.
To our surprise, we have found that the southern Visayas area is enjoyable place for holiday. We explored the beauty and diversity of “Camigens” (pronunciation). When we have left, we knew for sure that we will return:
Camiguin, we will come back!
Since then, the island has become a main recommendation for diving holiday among the employees of the Coraya Divers team. Many of us have already “fell in love” over the last 10 years with this hidden paradise, but since then the possibility to visit the island has now become much easier.
What is there to do on Camiguin??
First of all, it is a beautiful, tropical volcanic island with a lot of original charm.
White Island’, for example, is a large snow-white sandbank offshore from us, which is constantly changing with the tides.
Another highlight is Mantigue, a small island that looks very much like the Maldives.
Both are national parks, .i.e., rangers make sure that the regulations for the preservation of the original beauty are well respected.
Mantigue is at the same time a top diving spot: Turtles and large schools of fish can always be found, as well as everything else you can expect from a tropical reef.
Only divers, there are few…The same is true for the approximately 15 other diving spots that we reach by boat or minibus.
The ‘Ardent Hotsprings’, hot springs in the sea, the ‘Catarman Soda’, and ‘Cold Springs’ as well as some breathtaking waterfalls, offer numerous spots to -according to your needs – cool off, or warm up.
Mountain bike trails as well as countless nature hiking trails (including climbing the Hibok Hibok volcano or exploring the ‘Secret Paradise’), offer active people an attractive Adventure-playground.
Experienced riders can also explore Camiguin by scooter, or we can provide a driver with a car, tuk tuk or scooter. Only in case of emergency you should trust a ‘Habbel Habbel’ (a moped cab: “carries up to four locals, or two foreigners…”).
On a round trip around the island there are a lot of sights to visit: e.g. the ‘Sunken Cemetery’ the Mangrove Walk, the Camiguin Zipline, the Giant Clam Farm or the Hibok Hibok Observatory. No matter where you go, you will be met by a friendly smile of the locals.
All in all, the island offers a variety of opportunities that is second to none; every day comes along for sure with a little adventure, which then provides the basis for interesting conversations over a cocktail at our Sunset Bar.
Of course, there is also an alternative program at Balai sa Baibai: just relax by the pool, or enjoy the sea from the sandy beach, or get pampered with a massage at sunset in our spa…
ergibt.
The resort Balai sa Baibai
For several years now, this resort has been one of the premium destinations in Camiguin, with top ratings on international booking platforms. Among other things, the Sea Glass Foundation originated here (a social project, that combines keeping the sea clean, with a job creation program for the poorer part of the local population.
Through a combination of several fortunate circumstances we got the chance to take over this beautiful resort for Coraya Divers. A real jewel, with the only sandy beach of Camiguin, and a direct view to ‘White Island’.
Roman & Alessandra
With Roman and Alessandra, we found a management couple that fell right away in love with the island (and Balai sa Baibai). Over the last two years – with a lot of attention to the small details – they have made the resort even more upscale.
To describe Balai sa Baibai and the island in all its details here on our website would go beyond the limits, so here is the link to Balai sa Baibai.
https://www.balaisabaibai.com/
Of course, we will start with some special offers for our ‘old’ Coraya guests.
For example: “Half board of a special kind” (you don’t always have to eat in the same restaurant), or “Arrival and departure service” (it’s not unimportant how to get to Camiguin as comfortable and problem-free as possible) or our discounted “Adventure Packages”.
For flights and travel information, please feel free to contact our partner, the travel agency Blaue Träume.
Our half board principle
Under the new management of Alessandra, the restaurant of the Balai sa Baibai has gained an excellent reputation on Camiguin. The food is bought fresh every morning at the local market in Mambajao; it’s not very common nowadays, but here, the sea and the tropical nature provide us daily fresh food…
For a happy start into the day, a wide variety of types of breakfasts are available for our guests every morning: fresh fruits, homemade pastries, Continental, American, Asian or Filipino breakfast, everyone is guaranteed to find something.
Breakfast is available from 07:30 am to 09:30 am, or even in your villa or on the terrace of your room if you wish.
Most of our guests are very active during the day, that’s why we decided to offer HB; however, our guests can also choose from a menu for lunch.
For the main meal, we invite our guests to join us for a 3-course meal at around 6:30 pm. Every day our guests can choose between a meat, a seafood or a vegetarian dish. Different variations of starters and desserts complete the menu.
Having interesting conversations at the campfire, with a good glass of wine or a cocktail at the bar, the day comes to a wonderful end.
As an alternative:
In order to offer additional culinary variety for those who book 10 or more days HB, there is the chance to select up to three “DINING OUT” options in the best restaurants on the island. (incl. transfers).
You can find the booking options for our HB offer in the booking area under Camiguin Divers.
As a little treat:
If you book at least 10 HP days you will automatically receive a 10% discount on the total price.
Arrival and departure to and from Camiguin:
We would like to make sure that your arrival and departure to and from Camiguin is already/still a part of your vacation and not connected with unnecessary stress.
Therefore, we are ready to assist you through our specialized travel agency Blaue Träume.
Marlis and Frank have been to Camiguin several times with their family and have lived in Asia for 8 years. They will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
You can find the contact details of Blaue Träume Reisen under the following link:
White Island
The sandbank White Island is located directly in front of the Balai sa Baibai Resort and adorns the breathtaking sunset, which can be admired daily from the Sunset Bar. But White Island is not only worth a visit above water, from which you have a perfect view of Camiguin and its highest volcano Hibok Hibok.
As soon as the water surface has been broken after a short boat ride, White Island offers a view of a black coral garden, which provides a home for many different fish and crab species at a depth of 6-25m.
Mantigue Island
Located in the southeast of Camiguin, the island is reminiscent of the Maldives and offers the finest white sand with the best backdrop for calendar-ready vacation photos.
After a 20 minute car ride from Balai sa Baibai, we cross over by boat and explore two different dive sites.
Sand roads studded with large boulders merge into a steep slope covered with hard and soft corals. A local school of barracuda and the many turtles are constant companions. The perfect dive site for large schools of fish.
Sunken Cemetary
During the eruption of Old Vulcano, Camiguin’s cemetery sank into the sea in 1871. Meanwhile, a gigantic white cross on an artificially raised island commemorates the event.
Underwater you can see the cooled lava rock that formed a new reef and is characterized by many overhangs and large boulders. Probably the most colorful dive site in Camiguin is characterized by intake hard and soft corals growing at a depth of 5-30m. Octopods hide in the numerous small caves, nudibranchs decorate the coral blocks and scorpion fish alternate with frogfish.
Sunken Cemetery delights both snorkelers and divers of all levels of experience and training.
Old Vulcano
The dive site located directly in front of the volcano is characterized by the long steep wall, which is dived as a one-way dive. Centuries old cooled lava and large rock formations can be found at every depth.
The colorful soft corals are surrounded by razor clams and often mackerels move along in the blue water. Macro lovers also get their money’s worth here and can admire shrimp and frogfish species.
The 20 minute boat ride to and from the dive site offers a wonderful view of Camiguin’s coastline and its varied beauty.
