Explore the Secrets of Samal Island – IGACOS

Samal is a 2nd class city in the province of Davao del Norte, Philippines. Its official name is the Island Garden City of Samal or IGACOS. It has a population of 90,291 people according to 2010 LGPMS Census. Samal is a part of the Metropolitan Davao area and is located two kilometers away from Davao City.

During the Spanish colonial period, during the reign of Don Jose Uyanguren of Davao City , a certain Island within the DAVAO Gulf was named “ SAMAL” in recognition of the settlers who migrated from Jolo and Basilan called the “ ISLAMIC TRIBAL GROUP” or “ ISAMAL” . Most of these settlers lived along the coastal areas and only few in the hinter lands. Their daily primitive way of acquiring foods is through fishing, farming, and hunting within the vicinity.

It is one of the best visited island in Mindanao and now the fastest growing tourist destination in the Philippines. It is just a 5 minute boat ride from Davao City. This island is at the Southern Philippines and it is strategically located in the Asia-pacific rim. The island offers exciting pristine white sand beaches with diverse natural attractions that local and foreign travellers would love.

 Finding a place to stay is not a problem in the Island of Samal. ICAGOS have numerous wonderful and extraordinary resorts that offers affordable accommodations for couples, families and group travellers.

Resort and Hotels

• Punta Del Sol Beach Resort
  Brgy Catagman
  Peñaplata District
• Hof Gorei
  Brgy Adecor
  Kaputian District

• Blue Jaz Beach Resort and Water Park
  Brgy Caliclic
  Babak District

• Calilic, Babak

• Anamarina Resort
  Balet, Babak

• Babusanta Beach
  Talicud Island

• Budyong Beach Resort
  Brgy Camudmud
  Babak District

• Buenavista Island Resort
  Ligid Island
  Brgy Balet
  Babak District

• Canibad Beach Resort
  Brgy Aundanao
  Peñaplata District

• Chemas Garden Resort
  Brgy Limao
  Peñaplata District

• Coco Beach Resort
  Brgy Caliclic
  Babak District

• Coral Garden and Marine Park
  Talicud Island
  Kaputian District

• Costa Marina Beach Resort
  Brgy Limao
  Peñaplata District

• Dayang Beach Resort
  Linusotan, Talicud
  Kaputian District

• El Magic Resort
  Brgy Caliclic
  Babak District

• Fernandez Beach Resort
  Peñaplata District

• Hi-5 Inland Resort
  Brgy San Agustin
  Babak District

• Holy Cross Beach Resort
  Brgy Camudmud
  Babak District

• Ilihan Beach Resort
  Brgy Camudmud
  Babak District

• Isla Cristina Beach Resort
  Linusotan, Talicud
  Kaputian District

• Isla Reta Beach Resort
  Sta Cruz, Talicud
  Kaputian District

• Island Hills Mountain Resort
  Brgy San Antonio
  Babak District

• Isla Beach Resort
  Brgy Caliclic
  Babak District

• Jim’s Island Beach Club
  Libud, Talicud
  Kaputian District

• Kaputian Beach Park
  Poblacion
  Kaputian District

• La Vida Orchard Resort
  Brgy Catagman
  Peñaplata District

• Mahan Garden Resort
  Brgy Caliclic
  Babak District

• Marex Villarica Beach Resort
  Tambo
  Babak District

• Mayumi Disney Sea
  Brgy Catagman
  Peñaplata District

• Monina Garden Resort
  Brgy Villarica
  Babak District

• Palm Hill Park and Resort
  Brgy Caliclic
  Babak District

• Pacific Little Secret
  Talicud Island
  Kaputian District

• Paradise Island Resort
  Brgy Caliclic
  Babak District

• Pearl Farm Beach Resort
  Brgy Adecor
  Kaputian District

• RMPC XI Resort and Training Center
  Brgy Camudmud
  Babak District

Activities

Chess – Samaleños of all ages loves chess and year round tournaments are held in the island to honor the sport.

Diving/Snorkeling – Talicud island is a diving spot tha have attracted lots of divers from all over the country due to its unspoiled underwater offerings.

Mountain Climbing – Puting Bato summit is a popular spot for mountain climbers and is frequented by extreme sports enthusiast.

Mountain Biking – the main roads of Babak going to Kaputian is one of the popular spots for mountain bike enthusiasts. The island offers an unusual road terrain across varied altitude hills that makes mountain biking a popular sports in the island.

Motocross – the island’s terrain enchants motocross fanatics that’s why regular motocross competitions are always held in the island.

Rapelling – Bito Depression is a challenging rapelling site for extreme sports lovers. This is one site that serious rappelers should not miss.

Beach Volleyball – Do you want to play beach volleyball with sexy babes and cool hunks? Then this is the place to be.

Water Sports – Almost all beach resorts offers varied water sports that anyone visiting the island should not miss to try.

Bigiw Regatta – Bigiw Regatta regularly held during the Araw ng Samal, is a sailboat (bangka) racing competition wherein local fisherfolks showcases their athleticism, skill and speed in a friendly to honor the island’s foundation day.

Caracoles Festival – Caracoles is a festival of shells held every last week of April which usually starts from sundown to sunrise.

Kabasan Festival – Kabasan is the commemoration of the foundation day of Babak municipality held every 28th day of May.

Regatta Festival – is a fluvial sea parade followed by a boat sailing competition celebrated annually on the month of March.

White Nights Festival – White Nights is the foundation day of the municipality of Kaputian which is held every 18th of June.

Samal Festival – is held every March 1 – 7 which commemorates the founding of the City.

Pangapog Festival – is a thanksgiving festival for bountiful harvest and blessings held annually. It features a colorful parade, street dancing, singing and traditional dances.

How To Get There

International visitors, can fly direct to Davao City International Airport.

If coming from the Philippines’ gateway in Manila, a more or less two (2) hour domestic flight to Davao from Manila will get you near Samal.

There are three (3) options on how to be able to reach Samal Island once you are in Davao City;

1. Sta Ana Wharf

(near Magsaysay Park, downtown area) motorboats/ferry are available which offloads passengers direct to Kaputian and Talikud Island.

2. Sasa, Km. 11 wharf

motorboats/ferry are available which offloads passengers direct to Babak wharf.

3. Sasa, Km. 11 Ferryboat Landing

via Island City Express Bus from R. Castillo and Cabaguio St. (satellite terminal) and to be rolled on and off via a ferryboat to Brgy. Caliclic, Babak District.

Creative Commons Images above courtesy of iMAGIO PhotoWorkx, burgermac, jeff pioquinto sj, digypho, bertconcepts, denvie balidoy, johnthescone, jeffschwartz, ironchefbalara, constantine agustin.