Heading to Camotes Islands soon? CEBU INSIDER has created the most updated Camotes Travel Guide 2023 to help you have a smooth experience.
Camotes Islands is a group of islands composed of Pacijan Island, Poro Island, Ponson Island, and an islet called Tulang Diot. Most tourist attractions in Camotes Islands are in Pacijan Island and a couple in Poro Island. Tulang Diot Island is a tourist attraction in and of itself.
Located about 87 kilometers away from Cebu City, Camotes Islands is popular among locals but not so with foreign tourists. If you like cave pools and white sand beaches, Camotes Islands should be on your itinerary.
Our Camotes Travel Guide 2023 outlines everything you need to know about traveling to the Camotes Islands, including the following:
- Top things to do in Camotes Islands
- Best beaches in Camotes Islands
- Best cave in Camotes Islands
- How to get to Camotes Islands from Cebu City
- Where to stay in Camotes Islands
- Camotes Island budget and itinerary
Looking for more fun activities? Check out the 35 Best Things to Do in Cebu!
Top Things to Do in Camotes Islands
Wondering what activities you can do in the island? Here are the best things to do in Camotes Islands:
1. Jump Off Towering Cliffs at Buho Rock Resort
Cliff diving at Buho Rock Resort in Camotes Islands is one of the best outdoor activities in Cebu if you are traveling on a budget. For 20 PHP (~0.2 USD), you may jump off multiple cliffs that are 18-foot and 40-foot tall.
2. Enjoy Water Activities at Lake Danao
Lake Danao is a great place for adventures. This emerald-green lake in the northern part of Pacijan Island offers many activities that are family-friendly, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and zipline. You can even rent out a floating cottage where you can eat, drink, and chill for the day. Admission is 50 PHP (~1 USD).
3. Diving
Camotes Islands may not be a popular freediving place like Moalboal and Malapascua, but it is slowly becoming a new attraction in Cebu. There are a few dive shops in the island that offer fun dives and training.
For more activities, check out the 10 Fun Things to Do in Camotes Island!
Best Beaches in Camotes Islands
There are dozens of beaches in the Camotes Islands. Here are some beaches to visit:
1. Tulang Diot Island
Tulang Diot is a secluded islet 10 minutes boat away from Tulang Dako Beach in Barangay Esperanza, San Francisco. It has one of the nicest beaches in Cebu popular among town locals. Roundtrip boat transfer costs 40 PHP (~1 USD). Admission is 10 PHP (~0.2 USD).
2. Bakhaw Beach
Bakhaw Beach is an underrated beach with fine white sand in Barangay Esperanza, San Francisco, Pacijan Island. It’s wide enough to accommodate group activities. Entrance is 10 PHP (~0.2 USD).
3. Santiago Bay Beach
Santiago Bay Beach is the most popular public beach located in Barangay Santiago, San Francisco, Pacijan Island. It’s the most expansive beach, shallow enough for fun water activities like paddleboarding and kayaking. Admission is free.
Best Cave Pools in Camotes Islands
Camotes Islands has 8 caves—all of them have natural spring and seawater pools inside. Here are the must-visit caves in Camotes Islands:
1. Bukilat Cave
Bukilat Cave is the largest cave in Cebu known for its picturesque rock formations surrounded by clear blue water that is lit upon from above. Take a dip in the waist-deep cave pool to cool down. Bukilat Cave is located in Barangay Mcarthur, Tudela, Poro Island. Entrance is 20 PHP (~0.5 USD)
2. Paraiso Cave
Paraiso Cave boasts a turquoise swimming area. Located in Barangay Consuelo, San Francisco, Pacijan Island, it’s the most developed cave in Camotes Islands. Paraiso Cave looks shallow, but it’s actually deep enough for swimming. Admission is 100 PHP (~2 USD).
3. Heaven Cave
Heaven Cave is yet to be known by tourists, but it’s worth visiting. Located in Barangay Union, San Francisco, Pacijan Island. Go there when it’s high tide. Admission is 60 PHP (~1 USD).
For more information, check out the 5 Best Caves in Camotes Island!
How to Get to Camotes Islands from Cebu City
- Take a taxi to Cebu Pier 1. Fare is 150-350 PHP (~3-7 USD), depending on your pickup point.
- Buy an Oceanjet ticket outside Pier 1 (see pricing and schedule below). Or, get your ticket here.
- Proceed to the terminal, pay the 25 PHP (~0.5 USD) terminal fee, and wait for boarding. Travel time from Cebu City to Camotes is 2 hours.
- At Poro Port, take a habal-habal/tricycle from Poro Port to your hotel. Fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person or 150 PHP (~3 USD) for the entire habal-habal/tricycle.
For a more detailed guide, check out How to Get to Camotes Island!
Oceanjet Cebu to Camotes Ferry Schedule 2023 and Vice Versa
| SCHEDULE | |
| Cebu Pier 1 to Poro Port, Camotes | 6:00 (Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) |
| Poro Port, Camotes to Cebu Pier 1 | 8:00 (Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) |
Oceanjet Fare Cebu to Camotes 2023 and Vice Versa
| FARE | |
| Open-air | 880 PHP (~16 USD) |
| Tourist class | 880 PHP (~16 USD) |
| Business class | 1,280 PHP (~23 USD) |
Camotes Island Budget and Itinerary
Camotes Islands is not yet on the radar of many foreign tourists. But I think it’s worth exploring as well with the number of white sand beaches and caves it has.
Read our Camotes Island Itinerary for 3 days and 2 nights, plus a detailed breakdown of the schedule of activities and expenses to give you an idea. This itinerary includes all the major beaches, caves, and things to do in Camotes Islands.
Adjust the days and expenses based on the activities you want to do and the sights you want to see.
Check Out More Things to Do in Cebu
Looking for things to do in Cebu? Check out CEBU INSIDER’s 35 Best Things to Do in Cebu!
That’s all we’ve got for you here. I hope this gives you something to complete your Cebu itinerary.
