Heading to Camotes Island soon? One of the best things to do in Camotes Island is to go cave-hopping and enjoy natural spring water cave pools. CEBU INSIDER has chosen the 5 Best Caves in Camotes Island based on our experience.
Camotes Island is best known for its unspoiled white sand beaches and jaw-dropping sunsets, making it a favorite quick island getaway among people from the metro. But one of the features that make Camotes Island so unique is its number of natural caves, most of them have a springwater pool.
Currently, a total of 8 caves in Camotes Island are open to the public. If we include underwater caves, the total of Camotes caves would be dozens, which is why Camotes Island has also quickly become popular among freedivers and scuba divers from around the world.
If you are planning to visit soon, I highly recommend spending at least 3 days and 2 nights in Camotes Island to explore the best of the island. A day trip to Camotes is also possible, but you really have to plan your trip well in order to maximize your time. Be sure to take a fastcraft to Camotes Island! If you need help ironing kinks out on your itinerary, feel free to drop your questions in the comments.
Klook.comBest Time to Visit Camotes Island
The best months to visit Camotes Island in Cebu are from March to May when the weather is generally dry and hot. November to February is a fairly good time to visit but expect rains on some days.
The wettest months in Camotes Island are from June to July. Expect cancellations of ferry trips to and from Camotes Island during these months due to bad weather. August to October supposedly is still the rainy season, but El Niño is expected to last until January 2024. That means hot, dry weather will persist until then.
Klook.comHow to Get to Camotes Island
To get to Camotes Island, take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu North Bus Terminal (see map) bound for Camotes Island. Get off at Poro Port in Camotes or Santiago Bay Beach whichever is closer to your hotel. The total travel time is approximately 3 hours, while the total cost is around 520 PHP (~9.5 USD) one way. Check out the latest Liloan to Camotes Ferry Schedule!
If you want to take the fastest ferry from Liloan to Camotes, just take any northbound bus at Cebu North Bus Terminal. Tell the driver or conductor you drop you at Pier88 in Liloan. The ferry will arrive at Poro Port. This will cut your total travel time to 2 hours. Get your Oceanjet ticket from Liloan to Camotes online!
Alternatively, you can take any northbound bus at Cebu North Bus Terminal and get off at Danao Port. Walk a few meters to the port and then take a ferry to Consuelo Port in Camotes. Check out the latest Danao to Camotes Ferry Schedule!
Klook.comWhere to Stay in Camotes Island
You can find different types of accommodation in Camotes Island, depending on your taste and budget. Here are some resorts and hotels in Camotes Island that we highly recommend:
- Azure Camotes Resort Hotel
- Homa Resort Hotel
- Villa Marquez
- Camotes Backpackers Hostel
- RC Hutspot Tourist Inn
What to Bring to Camotes Island
There are a few things you should not forget to bring on your trip to Camotes Island. Here are some of them:
- Dry bag
- Snorkeling set
- Fins for freediving
- Beach towel
- Water bottle
- Hiking shoes/sandals
- Waterproof phone case
5 Camotes Island Caves to Visit in 2023
Almost a dozen caves can be found throughout Camotes Island. Here are the best ones you should consider including in your itinerary:
1. Paraiso Cave
Located inside a resort premise, Paraiso Cave is the most developed of all caves in Camotes Island. It has concrete rails and steps going down to the underground cave pool as well as sitting areas built into the rocks.
Having a swimming hole that is up to 5 feet deep, Paraiso Cave is one of the most ideal Camotes caves for swimming. Although not wide enough, the cold crystal clear blue water will be enough to inspire you to take a dip.
Paraiso Cave Entrance Fee
- 100 PHP (~2 USD)
Paraiso Cave Opening Hours
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Sunday
2. Timubo Cave
Of all Camotes Island caves, Timubo Cave is the least popular. And that is what makes it good if you are looking for tourist spots in Camotes Island away from tourists if that makes sense.
I still remember the first time I went here, there was no electricity. So all I had was my flashlight and the willpower to go inside the cave alone and take a quick dip.
Timubo Cave is located away from the top tourist spots in Camotes Island. But you can make a quick run to the cave after visiting Tulang Diot Island.
Timubo Cave Entrance Fee
- 60 PHP (~1 USD)
Timubo Cave Opening Hours
- 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday to Sunday
3. Amazing Island Cave
Found inside the resort of the same name, Amazing Island Cave is definitely a must-visit. It has a spacious cave pool deep enough for you to swim around.
Amazing Island Cave is located near Paraiso Cave, so you can pretty much visit the two Camotes attractions one after the other. This one’s interesting because there are several tight holes you can squeeze yourself in to take a dip into the water.
Although the swimming hole is spacious, the stalactites hang low, so you need to be careful when crawling on all fours not to bump your head into the rock.
Amazing Island Cave Entrance Fee
- 100 PHP (~2 USD) inclusive of life vest
Amazing Island Cave Opening Hours
- 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday to Sunday
4. Heaven Cave
About 2 kilometers away north of Paraiso Cave and Amazing Island Cave is Heaven Cave, one of the most overlooked caves in Camotes Island alongside Timubo Cave. This cave is best visited when the tide is high so you can enjoy its cave pool.
I have seen improvements inside the cave ever since I went there the first time in 2015. There are railings and good lighting inside the cave. The steep steps can be slippery, so do not forget your aqua shoes or trekking sandals.
Heaven Cave Entrance Fee
- 75 PHP (~1.5 USD) for adults
- 60 PHP (~1 USD) for children
Heaven Cave Opening Hours
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday
5. Bukilat Cave
If there’s one cave in Camotes Island you need to visit, it’s Bukilat Cave. Of all caves in Camotes Island, this one is the largest and has enough sunlight piercing through a huge hole. Bukilat Cave is the only one on this list located in Poro Island.
Despite that, it’s worth visiting for a dramatic photo opportunity. Aside from taking dramatic photos, the presence of a hole and the sunlight inside the cave helps ensure no foul odor persists. Cave pools tend to get smelly because of how enclosed they are, but this one is different.
The swimming area inside the cave is the most spacious of all. However, it is only ankle-deep, so visitors can just take a dip.
Bukilat Cave Entrance Fee
- 50 PHP (~1 USD)
Bukilat Cave Opening Hours
- 7:30 AM – 4:30 AM, Monday to Friday
Your Complete Camotes Island Travel Guide
That’s a wrap for our list of the 5 Best Caves in Camotes Island. Indeed, cave hopping is one of the best things to do in Camotes Island. Apart from caves, Camotes Island is also home to beautiful white sand beaches and dive spots.
To help you organize your trip, check out our collection of travel guides for Camotes Island:
- 6 Best Hotels in Camotes Islands, Cebu in (Local and Real Guest Recommendations)
- Cebu to Camotes Islands: How to Get to Camotes Islands
- Liloan to Camotes Island Ferry and Bus Schedule and Fare Guide
- Danao to Camotes Island Ferry Schedule and Fare Guide
- 10 Fun Things to Do in Camotes Islands, Cebu
- Camotes Island Itinerary: 3 Days and 2 Nights Itinerary and Budget
- Camotes Travel Guide: Things to Do, Beaches, Caves, Getting There, Budget, Itinerary
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