Tourist Spots & Things to Do in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte

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Davao del Norte

Davao Region · Mindanao

Capital: Capital: Tagum
Cities and municipalities: 3 cities · 8 municipalities
Languages: Languages: Cebuano · Davawenyo · Mansaka · Filipino · English

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Tourist Spots

🕒 Best time:
Daytime
🧭 Getting there:
Barangay Ising, Carmen
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🕒 Best time:
Daytime, outside Mass
🧭 Getting there:
Central Tagum City
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🎟️ Entrance:
About ₱40 (as last reported)
🕒 Best time:
Dry season. It closed for rehabilitation in 2022, so check it's open.
🧭 Getting there:
Barangay Cawag, about 15–20 minutes from Peñaplata by tricycle or jeepney
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🧭 Getting there:
In Brgy. Mabunao, west of the Panabo city proper.
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🧭 Getting there:
Along the highway in Sitio Madgao, Sagayen; reachable by any vehicle year-round.
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🎟️ Entrance:
₱120 per person (as of late 2025); night flight viewing extra
🕒 Best time:
Late afternoon to dusk for the bat flight
🧭 Getting there:
Barangay Tambo, Babak District, near Samal's northern tip; ferry from Davao City, then tricycle or habal-habal
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🎟️ Entrance:
₱100 day tour (as last reported)
🕒 Best time:
Early morning
🧭 Getting there:
Ask in Peñaplata for the jump-off
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🕒 Best time:
Dry season
🧭 Getting there:
20–30-minute hike on a paved, grassy trail. Arrange caving with Tourism Kapalong.
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🕒 Best time:
Morning or late afternoon.
🧭 Getting there:
In Brgy. J.P. Laurel on the Panabo coast; tricycle from the city proper.
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🎟️ Entrance:
Cottages about ₱50–100 (older prices)
🕒 Best time:
Open daily 8am–5pm
🧭 Getting there:
Barangay Carcor, about 10 minutes by car from New Corella town
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🧭 Getting there:
In Brgy. Magdum, Tagum City; tricycle or private car from the city proper.
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🕒 Best time:
Dry season
🧭 Getting there:
15–20-minute hike from the bridge in Barangay Gupitan. Register via the Tourism Kapalong Facebook page.
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🕒 Best time:
Daytime
🧭 Getting there:
Tagum City
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🕒 Best time:
Late afternoon for sunset
🧭 Getting there:
20–30-minute trek; check their Facebook page
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Beaches

🎟️ Entrance:
Some resorts charge entrance
🕒 Best time:
Dry season
🧭 Getting there:
20–40 minutes from the Peñaplata municipal hall; rough road for cars
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🎟️ Entrance:
Day ₱50 + ₱50 environmental fee for non-locals; overnight ₱200 + ₱50; tent ₱100 (as last reported)
🕒 Best time:
Weekdays; dry season
🧭 Getting there:
Kaputian District, southern Samal
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🎟️ Entrance:
Resort entrance about ₱50–150; tents ₱75–400 (2015 prices)
🕒 Best time:
Dry season. Last boats back around 3pm.
🧭 Getting there:
Boat from Sta. Ana Wharf near Magsaysay Park, Davao City (60–80 minutes, 9am–3pm); tricycle or habal-habal around the island
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🎟️ Entrance:
About ₱20 entrance + ₱5 environmental fee, plus boat (as last reported)
🕒 Best time:
Low tide only; check the tide table
🧭 Getting there:
By boat from the Babak coast (e.g. Sanipaan); about ₱300 round trip as last reported
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Pasalubong & Delicacies

Grilled balut
Carmen's signature street food: balut grilled and served sizzling with garnishes and sauce.