Sunrise to Sunset at Samal Island! (A One Day Tour)

Have you ever been caught in a place that you haven't been to, and don't have any idea what to do? With the universe's conspiracy you were meant to be in that place? What would you do? Thank God, there's google, there are bloggers, there are already information available online. 

I was supposed to travel back to Malaybalay, Bukidnon after our "Intelligent Investing" seminar with the Association of Finance Educators in Mindanao. But, suddenly the appointment in Bukidnon was canceled, and we wanted to make use of the time while we are still in Davao. What can we do? Mr. Google and Bloggers across the country helped us. I browsed through the internet all the possible things we could do, of course, top of the list is SAMAL island. 

Again, the question is, what can we do in Samal? I consulted the internet, and there were couple of travel agencies, but when I contacted their numbers, all of them rejected us. LOL! Actually, because it's peak season, I understand that they are all fully booked. But I wanted to go to SAMAL! Haha So I said, we will go D-I-Y! Who cares! I have to go there! haha Travel tours of agencies are all fully booked, some were even still fully booked as of this writing. All the more that I wanted to go to Samal even just for a day. I want to see what it is that people would want to go there! It's again a different thing if you hear it, versus you actually been there. 

I asked my auntie, who's from Davao City too where we could possibly go. She said we have to go to Paradise. And it's recommended that we go there early. First trip to Samal Island is 6:00 AM. I also saw the rule on a large tarpaulin at the port mandated by MARINA. So, I told my friend, we'll get up 5:30 and leave for the port at Magsaysay, board the vessel/barge going to Samal. We were advised, we'll pay around P40.00 for the trip.

But, when I asked the receptionist in the morning as to how to go to Magsaysay, she told me our mentor, friend Mr. F will take us there. Thank you sir! And we were not taken to Magsaysay, he knows a port, where the ferries are going to dock at Paradise Island itself. We were early to witness the sunrise, but we were just on time, since as soon as we took our seats in the ferry, the engine started! So, off we go! 

As we arrived in the Island, I was astonished by the sunrise that welcomed us into the Paradise!

We had breakfast at Paradise Island!

Then my research proved to have pointed us to the consistent places to visit when in Samal Island.

Before we could get to the destination, we have to find the transportation! One of our concerns is that, my friend Mr. CFG is not used to riding a motorbike. You see, he's not a promdi like me.haha And it's one of his fears, riding a motorcycle. But we have no choice, it's the only transportation available to tour us around Samal, with only two of us. We were told, they're going to charge P300/hour. I reacted! What? They said, (I know it's a marketing strategy), they can have a package. Unlimited hours for only P1,200 per motorcycle. I thought of the package we were not able to avail, it's almost equal to the two motorcycle. So I said, GO! Lez do thiz! Just get us back here by 4:00 PM. So we can still go back to Davao City by 5:00 PM the boat's last trip to the City.

Here are some places we went to and sort of itinerary for the entire day! A day trip in Samal Island I'd say.  

1. Hagimit Falls - a great, relaxing and enchanting water falls. Entrance fee is P5.00 environmental fee, and then another P40.00 for the property's entrance. Total cost P45.

2. Bat Cave - my first time to visit a Bat Cave. We had to take this picture at the entrance. Pay P5.00 again for the environmental fee, and another P100.00 for the property's entrance. 

3. Taclobo - this one we opted to pass on this one. We did go there. But when we were there, we were not equipped with underwater camera. I haven't got one yet and we think we can't get the value of our money without the pictures of what we can see there. Here we were supposed to witness more than 3,000 Taclobos. Clamps! To do it, you'd pay P500.00 for the boat to go to the area, then pay P200 (I am not sure with this one, but this was what I could remember told to us) for the snorkeling gadgets, etc. I then just took a photo of the Island at a closer look.

4. Overview at Kaputian  - we had to stop at the place where we can have a look of the Island at bird's eye view. We were not informed there was entrance fee. As we were about to leave, we were asked for the entrance fee of P10.00 each. 

5. Fish Feeding - we did not do this as we were tired. But we were informed that it's free in Paradise Island, included in our entrance fee of P200.00 as we arrived. 

Our lunch was at Farmer's Bar and Resto in Penaplata, Samal (will have the review on a separate blog). Took a picture with our drivers! :-)

We wrapped up our day relaxing in the beachfront of Paradise Island. What an amazing sight of Beach with the live music of the band! 

Such a fulfilling day! From sunrise to sunset at Samal Island! Thank you for the great trip! Thank you to my friend boss CGF for going with the flow! Congratulations on conquering your fear! 

I can't let the day pass and leave Paradise Island without my own proof of visit. Here I asked a picture taken with me at the entrance as we leave for the port to Davao City.

No-filter, breath-taking and relaxing view of the sunset at the port of Paradise Island!

If you have questions which cannot be answered on this post feel free to ask on the comment box. If you want to say something just hit the comment box below! Take risks! Travel more! Life is short! Keep moving! Live each day, don't miss it! It's a gift!