Everything that You Need to Know About Danjugan Island (2024 TRAVEL GUIDE)
Danjugan island, is situated 3 kilometers off the coast of Brgy. Bulata, Cauayan, Negros Occidental and is surrounded by a marine sanctuary. This 43-hectare island that is 1.5 kilometers long and a half kilometer wide is rich in natural wonders over and above the ocean that has long been treasured thus left untouched and away from any destructive acts. It was said that this island was bought through the green loan to save it from over-fishing. Ever since it was acquired by the PRRCFI around 1990s, fishing around the island has been strictly prohibited.
Danjugan Island is Not a Resort
As the management claims, Danjugan island is not a resort. Rather, it is a conservation project privately managed by the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. or PRRCFI, a non-profit and non-government organization. It promises not just an unwinding trip but a meaningful one since it also raises ones’ awareness on environmental issues and educates on sustainability and stewarding of nature.
The concept of the whole island per se is exceptionally wholesome as every undertaking and activity in it is done with great consideration of its mission and vision. Also, unlike any other islands in the Philippines, the management limits the guests to a minimal number who visit daily not just for the preservation of its serenity but for them to be able to cater and provide the visitors high quality tourism.
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| I stayed in this area at Moray lagoon during my day tour in Danjugan Island |
My Danjugan Island Story
I attended the Masskara Festival and decided to turn my solo travel in Negros Occidental to a Negros loop solo backpacking when a typhoon hit southern Luzon and Visayas was partly affected by it. I was in Bacolod City that time and was supposedly bound for Apo Island in Dumaguete. However, it was pouring heavily since last night and waves might be rough making my trip to the island impossible. I went to South Ceres Bus Terminal with no clear idea as to where will I travel to so I called my friends and asked where can I possibly go. In a heartbeat, I got into a bus bound for Hinoba-an and decided to visit Danjugan Island. I read travel guides and asked friends who have been there but they warned me about it – they will not entertain me as a walk in guest. It was also raining heavily and the winds were blowing violently making it impossible for me to go on a sea travel. I thought Danjugan was not for me so I went on a Sipalay tour alone instead. I still had a day and I thought it wouldn’t be worth it if I’d go to Apo Island due to time constraints so I tried and called again Danjugan Island’s operations manager, Ms. Rutche. The weather was fine the next day so I have made up my mind and decided to just visit Danjugan. My tour guide was kind enough to pick me up from the pension house and send me to the terminal bound for Bacolod.
It took me less than an hour from Sipalay to Bulata. The boatmen were already there waiting for me. They carried my things and we walked together to the beach where the boat that we’ll take to the island was docked. There I met Ms. Rutche and my lovely tour guide, Carmela. We hopped into the boat and braced myself for a new adventure. It took us 30 minutes to get into the island.
“It’s just another island,” I told myself.
But, it turned out to be not just an ordinary island. It was no ordinary ‘island tour’. I was initially brought into the island’s learning center where Carmela introduced me to Danjugan island, how it started and its management’s mission, vision and advocacy. I stepped out of the learning center with a brand new perspective. Every single thing about it started to fascinate me big time. I look at them with great appreciation and astonishment. I started to feel the earth growing around me, creeping into my soul; embracing every inch of me. The island owned me and I didn’t want to leave.
As Carmela and I engaged into a nature walk, we did a quick beach clean up picking up every trash we’d see. We started at the bamboo bridge, passing by turtle beach up to Typhoon beach. We talked a lot about environment and her studies. She mentioned that she’s a scholar of the organization that manages the island. She is currently taking up the course Agri-fishery in a state university in the main land and goes to the island every weekend to work as a local tour guide. Talking to Carmela has made me realized how I have been shackled by what I have thought as my aspirations and goals in life. A walk with her is indeed an eye opener to various aspects of my being most especially to a new found advocacy that she and the island has instilled in me.
Places to visit in Danjugan Island
1. North Lagoon (1st Lagoon)
2. Eagle’s Nest
3. Typhoon Beach Camp
4. Bamboo Bridge
5. Sunset Viewdeck
6. Turtle Beach
7. 2nd Lagoon
8. Bat cave
9. Moray Lagoon (3rd Lagoon)
10. East Beach
11. Tabon Beach
12. 4th lagoon
13. 5th lagoon
14 watch tower
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| Moray lagoon is called as such due to the various morays that reside in the lagoon itself |
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| The bat cave |
Things to Do in Danjugan Island
Never in my life have I felt so connected with nature until I have visited Danjugan Island. The activities that they offer are nothing but a realization how blessed this earth with the people who painstakingly take efforts to save it; hence, give us something that is purely natural and marvelous. Among the things that you can enjoy doing in the island are as follows:
1. Trekking and Nature Walk. Get a good view of the ocean, lagoons, forest and the mangroves as you engage into the nature walk. There’s nothing more relaxing than the view of endless blues and greens than skyrocketing concrete jungles.
2. Bird Watching. A home to 72 species of birds, prepared to be fascinated with your keen sense of sight as these fly swiftly around, walk softly on the grounds or feast on treetops.
3. Snorkeling and Skin Diving. Witness the breathtaking life under the sea as you get a chance to encounter various soft and hard corals, hundreds species of fish, giant clams; and if you get lucky, you’d be able to encounter sea turtles, rays, dolphins and whale sharks.
4. Kayaking at the lagoons.
5. Massage.
6. Paraw Sailing.
7. Wildlife Camps. They also organize Marine and Wildlife camps, Yoga and meditation retreats and volunteer programs.
Note: All the necessary gears are included in the fee.
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| Kayaking at Moray lagoon |
Tour Rates
Danjugan Island can be experienced on a full day tour or on an overnight stay.
DAY TOUR – P 1,950.00/ head (Php 2,250.00 on Peak season)
Danjugan Island day tour includes an 8-hour visit in the island and this rate includes 3 hearty meals (lunch and 2 snacks), boat transfer (from Bulata to Danjugan v.v.), guided tour, snorkeling, free diving, kayaking, bird watching and trekking with all the necessary gears provided, insurance and the conservation fears. All of the points of interest in the island can be visited in this tour.
ECO TOUR – P 950.00/ head (P 1,250.00 on peak season)
This includes a 3-hour tour around the island that includes activities such as snorkeling, free diving, kayaking, bird watching, trekking, boat transfers, accident insurance and conservation fees. This tour is good for guests who are checked in resorts at the main land (i.e. Punta Bulata).
OVERNIGHT STAY – P 2,950.00 (3,250.00 on peak season)
For overnight stays, check in time is at 12:00 NN and check out is at 10:00 AM the next day. The package includes an accommodation on Eco-Cabanas at Moray lagoon, 5 hearty meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast and two snacks), guided tour, activities such as snorkeling, free diving, kayaking, bird watching, trekking, accident insurance and conservation fees.
CONSERVATION FEES
All these tours include conservation fees that contribute to the conservation project. The fee covers the following (taken from the Danjugan Island’s primer):
1. User’s Fee – allocated to the management of the marine reserve and sanctuaries.
2. Conservation Premium – allocated to the conservation programs of the island
3. DEEP – Allocated to the Danjugan Island Environmental Education Program
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| Called as the turtle beach, it is an area in the island where hawksbill turtles lay and hatch eggs. It is also among the best spots at night as it is known to have plankton lighting up |
Tour Reservation Process
Take note that the visit requires an application and walk in guests will not be entertained since preparations have to be done prior to the tour. The following steps have to be followed:
1. Email or send a message to their Facebook page. You may also send a message or call them (see contact details).
2. They will be sending you a primer where all the details that you may need are included.
3. Confirm the date of your visit.
4. Pay in full prior to your visit for them to be able to make the necessary preparations including the processing of the insurance.
5. Refunds are not guaranteed. A rebook may be an option. Changes may also occur due to various instances (i.e. coat guard’s advisory or inclement weather conditions).
6. A day before your visit, make sure to contact the management and confirm the date of your expected time of arrival and the place where they will pick you up. Make sure that everything is clear about the arrival to avoid problems.
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| One of the mud house accommodation at Typhoon Beach Camp photo by: Jameson Go (@jgoonthego) |
Where To Stay in Danjugan Island
There are two types of accommodation located at the eastern and the western side of the island.
Both accommodation has the same inclusions (which are as follows) but differ in terms of structure.
>5 hearty meals
>boat transfers (Bulata to Danjugan v.v.)
>Activities including guided tour, snorkeling, skin diving, kayaking, bird watching, trekking
>insurance
>conservation fees
MORAY LAGOON CAMP – P 2,950.00/ guest per night (P 3,250.00 on peak season)
Located at the eastern side of the island, this type accommodates it guests in an open cabana with mattresses on its bamboo floors beautifully yet functionally designed with mosquito nets. The cabana has an overlooking view of the Moray lagoon. Each cabana can accommodate up to 8 guests. There is mobile reception in this area and charging of gadgets is also allowed.
TYPHOON BEACH CAMP – P 3,950.00/ guest per night (P 4,250.00 on peak season)
Located at the western side of the island with a breath taking view of the Sulu sea, this type accommdation differs from the former as it is a closed one made of mud clay and is located near the bar. There is no mobile reception in this area and charging of the gadgets is also allowed.
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| Inside the mud house accommodation at Typhoon Beach Camp |
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| The Nudibranch Bar at Typhoon Beach Camp |
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| Typhoon Beach located at the West side of the island facing Sulu Sea |
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| Lunch is served! Hearty, isn’t it? |
Getting To and Away
Though part of Brgy. Bulata, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Danjugan Island is situated 3KM off the coast of the said town.
From Manila:
You can either book a flight to Bacolod or Dumaguete. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have several flights everyday going to and from these destinations.
From Bacolod City:
1. Make your way to South Bus Terminal and take a bus bound for Sipalay or Hinoba-an. Travel time is around 5 hours with 250php fare on aircon bus. There are also vans around the terminal which travels to Sipalay/ Hinoba-an everyday. This mean of transportation is faster than the former as it will only take you around 4 hours at 250php fare.
2. Alight at Crossing Remollos-Quadro de King in Brgy. Bulata, Cauayan, Negros Occidental. Tell the driver to drop you off exactly to this point as there are no obvious landmark around the dropping point. At that point, the boatmen who have been told by Danjugan Island’s coordinator may have been waiting to pick you up.
3. From Crossing Remollos, walk your way to the beach. The boatmen will lead you to the beach where their boat is docked.
4. Take a boat to Danjugan Island.
From Dumaguete:
A trip from Dumaguete to Danjugan Island may take more or less six hours.
1. Take the bus bound for Kabankalan. Travel time is around four to five hours.
2. From Kabankalan, take a bus or van bound for Hinoba-an. This can take an hour or two.
3. Get off Crossing Remollos-Quadro de King in Brgy. Bulata.
4. Walk your way to the beach where the boat is docked.
5. Take the boat to Danjugan island
You may also include Danjugan island as part of your Southern Negros Occidental trip (mostly in Sipalay City).
From Sipalay City
1. Take the bus bound for Bacolod City (at the terminal near Jamont Hotel). The trip can take less than an hour.
2. Get off at Crossing Remollos.
3. Walk your way to the beach where the boat that you’ll take to Danjugan Island is docked.
In getting away, there are buses or vans that pass by Crossing Remollos. I was able to take a ride back to Bacolod City around 6:00PM. Getting away wouldn’t be much of a challenge either you are to stay in the island overnight or for a day tour since Day tour is only up to 4:00 PM. Thus, there is no need to catch for late night van or bus trips.
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| Free diving in Danjugan Island: upper left photo with table top reefs, lower left shows the photo with the giant clams camera used: Yi 4k+ by Yi Technology |
Sample Budget for a Day Tour in Danjugan Island
Bacolod City – Danjugan Island – Bacolod City
Bus fare (Bacolod to Crossing Remollos) – P 250.00
Bus fare (Bacolod to Crossing Remollos) – P 250.00
Day Tour Fee – P 1,950.00
Bus/ van fare – (Bulata to Bacolod) – P 250.00
TOTAL: P 2,450.00
Sipalay City – Danjugan Island – Bacolod City
Sipalay City – Danjugan Island – Bacolod City
Bus Fare (Sipalay to Crossing Remollos) – P 50.00
Day Tour Fee – P 1,950.00
Day Tour Fee – P 1,950.00
Bus/ van fare – (Bulata to Bacolod) – P 250.00
TOTAL: P 2,250.00
Sample Itinerary
3:15 AM – Bus from Bacolod to Bulata
8:15 AM – ETA Crossing Remollos – Quadro de King
8:20 AM – ETA to the beach/ boat ride to Danjugan
8:50 AM – ETA Danjugan Island
9:30 AM – Start Tour (Nature walk)
10:30 AM – Back to Moray Lagoon/ snack
11:00 AM – West side of the island
12:30 NN – lunch
1:30 PM – Snorkel/ Dive shore entry
3:00 PM – Kayaking at the lagoon
4:00 PM – wash up/ pack up
5:00 PM – ETD to Brgy. Bulata
5:30 PM – ETA main land
*It is highly suggested that Danjugan Island be in mid part of your Negros Occidental trip from Bacolod to Sipalay.
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| Free diving in Danjugan Island camera used: Yi 4k+ by Yi Technology |
Things to remember when visiting Danjugan Island
1. Make sure that bookings are arranged several days prior to your visit. Always make things clear when communicating most especially the expected time of arrival and pick up point.
2. Network signal is sporadic. The only area with a good reception is at Moray Lagoon or at the learning center.
3. Check in time for overnight stays is at 12:00 NN and check out time is at 10:00 AM.
4. There are no convenience stores in the island. Might as well check on your stuff that you’ll bring with you and some extra snacks.
5. There is no electricity nor good water source in the island. They are using solar power to provide electricity to some areas of the island like the accommodation. The water, on the other hand, is delivered from the main land so might as well conserve.
6. Take note that peak season is from March to June.
7. Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints.
Contact Details
For bookings and reservation, you may reach Danjugan Island’s operation management at:
Globe: +63 915 234 7146
Smart: +63 908 525 4110
Landline: (34) 441 6010
Email: experience@danjuganisland.ph
Facebook: Danjugan Island
Instagram: @danjuganisland
Website: http://www.danjuganisland.ph/
Watch my free diving video here:
Anne Elizabeth Gumiran
Anne Elizabeth Gumiran, also known as Queenie, is a 20-something, full-time public school teacher, a part-time travel blogger and a freediver. She started putting her stories of adventures and misadventures into words and pictures in 2017 and continues to do so as she shares her advocacy, Sustainable Traveling.
6 Comments
Jojo Sagaran
Very informative.. Will have my flight this August.. Thank you
Anne Elizabeth Gumiran
So jealous! I miss the island so much! Hope you enjoy your trip (which you surely will) ?❤
Lovelene
Nice ?
Thank you for this.
Would love to experience this with my family.
Don’t know yet when . Hopefully, one day.
Lovelots,
A fellow teacher here (but 2 decades already) ?
Anne Elizabeth Gumiran
Hello, Ms. Lovelene! Hoping you’ll be able to see the beauty of Danjugan, too! It’s always nice to see an educator here in my blog. This means a lot! 🙂
Kitel
Hi! Planning to go there but I will be coming from Dumaguete. My plan is Dumaguete > Danjugan > Bacolod. I saw that you were able to ride the bus going back to Bacolod at 6PM. May I ask what time did you arrive in Bacolod? Is it still safe that time?
Anne Elizabeth Gumiran
If my memory serves me right, I arrived at around 10:30 in the evening. Bacolod is super safe! The people were so nice and helpful that I doubted them But, I got home safe and whole. I was solo traveling that time! 🙂