ULTIMATE SAMAL ISLAND DIY TRAVEL GUIDE 2024 (Budget + Itinerary)

While the Philippines is renowned for its islands featuring long stretches of bone-white sand beaches fringed with towering coconut trees, it is still quite a surprise to be captivated by the same scene in a different one. This was precisely how I felt about Samal Island. I honestly thought it would be just another island but it wasn’t. For some inexplicable reason, it exudes a unique captivating charm and atmosphere that sets it apart from the others I’ve visited in the past making our experience truly distinctive. If you also wish to explore the island garden city and a true gem in Davao region, here’s an ultimate Samal Island DIY travel guide to help you with!

A stretch of white sand beach under the Island Garden City of Samal — Babu Santa Beach, Talicud Island

About Samal Island

The Island Garden City of Samal island is nestled at Davao gulf, just right across Davao City. Though seemingly a stone-throw away from Davao city, Davao del Sur, Samal island, also referred to as IGaCoS is part of Davao del Norte province. It is a home to numerous beach resorts, stretch of stunning shores, pristine waters, thousands of giant clams locally known as taklobo, caves and sink holes with millions of fruit bats, pearl farms and countless snorkeling and dive sites. These natural treasures made Samal island among the top destinations in Mindanao region especially those who are paying the capital city of the whole region a visit. Cebuano is the language widely spoken by the locals but they could converse fluently in Tagalog or English making it an ideal destination even for foreigners and tourists.

Best Time to Visit Samal Island

The best time to visit Samal Island of course is during the dry season in the Philippines – around March to May. This, however, is a peak season so expect that tourists would flock the island especially on weekends. The ‘Amihan’ season (September to November) in the country is also quite ideal as it is an off-peak season, it gets sunny at times and less humid but weather has a tendency to be hit or miss.

Places to Visit

The famous Pearl Farm Resort nestled in Malipano Island in the Island Garden City of Samal Island — The famous Pearl Farm Resort nestled in Malipano Island

Below are the top places to visit in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte:

Monfort Bat Cave
Kaputian Beach
Bluebird Overlooking (C. Formoso Inland Resort)
Sabang Cliff Diving
New City Hall of Samal
Giant Balete Tree
Giant Clam (Taklobo) Sanctuary
Wishing Island
Malipano Island
Pearl Farm Resort
Starfish Sandbar
Diaz Island
Talicud Island
- Babu Santa Beach Resort
- Dayang Beach Resort
- Isla Reta Beach Resort
- Angels Cove

To know more about what to look forward in these places, read: Top Places to Visit in Samal Island, Davao del Norte 2023.

Where to Stay in Samal Island

There are several hotel and beach resorts in Samal island ranging from the budget-friendly ones to upscale located by the beach or in the islands. Below is a categorized hotels and resorts that this Samal Island DIY travel guide lists down for you:

Club Samal - One of the famous beach resorts in the Island Garden City of Samal — The view from the lobby of Club Samal

Economy Beach Front Hotels and Resorts

Hayahay Beach Resort – Samal Island
Paradise Island Park & Beach Resort
Camp Holiday Resort (located just outside Sasa Wharf)
Kaputian Beach Resort

Mid-range Non-Beach Front Accommodations

Aundanao Oasis Beach – Check rates, availability and book here

Budget-Friendly Non-Beach front Hostels and Accommodation

RiCres Hometel – Check rates, availability and book here
La Vida Hostel – Check rates, availability and book here
RedDoorz @ AltaVista Beach Resort Samal – Check rates, availability and book here
Jardin De Ysabelle – Check rates, availability and book here

Getting to and Around Samal Island

A barge docked on a Sasa wharf in Davao City — The barge at Sasa wharf departing for Kinawitnon wharf, Samal Island

How to Get There

The nearest airport to the Island Garden City of Samal is the Davao International Airport. Hence, if you intend to visit it, book a flight directly to this airport from anywhere in the Philippines. Cebu Pacific Air, Air Asia and Philippine Airlines have several trips daily from Clark and Manila to Davao City most especially if you’re coming from Luzon.

On the other hand, if you’re coming from Visayas region, you may opt to fly from Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Negros Occidental, Mactan International Airport in Cebu and Panglao International Airport in Bohol. For travelers coming from Mindanao, you may either take a flight from Siargao, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro or take a bus from any point to Davao City.

A girl with a backpack walking towards Sasa wharf looking back — Leaving for Samal island, yay!

From Davao City

There are at least two wharfs from Davao city where you can disembark from when traveling to Samal. Fortunately, these wharfs are accessible from anywhere in the city especially from Davao International Airport locally known as Francisco Bangoy International Airport. Though all of these wharfs would take you to the island, it is a must to note whether you’d like to spend your days by the beach or where your hotel or resort accommodation is located for a hassle-free trip. These different wharfs in Davao city have their respective wharfs in the island.

Sasa Wharf

From the airport, take a metered taxi to Sasa Wharf. The trip would take more or less 10 to 15 minutes depending on the traffic. Fare ranges from Php 100.00 to Php 120.00. Then, take the barge from Sasa Wharf to Kinawitnon Wharf in Babak District. Fare is at Php 20.00. The sea travel takes more or less 10 to 15 minutes, too. The barges traveling from Sasa to Kinawitnon is available 24 hours.

Sta. Ana Wharf

Catch a metered taxi from the airport to Sta. Ana Wharf, or opt for two jeepney transfers from the airport to Agdao, where the wharf is situated. The trip takes 45 minutes depending on the traffic. Finally, take a passenger boat to Kaputian district or a barge barge to Talicud Island for another 45 minutes to one hour.

From Davao City by Bus

You may take a bus at Agdao or Sasa just outside the wharf to Samal island. The fare includes the ferry fee and it’s a much cheaper option most especially if you are checking in somewhere in Kaputian or Penaplata.

Getting Around Samal Island

An outrigger boat docked on a port in Kaputian beach, Samal Island — The tourist boat we rented for our island hopping tour in Samal and Talicud islands

Tricycle or bao-bao. fare starts at Php 16.00. If you wish to go on a land tour, you can rent one for a whole day for only Php 1,200.00 to Php 1,500.00.
Self-drive motorcycle. You may go around the island on a self-drive motorcycle that you may rent around Babak district. Rate starts at Php 500.00 for 24 hours excluding the gas. Make sure that you have your driver’s license with you and that you’ll wear helmet when driving.
Habal-habal. among the cheapest ways to get around and are available around the island.
Bus. Bachelor buses coming from Davao city go from Babak district to Kaputian or Penaplata. Basic fare is at Php 20.00. If you wish to go to Kaputian, fare is at Php 80.00.
Boat. Apart from the stunning shorelines of Samal island itself, you may also opt to explore its nearby islands like Wishing, Vanishing, Diaz and Talicud. To do so, you need to charter a tourist boat. Rates start at Php 2,500.00 for a small boat for 5 persons for island hopping excluding Talicud island. This rate excludes docking (Php 500.00), environmental/ entrance (Php 50.00 to Php 100.00) and tour guide fees (Php 500.00).

Samal Island Sample Itinerary

This Samal Island DIY Travel Guide suggests a flexible itinerary that you may follow:

Day 1: Inland Samal Island Tour

8:30 AM – ETD from Davao International Airport
8:45 AM – ETA in Sasa Wharf
9:00 AM – ETD for Samal Island
9:15 AM – ETA in Samal Island
9:30 AM – Leave stuff at the lobby of the booked accommodation
10:30 AM – Start Samal Island inland tour
Places to visit:

Monfort Bat Cave
Vanishing Island
Bluebird Overlooking (C. Formoso Inland Resort)
Sabang Cliff Diving
Hagimit Falls (still currently closed)
New City Hall of Samal
Giant Balete Tree
Kaputian Beach

5:00 PM – End of tour/ Check in/ Freshen up
7:00 PM – Dinner
9:00 PM – Lights off

Day 2: Samal Island Hopping Tour

6:30 AM – Rise and shine
7:00 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM – Depart for Kaputian Beach if Talicud Island will be included or Brgy. Adicor for Samal islands and islets only
9:00 AM – Start of Samal Island Hopping Tour
Islands to visit:

Giant Clam Sanctuary
Malipano Island (Pearl Farm Resort Viewing)
Diaz Island
Starfish sandbar
Wishing Island
Coral Garden

If Talicud Island will be included:

Babu Santa Beach
Dayang Beach
Isla Reta Beach Resort
Angel’s Cove and Coral Garden

5:00 PM – Back to Kaputian Beach/ Brgy. Adicor
6:00 PM – Back to accommodation/ wash up/ pack up
7:00 PM – Head back to Kinawitnon Wharf in Babak district
7:30 PM – Depart for Davao City
8:30 PM – Dinner at Roxas Night Market

A closer look but still an aerial of Pearl Farm Resort in Malipano island

Note: For a day trip in Samal Island, you may just choose between the Day 1 and Day 2 in the suggested itinerary. While some would squeeze in both the inland and island tours, this would only leave you rushed; hence, unable to appreciate the beauty of Samal island.

Samal Island Sample Budget

Day 1: Inland Samal Island Tour

Taxi from Davao International Airport to Sasa Wharf – Php 120.00/ 3 = Php 40.00
Barge from Sasa to Kinawitnon Wharf (Babak District) – Php 20.00
Samal Island Ecological fee – Php 50.00/ head
Tricycle from Kinawitnon wharf to accommodation (Around Villarica district) – Php 100.00/ 3 = Php 33.00
Tricycle rental for inland tour – Php 1,200.00/3 – Php 400.00
Monfort Bat Cave Entrance Fee – Php 120.00/ head
Vanishing Island boat – Php 400.00/ 3 = Php 133.33
Entrance fee to Bluebird View deck – Php 20.00/ head
Kaputian Beach Resort entrance fee – Php 50.00
Food – Php 300.00
Accommodation – Php 2,500.00/3 = Php 1,999.66

DAY 1 EXPENSES TOTAL: Php 2,149.66

[Option 1] Day 2: Samal Island Hopping Tour with Talicud Island

Tricycle to Kaputian Beach – Php 700.00/ 3 = 233.33
Boat rental for island hopping with Talicud island – Php 5,500.00/ 3 = Php 1,833.33
Giant Clams (Taklobo) Entrance fee – Php 200.00
Wishing Island entrance fee – Php 100.00
Babu Santa entrance fee – Php 50.00
Isla Reta Entrance Fee – Php 100.00
Food – Php 300.00
Accommodation – Php 833.33
Tricycle to Kinawitnon Wharf – Php 100.00 /3 = Php 33.33
Barge from Kinawitnon to Sasa wharf = Php 20.00
Taxi from Sasa Wharf to Davao City – Php 230.00/ 3 = Php 76.66

DAY 2 EXPENSES TOTAL: Php 3,649.32

[Option 1] 2 Days 1 Night Samal Island total expenses: Php 5,928.98

An aerial view of a jetty port — The boat docking area where boats going to Vanishing Island sails to and from

[Option 2] Day 2: Samal Island Hopping Tour without Talicud Island

Tricycle to Adicor – Php 500.00/ 3 = Php 166.66
Boat rental for island hopping – Php 2,500.00/ 3 = Php 833.33
Boat entry fee – Php 500.00/ boat/ 3 = Php Php 166.66
Tour guide fee – Php 500.00/ 3 = Php 166.66
Giant Clams (Taklobo) Entrance fee – Php 200.00
Wishing Island entrance fee – Php 100.00
Food – Php 300.00
Accommodation – Php 833.33
Tricycle to Kinawitnon Wharf – Php 100.00 /3 = Php 33.33
Barge from Kinawitnon to Sasa wharf = Php 20.00
Taxi from Sasa Wharf to Davao City – Php 230.00/ 3 = Php 76.66

DAY 2 EXPENSES TOTAL: Php 2,745.97

[Option 2] 2 Days 1 Night Samal Island total expenses: Php 4,895.63

Important Budget Notes:

Expenses could be lesser if you will be in big groups
If you wish to save more or spend less, travel to Samal island on a weekend and join organized island hopping tours. Such tours are not available on weekdays unless you are in a big group. However, take note that the time for each island will be limited and beaches are way more crowded.

A girl skin diving to see the giant clams up close in the Giant Clam Sanctuary in Samal Island — Giant Clam Sanctuary, Samal Island

Samal Island Practical Travel Tips

Samal is a very DIY traveler-friendly place even for just a small group of travelers. However, see to it that you’ll compare the rates first (i.e. tricycle, bao-bao or boat) as they have a tendency to vary (worse, jack up) the price.
You can arrange inland tours with your accommodation’s management or with tricycle drivers just outside the wharfs.
If you’re traveling solo and you’d like to go on an island-hopping tour but wouldn’t want to splurge, might as well schedule your visit to Samal island during weekends as there are several island-hopping tours during these days. The only downside is that the beaches or islands are a bit crowded.
If you’re doing DIY for the island hopping tour, make sure that you’ll buy your food first at the market before you go to the boat docking area. There are no restaurants on the islands that you’ll visit.
This Samal Island DIY Travel guide suggests that you if you have the luxury of time, spend a night or two not just in Samal but also in Talicud island, too.
If you would also want to visit Talicud island as part of the island-hopping tour, it is best to rent the boat from Kaputian beach.
Bring reef-friendly sunscreen, dry bags, action camera and snorkeling gear during your island hopping tour.
There are lots of restaurants and eateries around Babak, Villarica, Penaplata and Kaputian district. However, they usually close at around 8:00 in the evening.
Banks are situated at Babak distrct. Landbank, BDO and Banco A (BPI) are available.
Big establishments accept G-cash and card payment. Nevertheless, see to it that you’ll still have enough cash with you especially when traveling around.
Strictly NO DIVING (especially with fins) in Giant Clams (Taklobo) Sanctuary.

Aerial view of an island on a cloudy day — An aerial view of Vanishing Island

Samal Island DIY Travel Guide, In a Nutshell

This Samal Island DIY Travel Guide rather suggests that you experience IGaCos fully. It has so much to offer that a day wouldn’t suffice to witness its exquisite charm.

Despite the surge of tourists frequently visiting Samal island, we saw with our own eyes how Dabawenyos have been taking a good care out of it as most areas remained unspoiled. We felt like the ecological and entrance fees that we paid were really worth it. However, this doesn’t mean that just because they are taking a good care of it doesn’t absolve the visitors from exercising responsible tourism.

ULTIMATE SAMAL ISLAND DIY TRAVEL GUIDE 2024 (Budget + Itinerary)