Rodel E. Dagumampan

Davao never failed to surprise me every time I visited places here I have never been. Last friday, as I read feeds I got particularly interested in visiting an unexplored place in Island Garden of Samal (IGACOS), Canibad Cove. Having experienced several frustrating travel plans before, I learned and told myself I will never plan again as it is just frustrating. I have learned that I should have just he budget, and prepare same day or just few days ahead :).

I searched the web for directions and prepare my usual to bring list.

What we have to bring

I read from other blogs that while the place is great, there are no restaurants or place to buy some food there. So the same night, we shop at NCCC department store to buy things to bring. If you don’t have any idea yet what should be on your day tour survival kit. Here’s my list:

• Banig / Hammock.
• Basket
• Digital Camera (Full charged), Extra Batteries.
  I advise you to turn it on save battery settings mode as there is no electricity in canibad. Turn on only when needed.
• Water, water, water.
  While there’s water available for washing plates and rinsing body after swimming, there’s no water for drinking.
• Shades
• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Soap, shampoo
• Snorkling gear
• Books and reading materials (1Min Manager, First, break the rules…)
• Mobile phones, full charged
• Bath tower, extra shirts, swimming shorts
• Food canisters

How we get there

At 7:00 AM, we took taxi and drop off the Blue Carabao Eatery in Obrero to buy the foods. We just have our food canisters filled with rice and several variants. We had rice, chicken adobo, pork adobo, hotdog, and fried bangus. 

Armed with printed email and directions, we took an Island City Express bus in Sta. Ana Wharf near Magsaysay Park. Bus fare is 30.00 PHP. The bus rode into a barge to transfer us from Davao City to Samal Island. We get off into their terminal at Central Warehouse Club in Babak.

Several motorcycles aka habal-habal are available here and they will ask you if you are going to Canibad. Travel from the terminal to Canibad took us 30-40 minutes and we’re charged 150.00 for the nature trip. Make sure sit confortably well before the travel as it was a long, winding, dusty road.

When you’re there, asked the same driver to fetch you. Make a note of your name, at least two contact numbers, the time he should fetch you. On your part, ask the driver his name, contact number and plate number. Advise him that whatever happen, he should commit to fetch you that in any case of emergency he should advise other drivers to fetch you on his behalf :). This is because there are no available vehicles going back to the terminal. We’re fetch 4:PM, perfect time to travel, not yet dark and in case the motorcycle broke down we have enough time to find another one or walk the near house to wait for another. Were just that smart! LOL.

From top, it will take 10 mins to walkdown the beachfront. It would be safer to walk barefoot as it is very steep and risky steps.

The prestine beach

What you need to know

• Travel fare budget Davao City - Canibad
  • 30.00 x 2  bus fare davao - bak-bak terminal
  • 175.00 x 2  habal-habal/motorcycle fare terminal - canibad. Add 50.00 for fetching.
• Entrance fee is 20.00 each.
• Entrance fee for rockies part of the beach is 15.00
• Not enough rice, asked someone there to buy for you 20.00/kilo. Another 20.00 for cooking it.
• Very clean water, if you know how to swim don’t forget your snorkling gear as fishes is just few meters away you can actually see it near rockies.

More pictures

View more pictures from my shutterfly.

Davao is such a great place to live and explore. Expect more as I have list of beautiful places to visit this year. Thanks mindanao bloggers for sharing this.

• Hinatuans Enchanted River
• Kapatagan Zipped Line
• Wanniban Island
• Mariscal Beach Resort
• Saranggani Province
• Tinuy-an Falls Bislig