The pictorial Mantigue Island is located a few kilometers east of Camiguin Island in northern Mindanao and in the area of Cagayan de Oro, one of the largest cities in the south of the Philippine archipelago.

One reaches Mantigue with a boat from Barangay Mahinog, which is located approximately 15 kilometers south of the province capital Mambajao on Camiguin.

There are no firm timetables for boat-rides to and from this island. There is however no problem to organize such a trip also at short notice. The trip takes about 20 minutes one way and the companions will grant a stay on the island for about two hours for a total price of 500 peso. This will yield about 8.5 Euros given the exchange rate Euro/Phil. Peso, valid in August 2009.

The small boats (bancas) are usually in the possession of boat lenders or small family businesses.  These people will gladly appreciate the opportunity to earn some additional money thus ensuring an important contribution for their daily living costs.

At the same time this experience will open a good opportunity for you to get more information about the region and the local living conditions.

Mantigue Island is inhabited from approximately 200 fisher families, which cover their living costs almost exclusively through fishing. The opulent vegetation on the island with tropical plants is amazing.

Unexpectedly and pleasing at the same time is also the wonderful white beach, which leads around the whole island. There are beautiful corral reefs not far away from the sand beach, a Paradise for snorkeling. I saw large fish and shoals in quantities which I have rarely seen any time before in the Philippines.

In addition there are all other kinds of multicolored fish typically resident in tropical waters. Pleasing were also that protected small island marks, in which sea turtles put obviously their eggs down. Unfortunately we couldn’t get to know anything more about the exact kind of turtles and about their breeding successes.

Particularly binding is the beautiful prospect towards the main island of Camiguin. The highest volcanos like the Hibok Hibok will reach a height of almost 1600 meters.

When visiting the province of Camiguin, then you should absolutely take an excursion into account and place a visit on Mantigue island as well. It is surely worthwhile to consider this.