Mantigue Island

The place in a few words

Just a short boat ride from Camiguin, Mantigue Island is a tiny island that looks straight out of a postcard, with white sand, turquoise water and tropical greenery covering much of it. The real highlight, though, is the marine life around the island: you can go snorkeling and, with a bit of luck, swim alongside sea turtles. There are a few small stalls selling drinks and snacks, but the island remains fairly undeveloped.

What we loved

We mostly wanted to spend a few hours enjoying the sea without any particular plan, and Mantigue was perfect for that. We left our things on the beach and headed out to explore underwater. Well, first we spent quite a while looking for turtles in a spot where there apparently weren't any! Luckily, we eventually found another area with far more of them. Seeing them in their natural habitat was really special. A simple little escape that felt great during our stay on Camiguin.

Our tip

To reach Mantigue, we'd suggest renting a scooter and heading straight to San Roque port. Boats are charged per boat, so instead of leaving as a pair, wait a little and find other travelers to split the cost with. You're normally allowed around three hours on the island. And if you're hoping to see turtles, ask where they're usually spotted: it'll save you from spending half your snorkeling time searching in the wrong place, like we did!