“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”
-AMELIA EARHART-
If Mt. Apo still isn’t enough to satisfy your weekend adventure cravings, don’t worry—there’s a beautiful island just an hour away from Davao City (traffic and boat schedules depending).
Welcome to your Samal Island Day Tour—a perfect chill adventure after a mountain climb.
After our unforgettable 3D2N Mt. Apo hike, we decided to squeeze in one more adventure in Samal Island before I headed to Bukidnon for another trip. I contacted my close friend Queenie, a true local, and she recommended Jalel Owayan Travel and Tour. I messaged Kuya Jalel directly, and we agreed to meet at the Samal Island barge pier.
We stayed at Matina Enclaves Condominium in Davao City, so we booked a Grab to Sasa Wharf—around 20 minutes away. We arrived a little past 8 AM. From there, we took the barge going to Samal Island for only ₱15, and the ride took roughly 15-20 minutes.
Kuya Jalel was already waiting at the terminal when we arrived at around 10 AM.
Because I only had a day to explore, we skipped the overnight beach stays (though the white sand beaches were very tempting!) and went straight to our destinations.
📍 Stops on Our Samal Island Day Tour
1. Montfort Bat Sanctuary
Just 30 minutes from our meet-up point, this sanctuary holds the largest colony of fruit bats in the Guinness Book of World Records. Learning how the owners turned this place into a protected haven for millions of bats was inspiring. Each cave hosts bats grouped by age—something our guide explained was part of their natural behavior.
2. Vanishing Island
We rushed here because of the rising tide. After paying the environmental fee, we rented a boat for around ₱650 roundtrip (good for two)—an exclusive tour!
The water was crystal clear, the sand was blindingly white, and the sun was scorching. We stayed for about an hour before heading out for lunch.
3. Lunch at V Farmers Restaurant
A perfect stop to recharge and enjoy good local food before continuing with the adventure.
4. Dao River
The original plan was to visit BlueBird View Deck, but the heat was intense—so we changed course and headed to Dao River instead.
The ice-cold water, strong river current, and small waterfalls were exactly what we needed after hours under the sun.
5. Sabang Cliff Diving
I’ll be honest—I don’t know how to swim, so I let my friend Ome take the plunge. The view here is breathtaking; on clear days, you can even see Mt. Apo from a distance.
6. Kaputian Beach Park
White sand, clear waters, and a peaceful vibe. It was extremely hot when we arrived, so I skipped the swim, but it was still worth the stop.
7. Café Maanag
Our last stop—perfect timing for an orange sunset glow. We had our dinner here while enjoying a quiet, beautiful end to our Samal adventure.
🌴 Samal Island Day Tour Summary (Perfect for Beginners!)
- Montfort Bat Sanctuary
- Vanishing Island
- V Farmers Restaurant
- Dao River
- Sabang Cliff Diving
- Kaputian Beach Park
- Café Maanag
All these for as low as ₱1,500 as of this writing with baobao service for two (excluding entrance fees, environmental fee and food). Not bad for a full-day island adventure, right?
Whether you’re a solo traveler, a beginner explorer, or someone looking for a laid-back island experience after conquering Mt. Apo—Samal Island is the perfect chill adventure.
I hope this travel guide helps you plan your own #ChillAdventures.
Just One More Step to more unforgettable adventures!
Don’t forget to follow me on all my social media pages at Chill Adventures with Joms 🌿✨
Chill Adventures with Joms 