Awaken in Camiguin:

Checklist: What to Pack & Prepare

Pre-Departure Checklist

✓ Valid ID / passport (if arriving via flights)

✓ Printed & digital copies of accommodation & ferry/flight confirmations

✓ Travel insurance that covers island hopping, trekking, water activities

✓ Local SIM or eSIM with data (check for signal strength in Camiguin)

✓ Power bank + charging cables

✓ Rain jacket or poncho (Camiguin’s weather can shift fast)

✓ Quick-dry clothes, swimwear, trekking shoes, sandals

✓ Waterproof pouch (for phone/wallet during boat transfers)

✓ Basic first-aid kit, medications

✓ Travel towel, reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent

✓ Light daypack

✓ Reusable water bottle

Camiguin-Specific Checklist

✓ Snorkel mask (bring your own if you prefer better quality over rentals)

✓ Waterproof camera / GoPro (for underwater or shifting sandbar shots)

✓ Shoes with good grip (for rocky shores, trails, wet rocks)

✓ Flashlight / headlamp (for early hikes, caves, or low-light areas)

✓ Dry sack / ziplock bags (to protect gear from splashes and rain)

✓ Extra cash in small bills (some rural spots don’t take cards)

✓ Local phrasebook or translation app (Bisaya / Cebuano basics)

✓ Tide schedule app or chart (for White Island, Sunken Cemetery)

✓ Use this checklist before departure—and double-check again just before you leave your lodging.

Safety Tips, Transport Hacks & Local Know-How

Safety & Health

• Camiguin is relatively safe, but always stay aware in remote, forested, and beach areas.
• Carry a copy of your ID + emergency contacts, including local hospital numbers.
• Use licensed boat operators and avoid unlicensed offers, especially in rough seas.
• Always check weather forecasts and sea conditions before island hopping or boat rides.
• Stay hydrated, wear sun protection, and bring insect repellent.
• In remote areas, connectivity is weak—share your itinerary with someone trustworthy.

Getting Around

Ferry & Island Hopping

• Boats depart for White Island, Mantigue Island, and marine stops; book early as they fill up.
• Ask your lodging to help arrange reliable boat rides.
• White Island’s accessibility depends heavily on the tide; at high tide parts of the sandbar may be submerged.

On-Island Transport

• Motorbike / scooter rental is popular and gives you flexibility to circle the island.
• Multicab, vans, or private hires are useful for groups or full-day land tours.
• Tricycles and habal-habal work for short distances and in towns.
• Some roads to springs and falls are rough—vehicles with good ground clearance or motorbikes are safer.

Navigation / Connectivity

• Download offline maps (Google Maps offline, Maps.me, OsmAnd) — many rural parts have no signal.
• Bring extra power bank; charging stations in remote zones are scarce.
• If possible, use a SIM card with good rural coverage (e.g. Globe, Smart) and test signal in Camiguin.

Local Hacks

• Start days early to beat crowds, heat, and sudden rain.
• Negotiate motorbike fares politely; clarify route and amount before riding.
• Route logically—group attractions to minimize backtracking.
• Ask locals for less obvious paths or scenic shortcuts.
• Use lodging hosts to confirm boat schedules, spring/road closures, or local advisories.

Island Conditions & Travel Timing

Camiguin’s natural features (sandbars, springs, waterfalls) obey tides, weather, and volcanic microclimates more than your schedule. Missing these rhythms means missing the magic.

• Best months: March to June (calm seas, clear visibility).
• Rainy season / risks: July to November—some waterfalls or springs may be risky, and boat rides may cancel.
• Tides: White Island and Sunken Cemetery are best visited at low tide, often early morning.
• Wind & sea: The Amihan (northeast) from Nov–Feb calms west coast; Habagat (southwest) from Jun–Oct can stir eastern routes.
• Microclimates: Volcano slopes and high trails can be cooler or foggy; bring layers.
• Use tide and weather apps daily. Camiguin’s weather changes in hours, not days.

Power, Connectivity & Cash Essentials

• Electricity: Occasional brownouts occur—always charge devices overnight.
• Internet: Wi-Fi is weak outside Mambajao. Globe often has better reach; Smart works near springs.
• ATMs: Very few in rural parts. Mambajao has the main ones—bring cash ahead.
• Digital payments: GCash, Maya, etc. accepted in some resorts and shops—but always have offline screenshots of QR codes.
• Offline backup: Save maps, confirmations, QR codes in apps like Notion, Google Docs, or Apple Notes for offline access.