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The central part of
THE VISAYAS
& ISLANDS OFF MINDANAO

Crossing the island heart & the South of the Philippines during the charming rainy season.

The Visayan Islands comprise the central part of the Philippines and consist of thousands of tropical small islands and a handful of larger islands, like Cebu, Bohol, Panay and Negros.

 

This irresistible archipelago allows for the ultimate island hopping vacation and a fulfillment of the great, intoxicating get-away-from-it-all experience that we, the travelers suffering from islomania, are always hunting.

 

A journey here is truly a travel to unknown, yet to be explored islands, the horizon full of them, and a never-ending quest for the next island, the next small idyllic seaside township, the next SCUBA dive, the next adventure.

Mindanao is the big island in the very South of the Philippines, and the entry point to the smaller islands of Cameguin and Siargao. 

The Visayas & Mindanao will make such a travel experience come true. There’s always another island, another beach, another ferry boat or bangka ride to take, another place to stay.

Location: The islands of Panglao, Bohol, Cebu, Panay, Carabao, Boracay, Guimaras, Negros, Siquijor, Apo, Mindoro, Mindanao, Surigao Archipelago,Guyam, Daku, Bucas Grande, and Cameguin during 3 months

Oohhh, the Philippines… or 'Philip-nesia' as it maybe should have been named...

 

So many islands, so many dreams of going with rusty ferries or wooden Bangka boats to reach a faraway port. A visit to this great country always involves the difficult choice of selecting where to go.

If one goes to the Philippines and spend a single day on each of its islands, one would have to spend more than 19 years to visit them all. So what did we do then, when only having a few weeks, but wished for an island-adventure and something a bit more special?

We have visited the Mindanao, and the Central and the Western Visayas several timesThe island groups are a smorgasbord of different beautiful landscapes and unique cultures, from the chocolate hills and small primates on Bohol Island to the waterfalls and palm-fringed beaches on the ghost-whispering island of Siquijor. Apo island is a small rocky isle with supreme drift dives and a rural atmosphere.

 

In the Romblon islands, Carabao is an idyllic small beach retreat and may be regarded as the unknown sister of neighboring Boracay, which in turn is the most photographed and overrun island in the whole country - largely thanks to its great beaches (and wild parties!). There's room for many types of vacations in a single journey.

 

The larger islands of Panay and Negros offer excellent cultural encounters and volcano trekking as well as several offshore islets. The only limitations are time and energy to travel beyond the main tourist circuits - but we recommend trying it out: The archipelago is a gold mine of unique experiences.

 

Oh, and going here during rainy season is not too bad, we’ve tried all seasons and the benefit of the rainy season is the complete lack of other travelers.

The proces of including Mindanao was lenghty: We did some homework and screened books, magazines, and the internet for more unique landscapes and islands in the Philippine archipelago. Palawan was an obvious choice but we had already been there, but then there was the islands off the coasts of Mindanao. One option in this part of the Philippines was a small cluster of islands named the Siargao Archipelago, known for big waves, small idyllic isles, and a beautiful karst seascape. Another option was the volcanic island of Cameguin with steep green mountains, small fishermen’s towns, black beaches, and many waterfalls.

We ended up visiting both places and were not disappointed. Both places are quite different from the many “traditional” beach resorts around the Central Visayas, Cebu Island, and Boracay. On top of this, the human culture seemed more preserved and both destinations offered both personal and truly authentic experiences.

If you love the Philippines see also and our island pages on the islands of Palawan.

 

If you are also keen on island hopping in the SEA region see also our island pages on the islands of Thailand & Malaysia, Sulawesi, and Bali & Lombok.

 

 

Selected pics from our island hopping adventure:

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