A hidden paradise called - CANIBAD (Island Garden City of Samal)

Davao City has always astonished visitors locals and foreigners alike every time they take a visit of the places here. Just like this hmmmmm, appropriately isolated haven somewhere in Samal. I got particularly interested in visiting an unexplored place in Island Garden of Samal (IGACOS), Canibad Cove. To some who have experienced several frustrating travels before, They need to learned and convince themselves that having the right budget is just as important than tediously planning everything.

Now going back to Canibad. What are the basics.What we have to bring?

While it is true that the place is great and inviting, you should know that there are no restaurants or ample of place to buy food there. If you don’t have any idea yet what should be on your day tour survival kit. Here’s some list for you out there.

* Banig / Hammock.
* Digital Camera (Full charged), Extra Batteries.
I advise you to turn it on save battery settings mode as there is no electricity in canibad. Turn on only when needed.
* Water, water, water.
While there’s water available for washing plates and rinsing body after swimming, there’s no water for drinking.
* Shades
* Toothbrush, toothpaste
* Soap, shampoo
* Snorkling gear
* Mobile phones, full charged
* Bath towels, extra shirts, swimming shorts
* Food containers

How to get there;

Take a taxi and drop off to any resto of choice to buy foods. Have your food canisters filled with rice and viands. Take an Island City Express bus in Sta. Ana Wharf near Magsaysay Park. Bus fare is 30.00 PHP.A bus rode into a barge will transfer you from Davao City to Samal Island. You get off into their terminal at Central Warehouse Club in Babak.

Several motorcycles aka habal-habal are available here and will ask you if you are going to Canibad. Travel from the terminal to Canibad will take you about 30-40 minutes and will cost you about 150.00 pesos inclusive of the nice spots you will see as you go there. Make sure sit confortably well before the travel as it will be a very long and very bumpy ride, but you'll hardly notice it anyway. I,m sure a lot of scenic spots will take your breath away.

When you’re there, ask the driver to fetch you the following day. There is because there are no available vehicles going back to the terminal.

From top, it will take 10 mins to walk down the beachfront. It would be safer to walk barefoot as it is very steep.


Other thins that you need to know

* Travel fare budget Davao City - Canibad
o 30.00 x 2 bus fare davao - bak-bak terminal
o 175.00 x 2 habal-habal/motorcycle fare terminal - canibad. Add 50.00 for fetching.
* Entrance fee is 20.00 each.
* Entrance fee for rockies part of the beach is 15.00
* Not enough rice, asked someone there to buy for you 20.00/kilo. Another 20.00 for cooking it.
* Very clean water, if you know how to swim don’t forget your snorkling gear as fishes is just few meters away you can actually see it near rockies.