As part of our Davao trip, we also went to the Island Garden City of Samal.
Samal Island is a city in Davao del Norte and a ferry boat ride away from Davao City. It is known for its beautiful beaches and other tourist attractions like the Monfort Bat Colony, which has the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest colony of fruit bats.
How to Get to Samal Island?
From our dormitory (located in Sta. Ana), we rode a jeep to Sasa Port (fare: Php 10). From Sasa Port, we rode a ferry boat (fare: Php 10). Kuya Ramil, our habal-habal driver for the whole day, was waiting for us at the Samal Port. Habal-habal is the most common mode of transportation in Samal Island, so make sure you pack light if you're going for a day tour. Kuya Ramil's habal-habal tour may be rented for Php 800 (entrance fees not included). Note that you will have to pay an environmental fee of Php 5 per tourist spot per person.
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| while riding the ferry boat |
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| riding the habal-habal |
Before we headed to Maxima Aquafun, we went first to Monfort Bat Colony. The entrance fee per person is Php 100 (plus an environmental fee of Php 5). It includes a tour and lecture about the place. We were also given a little souvenir for our visit.
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| at Monfort Bat Colony |
Then we went to Maxima Aquafun! :)
Maxima Aquafun specializes in water activities and other outdoor activities. Day Tour Entrance Fee is Php 200 for adults and Php 150 for children and students. This includes unlimited use of tarpaulin slide and diving board, use of the open cottage, and 30 minutes use of kayak (for groups of 20 persons or more).
The highlight of our tour is the Tarpaulin Slide!
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| Tarpaulin Slide! |
The tarpaulin slide will drop you at the sea which is 120 feet deep. No worries if you don't know how to swim, life vests are required and are provided. The staff assisted us in wearing life vests and oriented us before we went for a slide.
I'm proud to say that I tried it. It wasn't as scary as I expected, it was really fun! :)
If you're really into something extreme, you might want to try the diving board, which I didn't try (I'm still not too brave for that.haha).
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| A guest trying out the diving board |
Maxima Aquafun also has other water sports and activities like parasailing, scuba diving, jetskiing, banana boating, and kayaking. They also have cottages for overnight stays.
For transportation, they offer boat transfers from Sta. Ana Pier to Maxima for Php 150 (round trip) and speedboat transfers for Php 6500 for a maximum of 8 persons. However, I strongly suggest that you take a tour around Samal Island.
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| Kuya Ramil |
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| At Maxima Aquafun |
If you're going to Davao, I hope you'll not miss going to Samal Island. It's a simple yet beautiful place.
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Maxima Aquafun
Samal Island,
Davao del Norte
Contact Nos.09236593725, (082) 2822339
Kuya Ramil - 09123369046, 09098581115
Kuya Ramil - 09123369046, 09098581115
That slide looks awesome!!! So much of the Philippines I still need to see!
ReplyDeleteYou should try this, Ray! It's really fun. :)
Deletewow pabakasyon-bakasyon na lang, sarap naman ng life hehe
ReplyDelete:))
Mura lang naman. :) Try mo din. :)
DeleteIt's always fascinating to see places like this. More so, to experience it first hand. I haven't ben there but soon I hope I can visit the place. Travel has always have a special place in my heart. And I don't expect too much comfort while in travel but the idea of adventure and of things you don't expect to encounter thrills me even more. Cheers to travel! Cheers to patronizing our own.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to explore more places in the Philippines, though I'd love to travel abroad too!
DeleteThe place looks really awesome. Is the place anywhere neare Ateneo De Davao?
ReplyDeleteOur organization is planning to set up a convention there, so we might as well check out the places after the event.
Ateneo de Davao's in Davao City. Samal Island's a boat ride away from Davao City. You can call them up for inquiries though. :)
DeleteOoh. That's great! Sige. Thanks Mich! I love this blog post. The place really looks cool, and parang maraming pwedeng gawin. :)
DeleteYepyep. They actually have parties at night so I think you should go to Maxima. :)
Deletesaan naman kaya ang next mong pupuntahan......
ReplyDeleteWill blog about it soon! :D
DeleteAng ganda naman, Philippines is really the best place to go for a vacation.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Philippines is such a beauty. :)
DeleteWonderful pictures! And gorgeous skyline! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Czjai! :)
Deletei wished i maximized the trip i had at davao last year and went to good places like this. definitely loved this post :)
ReplyDeleteRovie, The Bargain Doll
You can always go back. I'd love to go back soon. :)
DeleteI would like to try that Tarpaulin slide! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll try it soon. :)
DeleteWow, it's actually in the Guiness Book of World Records!
ReplyDeleteWow i really wanna try that Tarpaulin Slide! So cool!
ReplyDeleteHope you'll try it soon! :)
DeleteI went here too! I tried the big slide which,yes, I also thought was scary, but wasn't really. HAHAHAHA I also tried snorkeling for the first time :)
ReplyDeleteToo bad I wasn't able to snorkel. But I really loved the slide! :)
Delete