DiscoverDinagat Islands
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Dinagat Islands.
Book Now Pay Later
Loading traveller reviews…
Join Our Newsletter
Get tailored flight deals, travel tips & inspiration straight to your inbox.
HandpickedDinagat Islands HolidayDeals
Complete holiday packages with flights, hotels and experiences in Dinagat Islands.
Stays AcrossDinagat Islands
From luxury beachfront resorts to city hotels and budget stays.
UnforgettableExperiencesin Dinagat Islands
Search and book amazing activities and tours across Dinagat Islands.
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Dinagat Islands
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Dinagat Islands
- Think of opening the door to a piece of heaven where the waves and sand are turquoise, where the horizon is so broad as to be nearly caressable; and this is what you are going to experience when you first go there, a kind greeting of explore before you.
- It is the tranquilly of the sea, sweeping scent of fresh coconut trees, which makes the atmosphere of forgetting troubles and calming down of heart in a kind of contemplatory state.
- With the sun rising up higher, the coast is shimmering with scattered jewels, and you will be irresistibly tempted to wander into obscure recesses and some of the lagoons and gullies that belong to the little treasures of the natives.
- The scenic beauty is complemented with clear warm waters which are ideal to snorkel in to have a view of a beautiful underwater world that is full of colourful fish and beautiful coral reefs.
- The sky in the night transforms into a sky-screen of stars and the faint light of the lanterns of the neighbouring villages is the sprinkling of magic, making each evening an intimate feast of the marvels of nature.
- All these dramatic experiences make holidays to Dinagat Islands a memorable vow of excitement, rejuvenation and memorable experiences which will last long even after you get back home.
- Capital: San Jose is the capital of Dinagat Islands province, Caraga region
- International airport: Surigao Airport, then boat crossing to the islands, getting there
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official languages: Filipino and English; Surigaonon, Cebuano are spoken here naturally
- Major religion: Mostly Roman Catholic, like Mindanao areas typically are
Reason 02
Highlights
- The holidays to Dinagat islands boast of crystal-clear lagoons, dramatic cliffs and tropical forests, which merge beautifully to form a diverse landscape, which is appealing to hikers, divers as well as photographers.
- Visitors are able to discover the rainbow of sea life when they take guided snorkelling tours of an underwater mosaic of coral gardens, tropical fish, and even in some cases, graceful sea turtles drifting along.
- Fresh catches of the day are available in the local fisherman market and the aroma of freshly grilled seafood lingers in the air providing a sensual feast of the culinary tradition of the island.
- The cultural experiences are numerous, as one can watch traditional dance performances in the evenings, as well as get acquainted with local people sharing the history of the island.
- Although eco-tourism activities are also present on the islands, they focus more on conservation and guests can be educated about sea turtle nesting programmes and forest restoration projects that sustain the biodiversity.
- To the travellers, a one-stop shopping experience is provided with the booking of the world pinoy flights, which makes the journey across the mainland to the cosy ports in the island fast and enjoyable.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- The best weather is during the dry season, which runs between December and April, when the weather is sunny and most of the time there is little rainfall- suits the beach life and the kind of water sports.
- The greenery in the Island is at its best in the wet season which is the time between May and November and the monsoon shower now and then is a cool breeze that rejuvenates the landscape.
- It may be that some tourists choose to visit immediately after the rainy season when the holidays to Dinagat Islands are not so full and still alive with the locals.
- The months of November and December are the transitional months with a combination of weather patterns, which gives the travellers an opportunity to experience both the sunny mornings and cool evenings.
- These seasonal changes are frequently accompanied by festivals and cultural events that provide the visitor with a rare chance to experience some of these festivals that are in the spirit of the island.
- It does not matter when you come, the warm climate of the island guarantees you that you can have a lovely time at the beach, go hiking, and immerse in local culture all year round.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Bitaog Beach
- The white fine sand on the beach extends continuously, and it is an inviting location to enjoy long walks and sunbathing time that stress could disappear.
- Crystal clear and calm waters which provide easy swimming and snorkelling, reveal turquoise reefs which shimmer beneath the water.
- Still shots in the sunset on the shore are amazing palette of oranges, pinks, and purples, which produce unforgettable impressions.
- The mangrove forests around it are also home to the various bird species and the location makes a mysterious hiding place to the eco-tourists and the photographers.
- Local suppliers sell homemade coconut ice cream and fresh fruit and allow guests to taste the tropical taste in a casual environment.
- The safety of the beach is preserved through hospitable volunteers and results in a safe setting of both families and individual travellers.
Lake Bababu
- This lake is a freshwater lake that is situated between a series of hills, which are serene in nature with reflective waters just like a blue sky that is above.
- The lake is surrounded by lush plants that offer good picnic and recreational opportunities.
- The native fish species that can be caught by the anglers in the waters of the lake include fish species that flourish in the calm waters of the lake.
- Educative nature walks expose the concealed paths to outlooks that demonstrate the beauty of the wetlands around.
- Bird watchers will not be disappointed by the fact that the place is full of birds, both by colourful kingfishers and elegant herons that fly in the borders.
- The visitors are taught about the value of conserving freshwater ecosystems and enjoy the landscape with the emphasis on conservation.
PBMA Shrine
- The shrine is a witness to the religious belief of the island, except that there is a combination of Filipino and natural rock architecture.
- The visitors of this place, both pilgrims and tourists, experience a certain level of peace on its quiet courtyard, with its pleasant citrus trees.
- The murals on the shrines describe the folklore of the area and provide the cultural background that adds value to every visitor.
- The shrine also has communal prayers during special holidays and brings the locals and tourists together in a common reverence.
- The informative plaques discuss the history of the shrine so that guests are able to know the meaning attached to it in the community.
- The shrine has quiet meditation areas where one can contemplate and this is in line with the peaceful nature of the island.
Cab ilan Island
- Cab-ilan is accessible by a short boat ride, and it provides isolated coves where the blue sea is leading to untouched beaches.
- The coral reefs found in the island are attractive to snorkelers who would see colourful marine life such as brightly coloured nudibranchs to naughty dolphins.
- Uphill views on the sunrise and sunset are presented showing extensive panoramic views of the archipelago around, and those who build their houses at the first uphill stage strive to capture the first light of the sunrise.
- The coast is marked by traditional fishing villages where people continue to use the age-old methods, which can give an idea of their sustainable culture.
- The sunset music in natural amphitheatres (basalt cliffs) is a perfect combination of nature and local art, which were designed by the island.
- Green-friendly rooms focus on low-impact lifestyle, where the guests could enjoy traditional local hospitality and at the same time do not harm the environment.
Reason 05
Discover More
Duyos Beach
- Duyos Beach is famous with the great rock structures and a place where the brave swimmers have playground exploring the tide pools.
- The golden sand on the beach also blends with the dark blues and it is a very memorable image that tourists can see.
- Fresh fish is delivered to the locals on a daily basis and visitors can enjoy grilled seafood as they hear the storeys of the sea-breezes.
- An adjacent perspective also offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands, which would be so pleasing to the photography man.
- Eco-tourism programmes in this area are intended to preserve delicate limestone structure by providing guided tours and informational signage.
- The less-tourist environment of the beach and the fact that it is quiet it beckon one to look within themselves, thereby making it the ideal place to be in a solitude or a romantic walk during sunset.
Sayaw Islet
- Sayaw Islet is a small, deserted islet with the most beautiful beaches and soft, powdery sand and crystal waters.
- Hiking to the summit of the islet is a reward to the explorers, as they are offered an elevation of the whole archipelago, a treasure unknown to sightseers.
- The surrounding reef of the island is an aquarium to the divers with spectacular coral systems and schools of tropical fish.
- The isle conservation projects are aimed at conservation of marine life, which enables the visitors to contribute to practical environmental activities.
- The unique design that has been created to fit the watery environment of the island is presented in traditional stilt houses located at the outskirts of the island.
- The isolation and the natural beauty of Sayaw Islet makes the place unforgettable as a way of escaping the real world.
Kisses Islets
- Kisses Islets are a group of tiny islands and a mosaic of natural rocks and secluded coves.
- The islets are encircled by crystal waters that are ideal in snorkelling that expose kaleidoscope of marine flora and fauna.
- Island-hopping tours provided by local guides are useful to spot the ecological niches peculiar to a given micro-ecosystem of an islet.
- The sunrise perspective on the islets gives the travellers the opportunity to see the sky changing its colour between teal and pink, a peaceful beginning of the day.
- The undeveloped beaches of the holidays to Dinagat islands offer a serene meditation and yoga and nature journaling.
- The community outreach programmes promote responsible tourism which makes sure that the islets are kept clean in order to be used by the future generations.
Rocky Beach of San Jose
- The rough coast is a contrast to the smooth sand as well, and the scenery is rough and captivating.
- The cascading down waterfalls that run down the cliffs into the sea build a natural amphitheatre that offers amazing shows of the sunset.
- Pebble beaches are perfect in rock-hopping games and hunting shells and marine rubbish.
- The biodiversity of the region has sea turtles which sometimes nest at the rocky shores which is a beauty to the wildlife lovers.
- Tourists and pilgrims tend to organise beach meditation sessions, which exploit the relaxing nature of the waves crashing on the rocks.
- There is also a small, local cafe close to the rocky beach that offers fresh coconut water and indigenous food, which can also be considered a cultural addition to the visit.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- The local communities of the island also have harvesting festivals which are accompanied by traditional dances that involve the beating of the drums and the use of colourful costumes.
- Storytelling sessions regularly happen in community meetings to tell about legends of the sea, and encourage the respect of the sea heritage.
- Weaving, which is handmade, and the work with locally available fibres implies complex designs reflecting unity with nature.
- The cooking culture of marinating fish with coconut milk and spice features the combination of the local tastes which have been transmitted through generations.
- Relic temples and shrines are the centres of culture where people congregate to pray and connects people through collective ties and values communally.
- Open-handed hospitality, serving fresh fruits and home-made delicacies, is one of the examples of the welcoming attitude of the island.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Tuna that has just been caught is usually grilled on the charcoal with lime and sea salt and gives a simple and memorable taste.
- Dishes made with Coconut, like coconut pancakes or kakanin, are eaten at celebrations and on regular meals as well.
- Gisinggising, a spicy coconut milk stew, shows the affection of the locals to bold, aromatic mixes.
- Mangoes are freshly cut in the plantations of the island, which creates a sweet contrast to savoury seafood.
- Glutinous rice cakes are traditionally rice cakes, which are taken at community events and special occasions.
- Coffee produced on the island is made of volcanic soil, which offers a strong brew that is full of aroma and fulfilling.
Fun
- Holidays to Dinagat Islands Travellers who prefer to adventure in the peaceful waters will find kayaking, paddle-boarding as well as snorkelling quite an exciting endeavour that is water-based.
- There are regular beach volleyball tournaments throughout the weekdays, which contributes to good competition between local residents and tourists.
- Night-walks in mangrove forests enable tourists to see nocturnal animals, and also have an experience of the cool evening breeze.
- Sunset tours around the islands provide a comfortable experience where one can see the silhouette of the archipelago with a sunset.
- Artisan workshops allow local artisans to showcase their art to tourists who may learn to weave a mat or carve shells, resulting in a unique take-home item.
- Every evening, seasonal festivals with music, dances, and fireworks transform the routine evenings into the cultural spectacles.
Fashion
- Men wear traditional clothing in the form of the bahag and women women in the form of malong which uses breathable materials that are appropriate in the tropical climate.
- Modern designers use the local patterns with the modern shapes and make the garments which both preserve the traditions and attract the world tendencies.
- Natural fibres, such as bamboo or hemp, are used to make beachwear, which is a sign of the island being sustainable.
- Bracelets and necklaces that are embroidered by a handyman usually contain a symbolic design concerning the sea and nature.
- Shoes and shoes include plain woven sandals to eco-friendly designs of shoes and slippers made based on local skills.
- Fashion shows are organised seasonally in coastal resorts, which demonstrate the combination of the traditional and the innovative and bring fashion lovers into the country.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- Tropical rain forests, which are rich in medicinal plants, provide guided tours where specialists give people information on the uses of the different species.
- Bird-watching trips will display a range of endemic species, with brightly coloured fruit doves to forest owls that are difficult to see.
- Marine conservation tours enable the tourists to get to know the methods of coral restoration and the significance of clean water.
- The topographic features of the island are volcanic, thus forming distinctive geological sceneries that offer challenging and rewarding trekking paths to hikers.
- Organised snorkelling tours preserve the fragile reef networks whilst enabling the visitors to view the aquatic creatures closely.
- School Education School-based initiatives about local biodiversity, trying to reassure young generations to conserve their own natural heritage.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- Community spirit: The community spirit is observed in the yearly Bayanihan Festival, which comprises parades, lantern showcases and joint dinners, which unites the visitors.
- Pista ng Kalikasan (Nature Festival) creates environmental awareness by hosting workshops, beach clean-ups as well as eco-art exhibitions.
- Sea-Turtle Nesting Ceremony is a programme that draws families that want to see and experience the miraculous process of new life being born under the guidance of experienced volunteers.
- Rhythmic Island Traditional dance competitions focus on the rhythmic capabilities of the island, attracting masses of people and establishing a festive mood.
- Coconut Harvest Fair, which is an event that features local products, artisans, and food demonstrations, gives the visitor a flavour of the island in a party style.
- Sundara Night- Every two months, there are seasonal celebrations known as Sundara Night where they use bonfires, fireworks, and music to celebrate the beauty of the island and their culture.