Unique Island Experiences in Philippines

The Philippine archipelago offers unique experiences. An exotic mix of physical activities and island experiences on both well-known and less visited islands. Visits to the rich nature reserve on the island of Danjugan where you make explorations both above and below sea level and on the islands of Negros and Panglao there is plenty to experience for snorkeling and diving friends.

Start your journey with a short visit to the Philippine capital Manila, where you have the opportunity to explore the city on your own. From here you fly south towards the exotic beaches on the island of Panglao and a fantastic life below sea level. On the neighboring island of Bohol, mountain biking and paddle surfing await on the jungle-dense Loboc River. Bohol also has the beautiful and uniquely hilly landscape of Chocolate Hills, which invites you to explore. Here also lives the rare little ghost animal, the tarsier, which is no bigger than a human hand. Know about about Philippines on itypeusa.

From here, the journey goes by local ferry to the island of Negros and on to the natural paradise on Danjugan Island. The island of its 43 hectares is today a protected marine reserve located off the southeast coast of Negro. Danjugan has five lagoons, is covered by limestone forest and is home to many animal species that have difficulty surviving on the mainland. Previously, the island was characterized by overfishing, but has now been transformed into an ecotourism destination with a focus on nature conservation and conservation, education and research. A unique nature and maritime experience awaits you here. From Danjugan, the journey goes back to the Sipalay area on the island of Negros, a great place for diving and snorkeling, before flying home from Dumaguete on the southern tip of Negros. You have an overnight stay in Manila before you fly home to Scandinavia.

Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia

Departure from Scandinavia to the Philippine capital Manila with arrival the next day. Depending on the airline, you make one or two stopovers along the way.

Day 2: Arrival in Manila

Upon arrival in Manila, you will be picked up at the airport by a driver who will take you to your hostel. The rest of the day is on your own and you can, for example, visit the art museum Manila Contemporary or why not the crazy shoe museum in Marikina, where former first lady Imelda Marcos has had no less than 749 pairs of shoes on display, all in size 39. You can also visit one of Asia’s largest shopping malls, Mall of Asia, full of shops and cafes.

Day 3: Departure Manila – Tagbilaran (Bohol) – Panglao

This morning you will be picked up at the hotel and taken to the Manila Domestic Airport. From here you fly to the island of Bohol, a flight of about an hour. You will be picked up at the airport in Bohol and driven to the small island of Panglao which is connected to Bohol via a bridge. The rest of the day is at your own disposal and you can spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful surroundings. You can hardly find more beautiful beaches than on Panglao. ( F )

Day 4-5: Exotic beach holiday in Panglao and experiences on your own

The next few days you will spend on the island of Panglao. As I said, the area is famous for its fantastic beaches with equally fantastic snorkeling and diving. The days on the island of Panglao are entirely at your own disposal. ( F )

Day 6: Panglao – Bohol – Paddle Surfing on the Loboc River (SUP)

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and transported across the bridge to the Loboc River and the starting point for your SUP trip – which stands for Stand Up Paddleboard or paddle surfing. After a short instruction on how to best keep your balance and manage from a sitting or standing position, carry it down the river – it is a great way to explore nature and many good experiences await along the riverbank. You see, among other things, the jungle and a nice waterfall on the way. You will arrive at the hotel by the river in the afternoon. ( F )

Day 7: Mountain biking and more paddle surfing on Bohol

After having breakfast, the morning offers a mountain bike ride in beautiful surroundings. You are back at lunchtime and the rest of the day is set aside for another round of paddle surfing. You are back late afternoon and have the rest of the evening at your disposal. ( F )

Day 8: Bohol on your own during the day and even more paddle surfing, now in the dark

Today you can relax or explore more of Bohol on your own throughout the day. At Bohol you will find many other interesting experiences, including the beautiful and rather odd geological formations “Chocolate Hills”, the rare ghost animal and a number of other interesting experiences: Blood Compact Site – At this historic site an international peace treaty was signed in 1565 between the Spaniards and the Philippines . Baclayon Church Museum – This beautiful church was built by the Spaniards when they colonized Bohol. Next to the church is a small museum with beautiful religious antiques. Bohol Forest – A two km long artificial mahogany forest towers on both sides of the road. Chocolate Hills – 1268 cone-shaped hills are spread over an area of ​​50 square kilometers. They are covered in grass and during the dry period the grass dries out and turns brown, which has given name to these unusual geological formations, which are completely unique to Bohol. Tarsier Sanctuary – Here you can meet the rare Filipino ghost animal, one of the world’s smallest monkeys – no bigger than a hand – with eyes bigger than their brains. Butterfly Sanctuary – Up to 300 different butterfly species live and move on Bohol. In this protected area, we strive to maintain the population of beautiful insects. In the evening, another trip with paddle surfing departs and now you can travel in the dark – only the fireflies are worth this very special experience. The evening tour is from 18.30 to 20.00, the rest of the evening is at your own disposal. ( Tarsier Sanctuary – Here you can meet the rare Filipino ghost animal, one of the world’s smallest monkeys – no bigger than a hand – with eyes bigger than their brains. Butterfly Sanctuary – Up to 300 different butterfly species live and move on Bohol. In this protected area, we strive to maintain the population of beautiful insects. In the evening, another trip with paddle surfing departs and now you can travel in the dark – only the fireflies are worth this very special experience. The evening tour is from 18.30 to 20.00, the rest of the evening is at your own disposal. ( Tarsier Sanctuary – Here you can meet the rare Filipino ghost animal, one of the world’s smallest monkeys – no bigger than a hand – with eyes bigger than their brains. Butterfly Sanctuary – Up to 300 different butterfly species live and move on Bohol. In this protected area, we strive to maintain the population of beautiful insects. In the evening, another trip with paddle surfing departs and now you can travel in the dark – only the fireflies are worth this very special experience. The evening tour is from 18.30 to 20.00, the rest of the evening is at your own disposal. ( In the evening, another trip with paddle surfing departs and now you can travel in the dark – only the fireflies are worth this very special experience. The evening tour is from 18.30 to 20.00, the rest of the evening is at your own disposal. ( In the evening, another trip with paddle surfing departs and now you can travel in the dark – only the fireflies are worth this very special experience. The evening tour is from 18.30 to 20.00, the rest of the evening is at your own disposal. (F )

Day 9: Bohol – transport / boat / transport to the natural paradise island Danjugan via the island of Negros (long transport day)

Early this morning, around 05.00, it is time to say goodbye to Bohol but only to soon say hello to another gem in the Visayas region, the island of Danjugan on the western side of the island of Negro. A rather long transport day awaits and you will first be picked up at the hotel and driven down to the port. From here, the public ferry to Negros takes you. The journey takes about 3-4 hours (the ferry can make a boat change on Cebu). After arriving at the port of Dumaguete on Negros, approximately 4 hours of land transport awaits on Negros before you take the last stretch by boat to Danjugan Island, a protected and isolated natural paradise. ( M )

Day 9-10: Explore Danjugan on your own

Danjugan Island is a lush island of 43 hectares that is also a marine reserve, which is located along the southeast coast of Negro. The island is one and a half kilometers long and half a mile wide at its widest point. There are five lagoons here and the island is covered by limestone forest which is home to many species of animals that have difficulty surviving on the mainland. The area, which previously suffered from overfishing that threatened the ecosystem, is now a protected reserve with an impressively rich marine and wildlife and today the island serves as an outdoor classroom for students, a research area for nature conservation organizations and a paradise for visitors who want to experience nature in its purest form. The island certainly gives its visitors the chance to get “back to their roots” and away from the hectic everyday life. The knowledgeable guides can take you on hiking tours through the island’s forests, where you can experience everything from sea eagles in the wide sky to bats that live in the island’s caves. You can kayak on the island’s lagoons and snorkel at the beautiful and now fortified coral reefs. There is no ordinary electricity and no hot water in Danjugan and all facilities are solar powered, which contributes to an authentic island as well as nature experience. The days here are completely at your free disposal. (F , L , M )

Day 11: Danjugan Island – Sipalay on the island of Negros

You will be transported from Danjugan Island to Easy Diving on the coast of Sipalay by motorboat, an approximately 45 minute boat trip after which you will have the next few days to dive and snorkel at the beautiful coral reefs near the coast. Upon arrival, the rest of the day is at your own disposal. ( F )

Day 12-13: Explore the Sipalay area of ​​Negros with snorkeling / diving on your own

You can relax by the beach or swim to the nearby coral reef and enjoy the exciting life underwater. You can walk around the area and explore the surroundings on your own. The possibilities are many and the staff at the diving hotel are ready to help you if you need advice and guidance or help arranging diving, snorkeling or other excursions in the area. The days are at your own disposal. ( F , L , M )

Day 14: Sipalay – Dumaguete and flight to Manila

You will be picked up at the dive site this morning and from here you will drive about 4 hours to the town of Dumaguete. You fly back to Manila and are picked up on arrival at Manila Airport and driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your own disposal. ( F )

Day 15: Manila – Scandinavia

After just over two weeks of wonderful experiences in the Philippines, the journey returns home. On this day you will be picked up at the hotel and driven to the airport in Manila. The time depends on your flight abroad. ( F )

Day 16: Arrival in Scandinavia

Overnight stays

Two nights in Manila at a hostel
Three nights at a budget hotel in Panglao
Three nights at a very simple camp at Loboc
Three nights at a very simple eco resort on Danjugan Island
Three nights at Easy Diving and Beach Resort

Unique Island Experiences in Philippines