<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>From white sandbars and waterfalls to heritage sites and local delicacies, Camiguin offers more than a quick island escape. But as tourism grows, the province is asking a bigger question: How can the island welcome more visitors without losing the character, environment, and communities that make it special?</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are places you visit for the photos, and there are places that make you slow down and appreciate where you are. Camiguin feels like the latter.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Known as the <strong>“Island Born of Fire,”</strong> Camiguin is the Philippines’ second-smallest province in both land area and population. Despite its size, the island packs in an impressive mix of beaches, sandbars, waterfalls, cold and hot springs, marine attractions, volcanic landscapes, and historic sites.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.nognoginthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/LANZONES-IN-CAMIGUIN.jpg" alt="LANZONES IN CAMIGUIN" class="wp-image-41585"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">When in Camiguin, don&#8217;t forget to taste and bring home the islands lanzones</figcaption></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I recently visited Camiguin and had the opportunity to explore some of its well-known destinations while also attending a roundtable discussion on <strong>Sustainable Island Destination Governance 2026</strong>, held in the province on September 17.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And that combination made the trip more interesting. Because beyond asking, “Where should I go in Camiguin?” the conversation was really about another question: <strong>What happens when more and more people discover an island like this?</strong></p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>White Island: Simple, but unforgettable</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.nognoginthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/WHITE-ISLAND-CAMIGUIN.jpg" alt="WHITE ISLAND CAMIGUIN" class="wp-image-41592"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our first stop was <strong>White Island</strong>, one of Camiguin’s most recognizable attractions.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There are no trees, no buildings, and almost no distractions—just a beautiful sandbar surrounded by blue water, with Mt. Hibok-Hibok creating a dramatic backdrop. The simplicity is part of its charm. You can walk along the sand, swim, take photos, or simply stand there and take in the view. The Department of Tourism describes White Island as a sandbar made of white sand, crushed corals, and pebbles, and it is also known for its marine environment. It is also a good reminder of why sustainable tourism matters. A destination can be beautiful precisely because it remains relatively untouched.]</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>From islands to waterfalls and cold springs</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.nognoginthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MANTIGUE-ISLAND.jpg" alt="MANTIGUE ISLAND" class="wp-image-41587"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our Camiguin trip continued to <strong>Mantigue Island</strong>, another destination known for its white sand, marine life, and protected environment.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mantigue Island Nature Park has been managed as a marine protected area, and the province has identified increasing tourist demand and unsustainable activities as challenges that need to be addressed through its comprehensive development plan.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We also visited <strong>Tuasan Falls</strong>, where the experience shifts from the sea to the forest, and a <strong>cold spring</strong>, giving us another side of the island. Camiguin&#8217;s official tourism site lists Tuasan Falls, Sto. Niño Cold Spring, Mantigue Island, White Island, and several other natural and heritage attractions among the province&#8217;s destinations.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.nognoginthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/TUASAN-FALLS-CAMIGUIN.jpg" alt="TUASAN FALLS CAMIGUIN" class="wp-image-41591"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then there are the places where nature and history meet.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The <strong>Sunken Cemetery</strong> and <strong>Guiob Church Ruins</strong> are reminders that Camiguin isn&#8217;t only about beaches and waterfalls. The province&#8217;s heritage sites are connected to its volcanic history, including the 1871 eruption of Mt. Vulcan. The Sunken Cemetery and Old Bonbon Church are also among Camiguin&#8217;s National Cultural Treasures.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And of course, a Camiguin trip wouldn&#8217;t feel complete without tasting the island&#8217;s local food—and especially its famous <strong>lanzones</strong>.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Aslo Read: <a href="https://www.nognoginthecity.com/2026/05/01/rediscovering-davao-city-2026-heres-what-i-ate-and-where-i-went/">Rediscovering Davao City</a></h4>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>But can tourism growth benefit everyone?</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.nognoginthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ROUNDATABLE-DISCUSSION-IN-CAMIGUIN.jpg" alt="ROUNDATABLE DISCUSSION IN CAMIGUIN" class="wp-image-41590"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This was the bigger conversation during the <strong>Sustainable Island Destination Governance 2026</strong> roundtable. Led by Camiguin Governor <strong>Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo</strong>, the discussion centered on a framework called <strong>VICE</strong>:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>V — Visitor Experience</strong><strong><br></strong><strong>I — Industry Growth</strong><strong><br></strong><strong>C — Community Well-Being</strong><strong><br></strong><strong>E — Environmental Stewardship</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The idea is simple: sustainability cannot focus on only one part of the tourism equation. Visitors should have a good experience. Businesses should have opportunities to grow. Communities should benefit from tourism. And the environment should remain healthy enough to sustain the destination. That balance becomes particularly important as visitor numbers increase.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Camiguin recorded <strong>397,818 tourist arrivals in 2025</strong>, a 37.86% increase from the previous year, according to the Philippine Information Agency. The province has also been working on improving tourism data and management as visitor numbers continue to rise.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.nognoginthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NOUVEAU-RESORT-IN-CAMIGUIN.jpg" alt="NOUVEAU RESORT IN CAMIGUIN" class="wp-image-41589"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">More tourists can mean more opportunities for local guides, transport operators, restaurants, hotels, souvenir sellers, farmers, and other small businesses. But more visitors also mean greater pressure on roads, ports, water, waste management, natural attractions, and other resources. That is why infrastructure and tourism planning have become part of the conversation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Making the island easier to reach—without losing its character</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During the roundtable, the province identified five strategic areas for tourism development: <strong>sustainability and resilience; infrastructure and accessibility; smart tourism and digitalization; governance, community and culture; and marketing, events and economic growth.</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Some of these plans are already reflected in ongoing infrastructure improvements.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.nognoginthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MANTIGUE-ISLAND-BACK-AREA.jpg" alt="MANTIGUE ISLAND BACK AREA" class="wp-image-41586"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In July 2026, the new Light Craft Landing Station and Port Operations Building at Benoni Port were inaugurated, with the national government saying the improvements are intended to strengthen connectivity and support tourism and economic activity.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Camiguin Airport is also undergoing development work aimed at improving safety and operational capacity, with the project expected to strengthen connectivity and create more opportunities for tourism and local livelihood.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For travelers, better infrastructure means convenience. For locals, it can mean better access to markets, jobs, services, and business opportunities. But development also raises an important question: <strong>How much growth can an island sustain while still remaining the Camiguin that people came to experience in the first place?</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That is where the community and environment become just as important as visitor numbers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Tourism that gives something back</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One of the strongest ideas from the discussion was that tourism should not simply bring people into a destination—it should allow the destination&#8217;s people to participate in and benefit from tourism. That could mean supporting local businesses, hiring local guides, buying local products, eating at community-based establishments, and respecting environmental rules.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Department of Tourism has also emphasized that sustainable tourism can create jobs and livelihood opportunities while helping preserve local culture, traditions, and natural resources. For travelers, sustainability does not always have to be complicated.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes it starts with simple choices: follow local regulations, avoid leaving trash behind, respect marine sanctuaries, support local businesses, and treat natural and heritage sites as places to be protected—not just photographed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A small island with a bigger ambition</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Camiguin may be small on the map, but its tourism ambitions are growing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The province wants to attract more international visitors, improve accessibility, strengthen its tourism industry, and become one of the country&#8217;s best-managed island destinations. But perhaps the most important part of the conversation is the desire to <strong>retain the provincial feel of Camiguin while giving visitors the convenience they need.</strong> And that is what made this trip different for me. Yes, Camiguin has the sandbars, waterfalls, springs, mountains, heritage sites, and food. But its real story may be what happens next. Because the goal shouldn&#8217;t simply be to bring more people to Camiguin. It should be to make sure that when those visitors arrive, the island&#8217;s communities benefit, its businesses grow responsibly, and its natural beauty remains protected.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>The best tourism isn&#8217;t just about making people want to visit Camiguin. It&#8217;s about making sure Camiguin remains worth coming back to.</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.nognoginthecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MEDIA-GOIGN-TO-CAMIGUIN.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-41588"/></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Here is a map you can check if you are planning to visit <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/56gDm2DkwL9LVdxNA" type="link" id="https://maps.app.goo.gl/56gDm2DkwL9LVdxNA">Camiguin</a>. </p>





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