Yes, Dinagat Islands is a province dubbed the "Mystical Province of Love" situated in the northern tip of Mindanao, just beside the world-famous Siargao. Until today, the beauty possessed by this newly appointed province is still hidden. With that in mind, the alluring rock formations perched on the crystal clear waters, the fine white sand shoreline, and the vast diversity of flora and fauna are considered untouched.
I thought traveling to this province would be difficult in the sense that the mode of transportation is super limited, but I was wrong. Though my travel from Davao City was literally a pain in the ass because the total land travel was 11 hours, the transport from Surigao City to the island province runs according to the plotted schedule. That time, what was in my mind was, "I need to cross out this province on my list of 81 Provinces in the Philippines," and no expectations until the ferry docked at San Jose Port, met Kuya Dadong, and started the island hopping.
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| The crystal clear waters of Ao Beach Resort, Libjo. |
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| A selfie at Pangabangan Lagoon. |
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| The virgin beach of Punta Villa Resort. |
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| Stunning landscape by the coastline of Duyos Beach. |
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| The fine white sand of Bitaog Beach. |
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| The beautiful scenery of Pagkawasan Island. |
The province is truly mystical and enchanted. I am now under the spell of its beauty and want to be back every year! In my opinion, with so many hidden spots and destinations, this province is a complete paradise—a paradise awaiting to be discovered and a paradise that only a few people know its worth. If you want to escape from the crowd of Siargao Island or Surigao City, you will definitely find peace and love here.
The Location and How to Get to Dinagat Islands: Searching for tourist spots and creating an itinerary: You can book a flight to SUG, then take a haba-habal or a tricycle to the Boulevard (beside the city port) where you can buy a fast craft ferry ticket to San Jose, the capital of the province. In my case, from Davao, I took the most luxurious bus trip to Butuan (with 2 stops). Then, another bus ride to Surigao City. From their terminal, I took a trike to the port area and spent overnight at B & J Pension House for 300 Pesos (12 Hours, common CR, and in front of the port (available on Google Maps). The next day, I walked to the Boulevard, secured a ferry ticket, and sailed.
Budget-Friendly and Affordable Place to Stay in San Jose: After my island hopping, I used Google Maps to walk from San Jose port to 3RJA Pension House, where I spent the night. I paid 250 Pesos for a clean fan room with a single bed and a common CR. 3RJA Pension House is available on Google Maps. If you're looking for a place to dine, there are a lot of choices as San Jose is the center of commerce in the province, but for a limited time. READ: 9 Days Solo-Backpacking in Sarangani Province, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur, and Davao City.
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