“Camote”, replied the island ancestors when asked by the Spaniards about the name of the place. The natives were harvesting sweet potatoes (camote) then and thought that the Spaniards were asking what they were digging. That was how the group of islands got its name according to local folklore.
Camotes is a group of islands composed of four towns of Cebu (Poro, Tudela, Pilar and San Francisco), geographically located east of the province mainland, in between the islands of Cebu and Leyte in central Philippines, two hours away by boat from the town of Danao, north of Cebu City.
It is a small piece of paradise… of beautiful white sand beaches, great underwater treasures, amazing caves and lake, rich culture and history and lovely people.
Go beyond the usual Cebu. Discover, explore, experience and fall in love with the charm of Camotes Islands.
How to Get to Camotes Islands
Cebu City / Mactan to Camotes (Consuelo)
Oceanjet has twice a day departure of fast craft scheduled at 6AM and 3PM, travel time is 1.5 hours and fare is at least P500. Meanwhile, Jomalia Shipping operates at least one fast craft departure from Mactan Wharf to Camotes everyday, fare is at least P350 and travel time is around 2 hours. You can book your ferry online from Cebu City to Camotes below.
BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CEBU CITY TO CAMOTES
Danao to Camotes (Consuelo)
Danao is a town north of Cebu City, approximately an hour away. There are multicabs from or bus going or passing there, travel time usually an hour and fare is around P30.
From Danao Port, there are numerous ferry departures daily from as early as 530AM to as late as 9PM. The boat ride is approximately 2 hours and fare is around P200. You can book your ferry online from Danao to Camotes below.
BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM DANAO TO CAMOTES
Ormoc to Camotes (Pilar)
The town of Pilar in Ponson Island is geographically nearer to Ormoc City, Leyte, only an hour by boat. There are public boats serving the route. There are also public boats that connect Pilar to the other islands and towns of Camotes.
Going Around and Away
Camotes Islands is a group of islands and islets with the two biggest islands of Pacijan and Poro connected by a bridge. The primary mode of transport is by tricycle or single motorcycle (habal-habal). The town of Pilar in Ponson Island is accessible only by boat.
The main port of Camotes Island is located in Barangay Consuelo in San Franciso Town, Pacijan Island. There are numerous boat departures daily from Consuelo Port to Danao and Cebu City. You can book your ferry online from Camotes to Danao or Cebu below.
BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CAMOTES TO DANAO
BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CAMOTES TO CEBU
Where to Stay in Camotes
Bella Vista Mare Resort (formerly Beach View Resort) offers cheap room with a great view of Santiago Bay. We stayed in a decent fan room for as low as P850 per room overnight. It is along Santiago Bay in Barangay Santiago, San Francisco, where most tourists stay. Contact Number: +63905-3508883, they prefer to be contacted from 07:00AM to 08:00AM and 06:00PM to 08:00PM.
Beside Bella Vista Resort is a popular hotel resort in town, Santiago Bay Garden and Resort. It has a restaurant and a swimming pool. Other accommodations in town include: Masamayor Beach Resort and Payag Beach Resort in Santiago; Mangongodlong Rock Resort in Mangongodlong; and Harbor View in downtown San Francisco.
Top-Rated / Highly Recommended Accommodations
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Sunset Vista Sea Front Guest House |
Camotes Flying Fish Resort |
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Mangodlong Rock Resort |
Coco Grove Nature Resort and Spa |
Things to Do in Camotes
- Scuba diving, free-diving or snorkeling
- Beach bumming in Santiago Bay, Mangongodlong and other white sand beaches in the islands of Pacijan, Tulang, Poro and Ponson
- Island tour: Lake Danao, Timabu Cave, Baywalk, Buho Rock, Bukilat Cave in Tudela, St. Joseph Parish, Kalbaryo, Alta Vista, Guadalupe Cave and Busay Waterfalls
- Beach sports: volleyball, frisbee
Tips
- When to go: Summer and dry season
- Bring cash as much as possible as there is only one ATM in the island
- Half day motorcycle tour rate starts P700.00 for the following spot: Lake Danao Park, Timabu Cave, Baywalk, Buho Rock and Bukilat Cave
Camotes Island the best..wanna stay there soon..
■ Want to tour here in Camotes Island? I’m here to serve! I have two(2) multi cab that can occupy 17 seaters and a van and motorbike or habal habal if you like…■
This is Eil Saying………. “Travel Safely with my service” Just contact my # for more information. → 0909-563-9412→ or→ 0912-979-8560→. VON VOYAGE EVERYONE!!! God Bless……………..
Hi there! nextweek we will go to cebu were planning to go to camotes island. Please i need your help.. From cebu view inn how to get there in camotes island? thanks
Just contact me @ 09095639412
whew! sobrang ganda ng Camotes Island at very affordable ang budget.
one thing I like the most is yung kalsada nila, sementado talaga kaya napa-smooth ng byahe kahit sa habal-habal ka lang naka-sakay hindi masyadong nakaka-pagod. kung may lubak man na daan napaka-konti lang halos di ko nga napansin. at yung driver namin nakalimutan ko pangalan nya, pero ang bait nya at sya din ang tour guide namin.
we stayed in Bella Vista Resort kasi fully boked na ang Magodlong at Santiago Resort. Ok naman yung rates nila at madaming katabing kkainan. Napakaganda ng Bukilat Cave, Timubo Cave at “Queshee Beach” if I’m not mistaken sa name nya.
tahimik yung lugar sa gabi at higit sa lahat walang cellphone signal sa parte ng Santiago, pero ayos lang para walang iistorbo 🙂
Must See talaga ang Camotes Island
Hi…. this is Eil of Camotes Island I just post my contact number 09095639412 or 09424759223 in case you want a tour guide here. I have only motorbike. thank you and God Bless!!!
Hi!
It’s not timabu cave but “Timubo” cave…
Camotes=GREAT!! Loved the island-I stayed at Santiago bay garedn Resort- best place in my views=i send my local GF over ther to check all out 2 months before my arrival-spent 5 days there in may(late) weather beautiful! Resort service very good -foods also great. There is a ferry service running every 2 hours from danao daylight times. One can also get a ride from SM Mall in cebu city. Motorbikes are available in resort areas- they will ask for 500P daily yet I usually dont start till noon so I offered 200P -and most will accept. Many Koreans go there also.Ive herd they usually wreck the motorbikes as roads are NOT made for fast travel. That island is the only one ill ever go to again-was a wonderful experience!! Sandy beaches -views & service just great! Diveing if u wisg -yet im told malaspucna is. is best for that?
heading to bantayan (june 8-9)-malapascua (9-10) and camotes (11-12). lemme know if anyone’s going 0x9x1x6x9x6x7x8x8x53
please let me know how i can get around the camotes island the cheapest means.. super budget ako . 4k budget for 5days in cebu… wah! letchon lang talaga kakainin ko… the rest yakisoba nalang
heading to bantayan (june 8-9)-malapascua (9-10) and camotes (11-12). lemme know if anyone’s going 0x9x1x6x9x6x7x8x8x53
THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION.HOW I WISH I COULD TOUR THE ISLAND. WHEN I’M COMING BACK PHILIPPINES THIS YEAR.
would you know if i can bring my dog(shih tzu)? any requirements when we ride the boat? any hotels that allow pets? thanks
Hi! 🙂
Would you know and rate the difference between the fineness and whiteness of sand in Camotes, Bantayan and Malapascua Island? 🙂
Thank you!! 🙂
nice post…hope to update more coz im planning to visit camotes this summer….
sir gel salamat sa infos. pupuntahan kasi namin sa june ang camotes island 🙂
veryyy beautiful pictures. i like…
hi admin. i have a little business in camotes island. i offer transportation in camotes island. we have motorbikes, aircon van. multicab and tatos vehicle. i can give cheaper package deal for transpo compare to other transportation in camotes. Im ALFRED LIM. and you can contact me with this numbers 0926-529-6337 and 0910-879-5577.
thank you so much admin.
God bless and more power!
Your information is very much out of date. Under Tips: you say no electricity from 6PM-7PM-there is now. you say no ATM-there is now. There are also other boats from Cebu city.
Thanks,
Camotes Reporter
http://www.twitter.com/camotesisland.com
wala pa din po ATM sa Camotes Island lalo sa bandang Santiago at Consuelo.
how can the native reply camote when the word is spanish/mexican? there should be a local term for the camote plant
It’s just a local folklore edwin 😀
ang ganda nung Cave! 🙂
Crystal clear 🙂
That’s how names of places in the Philippines usually originates… hahaha!!!
very informative post… thank you for sharing this… =D
Thanks so much Mervin 🙂