The sandbar
White amid turquoise.
Theglennpalacio — CC BY-SA 4.0 · . Ray in Manila — CC BY 2.0 · Wilborne Ian Lustre — CC BY-SA 4.0 · melanierosetarga — CC BY 3.0 · Wolfgang Hägele — CC BY-SA 4.0
A white sandbar without a single tree or building, rising from the turquoise sea off Camiguin's north coast. Its shape changes with the tides, sometimes a long crescent, sometimes a narrow strip. From it you get the island's finest view: the volcanoes of Hibok-Hibok and Old Camiguin rising green beyond the water. You reach it by small boat from Yumbing beach in a quarter of an hour. On the sand there is nothing but clear water around you and sky above, so you swim, snorkel among fish and walk the length of the bar. Camiguin itself is a small, quiet island north of Mindanao, called the «island born of fire» for its many volcanoes, and known for its sweet lanzones fruit and their festival in October. It also has waterfalls and both hot and cold springs. There is no shade at all, so rent an umbrella on the sand or come early in the morning before the heat. Heading back before noon spares you the fierce sun and the crowds.
White amid turquoise.
Green beyond the sea.
Fish in clear water.
Off Agoho and Yumbing, Mambajao, north Camiguin; 10-15 minutes by boat
Early morning, before the heat and the crowds, as there is no shade. The sea is calmer roughly from March to September.