Danjugan Island is a 43-hectare ecotourism island located at Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Philippines. This destination is under the protection of The Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI). We visited the Island during our stay at Punta Bulata Resort which is one of the recommended nearest destination in the Municipality of Cauayan. Though the Island has its own accommodation, the management of the Island emphasized that it's not a resort but a marine reserve and sanctuaries that needs to be respected if you opt to stay or make a tour.
Danjugan Island with its size that is considered to be small has a large biodiversity. It is a home of different birds and butterflies, bats, mangroves and corals with rich marine species and has several lagoons and white sand beaches. That makes this Island special and therefore needs protection against anyone who can destroy and overused these natural habitat. So I was ecstatic to finally explore it. We booked our 4 hours tour from Punta Bulata Resort. The half day tour includes a snack and a tour guide. From the resort, it took us around 20 minutes boat ride to reach the Island. We docked in front of Typhoon Beach Camp.
T y p h o o n B e a c h C a m p
The Beach Camp, located on the west side of the Island and is facing the Sulu sea has its own little shore with white sand and clear water. It has store and shops and a lot of resting area. All materials that you can see around were either made of bamboo or wood. It was surrounded by trees and the path walk was full of stones and pebbles. One of the accommodation which is the Mud House can also be found in here (forgot to take photos though). From the name itself, it is made of mud clay and was quite cozy, with all the white paint, a nice bed with a sofa and few nice decors. The price ranges to P3,900 - P4,500 per night.
S u n s e t V i e w D e c k
The view deck is in the same vicinity with the typhoon beach camp but located in the far end of the camp. The floor and the handrails of the deck was made of bamboo. Though we never witnessed a setting sun since we came here at the morning and we were finished before the sky turned gold.
You'll see this all-bamboo structure going to the deck.
T u r t l e B e a c h
From the camp, we started our trek to some of the area included in our short tour. We cross the turtle beach which is one of the white sand beaches of the island. From the name itself, it is where the turtles lay and hatch eggs. Sadly we didn't saw any turtles during those time. The beach stretched at around 500 meters. Unfortunately, I didn't got a chance to take a photos as I was busy with my son who at that time was not in the mood to walk. The walk was short but it seems long at that time because it was harder to walk on a sand with an additional weight of a 4-year old kid on me.
2 n d L a g o o n | B a t C a v e
At the far end of the Turtle Beach, we started an ascend to a concrete stairs. Then some walk at a rough path walk. It was hassle at that time since we have a kid companion. All parents can surely relate. Hahaha. But all worth it at the end. So anyway, I can't fully remember how many steps we made. Or if the lagoon came before the bat cave or it was the water below the cave. All I can remember was me catching my own breath and complaining to myself that it was me who planned a trek with a kid at the first place. But nature was good. Lol!
Tired but will never give up. :)
Then we came across to the bat cave before crossing a lagoon. It was one of the nearest encounter I have experienced. I left Xander to his Dad and went nearer. Most of them were sleeping but there were few who flies around. The smell and the noise was unpleasant, I didn't bare stay or look longer as I started to feel uneasy. And we also saw a snake that added to the jitters. Hahaha. Not my kind of adventure.
The bamboo bridge crosses the 2nd lagoon going to the 3rd/Moray lagoon.
M o r a y L a g o o n
The surrounding was so serene. The water was clean. It was a nice end of the trek scenery. The Moray Lagoon Camp is another option if you opt to stay overnight at the Island. It was cheaper than the Mud House ranging to 3,000-3,500 per night.
There was a school of fish dancing in the lagoon. Not sure what kind though. And if I didn't mention yet, the lagoon is a home of a various morays that was why it was named after it.
L e a r n i n g C e n t e r
Located on the Moray lagoon, this was where we ate our snacks. They have a refilling drinking water available for free.
This was where our boat fetched us. Our tour has ended. Though it was tiring, I was satisfied.
We missed seeing other beaches, 3 more lagoons and the watch tower. I wished we had more time. But this gave us a reason to return. And maybe we can come back without kids and enjoy the trip more. :)
I hope every tourists that will come to Danjugan and every Island in the world will respect every species living there. Take only photos, leave only foot prints and cherish the memories forever. And hopefully we can somehow contribute to their conservation and protection.
Here are some of the view while going back on our resort:
If you're looking for accommodation near the Danjugan Island, you can check my Punta Bulata Resort blog. Highly recommended and one of the best. Enjoy!
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