Samal Island (sometimes stuck with the long prefix, ‘Garden Island City’) is immediately off the coast of Davao City in the Philippines and is the metropolis’ official paradise playground.
In the old days, Samal was once a pearl farming destination though local sights are set on tourism these days. The western shore of the island is lined with upscale resorts, each with their own stretch of white-sand beach and exclusive restaurant. The northern part of the island is more relaxed, with less expensive beach hotels.
All of the Philippines’ quintessential activities are available here. Visitors can rent dive gear and explore the outlying coral gardens. Inland waterfalls tumble into secluded lagoons, making great hiking destinations. Caving, mountain biking and even overnight camping are also possible.
Samal Island also appeals to nature lovers. The Mangrovetum is a center dedicated to understanding and propagating the island’s mangrove forests. Most of the eastern coast of the island (removed from those western resorts) is a marine sanctuary fronted by quiet white-sand beaches.
Getting There & Away
There are several ways to get to the island. Public bancas regularly depart from Sasa Bridge in Davao and take an hour to reach the island. Head to the pier for a faster, more comfortable ferry. Santa Ana Wharf is another launching place with charter boats and ferries. Davao has a prominent airport with regular connections to Cebu (55 minutes) and Manila (1 hour, 55 minutes).