Travel Diaries| Falling In Love with Cantilan

"Each morning in Cantilan creates unique photograph of beauty and inspiration. Subject? Choose from breathtaking sunrise, perfect clouds, unspoiled beaches,  amazing waves, beautiful people inside and out… "

cantilan 22

On field work in Siargao Island, I received a text message from Dennis aka lovemindanao- to explore Ayoke Island and other interesting places in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur - plus meet-up with fellow travel bloggers. :) 

I was able to catch the earliest bus  (1:00 am of November 30- Bonifacio Day) bound to Tandag from Surigao City. Around 2:00 am, we can’t pass and trapped in the mountainous area called Noventa Highway because of the deep mud and erosion.
“Bakit Noventa? Dahil 10 % na lang nasa langit kana!”  

Aside from being famous as the red mountain/mining area, Noventa Highway seems to be one of the most dangerous roads in the country- steep, narrow, muddy, side by side is prone to soil/rock erosion. It was around 5:00 am (after almost 3 hours of being stuck ) when the bus successfully gets out of the muddy part - “operators” came and took help/control.

I arrived in the town proper of Cantilan around 6:00 am. My Idol James, yes James of Journeying James riding in scooter fetched me in front of Cantilan Bank. After less than 5 minutes of motorcycle ride we reached Cathe Pacific- Cottage by the Beach of our ever accommodating host Cathe Duero with the warm welcome from my confi/kaladkarin friend Dennis of Love Mindanao and good breakfast prepared by James. Glen of Escape Manila and Cathe then arrived after 30 minutes. 

Our first day was scheduled for surfing and beach hopping in Ayoke Island.Unfortunately, bad weather condition stopped us to explore and surf in the island. No disappointment as Baybay Beach’s waves (just in front of Cathe Pacific- Cottage by the beach) is almost same as those in Ayoke Island. Hesitant to say but that was my first time to do surfing and riding in a surf board.  Nakailang backdive at wipe-out kaya ako dun hehehe.

The lady in long blue gown- Nathalie of Wandering Soles then arrived the following day. 

The Pinoy Travel Bloggers


cathe pacific
The Pinoy Travel Bloggers ( from left to right) : Traveling Morion, Journeying James, Love Mindanao, and Escape Manila with Cathe Duero. Not in Photo is Nathalie Penados of Wandering Soles

The Foods


cathepacificdinner


alimasag



WHAT TO DO IN CANTILAN?

Surf in Baybay Black Sand Beach
Characterized by fine black sands and huge waves- perfect for unique sunbathing experience, surfing and skim boarding.

cantilan 24

baybay waves

cantilan 21


Visit the Consuelo Wooden Bridge

One of the most romantic wooden bridges in the country. Best time to visit the wooden bridge at around 4:30 to 5:30 pm- ganda ng sunset!


consuelo cantillan wood bridge

cantilan bridge dr

cantilan 12


Walk in Consuelo white sand beach

Its pristine and unspoiled white sand beach is almost perfect. Just see the photographs. I’m still at awe and wordless.


cantilan 4

cantilan beach

cantilan 7

cantilan 5


We also got the chance to do PHOTOWALK along Consuelo's Port Area


pitcherplantfinal
Variety of Pitcher Plant still abundant in the area
crab



OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO IN CANTILAN

Explore and Surf in Ayoke Island

Ayoke Island is part of Cantilan , Surigao del Sur now being known as one of the best surfing spots in the country.  Facing the Pacific Ocean, expect huge waves perfect for surfing and skim boarding. Just recently, the 5th Cantillan National Surf Competition was held in Ayoke Island. Professional surfers from different parts of the country came and joined.

Walk along downtown and visit Cantilan Heritage Houses

During 18th and 19th century, Cantilan is the cradle town of Northern part of Surigao del Sur. Heritage Houses reflects the town’s wealth and importance as the center of trade during early times.  




cantilan tricycle



HOW TO GET THERE

Nearest Airports: BXU/Butuan Domestic Airport and Surigao National Airport.
From Davao City. In Davao City Bus Terminal take a Bachelor Bus bound to Tandag then transfer to van going to Cantilan or another Bachelor Bus going to Surigao City via Noventa highway.
From Escape Manila : If you miss the bus to Tandag from Davao, you can take the Butuan/Ormoc/Tagbilaran bound buses and alight in San Francisco/San Franz bus terminal. Take another bus or van going to Tandag.

From Butuan City. In Butuan Integrated Bus Terminal take a bus from Butuan City to Tandag then look for van/bus bound to Cantilan. If you miss the bus to Tandag from Butuan, you can take the Davao bound buses and alight in San Francisco bus terminal. Take another bus or van going to Tandag.

From Surigao City. At  Surigao City Integrated Bus Terminal take a bachelor bus or van going to Tandag. Ask the driver/conductor to drop you in Cantilan Terminal.




WHERE TO STAY
Cathe Pacific- Cottage by the Beach. The perfect place to stay in Cantilan. Located in Bo. Baybay, Cantilan fronting Baybay black sand beach and surfing area. Contact number: +639167872904.





Follow TRAVELING MORION's Journeys and  Travels
Follow me on Twitter| @travelingmorion
LIKE my Facebook Page| Traveling Morion

31 comments:

  1. Hi! Do you have instruction kung paano pumunta ng Siargao? I will be there on Feb with my friends. Hope you can help us.

    Manggagaling kami ng Manila to Butuan. Hanggang anong oras po ba ang schedule ng bangka papuntang Siargao? Saang pier po?

    Salamat in advance. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Marco :) Hindi to detailed pero u can read na rin : http://www.travelingmorion.com/2012/10/morions-phototravel-diariesthree.html

    From Butuan Airport sakay lang kayo ng multicab or tricycle going to Bus Terminal going to Surigao City. Sa multicab 10 pesos lang pamasahe pag tricycle (hired)- 100 pesos. In Surigao Bus Terminal take Multicab or Tricycle going to Surigao Port: Fastcraft and RORO or Surigao Boulevard: Lantsa/Passenger Boat. Pag fastcraft at RORO dapat nasa Pier na kayo ng before 10:30am- around 11-12noon umaalis, halos sabay.NOTE: walang byahe ng RORO at fastcraft pag Monday kc maintenance ata.
    kung gusto nyo mas maaga, sakay na lang kayo sa lantsa dapat early 5:00 am nasa boulevard area na kayo may umaalis schedule dun ng 5:00 or 5:30 am (mabilis mapuno kaya kahit hindi pa time umaalis na). Taz wala ng byahe ng hapon :)Fastcraft, RORO and early scheduled Passenger Boats are all bound to Dapa POrt. May diretso din ng del Carmen 12:30 alis sa Boulevard Area (kung maiiwan kayo ng RORO at Boats going to Dapa)enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well-guided and well-directed instruction in going to Siargao. The place is ideal for surfing. Is this the place that is considered as the surfing area of southern Mindanao?

    ReplyDelete
  4. You travel bloggers don't seem to ever run out of energy. :D

    But wow, look at those pictures. Indeed, 10% na lang, nasa langit ka na, LOL. No wonder Siargao is a widely known travel spot.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, First time landed on your site and i am amazed to see your writing skills very well described and defined. I love to travel too. Peace

    ReplyDelete
  6. @Sir Gil and Maricel- Sa Cantilan in Surigao del Sur po ito medyo malayo sa Siargao. Another interesting surfing site in the country.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oops, apologies for that. Well, Siargao man or Cantilan, the place sure looks like some place you would never grow tired of.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great bonding with other PTB members. The place looks great and the photos really had us feeling that we were just there appreciating the views.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anyone who wants to get there will now have an easy way because of your hardwork and, because of the pictures, they'll know beforehand what to expect from the place.

    ReplyDelete
  10. it sounds like you had a fun and wild adventure. this place also sounds like a good place for a vacation or honeymoon.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is very evident that you and the other travel bloggers had the time of your life and in a very magnificent location yet.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's also nice to still see pristine beaches in its natural undeveloped form. It's just an amazing view.

    ReplyDelete
  13. wow im still amzed by how philippines have all this wonderful gifts from nature!!! I am jealous with you guys travelling there! xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Looks a peaceful place where you can wash away all your troubles. I will be here one day!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Would you know if there are dive sites in Cantilan? If yes, do you happen to know their contact details? I will be truly grateful for any assistance or referral you can give.

    ReplyDelete
  16. @SEP- I am going to ask Cathe my friend and host in Cantilan if there are dive sites in the area kung meron then i'll pm u :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. @SEP- UPDATE:) meron daw dive sites :)--- sa Ayoke Island and Isla Heneral pero wala akong contact info.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Enchanting photos and thanks for the heads up. hindi na mawawala ang type mag-travel to siargao. May GPS na. LOL Side note, I don't like to cross that wooden bridge, nagaalis pala ng slippers. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Again, post worth-sharing. Just one of the hidden treasures of our country. Thanks to your great shots, they really are inviting.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great adventure and the food is so yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Cantilan is gaining popularity because of travel bloggers like you, hehe. Sarap naman diyan and love the subjects you mentioned :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. wala me masabi .. nosebleed! ilove ur blog more than anythings else .para siyang meal super light light lang ...

    glad to u enjoy trip to cantilan at naks may kasama pang ibang famous bloggers :) kip safe lagi !

    ReplyDelete
  23. @Bro Edmar- mag Mindanao ka na rin bro :) willing ako mag tour guide kay #townexplorer hehehe
    @Kulapitot- thanks :) your comment inspired me to continue exploring 7107 islands :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. welcome Marco- enjoy ur stay in Siargao and the rest of Surigao del Norte :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Parang ang sarap mag-prenup pictorial sa wooden bridge. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ang ganda namn ng place at sasarap ng food na kinain nyo!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I've been seeing a lot of posts about Cantilan lately. Can't wait to check it out one of these days. Great photos :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nie captures po kuya! Ang ganda ng mga kulay. sana makapunta din ako dyan. Gusto ko yung shot na may tsinelas sa tulay. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. The white sand beach looks lovely! Thank you for sharing. Adding this to my looong list of places to visit :-) I am adding places faster than I can cross them off X-(

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting TravelingMorion.com
Feel Free to drop/leave comment/suggestion(s) here :)