Note: this is an article that I wrote on a sister site, but I never got that site going. Maybe I’ll get to that again in the future.
The Samal Island resorts are located on the Island Garden City of Samal, a 4th class city in Davao del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines. The nearest city is Davao City, the largest city in the Philippines, when calculated by area.
If you are coming to the Philippines from out of the country, the likelihood is that you will be flying in. You’ll need to fly into Davao in order to get to Samal, unless you plan on taking a long trip from somewhere else in the Philippines. While it is possible to fly directly into Davao (I believe there are flights on some days from Singapore), most of us will have to travel through Manila and catch a connecting flight to Davao. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Air are the most popular of the airlines serving Manila to Davao. Everyone seems to swear by (or swear at) one or the other. It would also be possible to come in from another city, such as Cebu, if you were traveling there first.
One has several options to get to the island from Davao, but they all involve going by sea, as there is no bridge connecting Samal Island with the mainland of Mindanao and Davao. Most of the time one would be approaching Samal from the east, going to the west coast of the island. It is possible to travel to the other side of the island, but the majority of the resorts are on the west side.
Unless you are taking one of the resorts’ private boats, the most common way to get to Samal is the RORO ferry. This leaves Sasa Wharf in Davao and arrives at the Babak wharf. You can either ride the bus or travel with your vehicle of choice.
Here are some samples of the fares to Samal Island (courtesy of samal-island.com):
Sta. Ana wharf to Kaputian P 50.00
Km. 11 Sasa wharf to Babak (motorboat) P 13.00
Km. 11 Sasa wharf Ferryboat (bus) to any point in Babak District P 10.00
Davao Bus Terminal to any point in Babak P 30.00
Davao Bus Terminal to any point in Peñaplata P 40.00
10 wheeler cargo truck (empty/loaded) P 1,500.00
10 wheeler dump truck (empty/loaded) P 900.00
6 wheeler cargo truck (empty/loaded) P 1,100.00
6 wheeler dump truck (empty/loaded) P 750.00
Light cargo truck (elf/canter) P 600.00
Mini dump truck P 500.00
Light vehicles (jeep/pick-ups/van/cars) P 270.00
Tricycle P 125.00
Motorcycles/Bicycles P 60.00
As you can see, it’s not going to set you back too much to get to the Samal Island resorts and back. Unless you plan on bringing a large cargo truck a few times! I’d hope you wouldn’t need one of those to visit the resorts
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Apr 08, 2012 @ 12:28:27
Joy and I used the ferry to go across from Davao and use motor cycles from there. Your right about the cost is cheap. I enjoy the scuba diving the most. I think next year I will hit the back side of Samal for some scuba diving. I really want to film the sea life their. Although the best diving I have done was at Boracay Island. That was a blast. That being said, Samal is just as good if not better in many ways. Not a lot of people realize how good the diving is.
Apr 08, 2012 @ 13:25:47
From what I gather Travis’s dive company is doing good.
Apr 08, 2012 @ 16:54:56
That’s great to hear.
Living on Samal and running a business you love. How great is that?
Apr 08, 2012 @ 18:15:14
It is awesome to run your own business. Soon I’ll run one in the Philippines. Boracay Island or Davao City. I am thinking Boracay though.
Apr 09, 2012 @ 11:10:47
Good luck with the business, whatever you decide to do. Though I’e looked at different options, I don’t think I’ll go the route. Probably just a little extra income online.
Apr 08, 2012 @ 12:47:59
I’ve also used the motorcycles after coming across on on the ferry. I’ve actually only taken the bus once, and that was returning.I don’t dive, but I understand it is pretty incredible at Samal. Travis has been working on getting a business going there. Not sure how far along it is yet.
Apr 09, 2012 @ 04:21:17
What I know is the bus fare only. Your article provides a very good information about the other fares and how to reach Samal Island for the first time. This is very helpful to me, to my friends and family. Will take note on the above rate fares. More power to you Sir Randy.
Apr 09, 2012 @ 11:06:57
It can get a little confusing, especially for the first timers. There is more than one way, but the most common is by the RORO ferry. Taking the bus makes it easier, unless you own a car.
Apr 23, 2012 @ 05:59:44
Sir Ran good eve are living here in Davao?I’m also living here in Davao.Thanks for your effort in referring lafamiliabeach.blogspot.com.Its gathered 20 points event its just small but it help a lot to contribute traffic on this site.
Hope we will meet soon…
Apr 23, 2012 @ 17:45:58
Hi Arenl – I am not living in Davao but hope to live somewhere around there at some point. Of course I’d love to live on Samal, but time will tell.
Apr 23, 2012 @ 18:03:14
Ahh…ok sir thanks for that.Its just very comfortable if you leave here in DAVAo or Samal.See you soon…