Loreto, Dinagat Islands

Dinagat Islands declared a province in 2006, it is the second newest province in the Philippines as Davao Occidental being the newest. Before, it is included in Surigao province but later on been independent. Some people say that Dinagat came from dinhi niini na dagat that means here from this bountiful waters.

If you’re coming from Cebu province, Cebu Pacific is offering the cheapest airfare bound to Surigao, they have two flights per day. If you’re coming from Manila, Philippine Airlines ang nag-offer ng direct flight to Surigao.

Pero kung trip mo mag-ferry from Cebu, meron din naman, mas mura pero it will take you 11-12 hours to reach the city of Surigao. In my case, limited lang leave sa work so I need the easiest way.

Simple lang ang city ng Surigao, hindi over populated, hindi masyadong traffic, not like the buzz of other big cities.

From the airport, sumakay ako ng multicab going to a fastfood chain para mag-breakfast and then sumakay ako ng tricycle going to Macapagal Port.

From the city, kailangan ko sumakay ng ferry boat papunta sa Loreto. Kadalasan na pinupuntahan ng mga turista sa Dinagat ang San Jose dahil ‘yun ang pinakamalapit at capital town ng Dinagat Islands. You just have to travel 1.5 hours to reach the island. Pero dahil sa Loreto ako pupunta, I traveled 4 hours. (naranasan ko na lahat ng panahon.. init at lamig. LOL) 

There are two types of ferry boat na pwede mong sakyan. First, ‘yung mga nasa Boulevard ng Surigao. Second, ‘yung pinakabago, Yohan na makikita mo sa Macapagal Port. There are two sections of the ferry boat, the air conditioned section and the open air.

Dumating ako around 4pm na at from the port of Loreto going to Esperanza. I can see the laid back yet beautiful island. Sobra ng pagod sa byahe kaya nag-rest ako ng maaga.

After breakfast, humiram kami ng motor to tour around. Halos lahat ng pupuntahan na magagandang spots, libre. (alam ko gusto mo yun) Pero kung may bayad man sa iba, sobrang mura lang. Here are some beautiful spots na pwede mong puntahan.

1. Linao Spring Resort

It is owned by the municipality of Loreto and is situated in Brgy. Esperanza. Madalas na pumupunta dito kahit mga taga-ibang town. Saan aabot ang 10 pesos mo? Sa Linao! Makakapasok ka na at makakapag-enjoy with your 10 Php. Kung gusto mo naman na mag-rent ng open cottage nila, you have to pay 200-300 Php. Fresh yung water dahil galing sa waterfalls sa taas ng spring na ‘to.

2. Black Beach Resort

It’s also owned by the municipality of Loreto but situated in Brgy. Campintac. Walang entrance fee dito and you can rent the open cottage for as low as 200 Php. Pwede magluto dito at meron din na mga rooms for you to rest, you can bring your tent as well.

3. Little Boracay

This is definitely the hard to get part of Loreto. I traveled almost an hour to be in this secluded part of the island pero sobrang worth it. Napakaganda. Just right for a good dip. Walang entrance fee dito pero meron na isang cottage. Kung pupunta ka dito, you need a local with you para makarating ka kasi sa bundok ka dadaan. It is situated in Brgy. Ferdinand.

That’s it guys! Meron pa sigurong mga magagandang lugar sa Loreto na hindi ko napuntahan pero sa susunod, mage-explore pa ako.

On the day na babalik na kami ng city, na-cancel lahat ng boats from Loreto papunta sa city. (napaka-unpredictable ng weather sa isla, ngayon, sobrang init ng araw tapos bukas cancelled na ang mga boat dahil malakas ang ulan)

So we traveled from Loreto to San Jose by habal-habal. Ang madugo, 1000 Php ang pamasahe for two persons. Malayo din kasi ang Loreto sa San Jose, it took us 2 hours to reach the possible port na may byahe. Pero okay na rin kasi super maganda ang view along the way. Now, it’s time to go home!

Nevertheless, it was a nice trip. Being able to explore another island out of 7500. More to come with the same person by my side.

-Ms. Maligaya