Sunken Cemetery – What’s it REALLY Like? (Complete Guide)

Sunken Cemetery is easily one of the most unique and recognizable landmarks not just in Camiguin – but in the whole Philippines. 

But wait!

Don’t come here with the wrong expectations. 

Don’t start picturing a spooky seascape filled with tombstones and maybe even skeletons. 

Instead, in today’s post, I’ll show you what the sunken cemetery is really like! 😂

We’ll go over: 

• Everything you need to know about the Sunken Cemetery
• Where it is and how to get there
• Opening hours and entrance fees
• Tips for visiting Sunken Cemetery

And finish by answering some frequently asked questions about this landmark. 

Let’s get into it! 

If you’re visiting Camiguin soon, read my travel guide, or check out these 18 cool spots to visit!

Everything You Need to Know About the Sunken Cemetery

In 1871, Mt. Vulcan had a ferocious eruption that blanketed the town below it. 

Aside from that, the earthquake that came with the eruption was so powerful, that a large patch of land collapsed into the sea. 

On that piece of land was a cemetery. 

And that, my friends, is the story of how the Sunken Cemetery sank! 

What Sunken Cemetery is REALLY Like

Today, all that remains of the cemetery are the giant stone cross…

And an old bust and tombstone… 

Everything else was swallowed by a sprawling coral reef (which is also cool to see, but not nearly as spooky as it would’ve been if the tombstones were all still intact). 

There are also giant clams nearby, which is cool to see.

But the monument that stands there today was built much later on. 

That’s why I say don’t get your expectations too high! 

What To Do in Sunken Cemetery

What you can really expect from Sunken Cemetery is a nice platform surrounded by sea – a perfect place to watch the beautiful Camiguin sunset! 

It’s a great spot for pictures too – whether that’s facing the open sea, or having Mt. Vulcan loom in the background. 

You can also snorkel around if you want to see the old cross, the bust, the tombstone, and the coral reef. 

During low tide, the cross peeps out of the water, allowing you to stand on it. At high tide, you’ll have to dive down a bit to get to it! 

There are also several giant clams just nearby. If you wanna see them, I recommend getting a guide so he can bring you to where they’re staying. 

Or, if swimming is not your thing, you can always stay dry and just take a boat to the monument. 

How to Get to Sunken Cemetery

The best way to get to Sunken Cemetery is to rent a motorcycle or hire a driver (motorcycle taxi, tricycle, or multi-cab) for the day. 

Sunken Cemetery is found in Catarman, about 20 minutes away from Mambajao town. 

There is public transport heading in this direction, but these are few and far between – so you’re much better off renting a bike or hiring a driver for a day. 

If you have a motorbike, you can search for “Sunken Cemetery” on Google Maps. But I found that to be a little bit confusing. 

Instead, it’s better to search for the “Catarman Tourism Center,” then across the road you’ll see a white gate. Inside is the jump-off point for the Sunken Cemetery. 

But!

Before you go inside, it’s best to go inside the tourism center first! 

To get to the monument, you’ll either need to charter a small boat or snorkel with a guide. 

You pay for both of these inside the tourism center. 

Save yourself some walking, head to the office first. 

Sunken Cemetery Opening Hours and Fees

Here are Sunken Cemetery’s opening hours and fees!

Sunken Cemetery Opening and Closing Times

Technically, Sunken Cemetery doesn’t have opening and closing times. However, most of the boatmen and guides leave the area at around 5 pm, so you may want to visit before that. 

Sunken Cemetery Fees

• Entrance fee – NONE
• Boat ride to cross – php100 ($2)
• Swimming fee – php100 ($2)
• Snorkeling guide – php150 ($3)
• Snorkel gear rent – php100 ($2)

There’s no entrance fee, so you can view the monument from the land whenever you want to. 

But if you want to swim or ride a boat to the giant cross, you’ll have to pay some fees at the tourism center. 

If you’re going to snorkel, I recommend getting a guide as he can bring you straight to the underwater cross, the giant clams, and the bust and tombstone as well. 

Planning Tips for Sunken Cemetery

• Sunken Cemetery is most beautiful during sunrise and sunset, so try to plan to come here during those times. During midday, it can get pretty hot. 

• Sunken Cemetery is very nearby the Guiob Church Ruins (also ruined by the 1871 eruption) and the Walkway to the Old Volcano (the volcano that sent the cemetery underwater in 1871). Visiting the three in one go is very easy

• It’s also halfway between Mambajao and the Catarman spots (like Sto. Nino Cold Spring and Tuasan Falls). You can either visit Sunken Cemetery first before proceeding to those – or visit when you’re coming back from the Catarman spots. 

• I personally like taking things slow, but you CAN visit all the Catarman spots, AND the Sunken Cemetery, Guiob Ruins, and Walkway to the Old Volcano on the same day. If you’re staying in Mambajao, I would start by climbing the walkway in the morning, proceeding to visit the Catarman spots, then coming back to the Sunken Cemetery at around 4 pm. 

• There is a restroom in the tourism center, so you can shower and change there. 

• There are also a LOT of souvenir shops inside the white gate leading to the Sunken Cemetery, so if you’re looking for some, here’s a good place to get it. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Sunken Cemetery

How Deep is Sunken Cemetery?

The Sunken Cemetery is more or less 20ft. below the surface of the water. This, of course, changes with the tides. 

During low tide, the old cement cross peeps out of the water! 

What is Sunken Cemetery Known For? 

Sunken Cemetery is known for its large cross monument in the middle of the sea. It’s a great place to watch the sunset or admire Camiguin’s mountains from offshore. 

Some people expect there to be an obvious cemetery – with tombstones lining up – under the water. 

But that’s not the case! 

You’ll only find one tombstone and bust. The rest were swallowed by the corals already. 

What Happened in Sunken Cemetery? 

In 1871, Mt. Vulcan had a very fierce eruption. The earthquake that came with it was so great, that a large piece of land crashed into the sea. On that land was a cemetery, which is now known as the Sunken Cemetery. 

Is Mt. Vulcan an Active Volcano? 

No. The only active volcano in Camiguin is Mt. Hibok-Hibok, which last erupted in 1953.

This might surprise you, but the famous 1871 eruption was not from Mt. Vulcan at all! 

That was actually Mt. Hibok-Hibok. 

There was a fissure vent on the side of the mountain that both blanketed the town below, AND formed Mt. Vulcan. 

That’s why people say Mt. Vulcan “erupted” – when in reality, it was Mt. Hibok-Hibok. 

The more you know! 

What is the Best Time to go to Sunken Cemetery?

The best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset! You’ll get an amazing view of the purple skies over Camiguin during these times. 

Just make sure to arrive before 5 pm, since most of the guides and boatmen go home at this time. 

Do I Need a Tour to Visit Sunken Cemetery? 

Not at all! It’s a good idea to get a guide on the spot to show you the sunken cross, the bust and tombstone, and the giant clams. But this is not required. 

Conclusion: Should You Visit Sunken Cemetery? 

If you’re planning to visit, I have one BIG advice for you:

Don’t set your expectations too high! 

That’s what I did. 

And, in turn, I was disappointed that there was only ONE cross, ONE tombstone, and ONE bust. 

I was expecting more. 

But if you know what to expect, you’ll LOVE the sea breeze, the beautiful view of Camiguin behind you, and the gorgeous sunset from the monument. 

So should you visit?

Absolutely! 

Visiting Camiguin soon? Check out 17 other spots in my tourist spot list, or read my travel guide for more helpful tips!