Dinagat Islands Travel Guide + 12 Tourist Spots (Ultimate Guide) 

Heading to Dinagat Islands?

Wow!

Just knowing that, here are three things I already know about you:

• You love adventure 
• Off-the-beaten-path travel excites you
• You’re a curious, out-of-the-box explorer

Right?

I knew it.

And here’s the thing.

You’re right to pick Dinagat Islands.

It’s just the perfect blend of crowdlesness, raw nature, and diverse hidden gems not many people have seen.

Like a forest of old, twisted bonsai trees. A lagoon hidden deep in the limestone cliffs of a small island to the north. A white sand beach so pristine and perfect that it rivals the best Philippine beaches like Boracay. 

Want to go exploring?

In this blog, I’ll talk about:

• What Dinagat Islands is like
• The top things to see in Dinagat Islands
• How to get to Dinagat Islands
• How to get around Dinagat Islands
• Where to stay in Dinagat Islands (this one is important!)
• Where to eat in Dinagat Islands
• How much you’ll spend in Dinagat Islands

And more!

You ready?

Let’s go! 

Dinagat Islands: What’s This Unknown Place All About?

“Let’s go to Dinagat Islands!” my brother Manoling said to me earlier this year.

When he said it, an image immediately popped into my mind.

It wasn’t even a clear image.

It was a blurry green-and-blue map, a picture of a few jagged-edged islands against a backdrop of sea.

On the land, complete darkness.

It was like that ancient (early 2000s) game, Age of Empires, where you’re standing in a spotlight surrounded by the black, undiscovered lands.

In other words, I had no idea what Dinagat Islands was…

…or was like.

I’d heard about it from a freediver friend, but that story, too, was vague and shrouded in mystery. 

He told of diving in a murky lake in which an ancient, giant crocodile prowled. 

He talked of a tiny town perched on a hill.

And that was all.

So my interest was piqued.

And what did I find out? What’s Dinagat Islands all about?

Here’s how I’ll describe it to you in a nutshell:

• It’s a large island surrounded by smaller islets. 
• Perched against its cliffs are tiny towns slanting precariously into the sea.
• It’s a land of raw nature, with breathtaking limestone cliffs, unbelievably clear turquoise waters, and unlimited adventures.

And most of all, it’s a place people live in. 

A place you can get to know.

I mean, look at my view every morning for the 7 days we stayed there.

But anyway, let’s get to it.

Here are:

Dinagat Islands: 12 Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots You Shouldn’t Skip

Here’s the big surprise about Dinagat Islands.

There is so much to do there!

Before we left for the islands, my brother said, “We can probably see Dinagat in three days.”

Did we?

Nope!

We stayed seven days, and even that time was not enough to see everything.

But you know what?

We saw the best stuff.

Here they are.

(Make sure not to miss a single one.)

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #1: Blue Lagoon

Located on Pangabangan Island, around 1.5 hours by boat from San Jose (Dinagat’s main town), lies a secret lagoon nestled between towering limestone cliffs.

See the photo above?

This was taken from a viewpoint, which you can get to by climbing a few jagged stone steps to the peak of a small hill. 

From there, you can see the turquoise shallows of the lagoon…

…plus a deep blue indentation like a sinkhole in the center.

All around, lush green trees rise to the sky. 

You can go swimming in the lagoon, and if you’re not a great swimmer, no worries!

There’s a large shallow part where you can simply dip yourself in waist-deep water. 

There are also floating cottages for rent – you can sit on the bamboo benches of the cottage and eat your favorite snacks as you are pulled by rope into the deep part of the lagoon.

And if you simply want to relax?

You’ll never get bored.

I mean, how can you, with scenery like this to keep you company? 

How to get to Blue Lagoon: 

• Join an island-hopping tour. Blue Lagoon is one of the main attractions offered by tour companies in San Jose town. On an island-hopping tour, it’ll likely be one of the first spots you visit. (Blue Lagoon is part of the standardized Tour A package, which visits the Libjo area.) 

• Take a boat from Libjo. Libjo is a town around 40 kilometers from San Jose. You can drive yourself there on a rented motorcycle, then rent a boat to the Blue Lagoon. (This is the harder option, since there are no regular tours, so we decided to do the one above.) 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #2: Cagdianao Boulevard 

So, here’s a fun story.

We were driving back to San Jose from a beach we visited in the south, hurrying a little since it was late afternoon.

On the way, we suddenly spotted a little road leading to the sea. 

It was small, and we thought it was nothing but a dead end.

But wait!

That creased, graying sea with a towering red mountain behind it seemed like a great spot to take photos. 

So we turned left and took that little road. 

And here’s how it turned out.

The road unexpectedly opened up into a wider one, lined with pretty plants and streetlamps.

This led to a lovely little park by the sea.

With people sitting on the grass, jogging, or taking their kids out to play.

And a glorious, breathtaking sunset on the water.

We were glued to the place. 

We didn’t even care about the dark drive back home.

Instead, we stayed.

Had tangy, delicious barbecue and ice-cold Coke in the outdoor food court right next to the park.

Had mango-flavored “dirty ice cream” from a vendor chilling nearby. 

Was it worth the scary ride back to San Jose in the dark?

YES.

How to get to Cagdianao Boulevard: 

Cagdianao Boulevard is a 30-minute drive from San Jose. You can get there on your rented motorcycle, just pin “Cagdiano Boulevard” in Google Maps. 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #3: Bonsai Forest

This was one of my favorite adventures in our entire Dinagat trip.

No, cross that out.

Not one of my favorites. 

My actual favorite. 

Here’s how it went:

• A long, rainy 2-hour drive from San Jose to Loreto (a town in the far north of Dinagat)
• A scary (and I mean scary!) 1-hour motorcycle taxi ride up a steep road strewn with jagged rocks and running with rivulets 
• A 3-hour hike/walk through the pouring rain, exploring the twisting rocky paths lined with beautiful stunted trees
• And then the 1-hour ride down the steep road again, and the 2-hour drive back to San Jose in the pitch darkness 

Was it worth it?

100x yes. 

For one thing, there’s nothing like the pure, high adrenaline of adventure.

That’s what we live for, that out-of-body experience, that raw, unhinged energy of being.

For another?

The bonsai forest exceeded our expectations.

I mean, just look at the beautiful twists in those ancient tree trunks. 

These trees are old, but they’re also tiny.

The shallow soil and nutrient deficiencies keep these elegant trees from growing into their natural height.

And if magnificent, tiny trees aren’t enough…

…there’s the clean, sharp air, the towering presence of the mountains, and the cold whisps of fog creeping against the landscape.

If you do only one thing in Dinagat, make sure it’s this one. 

How to get to the Bonsai Forest:

• Drive your rented motorcycle to Loreto Town. This is around 2 hours (70 kilometers) from San Jose. You can also ask a tricycle to take you here, but expect to pay a higher fee, since there’s no public transportation between towns. 
• Once there, head over to the tourism office. (The tourism office is located in a new building, so ask around to find the right place, or use this Google Maps pin.) Once there, pay your environmental fee and get your permit. (This costs PHP 100 per person.) 
• Next, you need to decide if you’ll take the 4×4 pickup (PHP5,000 for the trip) or a motorcycle taxi (PHP1,500 per person). (If you take the motorcycle taxi option, ask the tourism agent to direct you to where they usually wait for passengers. Here’s the pin in Google Maps.) Since we were only 2 people, we took the motorcycle taxi option. (Caution: This is an extreme ride and not for the faint of heart! But if you’re an adventurer, it will be the highlight of your trip.) 
• Once you arrive at the entrance, it’s about a 2km walk up the mountain to the bonsai forest. The trail is pretty gradual, so you don’t need to be a hiker to enjoy it. 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #4: Bitaog Beach

Of all the beaches we saw on our Dinagat trip, this one was the best.

It was a cutout from paradise, from crystal turquoise water that seemed edited (the photo above is NOT edited!)…

…to white sand so fine it was like creamy confectionery sugar…

…to steep shadowy limestone cliffs jutting against a cloudless sky.

There was a couple on board the boat who decided early on they weren’t going to get wet.

But when they saw this beach?

Suddenly, they were drenched in the cool water, swimming, splashing, and taking photos against the unique rock formations.

I mean, I was too.

How to get to Bitaog Beach: 

Bitaog Beach is one of the destinations of Dingat’s island-hopping Tour B (Basilisa). You can join the weekend joiner tours, or get a private tour anytime. 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #5: Miracle Pool Cave

The Miracle Pool Cave of Libjo, Dinagat, is located on Pangabangan Island, not far from the Blue Lagoon.

Here’s what makes this cave special.

First, the trip there (an hour and a half from San Jose’s port) is simply stunning.

Think limestone rocks like prehistoric creatures sleeping half-buried in the waves.

Think seas of coconuts to rival Siargao’s famous tourist spot.

Think little villages of houses on stilts, populated by sea-going people and their battered, sun-worn boats. 

And then, you arrive at the cave.

Before you enter, the guide will give a speech about what to expect.

“Keep silence in the cave. It’s called Miracle Pool because of the statue of Jesus formed by the limestone deposits. I’ll show it to you when we enter. If you want, you can make a wish there.”

Afterward, you step inside the cave’s cool interior.

It’s not a hard climb downward – all you need to do is bow your head at the entrance to prevent hitting it against the stalactites. 

When you step into the cave, you’ll find yourself in a small, narrow crevice surrounded by rock.

In the center, a circular pool is illuminated by purple lights.

You can swim in it, lying on your back and looking up at the eerie, dripping darkness enclosed by stalactites.

Just like me in this photo:

The water here is quite deep, so don’t jump in unless you know how to swim! 

Another thing you can do is make a wish, as the guide will tell you how to do.

He will point out to you the Jesus made out of stalactites, nestled against the upper portion of the cave.

Honestly, I couldn’t see this one.

But according to one of our tour-mates, all you need to see it is a little imagination.

How to get to Miracle Pool Cave: 

Miracle Cave Pool will be in the same island-hopping tour as the Blue Lagoon (Tour A, Libjo), as it is on the same area. 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spot #6: Pagkawasan Garden Beach Resort

Looking for a chill place to go?

You’ll love Pagkawasan Garden Beach Resort.

The resort is only about 10-15 minutes from Bitaog Beach, and that means it shares Bitaog’s pristine waters and powdery white sands.

But here’s the difference.

Pagkawasan is a fancier, more developed place.

They have cottages you can rent if you want to spend the night.

They have benches and walkways, where you can relax and enjoy the soothing music of the waves.

We loved this place – the chill vibes, the shade of coconut trees, the cool, refreshing water that’s so clear it looks like a swimming pool. 

Look how happy we are here!

How to get to Pagkawasan Garden Beach Resort:

By tour boat during the Tour B (Basilisa) island hopping tour. This destination is usually lumped in with Bitaog Beach. However, if you want to spend the night, you can hire a boat from San Jose or Basilisa to take you to the resort. 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #7: San Jose Town

Here’s one of my favorite parts of travel.

You arrive at a town you’ve never been to before, and on that first day or two, everything is alien and unfamiliar.

But you stay another day. And another. You stay a week.

Suddenly, street corners become familiar. 

You stop using Google Maps because you know exactly where to turn to get to that little bakery you’ve come to like.

You wake up to the same sari-sari store across the road, until it begins to feel like a small part of home.

So, if you’re in Dinagat, go exploring!

San Jose town (the island’s main town) has a lot of lovely nooks and crannies to enjoy.

Like this hill road that plunges precariously into the sea (notice the rainbow!).

Or this quiet neighborhood with the blue-and-silver horizon just beyond.

Or Twindales, the only diner that’s open until late, drawing in many of Dinagat’s pajama-clad locals.

There’s even a beach, which we sadly weren’t able to visit. 

The town is tiny, so if you like to get some exercise, you can explore the whole area on foot. 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #8: Tagbirayan Beach

Want to visit a beach without having to join an island-hopping tour?

You know, the kind of beach that’ll fit into an afternoon off, and give you the chill relaxation you’re looking for?

Tagbirayan Beach is for you.

It’s a lovely beach in the southeast of Dinagat Islands, near Cagdianao Town.

The quiet, the music of the waves, the shade of coconut trees against the soft white sands – it’s the perfect place to bring a hammock and a book for the afternoon.

No, it’s not the best for swimming. 

That’s because the beach faces the Pacific Ocean, making it a bit rough with huge, rolling breakers from out at sea. 

So if you visit?

Prepare for a few hours of relaxation as you listen to the roaring boom of these waves in the distance.

Don’t worry. 

Entrance only costs PHP10 per person, and you can sit or lie down anywhere on the sand or the little bamboo huts by the water. 

How to get to Tagbirayan Beach Resort:

Here is its exact location on Google Maps. You can drive there on your rented motorcycle. The drive will take around 30 minutes. 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #9: Cabacongan Beach

Cabacongan Beach was a little surprise just waiting to happen to me.

It was our second day of island-hopping tours, and I’d begun to reconcile myself with the fact that there were no freediving spots in Dinagat.

I mean, of course, the beaches and sights were spectacular.

But I was craving for the usual stuff I love – the reefs, the stunning reds and mustard yellows of corals, the lively, sparkling sea creatures.

And then, guess what?

We visited Cabacongan Beach, and got just that!

First, of course, we were stunned by the majestic rise of limestone cliffs and caves towering above the white sands of the beach.

The waters were crystal clear, and if we listened closely enough, we could hear the distant, croaky call of hornbills. 

But then our guide told us to swim over to the little rock island a little away from the shore.

And there, surrounding the rock, we saw it.

The reef teeming with all kinds of life forms.

Decks of table corals, schools of fish, even a striped Seakrait!

Just look how beautiful this is! 

And this.

And this.

As we swam around the thriving reef, we felt that we were enjoying a special treat. 

How to get to Cabacongan Beach:

Cabacongan Beach is one of the destinations in Tour B (Basilisa). It goes hand-in-hand with Bitaog Beach.

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spot #10: Duyos Beach

Duyos Beach is one of the smaller, more chill destinations you’ll visit on an island-hopping tour. 

At the outset, it seems like a simple enough beach.

You know, the pristine sands, the calm, vivid blue water. (Who doesn’t love those?)

During Amihan (November to May), our guide told us the sandbar stretches further out to the water. But we visited during Habagat, so the sand retreated back. 

But even with the sand held back, you realize that this place is bigger than it seems when you enter. 

It has a row of cottages where you can cook your own food.

It has little paths you can walk down.

It has a lookout point from which you can see the entire resort.

It even has a small sari-sari store where you can buy fun snacks like these.

Altogether, it’s a super chill place for the chill at heart. 

How to get to Duyos Beach:

Duyos Beach is located on Unib Island, the same island with Bitaog, Cabancongan, and Pagkawasan. It’s a 20-minute boat ride from San Jose, and is part of the Island Hopping Tour B (Basilisa). 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #11: Dinagat Roads

Dinagat roads?

Yes, Dinagat roads.

I’m not kidding.

Dinagat isn’t only about flawlessly beautiful beaches and heart-spiking adventures.

It’s also about the raw loveliness of nature still unspoiled by…

…well, us humans and our crowds and cities. 😅😅😅

So, go on!

Hop on that rented motorcycle.

Turn the handlebars towards the direction that calls to you.

North, south, west?

Go ahead!

Trust me: everywhere you go, you’ll be met with jaw-dropping beauty.

Like this.

And this.

And this.

Just remember to take it slow, breathe in, and enjoy nature’s unmatched beauty!

It’s about the journey, not the destination. 

Dinagat Islands Tourist Spots #12: Jelmars Resort

Jelmars Resort is what it seems like in the photo above.

A chill place with walkways on stilts hovering above beautiful turquoise waters.

When we arrived, the first thing we noticed was the brighly colored paint on the rooms, benches, and little huts where guests can eat snacks or meals.

We also noticed the many potted plants, flowers, wreaths, and shrubbery lining the resort’s walkways.

Jutting over the water were two planks from which you could jump right down into the tantalizing waves below.

Just look how fun this is! 

If you’ve brought kids along, this might just be their favorite place on Dinagat.

(Want to stay the night? Jelmars has rooms for rent for around PHP2,000 per night.)

How to get to Jelmars Resort:

Jelmars Resort is included in the Tour A (Libjo) island-hopping tour activities. If you want to go there independently and stay the night, you can contact them on their social media channels. 

How to Get to Dinagat Islands: The Easiest Way

Here’s the thing.

Just like most unspoiled areas, Dinagat does not have its own airport.

This means you’ll have to get to it the fun way:

By boat. 

The first thing you have to do is make your way to Surigao City.

If you’re in Cebu, this means an overnight boat trip (if you’re taking a barge like Cokaliong or Starlite Ferries — book online here) or a 5-hour fast craft boat ride (if you’re taking fast craft like Ocean Jet — you can book online here). 

You can also fly to Surigao City from Cebu (the flight will take less than an hour, and its operated by Cebu Pacific). 

If you’re in Manila, you could fly directly to Surigao City. However, at the time of writing, the Manila to Surigao flights aren’t operating anymore. 

Instead, you could fly to Butuan City, take a taxi or tricycle to the Integrated Terminal (NOT the Robinson’s Terminal — just ask your driver to take you to the terminal for Surigao), and then take a bus there to Surigao City. 

Once in Surigao City, make your way to Surigao Pier 2, which is right next to the boulevard. 

(Don’t confuse this with Surigao Port, which has ships for Cebu, Siargao, and other places.) 

Here is its exact location on Google Maps.

Once there, you can get right on the boat to Dinagat Islands!

A boat for Dinagat leaves every hour, hour and a half, or two hours. (This isn’t reliable, however. Sometimes, so make sure to get there as early as you can. The last trip is at around 5 pm.) 

Note: you’ll specifically want to go to San Jose, Dinagat. That’s the main tourist town. Be careful because other boats in Pier 2 go to other parts of Dinagat, and you might be farrr away from your accomodation! 

If a ticket seller approaches you before getting on the boat, you can buy your ticket then and there.

A ticket costs PHP200 per person.

However, if you don’t buy a ticket before boarding, a conductor will approach you during the trip, and you can buy your ticket then.

The trip to Dinagat takes roughly an hour and a half. 

On arrival, you’ll be met with stunning scenery like this.

Tricycles will be waiting for guests at the pier, so you don’t need to worry about transportation to your hotel.

You can pay the driver PHP100 for the ride to your chosen accommodations. 

How to Get Around Dinagat Islands: Is It Really That Hard?

Here’s a complaint I often get from my foreign friends:

“It’s so HARD to get around the Philippines!”

When I hear that, I don’t feel offended.

I mean, it is hard, especially in small towns like San Jose, Dinagat.

And the truth is, Dinagat is even harder to get around than other small towns.

There are no bus stations. (I did see a bus once, but then it vanished into thin air.)

There is no transportation between towns.

The best way to explore Dinagat, then? 

By motorcycle! 

If you’re planning to go exploring like we did, I suggest renting one.

You can ask your hotel to book one for you (we did this). Or, you can contact Azonta Travel, which is the most well-known motorcycle rental in the area. 

It will cost you PHP500 per day.

But here’s the thing.

Maybe you only plan to stay within San Jose.

You don’t plan to see the Bonsai Forest or Cagdianao town.

You only want to do the two famous island-hopping tours, which allow you to see wonders like the Blue Lagoon, Bitaog Beach, and Cabacongan. 

If that’s the case?

You don’t need to rent a motorcycle.

A van will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the docks, where you can board the island-hopping boat.

Outside of the tours, you can walk the whole of San Jose town (it’s honestly that small!).

So, plan ahead.

• Plan to explore other Dinagat towns? Rent a motorcycle.
• Plan to stay in San Jose and enjoy only the island hopping tours? You don’t need rented transportation.

That’s it!

Keep it simple and enjoy. 

Dinagat Islands Travel Guide: The Best Places to Stay in Dinagat

Ok, so you’ve just ended a long day driving in the rain from the Bonsai forest.

Or a sun-filled one, splashing in the unreal blue waters of Bitaog Beach.

Know what’ll come right into your mind?

Sleep, of course.

You want a cozy bed, the buzz of the air conditioner, a soft blanket to wrap around you.

So before you book a place, make sure it’s the right one for you.

Here are two options for you to think about:

Option #1: Jmalls Island Tourist Inn

This is where we stayed in Dinagat for the entire 7 days of our trip.

The best thing about it was its price: the room costs only 700 for a maximum of 4 people.

But here’s the thing.

This inn is not for everyone.

When we arrived in the early evening and booked the room, the friendly lady at the reception desk kept reminding us, 

“This is only a budget inn…OK?”

We nodded and said it was fine.

And it was fine…for us.

But not for everyone.

The next day, on our tour, we listened to the comments of some of our tour-mates who’d decided to move to another hotel.

They were right.

The wooden walls were thin and old, and here and there, falling apart because of termites.

There was no light in the bathroom, and the shower was broken.

If you’re not the kind of person who can endure these things, I suggest finding another place to sleep.

But like I said, it was just fine for us.

The bed was soft, the air conditioner good, the sheets and towels clean, and the water never cut off.

I’ve had nomadic friends say, “It’s just the same sleep, the place doesn’t matter.” 

If you’re like this, go ahead and book Jmalls.

If not, you might like…

Option #2: Island View Suites 

This place is a little pricier than Jmalls.

Instead of PHP700 per night, you may pay between PHP1,500 and PHP2,000 per night.

Is it worth it?

Yes.

Most of the people who transferred from Jmalls to Island View Suites were happy about it and had no further complaints. 

Option 3: Other Inns

There are plenty of other inns in San Jose.

I saw one close to the beach in San Jose called Vine’s Bed and Breakfast, which looked pretty nice. As mentioned earlier, you can also stay at some of the island resorts like Jelmar’s.

Unfortunately, those two above (Jmalls and Island Suites) are the only ones that have online booking.

The rest, you’ll either have to message them on Facebook or just show up and ask if they have an available room.

Dinagat Islands Travel Guide: Where to Eat in Dinagat 

When we arrived on the first evening of our trip, we were hungry.

“Let’s go out and eat!” we said, right after we’d dumped our backpacks in our room. 

We went walking, sure we’d find something to eat soon.

Nope.

All we saw were black roads…and more shadowy dark black roads.

We found a market, but all it sold were raw meats and vegetables.

We found a little barbecue area, but all they sold were snackable fish balls and fried quail eggs.

In the end, tired and a tiny bit frustrated, we settled on Crispy King, a generic fried chicken outlet that sells nothing but…well, fried chicken.

Because here’s the thing:

There aren’t many places to eat in San Jose, Dinagat.

If you’re vegan or into eating healthy food, make sure you have a plan before going there.

As for us?

We settled on:

Twindales: Dinagat Islands’ Go-To Late-Night Diner

Fun fact.

There are two Twindales branches within walking distance of each other in Dinagat. 

What is Twindales?

Well, it’s a local diner that serves “silogs,” meaning fried rice, egg, and a “viand” of your choice.

Like this “vegetable lumpia silog” I had on one of our (many) Twindales encounters.

Or this “beef tapa silog” I had on another.

The thing is, the food is pretty OK.

The rice is garlicy and tasty, the egg is fresh, and the meat or lumpia is hot and flavorful. 

The problem is you kind of get tired of fried food after so many days.

In that case, you can order a steaming bachoy. (Soup with noodles, beef, green onions, egg, spices, and crispy fried pork rind.) 

Two things make Twindales great.

First, it’s super affordable.

You can get really full with rice, egg, and meat for only PHP 75.

Second, it’s the late-night hangout of the entire town of San Jose.

Locals come in their pajamas to order midnight snacks and chill underneath the cozy hanging lights.

It’s the perfect place to observe the people of Dinagat in their element, having fun with friends and loved ones while eating dumplings and sipping cold Cali. 

Boss Fons: For Times You Want to Go a Little Fancy

Craving for something a bit special on your trip?

Visit Boss Fons.

The restaurant is (surprise, surprise) in collaboration with Twindales, meaning they share the same building.

But the food…wow. 

It’s different.

We ordered this cheesy, sumptuous pizza and were actually surprised at how good it tasted.

Boss Fons also has other specialties like buttered chicken, sushi, and steak. 

Island Brew – For Those Nomadic Work Days

Just like all digital nomads, we needed a few workdays to continue making a living.

And for this, we chose Island Brew, a quaint little cafe and milk tea shop not far from our inn.

We loved the outdoor air and the silence that surrounded us as we typed away at our laptops.

The coffee was good too, as was the milk tea in different flavors like taro and dark chocolate.

Note, however, that Island Brew is a cafe in a small town.

This means it won’t always be open when it says it’ll be open.

Regular hours are 11 am to 8 pm, but on one of the days we were there, it opened at 1 pm. 

It’s a small town and things are slower and more chill, so…what can you do? 

The Islander’s Donut – For the Sweet Tooth in You

There was one day when, after visiting multiple islands on our hopping tour, we got back to San Jose craving for some sugar.

Cake, ice cream…anything! 

We pulled out Google Maps and saw a review from someone saying he “bought The Islander’s Donuts every day.”

We were intrigued.

So I walked over to their little shop, which was only a few meters from our inn.

The donuts were all laid out for me to choose from.

Ube, chocolate, yema, milk.

I bought 2 of each and…did we like them?

YES!

The bread was super soft, the filling creamy and tasty, but not too sweet.

We ate the entire box in a single day.

How Much You’ll Spend in Dinagat Islands: It Depends on What Kind of Traveller You Are

Here’s the thing.

Not everyone will spend the same amount in Dinagat.

You can go there and spend almost nothing…or you can do all the adventures and splurge quite a bit. 

So because everyone is different, here’s a list of prices in Dinagat so you can choose the ones you’re willing to spend on:

Dinagat Tour Schedule: There’s Something for Everyone!

So, you’re in Dinagat, and you’re wondering how to book a tour.

Good news!

All you need to do is contact Jmalls Island Tourist Inn.

As I mentioned above, you can book a 2D1N special tour for PHP3,500.

This includes 2 days of tours, 1 night at Jmalls, and 4 meals.

Or, if you want to stay in another hotel, you can book their individual tours for 1,500 per day.

In Dinagat on a weekday?

No problem!

Jmalls sometimes also offers weekday joiner tours. Or, if there’s no one else in town, private tours are always available. 

Dinagat Islands: Ready for Your Adventure?

Thinking of visiting Dinagat Islands?

I already like you.

You’re an adventurous, unconventional soul who won’t settle for the cliche tourist spots that everyone goes to.

You want something new.

The thrill of the unknown.

The euphoria of seeing a world no one you know has ever seen.

The presence of nature that still lingers untouched in places unrazed by the claws of civilization.

Ok, anyway.

I like you.

And with this guide in hand, you’re ready to enjoy Dinagat to the maximum.

All that’s left is for me to tell you: 

ENJOY!