Why I Don’t Recommend Flying to Cagayan de Oro If You're Visiting Camiguin

If you're planning a trip to Camiguin, here's one piece of advice that can save you hours of travel, unnecessary stress, and a lot of logistics.

Skip the Cagayan de Oro route if you can.

Many first-time visitors assume flying into Cagayan de Oro is the easiest way to reach Camiguin. While it works, it's far from the most comfortable option.

Here's what the journey typically looks like:

  • Fly into Cagayan de Oro.

  • Travel about two hours by car or van to Balingoan Port.

  • Wait for the ferry schedule.

  • Take a ferry to Camiguin, which takes about an hour.

  • Then travel again from the port to your hotel.

What looks like a simple connection can easily become a 5- to 7-hour journey, especially if your flight and ferry schedules don't line up. Delays due to weather, traffic, or rough seas can make the trip even longer.

The Better Option: Fly Direct

If your goal is to arrive in Camiguin relaxed and ready to enjoy your vacation, I highly recommend taking the daily direct flight from Cebu to Camiguin.

Instead of spending most of your day in transit, you'll land directly on the island. Within minutes, you're checking into your resort, enjoying the ocean views, or heading to the hot springs.

Your Vacation Starts the Moment You Land

One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is underestimating travel fatigue.

By the time many guests arrive from the Cagayan de Oro route, they've already experienced:

  • Multiple transfers

  • Long road trips

  • Ferry schedules

  • Waiting at ports

  • Carrying luggage several times

That's not the relaxing island experience most people imagine.

Spend More Time Exploring, Less Time Traveling

Camiguin is known as the "Island Born of Fire," offering waterfalls, hot and cold springs, white-sand islands, volcano hikes, snorkeling, diving, and incredible sunsets.

Every hour spent on unnecessary transfers is an hour you could have spent enjoying the island.

If a direct flight is available on your travel dates, take it.

It's the easiest, fastest, and most comfortable way to begin your Camiguin adventure.

Your vacation should start with island views—not another bus ride.