Camiguin: Giant Clams Sanctuary

by lakwatserong tatay

Our last destination is known in Camiguin as a Clams and Sea Shells Sanctuary. It caters different species of small and big clamps. Located in Brgy. Cantaan, Guinsiliban, nestled in a cove that has beautiful white sand beach. This beach is known as Kabila White Beach where the Giant Clams Nursery is located too.

path towards to clams nursery

As you walk and enter the clams premises, there's a minimal fee of (php25), a help in maintaining the sanctuary because as you have know, the person behind taking caring of the clams are working here for free, means their just waiting for tourist / backpackers alike us to get on their premises and paying a minimal entrance fee or may get some of their tours.....:(

tours & activities

Billboards and notices are present as you get inside...Promoting awareness about giant clams that where lucky enough to have this clams living on our country.

This beach was actually divided into two the Kabila White beach that has also a minimal fee and requested to sign on a guest book, which we did not do because where going to the other of the park is the breeding center and education facility. Where there are available glass aquariums and giant round cemented pool created for giant clams.

x-plorerboyz going to breeding center

DENR marker

9 species of clams...

As we entered we proceeded to their breeding center where we had a little learning session about giant clams. That their are 9 species of clams in the world, 7 of these were found in our country and lucky for us that time that 6 of those species where present beneath their clams sanctuaries.

Here are some of the clams that was placed on breeding. In a giant round pool type that has seawater inside and oxygen for this clams to breath.

my photo opps with one of the clams

Here are the baby clams...for non-swimmers, this educational session to observe Giant Clams is such a pleasure. They actually reacts on your movements and close their shells with astonishing speed. Please avoid getting shots with flash as the clams actually reacts. As you approach more carefully or wait for a few moments while the clams opens again, you can observe how they breath and their other movements.

Your group can roamed around in this facility, as you will see different sizes and colorful images of the clams.

more colorful giant clams....^_^

Jayson, Regie, Melvin, Johari and I were just the only visitors that time, so we had the luxury to ask question as we many as we can....solong solo namin ang sanctuary...^_^

More baby clams on the other white round pools located in breeding center.

They also have a station where they taking care of orchids and some other flower fauna's. Sad to say i wasn't able to take many shots of them because my cam is in a bit low bat condition that time....tipid shots na kami...here are some of the common flowers i've seen...^_^

Here's one of their treasures, the clams that creating pearls. They have this in sanctuary and captivity. Based from ate, our guide and lecturer that time. This clams usually creating pearls months or sometimes takes a year. Just forgot to take note of the explanation, why?....^_^

Another place on this sanctuary is the training center and dive camp, where if your a swimmer you will have the chance to see the actual sanctuary and dive into it. Sad to say that time all of us doesn't have underwater camera. But we are all amazed how beautiful the sanctuary was. There where hundreds maybe or really more because, we just go beyond on the floating raft provided by the clam sanctuary.

What you will inside is another learning facility, where you could see different dried shells, actual pictures of the clams there taking cared of. This area also served the changing area for snorkler lovers alike us.

shell and t-shirt souvenirs...

some of the artifacts.

Of course, we did not missed to have our photo opps while inside this sanctuary...one of our wacky shots...

the x-plorerboyz...

x-plorerboyz with our lecturer...^_^

Too bad my camera just got empty that time and likewise to my buddies. Only Jayson and Reggie got the photo opps while taking on our snorkeling gears....:(

Jayson & Reggie are getting ready....

Here are the list of activities and corresponding fees you may opted to choose as you will get inside this giant clam sanctuary....just a little bit info, we got our snorkeling activity that time on just a minimal fee..natuwa masyado samin si ate lecturer....thanks po ate...But for the sake of the personnels we gathered little funds from us that time for a donation on their foundation....^_^

Thank to Regie, for this one last shot on his camera, before getting empty bat too....on the other side of this picture is the Kabila White Beach Resort, which we missed to explored....sayang gahol na sa oras eh...^_^

lakwatserong tatay @ giant clams sanctuary

Done with Camiguin X-ploration, two more provinces to go....Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, and few more activities we had like Chasing Waterfalls, Zipline and many more....^_^ Just an update our supposed to be 2012 X-plorerboyz Trips was moved to November due to bad weather we encountered on our scheduled flight last Sept 8...buti nalang libre parin ang parebook, so by November....so...Cagayan Valley and Isabela...here we come.....^_^

This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our second stop is Camiguin Island , that is known as the "Island Born of Fire", the 2nd province of Northern Mindanao.

Food Trips:
Food finds: Camiguin's Unique Dessert : Kiping
Food finds: Vjandep Bakeshop : Camiguin's Famous Pastel

Accomodation:
Pabua Cottages

Tours & Activities:
Having Fun at Sto. Niño Cold Spring Resort
Bura Soda Pool Resort
Walk to the Old Church Ruins
Trek to Walkway to the Old Volcano and Station of the Cross
Sunken Cemetery
Relaxation at Ardent Hot Spring Resort
A Glance with Katibawasan Falls
Camiguin's Ostrich Farm
Snorkeling at Giant Clams Sanctuary
Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

Island Hopping:
White Island
Mantigue Island

Bukal Island

Cadlao Islands: Bocal Point
by lakwatserong tatay

The last island destiantion we had in El Nido. One of the four island known in Cadlao Island, known as Bocal Point, infact this island has many names...like Bukal Beach and Bukal Island. An island that is known for snorkeling and kayaking activities because of its cryrstal clear waters, undersea wonders and shallow coral gardens.

Bukal Island

Limestone Cliff in Bukal Island

At closer look...^_^

Bukal island, is an small island that stands separated from the Cadlao Island but not far from each other, passing between them, you can see some Bahuras / Corals. Different species of the corals are available and can be reached via kayaking. It'seawater was pretty cold, i dont know why? maybe because it was quite late afternoon that time when we stayed on this island.

The views from Bukal Island

One thing Ate Beth told us when were here is we have to snorkel and go swimming on this area. Because of its shallow coral reefs and different species of fish, of course always present is nemo....^_^.



The small shoreline of Bukal Island.....

All of us go on snorkeling upon boarding off our boat, because it's kind a late and the time is not actually on our side that time. But were really lucky to have a bit snorkeling opportunity.

View from Bukal Island

Another tourist is also in the island



Another part of Cadlao Island

One thing, that really catch my eyes is this rock formation that i've taken a shots for so many time. On its different angles, different backgrounds, and of course a photo opps with rock formation....^_^.

I really like this stone formation...^_^

Waks....what is that?

And now the snorkeling classes began....^_^. Here is Liway making some tips to Gara on how to....^_^..... I'm just joking and i'm not really aware on what they discussing.

Snorkeling tutorials (?)

This is one of the shots while having again camwhoring sessions in Bukal Island with my model "Gara".

It's nice to be alone......

At the snorkeling classes....^_^.

Snorkeling time.....^_^

Reasons Why to Visit Cadlao Island: 

Largest Island in El Nido - This island has a land area of around 10.06 sqr mters, making its the largest island in El Nido. Visitors will have the chance to visit and explore its entire island that is composed of white sand beaches, towering marble cliffs, mangrove areas with lush forest.

Highest Limestone Peak in El Nido - This isle boasts because of its highest peak that is towering about 609 MASL, the peak stands taller than other land features in El Nido's Bay. If you will have the chance to go on top of it. An amazing view could awaits you, seeing all the other island in El Nido, that surrounds by blue seawaters.

Undersea Wonders of Cadlao Lagoon - There were numbers of hidden lagoons in the island that will amaze us visitors. One of this is Cadlao Lagoon, an ideal location for snorkeling, picturestique limestone walls and formations and lush corals. Sad to say we missed out this lagoon....huhuhuhuhu....

Makaamo Lagoon - One of the place in Cadlao Island, that is most recommended to be seen. Specially when it is SUNSET. A saltwater lagoon that nortures and serves a nesting area of some tropical birds that can be found in El Nido. Ringed by mangroves and better to be visited when sunrise or sunset due to the feeding time of birds on its lagoon. Again we missed this out of our plan....huhuhuhu......

White Sand Beaches - Cadlao Island has a number of featured white sand beaches that are really ideal for swimmers, snorkelers, divers and of course sunbathers. Cadlao Island is consists of four major tourist spots starts with Bocal Point, Sabang Beach, Paradise eBeach and Natnat Beach, all of this island offers gradually sloping sea floor that is safe for novice swimmers like us trippers that time. Were lucky to visit 2 of its island, Bukal and Natnat, personally i hope the next time ill be visiting El Nido, i could visit all of the places that i've missed out in this island....^_^.

Nature Tripping and its Shallow Coral Spots - A visit on this island is one of a kind experience. As they will encounter its marine ecosystem together with its shallow coral gardens that has schools of colorful fish. Added to that the experience of lush forest via its nature trail that leads to the fascinating inland lagoon.

Lakwatserong Tatay is at Bukal Island....^_^

Wow, at last i'm done on my story telling of our 2 days of Island Hopping in Bacuit Bay of El Nido. Truly it was one remarkable experience that i will really really treasure in my entire life. An experience that is not all of us has the chance to do it. But if i will be given a chance to do it and visit this islands, beaches and its nature.....why not....^_^....lalo na kung libre.....^_^....calling all sponsors....lalo na un weekend getaway show....^_^.

So, my next is all about the town of El Nido and going back to Puerto Princesa.....^_^.

This story is part of: Five Days Trip at Palawan