Danjugan. Fittingly an island of Life! I’m pretty lost in words describing how healthy the ecosystem in the island is. With a 43 hectare area rich in marine and terrestrial biodiversity, together with 3 major aquatic sanctuaries, grand limestone landscapes, and a deep history tied with passion and preservation – it is undoubtedly a paradise of nature. I personally recommend this trip to everyone who seeks new things at Negros Occidental! You’ll never get bored here, from snorkeling healthy coral reefs, diving with different species of fishes, bumming on the beaches, crystal clear lagoon filled with moray eels, bat caves, bird watching, gigantic rats, pythons, eagles, mud crabs, and so much more – there is a ton of life on the island and a wide diversity of species. I guarantee a worthy trip and probably a newly inspired perspective in protecting nature.
Moreover, it’s also worth noting that the surrounding islands and shorelines at Danjugan exhibit a similar healthy ecosystem as well. It even extends to Punta Bulata Resort (where we checked in). You could see a lot of hermit crabs along the shores, starfishes, and sea cucumbers reveal themselves at low tides, crabs running around everywhere, shell fishes roaming the wet landscape, frogs leaping around, and so much more of the things that show a well-cared environment. Truly a magnificent destination and one that deserves to be rediscovered! And did I say it’s definitely worth the travel?!
HOW TO GET THERE
Public Transport
- Take a flight to Silay Airport, Bacolod, Negros Occ.
- Take a public van going to Bacolod City.
- Take a trike going to Bacolod City Ceres South Terminal.
- Take buses bound for Sipalay or you could look for vans outside that are bound for Sipalay. Get ready to alight after you reach the municipality of Cauayan Negros Occ.
- Options below:
- If you’ve booked your accommodation directly at Danjugan (see here), inform the bus conductor that your drop-off is at Crossing Remollos-Quadro de King. This is located at Purok 3, Baranggay Bulata, Cauayan. Once at Crossing Remollos-Quadro de King, boatmen of Danjugan will be there to guide you to the shore where a “bangka” or outrigger boat will take you on a 30-minute boat ride to the island.
- If you’re staying at Punta Bulata resort, get down on the Punta Bulata Resort road entrance and take a trike that will take you to Punta Bulata Resort. (highly recommended). Either book your trip here at the resort or if you have reserved online, then just inform the staff and they would call Danjugan boatmen to just pick you up here (probably the next day so you could chill for the night at the resort).
Private Vehicle (directions taken from Danjugan site)
- From Bacolod, take a 3-hour drive along the Negros South Road to the direction of Cauayan.
- Upon passing through the town center of Cauayan, keep driving until you reach ANTOL, marked by a signboard on your right. This is after the “Welcome Bulata” and KM 143 marker.
- Enter the driveway to the Antol carpark, a private property exclusive to Danjugan Island’s guests where you can leave your vehicle.
- Boatmen from Danjugan waiting with a “bangka” or outrigger boat will then take you on a 30-minute ride to the island.
THE BUDGET
- Bacolod City South Terminal to Cauayan: 200php via bus, 250php via van
- Trike to Punta Bulata Resort: 100php ea via trike
- Danjugan trip: 1950php ea (inclusive of boat service, lunch, 2 snacks, tour, snorkling gears)
- Punta Bulata Resort accommodation: 2000+ php/night (very spacious aircon room for 2)
- DANJUGAN RATES
DAY TRIP- PhP 1,950 per person
Inclusive of:
Meals: Lunch and 2 snacks. Purified drinking water also provided
Boat transfers: From the mainland (Bulata) to the island and back
Trekking & Snorkeling Guide
Unlimited use of Kayaks: First come, first serve basis
Free use of Snorkeling Gear: First come, first serve basis
Conservation Fee: Contribute to PRRCFI’s Conservation ProjectsOVERNIGHT AT MORAY LAGOON CAMP – PhP 2,950 per person per night
Inclusive of:
Accommodations: See accommodation & facilities section for description
Meals: 3 main meals and 2 snacks per day. Purified drinking water also provided
Boat transfers: From the mainland to the island and back
Boat tour: Go around the island on your the first day
Trekking & Snorkeling Guide
Unlimited use of Kayaks: First come, first serve basis
Free use of Snorkeling Gear: First come, first serve basis
Conservation Fee: Contribute to PRRCFI’s Conservation Projects
Accident InsuranceOVERNIGHT AT TYPHOON BEACH – PhP 3,950 per person per night
Accommodations: Private room and bathroom
Meals: 3 main meals and 2 snacks per day. Purified drinking water also provided
Boat transfers: From the mainland to the island and back
Boat tour: Go around the island on your the first day
Trekking & Snorkeling Guide
Unlimited use of Kayaks: First come, first serve basis
Free use of Snorkeling Gear: First come, first serve basis
Conservation Fee: Contribute to PRRCFI’s Conservation Projects
Accident Insurance
WHERE TO STAY
Basically you just have 2 choices, stay at Danjugan Island or not. No choice is preferable here since they’re worth it either way. If you’re staying at Danjugan Island for a night, you could stay at the Typhoon beach (if in small groups, eco friendly houses) or at the Moray Lagoon Camp (if in larger groups since this is a dorm type).
If you chose to take the day trip and just stay outside Danjugan, we definitely recommend you to stay at Punta Bulata Resort. Click here for more details. Well of course there is also the option of staying here at the resort and also spending nights at Danjugan Island – which i think is the best deal if you have the time. There’s so much to rediscover in just a day, so you probably need more days if possible.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Danjugan is a proof that taking care of the environment is worth it. You could learn lots of stuff about preservation and ecology at the island. It helps if you’re a bit knowledgeable on birds too since this is one place they really hang out. You could even see eagles soaring above the skies! Please keep your trash to yourself and dispose properly when not on the island. It really helps that everyone would cooperate.
TOURINGÂ DANJUGON
Disclaimer: Free dive overload pictures ahead! Haha! It’s so much fun free diving in a healthy ecosystem. Not only is it beautiful, it’s basically filled with life! There are 2 locations in which it’s best to free dive depending on the tides, but wherever you are it will always be surreal. We had like two 1.5 hour dives in a day at Danjugan! What’s best is that, it’s only half of the story! The terrestrial flora and fauna here are very much diverse as well! From, giant rats, bats, snakes, eels, birds, pythons, crabs, turtles….. you name it! You just need to be observant and take it slow!
Welcome to Danjugan’s marine sanctuary!
Healthy coral reefs thrive the undergrowth!
And with healthy reefs, come colorful creatures!
Some shy away from the camera…
Yet some are brave enough to touch it too! Haha!
It’s hard to notice these guys at first though…lol,
These clown fishes are pretty popular these days…
And yeah we’re still at the shallow areas, so mind your fins guys!
Shards of corals below, probably due to typhoons hitting the area.
And now we go deeper!
To find a darker yet jaw-dropping seascape.
Bright colors are a perfect fit for a dark background! Lol!
A bright yellow coral in the midst of this darkness.
Featuring the deadly “crown of thorns” – a pest that eats corals!
Crown of thorns’ population should be controlled before it eats up more corals…
And further down the road we see some giant clams!
A closer look to these beautiful creatures!
Having our groupie with these giant clams!
Colorful parrot fishes and Moorish idols show up in these depths as well.
I’m no fish expert so let’s just call them spotted black sardines! Hahaha!
Not sure what this fish is called also but it’s stunningly bright!
My personal favorite, puffer fishes are like underwater pugs! Lol.
This place proves that taking care of nature is worth the effort!
Time always stops when your underneath..
The “Typhoon Beach”, the one that faces the storm up front!
Just past it is the “Sunset View Deck”, obviously it faces the sun when it sets right? Lol.
You could just lay back while waiting for the sun to set though…
The “Moray Lagoon” – clear waters thriving with moray eels!
The lagoons’ turquoise waters really makes you want to jump in!
A view from the highest point on the island!
And the creepiest and scariest bat cave I’ve been!
This is Punta Bulata Resort, just 15 minutes away from Danjugan.
It’s a very nice alternative if you want to stay outside Danjugan 🙂
Probably just chill out after a hefty dose of kayaing.
Sunsets are always beautiful even on darker days…
Locals pick shell fishes during low tides either for their dinner or for their guests!
But sometimes it seems just ok to sit and watch for hours…
As the sun sets in, a great day has just ended to welcome the beautiful night!
Great evenings by the beach…
The pool isn’t so bad during the night after all.
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