Last updated on November 26th, 2023 at 07:06 pm
We will tell you how to get to Samal Island from Davao City. There are two possibilities by boat and we will explain all the details.
Samal Island called officially the Island Garden City of Samal is definitely an island gem, or should we say, a gem filled with thousands of amazing islands.
Read here our favorite things to do in Davao City if you spend a few days in the capital of Mindanao.
Read here where to stay in Samal Island, Davao, where to stay in Davao City and how to get to Davao City
SIM CARD AT MANILA AIRPORT
I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Manila airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Manila. Read here Philippines sim card for tourist and best Philippines eSim
WHERE TO STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
You can get accommodation starting from 800-1000 PHP (less than $20 USD) for a room in a guesthouse. Can you imagen if you are two of you traveling in the Philippines, it will be $10 USD each.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH BOOKING AND AGODA!
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review
You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included
HOW TO GO TO SAMAL ISLAND FROM DAVAO
How to go to Samal Island from Manila. We flew from Manila with Air Asia to Davao City and spent around 2 hours on the plane. There are more options to fly to Davao from Angeles City, in Clark.
There are also direct flights to Davao from Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Iloilo and Bacolod. And even flights from Singapore with Cebu Pacific.
Davao International Airport is the busiest airport in Southern Philippines, with a capacity to accommodate more than one million passengers annually. From the airport you can ride 2 jeepneys to reach the pier. From there, you will ride a boat to go to Samal.
There are boats at the port that leave as early as 4 AM. Since we weren’t really in a hurry, we stayed in the airport for the night and got going at around 10 AM. From the airport you can also ride Grab if you wish for more comfort and even a taxi if you aren’t on a budget.
HOW TO GET TO SAMAL ISLAND FROM DAVAO CITY
HOW TO GET TO SAMAL ISLAND FROM DAVAO CITY EASIEST WAY
If you want to get to Samal Island from Davao City the easiest way. You have to take 2 jeepneys from the city to Sta. Ana Wharf and from there, ride the Palboros boat to go to Kaputian, Samal.
This is the cheapest option and it will cost around 20 PHP for the jeepneys and 60 PHP for a one-way boat. The boat ride last 45 minutes and there are a few boats during the day.
HOW TO GET TO SAMAL ISLAND FROM DAVAO CITY FROM SASA WHARF
If you want to get to Samal Island from Davao City from Sasa Warf. You have to take 2 jeepneys to Sasa Wharf and from there, ride the bus. The bus will go on board a vessel ship to Samal. We really love these local experiences in our travels.
From Penaplata, you can ride the shared tricycle to Kaputian for 75 PHP each for around 20 kilometers. This can be an option if the weather is bad since the ferry takes only 5 minutes to get to Samal Island.
We had to choose the second option (we definitely wanted the first), as there were some locals who informed us that the boats from Sta. Ana Wharf were not sailing the day we were traveling due to some weather complications.
HOW TO GET TO DAVAO CITY BY FERRY FROM MANILA
If you want to get to Davao City from Manila by ferry. It can be good if you go on a budget and you want to enjoy of two days sailing for around 2000 PHP you can get tickets from Manila to Davao City.
HOW TO GO TO DAVAO BY PLANE
If you want to get to Davao by plane. Francisco Bangoy International Airport (or Davao International Airport) is the busiest airport in Southern Philippines, with a capacity to accommodate more than one million passengers annually.
Local airlines with direct flights from Manila are Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and PAL Express. Flights are available from other Philippine cities such as Clark, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga and many others. You can also book international flights from Silk Air and Singapore Airlines which offers direct flights to Singapore.
From the airport, there are taxis that can take passengers into the city. Hotel pick-up can also be arranged. Another alternative is to hire or rent a car if you would like to drive around by yourself. Outside the airport you will find regular jeepneys to get to Davao City.
HOW TO GET TO DAVAO CITY BY BUS
If you want to get to Davao City by bus. There are buses to Mindanao come from different nearby like cities Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Digos, General Santos, Kidapawan, Koronadal, and Surigao. This is the cheapest mode of transportation to travel to Davao City.
Air-conditioned and non air-conditioned public buses go to and from Davao on a daily basis. Even if you are coming from Manila, you can still travel by bus! The Philippines has what they call a Ro-Ro (short for roll on, roll off). Ro-ro ships are vessels that carry other vehicles like cars and buses over water.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAMAL ISLAND DAVAO
PEARL FARM BEACH RESORT
If you’re into panoramic ocean views, gorgeous beach fronts and luxurious spaces, Pearl Farm Beach Resort is the place for you. This is the only 5-star resort in Mindanao and takes pride in its promotion of local culture and products.
The resort also offers plenty of thrilling water activities and tours. It has a spa for relaxation and a lounge for movie nights. The rooms are spacious and have enchanting decor.
KARA KUBOTEL BEACH RESORT
Yes, you saw that right!. This place is at the Sunset Beach. Kubotel may be derived from Kubo, Filipino Traditional Homes, and Hotel. For that reason, it may be simple because the rooms are kind of traditional.
Don’t worry, you’ll still enjoy yourself waking up at the beach after your free breakfast. Just so you know, the breeze that these homes give are unbeatable. The rooms cost only for about 10 USD.
Kara Kubotel Beach Resort is at Sunset Beach. Circumferential Road, Babak, Samal Island, Babak District, Samal. Click here to book your accommodation.
LA VIDA ORCHARD SAMAL BED AND BREAKFAST
From it’s beautiful garden to its shared lounge, you will surely love the simplicity of your stay here. They have air-conditioned rooms paired with private bathrooms, and free Wifi. If you have children with you, they would surely enjoy the children’s playground. You could reserve your basic double room for only 40 USD.
La Vida Orchard Samal Bed and Breakfast can be found at Barangay Catagman, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte, Samal. Click here to book your stay!
Those looking for budget hotels in the island will find a B&B that goes for as low as 600 PHP. Mid-range resorts typically cost around 2,500-3,750 PHP while other luxury spots can be afforded at 5,500 and above.
To get the most amazing room deals, you can book a place in Samal Island before you travel with Booking and Agoda
Feel free to use our links for discounts. Using our links will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys
Happy Travels!
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.