Savoring Samal Island’s Soothing Solace (Part 4)

No matter how many times I’ve been there, I can’t seem to get enough of this slice of paradise off the coast of Davao City. A laid-back refuge for anyone who wants a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, Samal Island lures visitors with its promising bright sunshine, fine white sand beaches and cool tropical waters. Here’s a place that definitely spells everything about a surreal holiday getaway that weekend warriors typically yearn for!

Officially known as the Island Garden City of Samal (or IGaCos), the tadpole-shaped island is the must-go-to destination for people visiting the Davao Region for business, leisure or both. Nestled in the heart of Davao Gulf, it’s said to be one of the most sought-after scuba diving destinations in Mindanao. For those who aren’t interested in the underwater world, however, Samal makes for an alluring hideaway as many of its fringes are lined with pristine beaches with a wide array of hotels and resorts to choose from.

Sun-kissed, sea-windblown and saltwater-sprayed, Samal is actually made up of one mainland (Samal), a smaller one (Talikud) and several islets (Big and Small Ligid; Arboles Shoal, a.k.a. Sanipaan; Big and Small Malipano; Dela Paz; and Wishing Islet). So far, I’ve only visited the mainland as well as Talikud. Even so, the moments I’ve spent there have really hooked me to this slice of paradise. Here are a few more interesting destinations that will surely hook you, too, the moment you step into Samal:

Some of the islets belonging to Samal 

Cavanico Il Mare.  I have no idea how this resort got its name. From Google, I learned that il mare means “the sea” in Italian; as for Cavanico, I assume it’s the owner/owners' family  name. Whatever the fancy appellation means, it doesn’t really matter. What matters to me most was the fun and frolic I had during my stay there. 

Cavanico's front desk and reception area

One of the newest resorts in the island, Cavanico Il Mare, which is actually a high-end subdivision in the village of Camudmud, opened its doors to the public a few years ago for PhP250 per person for day tour and PhP350 per person for night tour.

From the Samal Ferry Boat Terminal in Babak, it took me roughly 15 minutes to get to the place that was once known as the Pacific Heights Resort, passing through a well-paved road traversing that part of the island. Cavanico  boasts of several amenities that beach lovers are looking for in a hideaway, including children’s playground, sports activity area as well as facilities like jet ski, kayak, banana boat, aqua paddle, snorkels and diving gear, life vests, among others.

A few of Cavanico's accommodations 

Cavanico's creamy white stretch

At Cavanico, you will be treated to a panoramic vista of the inviting waters of Davao Gulf and Davao City on the other side as you relax under the shade of some tree while sipping your favorite ice-cold drink. Lying down there, you’ll be mesmerized by sprawling white-sand beach in front of you as you get caressed by the cool sea breeze that will surely whet your appetite for some fresh bounty from the sea.  

A mini mangrove forest in Cavanico Il Mare

Hungry? No worries. The resort has a resto where you can satisfy your cravings and gorge on the house specialties like greaseless chicken, grilled tuna belly, and garlic crab, to name some. Next to the resto is a bar named Kino's where you can drink and dine while listening to live performances by local performers. You can also jam with them if you want to. And mind you, those soothing sea breezes will definitely spice up your night there!

A live performance at Kino's Bar

Kino Bar's grilled tuna belly

The view from my veranda

Staying overnight? Cavanico has a wide array of accommodations to choose from if you opt to spend the night at the resort. Rates for the “bamboo” rooms range from Php10,000 per night (good for 10 people); Php4,600 (good for six people) and Php2,200 (good for two people). Those for the “layag” rooms range from Php6,000 per night (good for six people) and Php5,000 (for four people). 

Cavanico also has dormitory-type accommodations worth Php2,600 (good for four people) and Php3,900 (good for six people). Its regatta accommodations, on the other hand, have rates ranging from Php3,000 to Php9,000 depending on the number of guests. It's wise to make reservations in advance as the rates could vary anytime. 

Club Samal

Club Samal. Just a few minutes away from Davao City, visitors will find a unique beach resort that takes the world-weary into the lap of a luxurious beach hideaway—Club Samal Resort. From a distance, the resort looks like one of those whitewashed houses dotting the rocky slopes of a Greek island, with its blue and white color motif that reflects the blue sky and shimmering crystal waters on a bright summer day.

The resort as seen from the gulf

I've been to Club Samal at least on three separate occasions and I loved every moment I spent there. Just immersing myself in the humongous infinity pool facing the sea while watching the clouds roll by made me fall in love with the resort. Its fabulous  architecture, interior arrangements and landscaping all had me at hello. Everything seemed chic, well-appointed and in perfect harmony with each other!

Every single detail in the resort would surely dazzle the senses of first-time visitors. But more than just its design, Club Samal Resort is the perfect destination for a much-deserved break from the urban tedium because of all the posh amenities it offers to its guests, including a large rectangular pool with gazebos, an open-air resto and a white-sand beach.

Frolic at Club Samal's huge swimming pool

Along with these amenities, you can also enjoy their luxurious and elegantly-designed rooms, all of which face the huge pool. Rates of the de luxe rooms range from Php4,000 per night (non-peak) to Php4,300 per night (peak) while pool side rooms range from Php4,800 per night (non-peak) to Php5,300 per night (peak).

Club Samal at night

Punta Elai in Tagbaobo

Punta Elai. Facing the elongated portion of Davao Oriental, Punta Elai is something you wouldn’t expect to find in one of the remotest parts of the island. Located along the fringes of Samal Island’s eastern coast, the resort is one of the few resorts found in Tagbaobo, one of the island’s 46 villages.

Opened to the public about two years ago, the resort boasts of a three to seven feet swimming pool which gives guests a picturesque view of the surrounding mountains as it is built on an elevated portion of Punta Elai.

Sunset in Tagbaobo

Whether you’re with family or friends, the resort’s amenities would surely make your stay a truly enjoyable one. Banana boat riding and jet skiing—they’d definitely spice up any adventure in the resort. Punta Elai also offers its guests with coaster rides from the wharf in Babak to Tagbaobo.

Planning to go there with your friends or family? Their airconditioned family rooms only costs Php2,500 a night. Or if the regular room is enough for you, you just have to shell out Php1,200 a night. For large groups, however, the resort offers deck rooms that can accommodate about 10 people for only Php4,800 per night. Entrance fee is only Php75 per person.

The road to Punta Elai

Caveat: The sojourn to Punta Elai would take you to an unexpected ride on the wild side as the coastal road that leads to the resort isn’t that well-paved! Nonetheless, that you shouldn’t bother you if adventure is your kind of fun! 

One of Secdea's infinity pools

Secdea Beach Resort. Serenity reigns supreme in this posh resort in the northeastern part of the island—be it morning, afternoon or evening—a distinct quality which, to my mind, is one of Secdea's irresistible come-ons. If your idea of a weekend wandering is escaping to a serene place that is truly far from the madding crowd, then this is your best choice. 

Located in the village of San Isidro (Babak), the resort combines the best that nature offers—sun, sea and sand—with luxury accommodations and amenities that will make your visit an unforgettable one. One of its unique features is the Infinity Restaurant which offers a remarkable view of the resort’s infinity pool to its diners. 

There are a number of things you can do while you’re at the resort. For one, you can try climbing up the 124-steps stairway that will lead you to the hill overlooking the view of Davao Gulf and the whole resort. Also, you can stroll around the resort’s mangrove forest with its wooden bridges. The walk there is quite grand and good for the heart. You can also explore the resort by riding or driving a golf cart which can be an exhilarating experience. Or, you can spend the morning exploring the white-sand beach, go spelunking or just get a tan under the sun.

Staying at Secdea may be quite pricey for some, but is nonetheless, worth your time, money and effort. If you opt to stay overnight, you may choose from any of the resort’s accommodations, including family rooms, dormitory-type dwellings good for twelve people (Ph15,000 per night); airconditioned lodge houses that can accommodate four people (Php8,140 per night) and three people (Php4,900 per night); and a two-storey dormitory-type dwelling good for four people (Php7,890 per night). There are also non-airconditioned rooms good for four persons with shared toilet and bath (Php4,000 per night).

Secdea also has a two-storey villa (Php18,500 per night) which can accommodate as many as twelve people. The villa has two main rooms, two minor rooms, a living room, a walkaround porch, hot showers, a veranda and toilet and bath (For more about Secdea, visit my posts at http://scorpio-sojourn.blogspot.com/2013/09/sedated-by-secdeas-serenity.html and  http://scorpio-sojourn.blogspot.com/2017/07/sedated-by-secdeas-serenityagain.html).

Visit Samal Island whenever the chance to do so comes your way. Experience island life where you can marvel at nature’s finest whether on land or under the sea. Come to where the island hopping is spectacular, the walking is grand, the swimming is amazing, the diving is exhilarating, the eating is superb.

Most of all, there’s something in the island that’s definitely good for your soul. It’s something you can hardly find in other tropical islands in the country: bliss. Yes, I often find such bliss whenever I go there and seek solace in the comforting arms of nature. So, what are you waiting for? Whether you want to sail, swim, sunbathe, snorkel, stroll, spelunk or simply snooze in an island setting, Samal beckons…🤣🤣🤣