Carried away in Cavanico Il Mare

Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, is undoubtedly full of magical places, places adventure junkies dream of and places whose tropical charms merge with the exotic panoply of sun, sea and sand that will surely get you carried away. Fast becoming popular to local and foreign tourists for its pristine beaches, rugged mountains, mystical waterfalls and a lot of other awesome natural wonders, the so-called “land of promise” is  well on its way to becoming the next tourism hub in the country.

Cavanico Il Mare's stretch of white sand

Dusk at Davao Gulf

For weekend warriors like you and I who struggle each day to make both ends meet, it's probably something next to impossible to visit all of these magical places on a rather limited budget, which is why it's best to explore those nearby and within your reach. For those living in Davao Region, a nice place to start would be the Island Garden City of Samal, or simply Samal Island.

Politically connected to the province of Davao del Norte, the island exudes an intoxicating kind of magic that can perk you up the moment you step into any of the beach resorts dotting its shores. Accessible by boat or barge from Davao City, Samal offers its visitors a plethora of options where they can relax and relish a memorable escape from the din and drudgery of the rat race.

A stretch of white sand in one of Samal's numerous beach resorts

For me, life’s a beach and I try to find time to get a good dose of that, especially when there’s a lot of time in my hands, so to speak. Almost always, Samal is my top go-to destination. With hundreds of summery days all year round, the island’s immaculate beaches and impressive natural coves that are bathed by the waters of Davao Gulf conjure a picture-perfect postcard that will leave you dazed and dazzled.

Somewhere in the northern fringes of Samal is a slice of paradise with an intriguing name that's become a popular attraction among the island's first-time visitors and frequent habitués alike: Cavanico Il Mare Beach Resort. 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. Hmmm, I suppose they got some Italian connections or something for having thought of that.

Well, whatever the fancy appellation means, it doesn’t really matter. What matters to me most was the fun I had during the few occasions I’ve made it there. Geez, they’re certainly blogging (and bragging) about! Surely, there are far better (read: outrageously expensive) resorts than Cavanico. But wait, why waste  my hard-earned money for something way beyond my means? Besides, it’s the feel-good, good-time, you-only-live-once (YOLO) state-of-mind I experience when I’m there that, for me, makes Cavanico the perfect destination for a weekend wandering, summer or not.

Barge heading for Samal

Cavanico also makes it simple for weekend wanderers like me. All I have to do is take the barge for a 20-minute or so cruise from Davao City to Samal—wait, you have to play the waiting game for at least 15 minutes up to about an hour before you can board the barge during weekends and holidays. From the ferry terminal in Babak, I just drive for another 20 minutes and then, voilà, I’m already in nirvana! Once I start soaking in the turquoise waters of Davao Gulf, I get carried away as I experience something timeless and terrific. Whew, such a quick escape whenever reality bites you!

At Cavanico, you will be treated to a panoramic vista of Davao Gulf, Davao City and some parts of Davao del Norte on the other side.  Mind you, the waters in those parts are the legendary grounds for sailing, swimming, skiing, snorkeling and scuba-diving! As you relax under the shade of some tree or cottage, you can just sip your favorite ice-cold drink and watch the world go by. Lying there, you’ll be mesmerized by the pristine 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.

If you’re averse to saltwater, the resort has two cool pools (an infinity pool is still in the works, I heard) where you can swim to your heart’s content. Just make sure you coat yourself from head to toe in sunscreen as you stretch out on a lounge chair and recharge yourself. Adjacent to the pool area is an elevated deck where you can spend some time taking your selfies and groupfies—and get treated to a breathtaking vista of the green surroundings and Davao Gulf!

Hungry? The resort has a resto where you can satisfy your cravings every time your stomach growls. No mercy. No regrets. No diets. If you’re a foodie like me, you’ll surely delight at the cheap yet satisfying meals of Cavanico. Sadly, they don’t have buffet offerings (as far as I know) where you can choose from a wide array of delectable dishes. But I encourage you to gorge on its house specialties like greaseless chicken, grilled tuna belly, and garlic crab, to name some. You can savor your meals at the resto or inside the comforts of your own cottage (in case you rented one).

Having a hard time sleeping? Feeling bored in your room? Why not kill time at Cavanico's bar? 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! Perhaps it's the stimulation you need to get on your trip to dreamland. 

Some of Cavanico's accommodations 

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).

For huge families, training participants and other large groups, the resort offers 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.

A small mangrove forest in Cavanico

All told, Cavanico may be considered unique in the sense that it is both a nature park and a beach resort. For me, it's one of the best places in Samal where you can unplug yourself and enjoy the great outdoors. Geez, I got so carried away by the times I spent at the resort  that I felt I had to blog about my sojourns if only to let others know what's in store for them at the resort!

For whatever it's worth, I’d recommend it to nature-lovers who relish life by the sea, to honeymooners who want to make the most out of their holiday, to adventure seekers who crave for a thrill-filled escapade, to weekend warriors who hanker for a short but sweet escape from reality. And, most especially, to painters, writers and sculptors who yearn to create their masterpieces in a rarefied island setting near Davao City.

Refreshing sea breeze, crystal-clear waters, passing boats, verdant surroundings, swaying palm trees, powdery beach, and much, much more—no matter your perch at the beach resort, beauty and bliss surround you as you spend a well-deserved break from the tension and tedium of the daily grind. All these await you at Cavanico, as your thoughts turn towards a weekend wandering in Samal.