On Samal Island: Taking a fresh dip at the Hagimit Falls!

My parents and I decided a spontaneous getaway to Samal Island (IGaCoS)! Arriving at Sasa Ferry Dock (or Sasa Wharf), we paid a ferry fee for vehicles of Php270.00, and boarded right away. After a 15 minutes ride, we arrived on the other side, at Babak wharf on Samal.

First on our itinerary was the visit to the known Monfort Batcave. A pleasant surprise are the roads, which are concrete and well maintained by their local city government.

It was around noon time when the salt water at the shores retreated and did not leave us joy to swim. It was then when we remembered the locals telling us about cold refreshing falls somewhere down the road in Peñaplata District.



The easy accessible roads were easy to ride on, enjoying the abundant green beauty right and left in the pleasantly pure air, until reaching Hagimit Falls some 30-40 minutes from Babak.



Hagimit Falls consists of several small waterfalls in the midst of nature at its fullest. The place derives it names from the hagimit trees (Ficus minahassae): tall trees of 15 meters or more with a wide canopy to give a natural shade from the scorning heat.



The entrance fee is Php40.00 for 8 years on and adults, and Php20.00 for children below. You are led then to stone stairs down to the falls and ponds. From afar you hear the siren song of the water rushing down the stones splashing into the ponds. A sound that makes you very excited to jump into the water.




We rented a small cottage for Php150.00 (prices are ranging up to Php500.00). You can buy also buy some refreshments there. But it would be more fun if you bring your own food and grilling things!

The waters are generally clear and appear aqua blue. The whole area has been developed the last years, yet leaving untouched the vegetation of different varieties along the riverbanks to maintaining the natural beauty of this tourist destination.

For Php375.00 or Php550.00 you may like to take ATVs on the trails!

P.s.: Be prepared that at each tourist point's entrance is an extra booth with a local requesting for Php5.00/per person as maintenance fee for the benefit of the whole island. A bit annoying, but if we come to think over it, the island is extremely well maintained and clean! To us it seemed reasonable and a price not too much asked!



Here to get more information:
Hagimit Falls and Nature Park
Poblacion, Penaplata District, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte
Mobile No: 0920-5872430