Mindanao: guides to the places I have filmed

The US, UK and Australian governments all advise against travel to parts of Mindanao, and they draw the lines differently; what each one says, with its date, is under Current safety advice below. Mindanao is the big island in the south of the Philippines, and I have seen only part of it. Each place below has its own guide with what I saw, how to get there and what it costs, with the source and date for every number that is not mine.

Current safety advice

This is what three governments say, checked on 17 October 2026. Each uses its own wording and its own areas. Read the current version for the place you plan to go before you book.

• United States, State Department (advisory dated 1 September 2026). Level 2, “exercise increased caution”, for the Philippines as a whole. Do not travel to the Sulu Archipelago. Reconsider travel to other parts of Mindanao, with listed exceptions that include the central business district and airport of Davao City, Davao del Norte, Samal Island, the Dinagat Islands and Siargao Island (travel.state.gov).
• United Kingdom, FCDO (updated 15 July 2026). Against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, except Camiguin Island, Dinagat Island and Siargao Island, “due to terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups in south Philippines” (gov.uk).
• Australia, Smartraveller (updated 24 September 2026). “Exercise a high degree of caution” in the Philippines overall. Do not travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Sulu Archipelago and the southern Sulu Sea area. Reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao, excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands, “due to political violence and the threat of terrorism” (smartraveller.gov.au).

Lake Holon, South Cotabato

A crater lake in the mountains of T’boli, sacred to the T’boli people. You register with the local tourism office, hike in with a T’boli guide and camp by the water. DENR Region 12 closed it after an earthquake on 8 June 2026. Ask the T’boli Municipal Tourism Office whether it has reopened before you travel. Read the Lake Holon guide.

Samal Island, near Davao

A ferry ride of 10 to 15 minutes from Davao City, for ₱20 to 25. I jumped off a cliff there, and the guide covers the crossing, getting around, the fees for the sights and what to know about cliff jumping before you do it. Read the Samal guide.

The Enchanted River, Hinatuan

A bright blue, spring-fed river in Surigao del Sur. The guide has the routes from Surigao, Butuan and Davao, the fees and hours, and the swimming rules. Read the Enchanted River guide.

Bukidnon

Grass hills and mountain ranges in the north of Mindanao. The guide covers getting to Malaybalay, the mountains that need a permit and the rainy season. Read the Bukidnon guide.

More of Mindanao on this site

Robert also filmed in Zamboanga del Norte, on the Zamboanga Peninsula, where the advice above is strongest. Read the Zamboanga del Norte guide with it. Camiguin, Siargao and Dinagat are part of Mindanao too. Start with Camiguin, five days on Siargao or the Dinagat Islands. I’m planning small-group trips to all three, waitlists are free: Camiguin, Siargao, Dinagat.

Questions people ask

Which places in Mindanao have you filmed?

Lake Holon in South Cotabato, Samal Island near Davao, the Enchanted River in Hinatuan and the mountains of Bukidnon. Camiguin, Siargao and the Dinagat Islands are in Mindanao too, and each has its own guide.

Which of these is closed right now?

Lake Holon was closed by DENR Region 12 on 8 June 2026 after an earthquake. Check whether it has reopened before you plan around it. The Enchanted River has also closed after earthquakes and storms before, so check that one too.

Is this a full Mindanao itinerary?

No. These are the places I have been to, and each has its own guide.