Mindanao
Samal Island travel guide: ferry, tourist spots and cliff jumping
Photo: Michael E. Peligro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Samal Island is a ferry ride of 10 to 15 minutes from Davao City, for 20 to 25 pesos, which makes it the easiest island trip in Mindanao. It is the island you see from the waterfront in Davao City, and the crossing takes about as long as a bus ride across town. Here is how the crossing works, what you can do, and where to go cliff jumping.
What I did
I took the ferry, which cost 20 pesos when I went. On the island I did cliff jumping into the sea, and I said in the video that you can also visit beaches, waterfalls and lagoons there. I did not name the cliff in my video.
We’re on this beautiful island with the beautiful beaches.
Where is Samal Island?
Samal sits in the Davao Gulf, about 2 km from Davao City. Together with the smaller Talikud Island it forms the Island Garden City of Samal, a city in Davao del Norte with three districts: Babak, Samal (Peñaplata) and Kaputian (Wikipedia). The ferry from Sasa lands at Babak.
How the route connects
- SasaDavao City, Km 11Ferry · 10–15 min
- BabakKinawitnon wharf, Samal
The time is from The Queen’s Escape, as reported below; the Panacan ferry and the Sta. Ana liner boat to Kaputian are not drawn.
The ferry from Davao
All figures are from Samal Guide, updated 8 July 2026, unless I say otherwise.
Scroll across for the rest of the columns.
| Ferry | From | Passenger fare | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| DavSam Ferry | Panacan (Km 13) | ₱20 (₱15 for students, seniors, PWD) | 24 hours |
| Mae Wess and Cole | Sasa (Km 11) | ₱25 from 1 April 2026 | 24 hours |
| Lantsa | ₱24 (₱19 students, seniors) | 5:00 am to 9:00 pm |
The crossing from Sasa to the Kinawitnon wharf at Babak takes 10 to 15 minutes (The Queen’s Escape, updated January 2026). Vehicles go too: a motorcycle costs ₱110 to 120 each way and a car about ₱275 to 320, depending on the operator.
A second route runs from Sta. Ana wharf by liner boat to the Kaputian side, taking 45 to 60 minutes. There is no fixed timetable and the boats leave when full, at ₱120 to 250 depending on the boat. Ask at the wharf for the last departure.
Getting around the island
Samal is big, and the sights are far apart. The Queen’s Escape (2026) reports these prices: a tricycle starts at ₱16 for short trips and rents for ₱1,200 to 1,500 a day, a motorbike rents for about ₱500 for 24 hours without fuel, and the bus costs ₱20 for a short ride and ₱80 to Kaputian. A small tourist boat for five people costs about ₱2,500, entrance fees excluded. Buses run from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm, about every 40 minutes, according to Samal Guide.
Samal Island tourist spots and entrance fees
The best-known sight is the Monfort Bat Sanctuary, which Wikipedia describes as the world’s largest fruit bat colony; the beaches and reefs of Talikud Island are the other draw (Wikipedia). The fees below are from The Queen’s Escape (January 2026) and Philippine Beaches (September 2023).
Scroll across for the rest of the columns.
| Place | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Monfort Bat Cave | ₱120 | Queen’s Escape, 2026 |
| Hagimit Falls | About ₱40 | Philippine Beaches, 2023 |
| Kaputian Beach | ₱50 plus ₱50 environmental fee for a day visit | Philippine Beaches, 2023 |
| Giant Clams Sanctuary | ₱200 | Queen’s Escape, 2026 |
| Wishing Island | ₱100 | Queen’s Escape, 2026 |
| Ecological fee at the islets | ₱50 per person | Queen’s Escape, 2026 |
Cliff jumping
Two spots are known for cliff jumping. The Sabang cliff at Kaputian has three jump points of about 14, 20 and 40 feet, and Canibad Beach Sanctuary has a cliff of about 20 feet with a trail to the tip (a 2018 write-up). Check the water depth and conditions on the day before you jump.
Take it seriously. A 12-year-old drowned while swimming at the Sabang cliff on 27 September 2023 (SunStar Davao). Some things that follow from that:
- Look at the water first. Check the depth and the rocks, and watch someone else jump.
- Go with a local who knows the spot, and use a life vest.
- Start from the lowest point.
- Never jump alone, and never jump after drinking.
Where to stay and when to go
Babak is where the ferry arrives, and Kaputian and Peñaplata are the other districts.
The Queen’s Escape puts a budget room under ₱1,000 a night and an upscale one from ₱2,500. Dry season, from March to May, is the busy time, and September to November is quieter.
Beyond Samal
Mati, in Davao Oriental, is a separate trip of about 165 km from Davao. It is not connected to Samal by ferry. I asked for recommendations there in my video and am still collecting them.
Questions people ask
Where is Samal Island?
In the Davao Gulf, about 2 km from Davao City. Samal and the smaller Talikud Island together form the Island Garden City of Samal, in Davao del Norte.
How do you get from Davao to Samal?
By ferry. From Davao City the DavSam ferry from Panacan charges ₱20 per passenger (July 2026), and Mae Wess and Cole from Sasa ₱25 (effective 1 April 2026). The crossing takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Can you visit Samal as a day trip from Davao?
Yes, it is close enough for a day, and the ferries from Panacan and Sasa run all day and night. The sights are spread out, so pick two or three.
Where can you jump off a cliff on Samal?
Two spots are known for it: the Sabang cliff at Kaputian, with jump points of about 14, 20 and 40 feet, and Canibad Beach Sanctuary, with a cliff of about 20 feet.
Is cliff jumping on Samal safe?
It carries real risk. A 12-year-old drowned while swimming at the Sabang cliff in September 2023. Check the water depth, go with a local, wear a life vest and never jump alone.
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