AGUTAYAN ISLAND: A Weekend Getaway in Misamis Oriental

Agutayan Island is a naked, crescent shaped, uninhabited island in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. The island can be traveled 30 minutes by motorized boat from mainland Jasaan. There are sightings of eagle ray, surgeon fish and other species in 3-hectare shallow coral reefs surrounding the half hectare sandbar. The marine sanctuary is also a breeding ground for endangered giant clams through the support of local government.

Though its sand is not as white and fine as Camiguin White Island's, going to Agutayan is truly fun. You can bask on its sand in private. You can go snorkeling and see its diverse wonderful sea creatures. You can even roam around the shallow reef and bond with starfish. The site is good for picknicking with family and groups of friends. Even solo...

One gloomy Saturday morning when we were about leaving Ultrawinds Resort in Baungon, Bukidnon after an official event,  I tried to invite my lady boss Ma'am Venus and other colleagues Laurence and Marife to take a sidetrip to the island. The misty weather would be good for beach bumming so I convinced them.

From CDO, we took a bus bound for Balingoan. After 40 minutes, we dropped off at Poblacion, Jasaan. The four of us didn't know how to get to the island. We asked the locals. One advised us to proceed to the next barangay of Jampason where motorized boats transport tourists to the site. 

We were waiting for a public ride when a kind lady approached us and offered us to contact his father who is a fisher to take us to Agutayan Island. She brought us to their humble abode, introduced us to her father and we closed a deal.

 
The hospitable boatman, Junior Anabieza, took us to his fishing boat, bringing along some of his fresh catch and a bag of coal. And off we went...

 
Barely after 15 minutes, the view of the island started to excite us more. Rainclouds vanished away. 

 
Our boat docked after around 30 minutes. Other picknickers were moving out since the sun started to be stinging. 

 
We signed the logbook and paid an entrance fee of 150 per group. 

 
We started exploring the island while Tatay Junior was on the job preparing mouthwatering grilled "gunting-gunting" fish.   

  
After taking our sumptuous lunch, I explored the far end of the island. I took a dip and walked on the shallow reefs. Marife and Laurence also did their exploration. Maam Venus preferred to stay on a shaded boat. 

 

 I swam, dove and played with starfishes.

 

Marife and Laurence later followed me and got acquainted with the stars.

We were not aware of time and the sun that generously shed its UV rays on our skin. 

Sun-toasted, we got back to the boat. We contested against the developing waves back to mainland.    

 
Tatay Junior's family was so generous. They let us use their bathroom where we tidied ourselves up. They gave us fresh buko drink before we left for CDO.

UPDATE AS OF APRIL 2017--- Small fishers are no longer allowed to ferry island guests. Everyone must avail of accredited pump boats at the port of Brgy. Jampason. You may also coordinate with local resorts for boat transfer to the island.
 
HOW TO GET THERE

1. From CDO, take an east bound (Butuan, Balingoan, etc) ride at Agora terminal. Drop off at Poblacion Jasaan near the port. Fare is P30.

2. Alight at Brgy. Jampason. Hire a motorized boat for P1,500 for a group of up to 10 persons.

3. Local resorts also facilitate boat rides to the island at P1,500 for group of 10 persons. 

CONTACT: MONTE RICHI RESORT @ 09952189987