Thursday, July 16, 2015

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
 

38 comments:

  1. Thank you for the info 😊

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  2. Hi! I was planning to go there with my fiance. Are the rates for the boat still the same? Or lesser? Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. hi, blessy! if you coordinate with resorts, they can refer you to a boatman that charges P1,500. Since there are only 2 of you, you better contact Jenny Catalando---09354128783. Her father charges only P1,000 negotiable. Just make sure he is available during your visit.

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    2. tupe diaz : hi , the contact number posted is not available anymore .. i tried to search her facebook account using her real name .. im not sure im contacting the right person

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    3. kawaiiDesu were u able to visit here. do u have other contact number? thanks

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    4. Hi, kawaiiDesu! You may contact: MONTE RICHI RESORT @ 09952189987. that's the only contact number i have right now. hope it is still active.

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  3. is it safe if we bring our kids?

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    1. hi, lindy! really safe to bring kids there. i brought mine last summer.

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  4. Hello there! I wanna ask if we'll go there 3 to to 4 person is the rate still the same?

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    Replies
    1. hi, unknown. if you coordinate with resorts, they will refer you to a boatman that charges P1,500/return trip. Since there are only 3 or 4 of you, you better contact Jenny Catalando---09354128783. Her father charges only P1,000 negotiable. Just make sure he is available during your visit.

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  5. Hi, hndi ba pwede na maki join kami sa ibang tao para mas lesser yung babayaran ? Kasi dalawa lang kami :/

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  6. Replies
    1. thanks for reading, fulla. that P150.00 per group was environmental fee upon entering the sandbar. fortunately, that fee was already abolished.

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  7. Pwede po bang makijoin sa iba para ma less yung bayad namin? Dalawa lang kasi kami. And back and forth na ba yan?

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    1. hi, fulla! sure, pwedeng makijoin sa ibang group depende sa mapag-usapan nyo. P1,500 charge is back and forth na.

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  8. Hello there, pano po makapag reserve ? 8 persons po kami. balak po namin pumunta jan this coming february 14.

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    1. Hi, daryl. You may contact monte richi resort for boat arrangement. 09952189981. Enjoy!

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  9. Hi. Can we rent anytime for a boat in Monte Richi Resort?

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    1. hi, jaya. better contact monte richi resort for inquiry 09952189981.

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  10. I like this blog and you also. Thank you for the information.

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    1. thank you, jaja! i like readers like you too!

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  11. hi uncle .... Memie ni . we , together with my officemates kay naay plan mag anha dha ... naa ko sa cdeo nag work now.. nice dha? :)

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    1. hi, me. yes, it's a very nice place. highly recommended. just don't go to water barefooted. you may step on urchins and other sharp sea organisms. the water is almost untouched so biodiversity is almost intact.

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    2. good morning kol bob..

      2. For big group, you may drop off at Brgy. Jampason. Hire a motorized boat for P1,500 for a group of up to 10 persons.

      back and forth na ni sya or one ride ra ?
      kung small group ra , pila ang budget fare pa Island ? :)

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    3. good morning ..

      2. For big group, you may drop off at Brgy. Jampason. Hire a motorized boat for P1,500 for a group of up to 10 persons.

      back and forth ni sya or one ride ra ?
      then , for small group uncle, pila ang budget fare pa Island ?


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    4. back and forth na, me. for small group, you may contact any local fishers in the area. i recommend Tatay Junior Anabieza. just contact his daughter Jenny Catalando--- 09354128783.

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  12. Dili na daw sila allowed sila Tatay Junior Anabieza kuya, we just called them earlier po :( Naa kay lain ma recommend na mag agto dadto? Kanang 1500 per person na or daghan nami anang 1500?

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    Replies
    1. hi. sad to know dili na diay sila allowed. but i think that's for security and safety. kanang 1,500 is good for 10 pax na, to and fro. please coordinate with monte richi resort at 09952189981.

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  13. helo tups.pila ka hours ang limit mag stamby sa island?

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    Replies
    1. hi, wala pa man time limit ila gi-set. i just observed nga ang mga tao dili pud gadugay kaayo tungod sa kainit. naked island man gud ni pareho sa white island sa camiguin.

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  14. Good day po, ask ko lang the same lang ba yung rate noon ng boat till now or theres a changes p?Thanks po

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Joven. As far as I know, ganun pa rin yung rate nila. P1,500 to and fro good for 10 pax.

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  15. Hello po. Ive read your blog, and i like how informative it was..thank you!
    Anywayz, me and my ofizm8s are planning to visit the island ds weekend, we're from bukidnon. Inquire ko lng..can we bring our own tent or maybe a big umbrella?^_^ thanks!

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    1. Hi, kabayan Leslie! Sure, you may bring your own umbrella or beach tent. Enjoy gyud kay way dagat diri sa atoa!

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  16. Hi amigo Tupe. Dugay na kaayo gusto moanha dha sige lang ko labay labay kung moadto ko Butuan. Naa ko baroto nga 12 footer dha nako inaog sa liyang beach ky magpa luto pud ko sa ila ug paniudto. Ok ra mn kaha moadto ko Agutayan gamit nako akong baroto?

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    1. Hi, miga diane. first, sorry for my late reply. been offline for days. regarding your query, better inquire from the locals if the management allows traveling to the island using own boat. hopefully the management does. and in case you already made it, i will appreciate if you could inform me so i can add this info on my write up. thank you!

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  17. Hi amigo Tupe. Pwede ko mo anha dha sa Agutayan gamit akong 12 footer boat? Sa Liyang beach mi manukad ky didto mi magpa luto ug paniudto

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