Here is a complete list of the best Davao Oriental tourist spots/attractions you should not miss!
Davao Oriental presents one of the best opportunities for you to experience adventure, thrill, and fun in the Philippines. It is a premium ecotourism destination with its vast landscape teeming with hidden natural wonders such as hidden waterfalls, white beaches, and unspoiled tropical mountains and forests.
Foremost, it is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, setting it apart from the rest of the provinces.
If you’re planning to visit, here are the attractions in Davao Oriental you should not miss.
Behold Davao Oriental Tourist Spots
1. Mt Hamiguitan and Bonsai Forest
Mt Hamiguitan hosts the world’s largest pygmy forests covering more than 1,200 hectares. It is a critical sanctuary to many endangered species including the Philippine Monkey-Eating Eagle. Because of its unique and rich ecosystem, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hiking to the mountain will lead you into bizarre sights of flora and fauna including mossy forests and orchids. At the heart of the pygmy forest is a stunning lake which is unusual for its high and low tide setting.
Mt Hamiguitan is among the most preserved Davao Oriental tourist spots.
- Elevation: 1,620 meters above sea level
- Location/Jump-off: San Isidro
- Contact: Municipal Tourism Office – 09282817534
- Website: www.sanisidro.gov.ph
- Tip: The local authorities limit hiking activities to protect the mountain. Coordinate first with them if you plan to visit.
2. Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park
Considered as the highest falls in the Philippines, Aliwagwag Falls has more than 130 impressive cascades. These collectively measure 1,110 feet. It also has multiple pools with turquoise waters where you can have a rejuvenating swim.
Lush forests surround the waterfalls, giving it an enchanting view. It is one of the top Davao Oriental tourist spots.
- Location/Jump-off: Compostela – Cateel Rd, Cateel
- Entrance Fee: Php 50 for adults, Php 10 for Children
- Table and Chair Rental: Php 75
- Activity Fee: Php 50 for Monkey Bridge, Php 200 for Zipline, and Php 225 for Both
3. San Victor Island
San Victor Island is among the popular Davao Oriental tourist spots. It is a three-hectare island managed by the Diocese of Mati. It boasts of powdery white sands and clear turquoise waters.
Its seas also teem with diverse marine life, making it an ideal site for snorkeling and scuba diving. There is also a chapel in the middle of the island where you can pray and meditate.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy San Victor, Baganga
- Boating Time: 5-10 minutes
- Boat Fare: Php 50 for back and forth
- Entrance Fee: Php 20
- Cottage Fee: Php 200 to Php 300
- Contact Number: 09368381124, 09194439212
4. Curtain Falls
With an impressive width of 60 feet, Curtain Falls is said to be the widest waterfalls in the entire province. It cascades like a giant curtain, thus, the name. It measures 20 feet high with a wide and shallow pool where you can swim all day long.
To get here, expect to hike on forests where you might chance on beautiful wildlife species or even blooming orchids.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy Campawan, Baganga
- Trekking Time: 20 minutes from the highway
- Entrance Fee: Php 10
- Cottage Rent: Php 100
5. Balite Hot Spring
If you want to experience the healing and relaxing effects of thermal waters, visit Balite Hot Spring. There are man-made pools as well as natural pools where you can have a dip while you enjoy the surrounding sceneries.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy Kinablangan, Baganga
- Entrance Fee: Php 10
- Cottage Rent: Php 200
6. Magpamangaw Falls
The term “Magpamangaw” is derived from the local dialect “bangaw” which means rainbow. I’m not really sure why it’s named as such but perhaps, because a rainbow appears when the sunlight hits the waterfall.
It cascades beautifully for about 20 feet towards a beautiful and green catch basin. Pristine rainforests surround the falls, adding to its charm.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy Mercedes, Caraga
7. Sigaboy Island
Also one of the most preserved Davao Oriental tourist spots, Sigaboy Island sits on a secluded part of the ocean. It is not that big but is distinct for its huge outcrop of forest-covered limestone rock formation. During low-tide, its coastline stretches for miles, consisting of powdery white sands.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy Tibanban, Governor Generoso
- Boating Time: Php 30 minutes
8. Lake Carolina
One of the emerging Davao Oriental tourist spots, Lake Carolina appears like a replica of the famous Hinatuan Enchanted River in Surigao Del Sur. It is a laid-back destination but one you should visit to gaze at its beauty. It has crystal-clear waters amidst lush vegetation.
The deepest part of the lake is 70 feet! So make sure you know how to swim when trying its waters.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy Salingcumot, Baganga
- Entrance Fee: Php 10
9. Ugwad Falls
“Ugwad” literally means “burst from nowhere.” The falls is named that way because it just bursts in the middle of a mountain rock. Green foliage partly conceals the waterfall, adding to the rustic view.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy Lamiwan, Caraga
- Trekking Time: 20 minutes
10. Pusan Point
Did you know that Pusan Point is actually the easternmost inland point in the Philippines? That means you’ll see here the first rays of the sun shining on a 40-foot high rock promontory.
From here, you’ll also glimpse of the vast and seemingly endless Pacific Ocean. The Pusan Point Eco Park and Science Discovery Center and a 16-foot Jubilee Cross also stand here.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy Santiago, Caraga
- Entrance Fee: Php 50 per person
11. Pangyan Falls
Pangyan Falls is one of the off-beaten Davao Oriental tourist spots. With a height of around 30 feet high, it carved a small and shallow pool with icy-cold waters. Locals love coming here to escape the simmering midday heat. After enjoying the falls, you can proceed to a nearby hot spring to also relax on thermal waters.
- Location/Jump-off: Lupon
- Trekking Time: 10-15 minutes
- Entrance Fee: Php 20
12. Dahican Beach
Dahican Beach is one of the most well-known beaches near Davao City. Aside from its long stretch of powdery white sands, the beach also boasts of turquoise waters that will surely gratify you for a memorable swim. Paddling and skim-boarding are also favorite activities here. Tall coconut trees also surround the beach.
Dahican Beach is among the most frequented tourist spots in Mati, Davao Oriental.
- Location/Jump-off: Mati
13. Sungkuan Falls
Sungkuan Falls is one of the remotest Davao Oriental tourist spots. It takes hours of a grueling hike before visitors can finally have a breathtaking view of the waterfall. It cascades like heavenly drizzles from heavens for more than 60 feet. Its soothing waters can easily dissipate the exhaustion you had to get here.
- Location/Jump-off: Brgy Pantuyan, Caraga
- Trekking Time: 2 hours
14. Guang-Guang Mangrove Park and Nursery
It is one of the protected Davao Oriental tourist spots as it hosts at least 18 of the rarest and endangered mangrove species in the country. It covers more than 21 000 hectares, making it an ideal habitat for different kinds of birds and sea turtles. Aside from trekking and sightseeing, visitors can also hold picnics here.
- Location/Jump-off: Sitio Guang-guang, Brgy Dahican, Mati
15. Kapuka Falls
Kapuka Falls cascades like a bridal veil towards a natural swimming pool with sky-blue waters. You’ll not only enjoy swimming in its cold waters but also the beauty of the surrounding forests.
The pool is deep and you can jump from one of the boulders. The brook feeding Kapuka Falls leads to another beautiful river.
- Location/Jump-off: Sitio Payag, Brgy Lamiawan, Caraga
16. Sleeping Dinosaur Mati
It is named as such because the island resembles the shape of a sleeping dinosaur when seen from a certain viewpoint. There are several local stories as to why it is shaped that way.
You can actually climb your way to the summit of the Sleeping Dinosaur. There, you’ll catch a view of the blue seas and lush mangrove forests.
- Location/Jump-off: Bad-as Point, Brgy Dawan , Mati City
- Entrance Fee: Php 10 per person
17. Waniban Island
Waniban Island is one of the laid-back Davao Oriental tourist spots. It is a four-hectare beauty with limestone forests and white sandy beaches. There are no stores on the island so best to bring your own food. If not, you can ask the caretaker to cook food for you for Php 50.
- Location/Jump-off: Pujada Bay, Mati City
- Cottage Fee: Php 500
- Tent Fee: Php 100 per tent
18. Subangun Davao Oriental Museum
Subangun Museum is one of the best spots for you to learn about the culture of the different indigenous tribes in the province. Aside from cultural preservation, the museum also aims to promote marine conservation.
In fact, one of the highlights here are the skeletal remains of a sperm whale which washed ashore. They named it Davor and it is the largest display in the Philippines and the 7th in the world.
- Location/Jump-off: Mati City
- Operating Time: Monday to Sunday (9 AM to 6 PM)
- Entrance Fee: Php 100 for foreign, Php 50 for locals, Php 30 for residents, Php 20 for senior, Php 10 for students and children
19. Cape of San Agustin
Fronting the Celebes Sea, Cape of San Agustin has been a witness to the Spanish colonial rule. But it’s also an unspoiled beauty of raw beaches with pinkish-white sands.
Three lighthouses stand here and from any of these, you can glimpse of the surrounding seas and islets. Another popular attraction here is a limestone rock formation called “the altar.”
- Location/Jump-off: Governor Generoso
20. Blue Bless Mati
Blue Bless Mati is among the most frequented Davao Oriental tourist spots. It offers modern tourism amenities such as cottages, a resto-bar, and a pool. Since some of its cottages are stand on the seawater, you can use these as jumping or diving platforms. It is one of the best beach resorts in Davao.
- Location/Jump-off: Sitio Pitugo, Brgy Bobon, Mati City
- Entrance Fee for the Pool Only: Php 100 for adults and Php 50 for children
For Your Information
If you need more information to help in setting up your itinerary to Davao Oriental tourist spots, do contact the provincial tourism office via the following:
- Contact Number: 0917 122 5325
- Messenger: m.me/expriencedavaooriental
- Email Address: davaoorientaltourism@gmail.com
- Facebook Page: Davao Oriental Tourism
Davao Oriental is really something else. It is so beautiful! Recently I visited Camp Bernardino de Lavigan, a new resort in Governor Generoso. It’s a really great place! You must try it too. 🙂
Indeed, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts