The island of Bawbawon is a promising destination to explore its unique beauty. Ultimately, one of the secret gems of Misamis Occidental’s tourismsphere. One can expect creamy-coloured sandy beaches paired with clear azure waters you can swim in. The beach resort is dotted with towering coconuts and day huts that you can rent. There are grass zones adding to the natural vibes it offers.
A few strides from the stay area are the picturesque rock formations. They offer as your great natural backdrops, but you have to be extra careful because of the sharp jagged edges. There is a lone wooden bench near the edge of the rock above where the waves crash, being your natural balcony where you can lounge for a while as you enjoy the calmness of nature, and the soothing cacophony music of the mangrove forest and the sea. Come with ample foot support and paddings should you wish to explore this spot.
To get here, you have to charter a pump boat at the jump-off point, which may cost around Php1,000 to Php1,500 and is just beside the Port of Plaridel in Barangay Panalsalan, the nearest landmark. It will take about 10-15 minutes of boat ride to reach Bawbawon Island.
To get to Plaridel, your two airport options are Ozamis and Dipolog of Zamboanga del Norte, if coming from Luzon and Visayas with direct flights to Manila and Cebu. From the airport, take a transfer to respective Integrated Bus Terminal. If from Ozamis, take Dipolog bound bus or van and alight at Plaridel Integrated Bus Terminal. From there, take a tricycle ride to Barangay Panalsalan Port, right beside the Plaridel Port. From Dipolog, take bus bound to Ozamis and alight at Plaridel Integrated Bus Station and take tricycle ride to Panalsalan Port. Do not forget to contact their Tourism Office to secure your entry in their town and to secure your boat slots. Message their official Facebook Pages: ASENSO PLARIDEL and PLARIDEL WINNING MOMENTS for inquiries. Alternatively, you can email their tourism officer at mdrereal@gmail.com.
The boat ride would entail passing through the labyrinths of their rich and thriving mangrove forest. While on your cruise, you’ll get to witness placid waters with various sea cages and get a chance to witness flybys of wild indigenous birds. Best to visit during high tide since the mangrove area features very low receding seabed which might cause your boat to bank during extremely low tides.
In the late afternoon, be ready for a possible splashy return cruise if you wish to have a day experience at Bawbawon which is usual and common.
Many meters from the shore of Bawbawon Island, huge clusters of coral reef formations beneath the turquoise waters are awaiting your exploration. Be one of the innumerable inhabitants of the sea and glide across colourful natural coral formations. The diving spot is undergoing exploration events and ongoing developments – another spot added to the Philippine Map of Diving. Certainly, PLARIDEL added depth to my #ColorsOfMindanao experience.
Soon, a concrete boardwalk lets you have an in-depth personal experience of the mangrove ecosystem. Could you imagine walking under the shadows of a mangrove canopy, hearing distant coos and squawks, the rustling of leaves and the chants of the sea? This is an ongoing project of the LGU. Truly, the tourism landscape has a promising future in the Municipality of Hope – PLARIDEL of Misamis Occidental.
The municipality of Plaridel is teeming with more destinations for you to experience. Bawbawon Island is just one of the many spots you can visit. Our heartful thanks to the working local executive, Mayor Gadwin Handumon for the warm welcome!
ABOUT PLARIDEL, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL
The Municipality of Plaridel in Misamis Occidental is located at the northern fringes of the provinces, with its shores facing the Mindanao Sea or Bohol Sea. Surrounding municipalities are Baliangao, Lopez Jaena and Calamba. The currently local executive, as of writing, is Mayor Gadwin Handumon. With his leadership, the LGU made the municipality’s monicker, the MUNICIPALITY OF HOPE, which is in line with the current thrusts of the local government to spur economy and in line with the provincial tagline: “Asenso Misamis Occidental”. The municipality is classified as 3rd Class Municipality with almost 40,000 population.
Plaridel is also the rice granary of the province, thanks to its sprawling rice fields ranging from the foot of Mt. Malindang ranges down to its shores. One of its tourism projects is exploring and developing their own natural dive sites. According to Mayor Handumon, a Php133 million budget is approved to fund such tourism projects.
Historically, the place is called Langaran, attributed to the name of the winding river that provides water source to its cultivated flat lands. The Larangan River was also they main transportation artery, linking different riverbank community and settlements. Langanan in their native languages means “weak current”. The earlist settlers in the area are the Subanens.
The municipality’s name became Plaridel last 1907 by the first elected local executive, the late Mayor Santos Palma.
HOW TO GO TO MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL?
By Air:
The Province has direct flight routes to Manila and Cebu via Labo Airport in Ozamis City served by PHILIPPINE AIRLINES and CEBU PACIFIC. Alternative nearby airports are via Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte and via Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur
By Sea:
Via Port of Ozamiz – via Manila with 2go, via Cebu with 2go, Cokaliong, Tran-Asia, via Kolambogan, Lanao del Norte by Daima.
By Port of Plaridel – via Cebu by Lite Ferries, via Tagbilaran by Lite Ferries and OceanJet, and via Larena, Siquijor by Lite Ferries.
By Land:
Bus companies have direct bus routes from Cagayan De Oro and Zamboanga City to Ozamis and Oroquieta.
PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE
Office of the Provincial Tourism, Arts and Cultural Affairs
Provincial Capitol Building
7207 Oroquieta City, Misamia Occidental, Philippines
(088) 521 – 5187
misoccprovincialtourism@gmail.com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Thank you to the Tourism Promotions Board through Sir Alberto Gadia, to the Department of Tourism – North Mindanao Region through Regional Director May Unchuan, and to Misamis Occidental Provincial LGU through Gov. Henry S. Oaminal, for making our Misamis Occidental experience possible and unforgettable.
Other destinations in Misamis Occidental
