2nd Largest Island in The Philippines
Mindanao is the second largest of the three (3) major Philippine islands, as is common knowledge. It is approximately 97,530 square kilometers in size and is home to 25 percent of the nation’s population. Mindanao is the most distant island area from the capital Metro Manila, which is why it is frequently eclipsed in the tourism industry by its siblings Luzon and Visayas. In this article, you can learn about 2nd Largest Island in The Philippines.
However, make no mistake! Mindanao is growing increasingly popular not only in the United States but also around the world as time passes. Numerous tourists are uncovering secret treasures in the region that merit international notice. Mindanao is home to a vast collection of protected natural treasures, including mountains, forests, rivers, and waterfalls.
The great island of Mindanao is also gaining worldwide recognition! First, it has long been recognized as the location of Mt. Apo, the tallest mountain in the Philippines. It is also home to the largest eagle in terms of length and wingspan in the world! Yes, I’m speaking specifically about the Philippine Eagle. In addition to these natural treasures, a number of prominent figures in contemporary society proudly represent Mindanao! First, the current president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, has origins in the large city of Davao. Additionally, the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal, Hidilyn Diaz, hails from Mindanao.
With Mindanao’s current prominence in Philippine tourism, I wouldn’t be surprised if it quickly becomes the country’s tourism capital! How do I establish it? The fifteen most popular tourist destinations in Mindanao will be discussed in this article.
Table of Contents
Mindanao: 2nd largest island in the Philippines
Dahilayan Forest Park
In Mindanao, it is simple to keep the entire gang on their toes. Simply take them to Dahilayan Forest Park, and you’ll have a good time in no time. This park in Manolo Fortich is the greatest playground for people of all ages.
On-site accommodations and recreational choices include mini-golf, a forest luge ride, go-karts, and bumper boats. Regardless of the size of your company, there is space for you at this attraction. In addition to Zorb, Barrel Train, Monkey Tree Challenge, and Bungee Bounce & Net Trampoline, other activities include Bungee Bounce & Net Trampoline.
Philippine Eagle Centre
The Philippine Eagle Centre is an 8-hectare wildlife breeding center in Davao City that is home to the country’s sole captive eagles, the critically endangered Philippine Eagle. Comparable to Singapore Zoo’s enclosures and aviary duplexes, the world-class park features enclosures and smaller cages for various endemic birds.
In addition to eagles, this wildlife refuge houses macaques and crocodiles. The Philippine Eagle Centre has educated its visitors for over two decades on the significance of maintaining carbon and its habitat. The wildlife center offers free guided tours with eagle-related lectures.
Guests can request a falconry presentation if they wish to observe raptors in action. Additionally, the park provides talks on its captive breeding program and its ongoing field research on the last wild eagles.
Island Garden City of Samal
Island Garden City of Samal is the place to go if you’re seeking sun, beach, and sea. Samal Island and Talikud Island are two of Davao’s most pristine beaches. These locations will provide you with the necessary rest and relaxation as you enjoy a breathtaking view of the ocean. It is one of the greatest Davao tourist destinations that you should visit for a fantastic beach vacation.
Philippines’ largest Mosque
The Grand Mosque of Cotabato and the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque are the largest and greatest mosques in the Philippines, and every Muslim traveler to Mindanao should not miss the opportunity to see them.
It was constructed in 2011 and named after Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the incumbent Sultan and Prime Minister of Brunei as of 2021. This palace-like mosque, which can accommodate at least 15,000 people and is the second-largest in Southeast Asia, was partially financed by the Sultan.
The Mosque was designed by the Philippines’ renowned architects and urban planners, Palafox Architects. It is reported that the highest minarets, measuring up to 43 meters in height, assisted pilots navigate by lighting up at night.
Cloud 9 in Siargao
The first up! Ah, I can’t think of a better way to begin this wonderful list than by introducing Siargao Island, the surfers’ paradise itself. Siargao is regarded as the capital of surfing in the Philippines. You do not yet know how to surf? Well, have no fear! Numerous surfing courses are available on the island, allowing you to learn quickly. Siargao is also well-preserved, which is another of its many advantages. It is not as busy as other islands in the country, so travelers have ample opportunity to admire its beauty.
CNN identified Cloud 9 on Siargao Island as one of the world’s top surfing places. Be ready to see a tropical paradise with Cloud 9’s white-sand beaches, clean and sky-blue oceans, tide pools, caves, coves, and corals, among other things!
Camiguin Island
Arriving in Camiguin will provide you with a sense of how densely packed its attractions are. Camiguin is famous for its White Island, a lengthy stretch of white sand bar surrounded by azure waters. Catarman Church Ruins, Sunken Cemetery, Katibawasan Falls, and an abundance of cold and hot springs are among well-known attractions on Camiguin.
Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park
Keep Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park at the top of your list for nature excursions in Mindanao. It is accessible by the Compostela-Cateel Road, which traverses the park. This protected area in Cateel, Davao Oriental, is home to the highest waterfall in the Philippines, measuring 1,110 feet in height (340 meters). On the 84 boulder-like layers, water cascades magnificently. The eco-park is located within the Aliwagwag Protected Landscape, which is home to the Philippine eagle and numerous other endangered species.
Maria Cristina Falls
According to Philippine history books, one of the most beautiful waterfalls is the Maria Cristina Falls, commonly known as the Twin Falls. The 320-foot waterfall in Iligan, popularly known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls, is a sight to behold. Maria and Cristina are gorgeous twin sisters who fell in love with the same man, according to the folklore.
Maria Cristina Falls provides 70 percent of Mindanao’s electrical power. It is governed by the National Power Corporation (NPC), which created a National Power Nature Park in close proximity to the waterfalls. Guests can participate in rock climbing and hiking. Swimming is severely prohibited due to the current’s strength.
You may also choose to picnic alongside the Agus River. Even restaurants and cafes are located within the park. If you desire an adrenaline boost, you can ride a zipline. Then, go around the Botanical and Zoological Garden to see ostriches, monkeys, and crocodiles up close.
Magpupungko Rock Pools
The Magpupungko Rock Pools are an excellent location for cliff jumping, swimming, and exploration. From General Luna, where the majority of lodgings for tourists are located, it is only a 45-minute motorbike ride. The formation is breathtakingly gorgeous, but there is a catch. Occasionally, Magpupungko is closed to tourists; therefore, it is important to confirm before you get there. And prior to visiting, you should determine which of the two tide conditions you favor more, as the location offers distinct sensations at both low and high tide.
Immerse in history at Dapitan City
This small community in northern Mindanao’s Zamboanga del Norte has many tales to tell visitors. Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ National Hero, was exiled to Dapitan City by Spanish colonists after the publishing of his books, which would eventually inspire Filipinos to rally for the country’s independence.
Explore the Dapitan Heritage Zone and the Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape for a taste of Mindanao life under Spanish control and a look at Rizal’s final years. The majority of these are also gratis.
Hinatuan Enchanted River
On the island of Mindanao, the following location is extremely magical. The Hinatuan Enchanted River, also known as the Hinatuan Sacred River, puzzles the thoughts of everyone who visits it and simultaneously enchants them with its natural beauty.
Hidden somewhere in the Surigao del Sur forests lies a deep spring river whose water is miraculously clean and blue. It cannot technically be termed a river for two (2) reasons. First, it is a river of saltwater. The river empties into the Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean. Secondly, it is not long enough to be designated a river. Nevertheless, the name of the river itself dispels all doubts, since it is in fact lovely.
The highlight? The Hinatuan Enchanted River is used for more than just sightseeing. In addition to shooting stunning photographs, tourists are permitted to dive and swim in the river! Keep in mind that this tourist attraction is a stunning work of nature. Let’s do our part and conserve it so that future generations can continue to experience it.
Zamboanga City
Due to its charming colonial architecture and other tourist attractions, Zamboanga City has been hailed as one of the greatest relics of the Spanish Colonial period. Not to add, viewing a pink-sand beach such as the one on Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City is exceptional, out-of-the-ordinary, more interesting, and more gorgeous due to the unusual merging of the brilliant hues of red corals and white sand.
Naked Island
Siargao is home to a beach that is literally barefoot. As implied by its name, Naked island is absolutely bare. This tourist destination in Mindanao is surrounded by nothing but white sand and azure water; there are no obstructions to the 360-degree vista of the island.
From General Luna, you will only need to charter a boat to reach your destination. Typically, it is included in the three-island tour of Siargao, which also includes visits to Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island.
Monastery of the Transfiguration, Malaybalay, Bukidnon
The Monastery of the Transfiguration is renowned for two things: the renowned Monk’s Blend coffee and the exquisite church created by the artist Leandro Locsin. This Mindanao tourist attraction is located approximately 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the center of Malaybalay, in a region with a serene view of the mountains.
The new monastery that Locsin constructed is the only pyramid-shaped church in the nation. As a monastery, it is a sacred location where Benedictine monks continue to worship. It is also where the monks cultivate and make one of the country’s finest coffees, Monk’s Blend. The majority of visitors to this location typically seek solitude in order to reflect on their lives. If you choose to participate in a spiritual retreat, you can also choose to spend the night in the guesthouse.
15. Malagos Garden Resort
The Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City is the following agritourism resort. It is a 12-hectare resort surrounded by beautiful vegetation that brings you closer to nature. Skating, horseback riding, animal feeding, and vegetable picking are just a few of the enthralling activities that make this resort one of the most popular in Davao.
Malagos Garden Resort caters to couples, barkadas (friendship groups), and families that wish to relax and escape the mundane. The resort’s distinctive attractions are the Chocolate Museum, the Chocolate Laboratory, the Chocolate Park, the Butterfly Sanctuary, the Bird Feeding Dome, the Petting Zoo, and the Treeline Birdwatching Deck.
The Chocolate Museum, which opened in 2017, provides an insight into the history of the world-class cacao chocolate bar produced locally. In the Chocolate Laboratory, you may even decorate your own chocolate bars. Then, you may strike a pose in front of Chocolate Park’s life-size statues of chocolates and cupcakes.
Guyam Island
If Naked Island is utterly devoid of flora, Guyam Island is a verdant tourist destination. It is quiet and uninhabited, with a sandy beach on one side and a rocky beach on the other, except for the island’s caretakers. This palm-covered island is small enough to circumnavigate in less than a minute. A few cottages are offered on the beach so that you may relax and enjoy your seclusion.
Relax in the highlands of Bukidnon
Bukidnon, which translates to “mountain dweller” in English, is located in the center of Mindanao and has one of the country’s most verdant panoramas. Once you arrive, you are encompassed by stunning mountain ranges and the crisp air of the highlands.
There are numerous viewpoint parks dispersed across Bukidnon that offer free, spectacular vistas. But if you want some quiet while eating in local specialties, Muslim-friendly mountain or farm resorts and tiny cafes with magnificent views of Bukidnon are sprouting like wildflowers.
Tinuy-An Falls
This curtain-like cascade is dubbed “The Philippines’ Little Niagara Falls.” The water cascades into three (3) distinct stages, giving travelers a large space to explore! In the largest tier of the falls, you can also ride a bamboo raft to get closer to the actual water drop.
In addition to recreational activities such as swimming, diving, and trekking, the Tinuy-An Falls are home to a diverse environment including hundreds of animal and plant species. What a lovely method for bringing us closer to nature, right?
Tawi Tawi
You cannot honestly claim to have had a meaningful experience in Tawi Tawi without seeing Bud Bongao or Bonggao Peak. Bud Bongao is considered a sacred mountain in Tawi-Tawi because it is where folks ascend to reflect.
Daku Island
Daku Island is another breathtaking tourist attraction in Mindanao. It is predominantly where tourists eat lunch during the Siargao three-island trip. You can indulge in a magnificent lunch that consists of the freshest seafood and buko (coconut) juice. Your native Siargao guide will assist you in locating the island’s greatest chef. You can ask locals to prepare fresh seafood for a boodle fight. And unlike the other two beaches listed, Daku Island offers many more activities, such as kayaking and fishing.
Chill by Lake Sebu, Cotabato
The municipality of Lake Sebu is an ecotourism destination in this region of Mindanao. The town is situated 1,000 meters above sea level between the Roxas-Matulas and Daguma Mountain Ranges.
It is noted as the home of the T’boli, Severa, and other indigenous communities, as well as possessing three magnificent lakes and a similarly magnificent ecology. The most popular activities in Lake Cebu include hiking to Seven Falls and boating on any of the three lakes in the region. The T’boli Museum, which displays the culture of the tribe, is also famous. Seven Falls, the three lakes, and more activities are included in trip packages offered by resorts.
Panampangan Island
Panampangan Island in Tawi-Tawi is a 12-hectare stretch of white sand in the Celebes Sea, boasting the Philippines’ longest sandbar at 3 kilometers. It is a quiet paradise with stunning blue waters and white sand that welcomes barefoot walking.
Tawi-Tawi is the southernmost province of the Philippines, situated between the Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea in the southwestern Sulu archipelago. It is one of the most off-the-beaten-path sports locations in the nation. Panampangan Island is, without a doubt, the most breathtaking of its tourist destinations.
Not only is it bordered by aquamarine waters, but it is also alive with verdant vegetation and towering coconut palms that provide sufficient shade. During low tide, the sandbar extends far out to Baseball, the next islet.
Camiguin
Camiguin was originally an obscure destination, but it is now one of the most frequented in the Philippines. This island region is so popular due to the abundance of Instagrammable Camiguin tourism attractions. From its stunning beaches and awe-inspiring waterfalls to its magnificent undersea environment, Camiguin is the ultimate feed goal for every ‘grammar! Camiguin is without question one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern Mindanao.
Malamawi Island
Malamawi Island is known as Basilan’s Hidden Paradise for a reason. It is a tropical paradise with a lengthy stretch of white sand beaches and waterways rich with marine life! It is certainly one of the Philippines’ most stunning beaches ever.
In contrast to other well-known beaches and islands in the country, Malamawi Island is not yet as congested. However, various resorts are already beginning to develop the island, so you may anticipate to find a large number of rooms and cottages by the time of your visit.
The finest aspect about visiting Malamawi Island is that the entire island appears to be yours alone. You can clearly and loudly hear the waves crashing, the leaves rustling, and the birds tweeting. Before returning to the bustle of the city, nothing beats a couple of days of peace and quiet, correct?
Sugba Lagoon
Siargao’s Sugba Lagoon is an additional Caraga Region tourism attraction that should not be missed. It is a well-known diving location due to its breathtaking view and turquoise waters. If diving is not your thing, you can still enjoy snorkeling, paddle boarding, or simply snapping pictures in the region. Whatever the case, Sugba Lagoon is a fantastic location!
Sugba Lagoon is approximately an hour and a half boat journey from General Luna, and an hour boat ride from Del Carmen.
Conclusion
The Philippines, formally the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelago located in the western Pacific Ocean, off the southeast coast of Asia. Area: 114,145 sq mi (295,633 sq km). Population: (2022 est.) 112,917,000. Other government offices and ministries are located in Quezon City and other suburbs of Manila. Filipinos are mostly of Malay heritage, with common Chinese and occasionally American or Spanish ancestry.
Filipino (Pilipino) and English are the official languages; Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, and Bicol are the other major groupings. Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic; furthermore Protestant and other Christians); Islam. The currency used is the Philippine peso (peso). The Philippines are comprised of around 7,100 islands and islets. Northern Luzon and southern Mindanao are the two most important islands. The Visayas is located in the middle of the Philippines, Mindoro lies immediately south of Luzon, and Palawan is secluded in the west.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about 2nd Largest Island in The Philippines
What are the two 2 biggest islands of the current Philippines?
Manila is the nation’s capital, although Quezon City is the most populated city. Both are located inside the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) on the biggest island, Luzon. Mindanao is the second biggest island in the Philippines, located in the southeast.
How many islands are in the Philippines?
Located near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, the Republic of the Philippines comprises of around 7,640 islands, of which approximately 2,000 are inhabited, forming an archipelago.
How many islands do the Philippines have in 2022?
There are few nations with greater natural diversity than the Philippines. The Southeast Asian archipelago consists of 7,641 islands and is located near the equator in the Pacific Ocean.
What is the smallest province in the Philippines?
Batanes – The True Insulars’ Land Batanes Province is an archipelago province in the Cagayan Valley area of the Philippines. It is the smallest province in the Philippines, both in terms of population and land area, and is the most northern province.
What is the largest province in the Philippines?
Palawan is an island province in the MIMAROPA region of the Philippines. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and in terms of total jurisdictional area, it is the biggest province in the country. From Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest, these are the islands of Palawan.
What is Leyte known for?
The province is home to the beautiful Kalanggaman Island and its pristine white sand beach, the country’s longest bridge, and a significant World War II location. Leyte is also a popular location for scuba diving, waterfalls, and other beautiful beaches. Leyte has a wide variety of tourist spots.
Which country has the highest number of islands?
According to the website worldatlas.com, Sweden has the most islands on the earth with 221,800, the majority of which are uninhabited. Even Stockholm, the capital, is constructed over a 14-island archipelago with over 50 bridges.
How many islands are on the earth?
There are approximately 900,000 official islands on Earth. There are approximately 900,000 official islands on Earth. Each nation has distinct requirements for inclusion on the official island list. This statistic includes all of the official islands reported by each nation.
Why the Philippines is a beautiful country?
The nation enjoys an abundance of natural beauty in the form of its numerous stunning beaches, warm climate, and diverse fauna. Moreover, the distinctive and rich culture of the Philippines, as evidenced by its people, cuisine, and way of life, draws a large number of tourists.
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