Samal Island has lots of beach resorts that you can choose from. Me as traveler, I would tend to choose beach resorts that has great amenities, relaxing ambiance, clean and of course, good customer service. Another best resort in Samal Island that I can recommend is the Ilihan Beach Resort located at Brgy. Camudmud, Babak District. It is indeed a nice place for a private getaway, experience peace of mind and relaxation that cannot be found in crowded cities. Ilihan Beach Resort was recommended by my colleague. He knows the owner of the resort. So we got a chance to check out what inside Ilihan Beach Resort.
What to Expect in the Resort
Ilihan Beach Resort has a pristine shoreline, with plenty of marine life which is worth exploring whether high tide or low. Low tide starts 9am up to 3pm, you can enjoy shell picking during low tide or in local term “manginhas”. High tide gradually starts from 5pm up to 7am in the morning. You can swim at night but avoid swimming further as only few lights around the beach. When we got there, it’s weekend but not a peak season, minimal guest were booked in the resort, so we enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the place. As we all know, we can appreciate the beauty of the place if it has less people, or I guess I am not too much of a party person.
Ilihan Beach Resort have great amenities, the design and sculptured ladders and pathways looked great, which are well blended with a nature theme and keeping its simplicity and elegance. They have lots of cottages available, choose from open and closed cottages. You can also experience boat riding using a paddle and they have videoke machine. You can ask them to cook foods for you at such an affordable price. Overall, they have a nice service.
Kayak Experience
You can enjoy Kayak too, you can rent this boat out and explore the ocean. We enjoyed plungking on the kayak and explore nearby areas. Since it’s low tide around noon time, we didn’t get much further. It’s recommend to do kayak early in the morning where sea level is still up.
During summer – peak season, it’s recommended to book rooms ahead as many locals and tourist flocked Samal Island, specially during Holy Week. Expect a long queue as well when driving a private vehicle. Only 1 port from Davao City located in Sasa Wharf, no bridge yet that connects Davao port and the Babak port, I’m hoping they would built bridge soon for easy access. From Samal Island, there are 2 ports, the main one is the Babak port, this is the busier port and the other one is DavSam port.
Ilihan Beach Resort Rates
Entrance Fee PHP 50.00
Open Cottage PHP 1500.00
Boat Rent PHP 100.00 per hour
Videoke PHP 1500.00
What to Expect
- Low tide from 9am – 4pm
- High Tide from 5pm-7am
- Practical Tips
- Bring own food
- Overnight stay to enjoy high tide. If day tour only, you need to walk far but still water level isn’t deep, but great for shell picking.
- Peak season like Holy Week and summer, expect a long queue on the barge bound to Samal Island
How To Get There
From Sasa Wharf, Davao City, take a boat ride. Only cost PHP 35.00 and from Samal Island docking station, there’s a Camudmud jeepney terminal. You can ask them to take you at Ilihan Beach Resort.
Barge Rates
From Davao City, there is only 1 port for vehicles located in Sasa Wharf.
From Samal Island, there are 2 ports going back to Davao City – The Babak Port and the DavSam which both connects to Sasa Wharf.
- Php10-15 per head for individual passengers
- For Private Vehicle – Sedan: PHP250, driver is free + Php10.00 per passenger
- For Private Vehicle – SUV & Pick up: PHP350, driver is free + Php10.00 per passenger
Booking and Reservations
Ilihan Beach Resort Booking and Reservations
Brgy. Camudmud, Babak District, Samal Island
+639062178414
Transport Rental (Multicab)
Mutlicab for Hire (Going to Ilihan Beach Resort)
Kuya Bobong
+639488328324
