Mindanao is the second largest of the three main islands that make up the Philippines. It is about 97,530 km2 and has about 25% of the country’s people living there. Mindanao is the island region that is farthest from the capital, Metro Manila. Because of this, Luzon and Visayas sometimes do better in the tourism business than Mindanao. In this article, you can learn about 2nd Largest Island in The Philippines.
However, make no mistake! Because Mindanao is getting more and more popular every year, not just in the United States but all over the world. A lot of tourists are finding hidden gems all over the region that should be known all over the world. Mindanao has a huge number of natural wonders that have been kept in good shape. There are mountains, forests, rivers, waterfalls, and just about anything else you can think of.
Mindanao is a proud island, and now the whole world knows about it. First of all, it has been known for a long time that Mt. Apo, the tallest mountain in the Philippines, is there. It is also the place where the longest and widest eagle in the world raises its young. Yes, I’m talking about the Philippine Eagle, which is our very own bird. Aside from these natural wonders, Mindanao is also proudly represented by a number of people in our society today. First, the current president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, has roots in the big city of Davao. Also, Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to win a gold medal at the Olympics, is from Mindanao.
Mindanao is becoming more popular with tourists in the Philippines, so it wouldn’t surprise me if it became the tourism capital of the country soon. How can I show that? Well, stay tuned because this article will tell you about the 15 best places to visit in Mindanao.
Mindanao: 2nd largest island in the Philippines
Dahilayan Forest Park
When everyone is in Mindanao, it’s not hard to keep them all on their toes. Just take them to Dahilayan Forest Park, and you’ll all be having fun in no time. This park in Manolo Fortich is the best place for kids and adults of all ages to play.
On-site activities include mini-golf, a forest luge ride, go-karts, and bumper boats. There are also places to stay. No matter how big or small your group is, you can all go to this place. The Zorb, the Barrel Train, the Monkey Tree Challenge, and the Bungee Bounce & Net Trampoline are some of the other things to do.
Philippine Eagle Centre
The Philippine Eagle Centre is an 8-hectare wildlife breeding center in Davao City that is home to the only captive eagles in the country. It is home to the Philippine Eagle, a bird species that is so rare that it is on the verge of extinction. From huge aviaries to smaller cages for other native birds, the world-class park has enclosures and towering aviary duplexes that look like those in Singapore Zoo.
This wildlife shelter is home to both macaques and crocodiles, as well as eagles. The Philippine Eagle Centre has been teaching people about how important it is to keep carbon and its habitat safe for more than 20 years. At the wildlife center, there is a free tour with a guide and talks about eagles.
Guests can ask for a falconry show if they want to see raptors in action. The park also gives talks about its program to breed eagles in captivity and its current field research on the last wild eagles.
Island Garden City of Samal
The Island Garden City of Samal is the best place to go if you want sun, sand, and water. Some of Davao’s most beautiful beaches, like Samal Island and Talikud Island, are in this area. These places will definitely help you relax while giving you a great view of the ocean. It’s one of the best places to visit in Davao, and if you want a great beach trip, you shouldn’t miss it.
Philippines’ largest Mosque
Every Muslim traveler who plans to go to Mindanao should go to the Grand Mosque of Cotabato or the Sultan Haji Hasanal Bolkiah Mosque. These are the largest and most beautiful mosques in the Philippines.
It was built in 2011 and named for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is the Sultan and Prime Minister of Brunei as of 2021. This mosque, which looks like a palace and can hold at least 15,000 people, was built with money from the Sultan. It is the second-largest in Southeast Asia.
The Mosque was made by Palafox Architects, a well-known group of architects and city planners from the Philippines. Its minarets light up every night, and the tallest ones are up to 43 meters high. Pilots are said to have used this to help them find their way.
Cloud 9 in Siargao
The first! Ah, I don’t think there’s a better way to start this amazing list than by talking about Siargao Island, which is a paradise for surfers. People say that Siargao is the best place in the Philippines to surf. You haven’t yet learned how to surf? Don’t be afraid! You can learn to surf quickly because there are many places on the island where you can take lessons. Siargao is also great because it has been kept in great shape. The place isn’t as busy as some of the other islands in the country, so tourists can enjoy its beauty to the fullest.
CNN said that Cloud 9 on the island of Siargao was one of the best places to surf in the world. Cloud 9 is a tropical paradise with white-sand beaches, clear water the color of the sky, tide pools, caves, coves, corals, and much more.
Camiguin Island
As soon as you step foot on Camiguin, you’ll be able to see how full of things to do it is. Camiguin is known for its White Island, which is a long stretch of white sand bar surrounded by clear azure water. Camiguin is also known for the Catarman Church Ruins, the Sunken Cemetery, the Katibawasan Falls, and a lot of hot and cold springs.
Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park
Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park is the best nature trip you can take in Mindanao. The Compostela-Cateel Road goes through the park and can be used to get there. This protected paradise in Cateel, Davao Oriental, has the highest waterfall in the country at 1,110 feet (340 meters). On the 84 tiers that look like boulders, the waterfalls are a beautiful way. The eco-park is in the Aliwagwag Protected Landscape, which is home to the Philippine eagle and other endangered species.
Maria Cristina Falls
The Maria Cristina Falls, also called the Twin Falls, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Philippine history books. The 320-foot cascade is a beautiful sight in Iligan, which is also called the City of Majestic Waterfalls. The legend says that Maria and Cristina are beautiful twin sisters who both loved the same man.
70% of Mindanao’s electricity comes from Maria Cristina Falls. It is controlled by the National Power Corporation (NPC), which built a park next to the waterfalls called the National Power Nature Park. Guests can climb rocks and go on hikes. Because of the strong current, no one is allowed to swim.
You could also go to the Agus River and have a picnic. The park even has a restaurant and a cafe. You can ride a zipline if you want to get a rush of adrenaline. Then, take a walk through the Botanical and Zoological Garden to see crocodiles, monkeys, and ostriches up close.
Magpupungko Rock Pools
Magpupungko Rock Pools is a great place to jump off cliffs, swim, and look around. Most tourist accommodations are in General Luna, which is only a 45-minute motorbike ride away. Its shape is so beautiful that it’s hard to believe, but there is a catch. Magpupungko is sometimes closed to tourists, so make sure to check before you go. And before you go, you should decide what you like best because the area is different at low tide and high tide.
Immerse in history at Dapitan City
This small city in Zamboanga del Norte, in the northwest of the island of Mindanao, has a lot to tell visitors. Over a hundred years ago, Jose Rizal, who is known as the “National Hero” of the Philippines, was sent to Dapitan City by the Spanish colonizers because of his books. These books would later inspire Filipinos to fight for their country’s independence.
Exploring the Jose Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape and the Dapitan Heritage Zone is a great way to spend a day if you want to get a sense of what life was like in Mindanao when it was under Spanish rule and a look at Rizal’s last years. Most of them are also free.
Hinatuan Enchanted River
Next, we’ll talk about a place on the island of Mindanao that is really magical. The Hinatuan Enchanted River, also known as the Hinatuan Sacred River, confuses everyone who sees it and makes them fall in love with its natural beauty at the same time.
Somewhere in the jungles of Surigao del Sur, there is a deep spring river with clear blue water that comes out of the ground. From a technical point of view, it can’t be called a river for two reasons. First of all, it is a river with salt water. It goes into the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea. And second, it isn’t very long to be called a river. But the name of the river itself answers all of those questions because it really is charming.
What’s the best? The Hinatuan Enchanted River is more than just a place to look at. Visitors can also dive and swim in the river, in addition to taking beautiful photos. Remember that this tourist spot is a beautiful thing that nature made. Let’s do our part and keep it safe so that people in the future can still see it.
Zamboanga City
Due to its cute colonial buildings and other tourist attractions, Zamboanga City has been called one of the best reminders of the Spanish Colonial era. Not only that but seeing a pink-sand beach like the one on Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City is unique, out-of-the-box, more interesting, and beautiful because of the way the bright colors of the red corals blend with the white sand in a way that no other beach does.
Naked Island
If you really want to see a naked beach, you can go to Siargao. Like its name says, Naked Island has nothing on it. This tourist spot on the island of Mindanao is surrounded by nothing but white sand and blue water. There are no other things to get in the way of the 360-degree view of the island.
To get there, all you have to do is rent a boat from General Luna. It’s usually part of the three-island tour in Siargao, where you visit Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Daku Island.
Monastery of the Transfiguration, Malaybalay, Bukidnon
The Monastery of the Transfiguration is well-known for two things: the famous Monk’s Blend coffee and the beautiful church that Leandro Locsin designed. This Mindanao tourist spot is about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the center of Malaybalay. It is in a peaceful area with a view of the mountains.
The new monastery that Locsin designed is the only church in the country that looks like a pyramid. It is a holy place where Benedictine monks continue to live and pray because it is a monastery. The monks also grow and make Monk’s Blend coffee there, which is one of the best in the country. Most people who come here look for peace and quiet so they can think about their lives. You can also stay the night in the guest house if you want to go on a spiritual retreat.
Malagos Garden Resort
The Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City is an agri-tourism resort. It is a 12-hectare resort that has a lot of greenery and makes you feel like you are closer to nature. It is one of the best places to have fun in Davao because it has so many fun things to do, like skating, horseback riding, feeding animals, and picking vegetables.
Malagos Garden Resort is for families, couples, and groups of friends (called “barkadas”) who want to relax and get away from their everyday lives. The resort’s main 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.
Since it opened in 2017, the Chocolate Museum gives you a look at the history of the world-class homegrown cacao chocolate bar. At the Chocolate Laboratory, you can also try decorating your own chocolate bars. Then, at Chocolate Park, you can strike a pose in front of life-size statues of chocolates and cupcakes.
Guyam Island
Guyam Island, in contrast to Naked Island, has a lot of green plants for tourists to see. The only people who live there are the people who take care of the island. It has a sandy beach on one side and a rocky beach on the other. This palm tree-covered island is small enough that you can walk all the way around it in just a few minutes. On the beach, there are a few huts where you can chill out and enjoy your own company.
Relax in the highlands of Bukidnon
Bukidnon, which means “mountain dweller” in English, is right in the middle of Mindanao. It has one of the greenest horizons in the country. Once you get there, you are surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and the fresh air of the highlands.
There are free viewpoints all over the province of Bukidnon that offer breathtaking views. But if you want to enjoy local treats in peace, Muslim-friendly mountain or farm resorts and small cafes with beautiful views of Bukidnon are springing up like flowers in a field.
Tinuy-An Falls
People call this waterfall “The Little Niagara Falls of the Philippines” because it looks like a curtain. The waterfall has three (3) different levels, giving visitors a lot of space to explore. At the highest level of the falls, you can also ride a bamboo raft to get closer to the actual water drop.
The Tiny-An Falls is a great place to swim, dive, and go hiking. It also has a rich ecosystem with hundreds of different animal and plant species. What a lovely way to get us closer to nature, don’t you think?
Tawi Tawi
If you haven’t been to Bud Bongao or Bonggao Peak in Tawi Tawi, you can’t really say that you had a meaningful time there. Bud Bongao is known as a holy mountain in Tawi-Tawi because it is where people go to think and pray.
Daku Island
Daku Island is another beautiful place to visit in Mindanao. During the three-island-hopping tour in Siargao, most tourists eat lunch there. You can enjoy a delicious meal with the freshest seafood and a cool drink made from buko (coconut). Your Siargao guide will help you find the island’s best chef. You can ask the locals to cook you some fresh seafood, which you can then eat at a boodle fight. And unlike the other two beaches, Daku Island has a lot more things to do, like fishing and kayaking.
Chill by Lake Sebu, Cotabato
In this part of Mindanao, the municipality of Lake Cebu is a place for ecotourism. Between the Roxas-Matulas and Daguma mountain ranges, the town is 1,000 meters (over 3,000 feet) above sea level.
It is known as the home of the T’boli, the Severa, and other native groups. It also has three beautiful lakes and a beautiful ecosystem. Lake Cebu has a lot of things to do, but the most popular is the hike to Seven Falls and boating on any of the three lakes in the area. The T’boli Museum is also important because it shows the culture of the tribe. There are tours that include Seven Falls, the three lakes, and other things to do.
Panamanian Island
At 3 kilometers long, Panampangan Island in Tawi-Tawi has the longest sandbar in the Philippines. It is a 12-hectare stretch of white sand in the Celebes Sea. It is a quiet paradise with clear blue water and soft, powdery sand that makes you want to walk around barefoot.
Tawi-Tawi is the most southern province of the Philippines. It is in the Sulu archipelago in the southwest, between the Celebes Sea and the Sulu Sea. It is one of the most unusual places to go for sports in the country. Panamanian Island is without a doubt the most beautiful place to visit in the Philippines.
It is surrounded by turquoise water, and it is full of lush greenery and tall coconut trees that provide enough shade. During low tide, the sandbar extends far out to its neighboring islet, known as Baseball.
Camiguin
Camiguin used to be a less popular place to visit, but now it is one of the most popular places in the Philippines. This island province has become very popular because there are so many places to visit that look good on Instagram. From its perfect beaches and jaw-dropping waterfalls to its beautiful underwater world, Camiguin is the ultimate goal that every “grammar” tries to reach. Camiguin is without a doubt one of the best places to visit in Northern Mindanao.
Malamawi Island
Malamawi Island is also called “Basilan’s Hidden Paradise” for a good reason. It is a tropical paradise with a long stretch of white-sand beaches and turquoise waters full of marine life. It is, in fact, one of the Philippines’ most beautiful beaches.
Malamawi Island is not as busy as some of the other beaches and islands in the country. But a number of resorts have been built on the island for a number of years, so you can expect to find a lot of rooms and cottages when you visit.
When you go to Malamawi Island, the best part is that it seems like you have the whole island to yourself. You can clearly and loudly hear the waves crashing, the leaves rustling, and the birds chirping. Before you go back to the noise and chaos of the city, nothing beats a day or two of peace and quiet, right?
Sugba Lagoon
The Sugba Lagoon in Siargao is another place that tourists must see when they are in the Caraga Region. It is a popular place to dive because the view is great and the water is turquoise. If diving isn’t your thing, you can snorkel, paddle board, or just take pictures in the area. Sugba Lagoon is a great place to be no matter what.
How to get there: From General Luna, it takes about an hour and a half to get to Sugba Lagoon by boat. From Del Carmen, it takes about an hour to get there by boat.
Conclusion
The Philippines, whose official name is the Republic of the Philippines, is an island country in the western Pacific Ocean, on an archipelago off the southeast coast of Asia. Area: 114,145 sq mi (295,633 sq km). Population: (2022 est.) 112,917,000. Manila is the country’s capital. Other government offices and ministries are in Quezon City and other cities near Manila. Most Filipinos are descended from Malay people, but many also have Chinese, American, or Spanish roots.
Filipino (also called Pilipino) and English are the official languages. Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, and Bicol are the other main language groups. Christians (mostly Roman Catholics, but also Protestants and other Christians) and Muslims. Money in the Philippines: piso (peso). About 7,100 islands and small islands make up the Philippines. Luzon is the largest island in the north, and Mindanao is the largest island in the south. The Visayan group is in the middle of the Philippines, Mindoro is right next to Luzon to the south, and Palawan is all by itself in the west.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 2nd Largest Island in The Philippines
What are the two 2 biggest islands of the current Philippines?
Manila is the capital, but Quezon City, which is close by, is the most populated city in the country. Both are in Metro Manila, which is part of the National Capital Region and is on Luzon, the largest island. Mindanao is in the southeast of the Philippines. It is the second largest island in the country.
How many islands are in the Philippines?
The Republic of the Philippines is in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. It is made up of about 7,640 islands, of which about 2,000 are inhabited and make up an archipelago.
How many islands do the Philippines have in 2022?
The Philippines is one of the most naturally diverse places you can go. The Southeast Asian archipelago is made up of a huge number of islands—7,641 to be exact. It is near the equator in the Pacific Ocean.
What is the smallest province in the Philippines?
Batanes is called the Land of the Real Insulars. The Province of Batanes is an island group in the Philippines. It is in the Cagayan Valley region. It is the northernmost and smallest province in the Philippines, both in terms of population and size of land area.
What is the largest province in the Philippines?
Palawan is a province on an island in the MIMAROPA area of the Philippines. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it covers the most land area of any province in the country. From Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest, Palawan is made up of many islands.
What is Leyte known for?
The province is home to the beautiful Kalanggaman Island with its white powdery sand beach, the longest bridge in the country, and a historical World War II site. Leyte is also a great place to go diving, see waterfalls, and visit more beautiful beaches. When it comes to places to visit, Leyte has a lot to offer.
Which country has the highest number of islands?
The website worldatlas.com says that Sweden has the most islands in the world, with 221,800. Most of these islands are uninhabited, though. Even Stockholm, the capital, is built on a group of 14 islands connected by more than 50 bridges.
How many islands are on the earth?
The world has about 900,000 official islands. The world has about 900,000 official islands. Each country has its own set of rules about what makes a piece of land an official island. This number is made up of all the islands that are officially counted in each country.
Why the Philippines is a beautiful country?
The country has many beautiful beaches, sunny weather, and a lot of different kinds of wildlife. More than that, many people want to visit the Philippines because of its unique and complex culture, which is shown by its people, food, and way of life.
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