I OFTEN wondered how a group of nine islands and islets in the middle of Davao Gulf got its name as the Island Garden City of Samal. I thought it was named after the fruit garden or the flower garden that the city must probably have. I was wrong.

Beach at Discovery Samal

Jonathan Engbino, a licensed tourist guide and an expert on the Davao Region, explained that the garden refers to the rich coral garden that Davao Gulf once had. Years of abuse from dynamite and cyanide fishing reduced the corals to a fraction of what they were before. Davao Gulf is also regarded as one of the most diverse marine habitats for toothed whales, sea cows, dolphins and sea turtles. But the bad fishing habits of the past have also driven these sea creatures away from the gulf.

Sasa wharf Glass Chapel at Discovery Samal Vanishing Island Local marang fruit Pool at Discovery Samal Fruit bats at Monfort Vanishing Island Blue Bird View Deck Sunset view at Discovery Villas at Discovery Samal Beach at Discovery Samal

The creation of the Island Garden City of Samal or IGaCoS on Jan. 30, 1998, through the merger of three municipalities of Samal, Babak and Kaputian, has appointed itself as the protector of the Davao Gulf, ensuring that the rich "garden" it once had will soon return.

IGaCoS is a component city of Davao del Sur, but its proximity to Davao City has allowed it to be part of the Metropolitan Davao City area. With over 34 registered resorts scattered all over its 301-square kilometer area now less than an hour from Davao City, Samal has become the largest resort city in the Philippines.

Aratiles lane at Monfort Bat Colony

Getting there

Samal can be accessed through Davao City, about an hour and a half by plane from Manila. Upon arrival in Davao City, take a taxi to KM11 in Sasa Wharf, the main entry point to Samal Island. The regular barge takes both passengers (P20 barge fee) and vehicles to Babak Port in Samal Island. Travel time is about 10 minutes. The barge fee for lightweight vehicles is about P500.

Another wharf, Sta. Ana, is where smaller boats directly to Kaputian can be taken. Alternatively, a bus from Davao Ecoland goes straight to Kaputian via Sasa Wharf.

Big resorts like Discovery Samal and Pearl Farm have their own private jetty ports in Davao City where their visitors can park and ride.

Beach at Discovery Samal

Inland tours and island hopping

Samal has about 120 kilometers of well-paved circumferential roads, and the best way to explore its attractions is to bring a car and drive. But for those coming from Manila, the alternative is to rent a "bao-bao" (a three-wheeler) with a driver-guide for about P2,000 the whole day.

Must-visit places include Monfort Bat Sanctuary, home to the largest single colony of Rousette fruit bats in the world, according to Guinness World Records; the Sanipaan Marine Park or Vanishing Island; the centuries-old Balete tree inside the school at Balete Park; the cliff diving site at Sabang;and the island's most popular beach resort at Kaputian Beach Park where a well-preserved body of a sea cow or "dugong" can be viewed.

Centruries-old balete tree at Balete Park

A whole-day island-hopping tour starts at Sta. Ana wharf where guests assemble and are taken to several spots including Wishing Island, Pearl Farm area, Nonoy Starfish, the Taklobo site, and the Coral Garden area that is slowly coming back to life.

No tour of Samal is complete without trying their local products. The island is now home to the sweetest mango in Mindanao, comparable to the Guimaras variety, and is now one of the biggest exports from the island. The island is also home to the tastiest durian, which according to the guide at Monfort, is a product of bats that play a very important role in cross-pollinating the island's high-value crops. Samal also has the juiciest mangosteen and marang.

Your guide is also your best source of where to get delicious but affordable meals. During our visit, our guide took us to the best-tasting native lechon manok that cost us only P250 a whole chicken.

Monfort Bat Colony

World-class resorts

Pearl Farm Beach Resort, a pioneering beach resort in Samal Island, with cottages and activity centers designed by Bobby Manosa, have rooms intricately decorated with the rich palettes of southern Mindanao. It was once an actual pearl farm, where precious pearls were nurtured and cultivated. And it now offers a relaxing vacation by the sea.

Recently opened in July 2023, is the 5-star luxury resort Discovery Samal. It has 153 lavish villas and plush accommodations, four intimate meeting rooms, and one big convention center that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. It also has three swimming pools, and a glass chapel that overlooks the majestic Mount Apo.

For those on a budget, there are 30 more resorts spread all over the island. Whether you are staying at a luxury resort or at a hostel, Samal allows you to find your piece of paradise on this little corner of Davao Gulf to become a witness to its coral garden as it slowly comes back to life.