One of the most popular tourist attractions in the Mindanao island of Camiguin is Medano Islet, popularly known as White Island. This island is actually just a sandbar with fine white sand (hence the name) and its shape changes with the constantly-shifting currents. In fact, what you can see in the high-res satellite imagery (and in the thumbnail) are two curves forming a sort of McDo-style ‘M’. Zoom out in Google Maps until you see the default low-resolution Landsat satellite imagery and you can now see a large inverted ‘C’.
White Island is located off the coast of Mambajao, Camiguin. Most online sources say that it is located 2 kilometers away from either Barangay Agoho or Barangay Yumbing, but Google Maps places it at a closer 1.5 kilometers. (Maybe the island has shifted closer to land?) Anyway, the island can be reached via a short boat ride from Yumbing. The suggested itinerary is to go to the island in the morning and during low tide so that more of the sand is exposed. The island does not completely submerge at high tide but it’s more dangerous then.
Photo by Bing Ramos. (CC)
The island is uninhabited and is devoid of vegetation. Travel guides advise that those with sensitive skin avoid going to the island since there is no shade, but I think the boat people can put up temporary shelters as shown by this photo. Well, if you zoom in in Google Maps enough, you can see what appears to be tent structures all over the southern part of the island.
From Camiguin, White Island looks like a white sheet of paper floating on the blue sea. The island is also very picturesque, having the majestic Mount Hibok-Hibok as its backdrop. Interestingly, it appears that White Island is the only place in Camiguin having (off) white sand beaches since the beaches on Camiguin itself have gray volcanic sand.
Download KML file (for Google Earth)
5 people have responsed to “White Island (Camiguin)”
one of most beautiful philippines travel destinations in the country and pride of mindanao.
It’s amazing how the islet looks like from above…
Hi,
This is Gladys Arañez and I’m one of the volunteers for Design Against The Elements. We are asking for your support to please help us spread our message in raising awareness re: Philippine Climate Adaptability Challenge. Please take time to visit the links below and please post comments and ratings. Below also is a message from our Executive Director, Illac Diaz.
Feel free to ask questions. You can reach me on my email: gladys_79@yahoo.com
Many, many thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCxhqROh8q4
http://www.spot.ph/2009/11/09/marc-abaya-karl-roy-lead-musicians-in-a-song-about-climate-change/
Climate change is real. Addressing climate change requires a mix of mitigation and adaptation. This requires more mitigation for industrialized countries and more adaptation for developing countries.
This can be translated into one simple scenario : While the industrialized world continues to send up tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere, whether or not we blur the amounts through carbon credits,
hopes are fading for those who will be receiving the sharp end of the Damocles sword; the developing world. The urgency is to realize that this is not going to stop at 350 ppm, or even double at 600 ppm, the Philippines has to realize that despite all the petitions and feel good campaigns of dreams for a climate stabilized world, real solutions need to be done. We have to get to the part where we learn
to start dealing with this. The country is located right beside the warmest parts of the ocean that is in the perfect storm of vulnerable coastlines, intense winds, and an observation of growing dumping of
large amounts of rain. We need to live in a world where climate will hit the poorest of the poor first, regardless of where they live, it will test our resiliency as a city, as a village, as a community, and
specially as a people. This song is dedicated to the awareness that dealing with one ONDOY is not the victory, but a climate of change will be the battle of this generation.
Illac Diaz
Executive Director
Design Against The Elements
I plan to visit the island some time. I hope I can save up more money for that fun-filled vacation. I really can’t wait anymore. Hope to spend it with someone too. Haha.
Breathtaking beach. I can’t wait to explore this island soon
http://www.weekendhaven.com