Travel Tip: How to Get to Dinagat Islands

Dinagat Islands is one of the newest provinces in the Philippines. It used to be part of the province of Surigao del Norte until it officially became an independent province in 2011, making it the country's 80th province. It's a group of islands constituting a province located on the south side of Leyte Gulf. Leyte is to its west, across Surigao Strait, Mindanao is to its south and Pacific Ocean is to its east.

The Province of Dinagat Islands is composed of seven municipalities namely Dinagat, Loreto, Cagdianao, Libjo (Albor), Basilisa (Rizal), Tubajon and the capital town of San Jose. Among the seven towns, the Municipality of Dinagat is the oldest community, established in 1855.

HOW TO GET TO SAN JOSE, DINAGAT ISLAND FROM SURIGAO CITY

The Province of Dinagat Islands can be reached by ferry boat coming from Surigao City, the capital of Surigao del Norte. It is the closest jump-off point to the province with travel time of about 1 - 1.5 hours depending on the sea conditions. Boats and Ferries bound for San Jose (the capital town of Dinagat) leave as early as 5:30 AM from the port in the boulevard of Surigao City, next trip is around 9:00 AM and the last trip departs in the early afternoon at around 2:00 PM. Fare is 100 pesos from Surigao City to San Jose.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to take the boat bound for San Jose not Dinagat as there is another municipality named Dinagat south of San Jose.

HOW TO GET TO SURIGAO CITY

By Air: Philippine Airlines/PAL Express and Cebu Pacific Air has regular flights to Surigao City from Manila or Cebu.

By Sea: Cokaliong Shipping Lines and 2GO SHipping Lines has regular ferry trips to Surigao City from Cebu, Maasin in Leyte or Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte.

Dinagat Islands is composed of hundreds of breathtaking Islands and Islets waiting to be discovered and explored by interpid travelers. Enjoy your trip to Dinagat Islands!

This is part of my Dinagat Islands adventure that happened on August 18-19, 2012. Dinagat Islands is the 75th province on my list.

• TRAVEL TIP: How to Get to Dinagat Islands
• Exploring San Jose in the Province of Dinagat Islands
• Where to Stay in Dinagat Islands: Rose Pink Lodge

More photos on Pinoy AdvenTurista's Facebook Page, click here.