Springs & Ruins

Ardent Hot Spring

The mountainsides of Camguin Island are brimming with hot and cold springs where locals and tourists alike go for a different kind of bathing experience. The most popular hot spring is Ardent Hot Spring. The place has several pools of different temperatures, and the common go-to for most people is the one with the hottest temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius. The resort is dotted with huts and tables. We spent a couple hours with some locals and one other tourist.

Nino Cold Spring

While the Ardent Hot Spring’s hottest pool is about 40 degrees, Nino’s coldest is around 20 degrees. It has one big pool for adults and one smaller pool for children. The big pool measures 25 x 40 meters with a depth of about 1 to 2 meters. The kiddie pool is a shallower, smaller version fed by a series of terraces overflowing from the big pool. The crystal clear waters are irresistible on a hot afternoon. We know because we spent a few hours here, beating the heat and enjoying lunch with local folks.

Sunken Cemetery

As its name implies, this burial ground is located beneath the waves off the northwestern shore of Camiguin Island. Its spot is marked by a large cross. The story of the Sunken Cemetery can be traced back to the 1800s when Mount Vulcan was still an active volcano. It first erupted in 1827, followed by a second outburst in 1862. However, its third eruption in 1871 was the most destructive, causing the cemetery to sink beneath the waves. And it sank even deeper when Vulcan erupted once again in the 1960s. Following this most recent event, the local government erected a large cross on the site to mark the burial ground’s location. The locals of Camiguin head to the nearby shore every November 1st to offer flowers and wreaths to commemorate their ancestors who now rest underwater.

Old Spanish Church and Century Tree

The original church on this site dates back to the 16th century while the Philippines was under Spanish occupation. It was destroyed on May 13, 1871 when Mount Vulcan erupted and buried the entire town along with much of the rest of the island. Right beside the ruins is a huge tree that is also ancient, perhaps even older than the actual church, stronger and more resilient than the man-made structures beside it.