Davao, Philippines Revisited - Sep 2009

Created by sue. Last modified on 2009-09-13 09:37:10
Countries: Philippines

I returned to Davao, Mindanao in August (as my chosen clearance port for my return south to Australia) and again anchored off Santa Anna Wharf.

A rather uncomfortable lee shore anchorage and a little dangerous with a .5-1m SW swell and SW winds, so I moved east towards the top of Samal Island looking for a better longer term anchorage. I found one! In fact, I used one of two complimentary moorings belonging to Camp Holiday Resort, located close to the Kinawitnon RoRo Vehicle Ferry Wharf on Samal Is.

Camp Holiday is very yacht friendly. They welcome yachts to use their finger jetty to land their dinghy, allow the use of their outdoor toilet and shower blocks, provide town water from a tap in their grounds and have a good variety of Filipino food (also beer, soft drinks and take-away ice) at very reasonable prices at their garden restaurant - their cook is good!

The Holiday Group also owns and operates the neighboring RoRo Ferry service to/from Davao City (Agdao Wharf located at km 11 on the road to Sasa) and an associated optional bus service which will take you between Santa Anna Wharf, at the southern end of Davao City and Kinawitnon Wharf, Samal for 25P each way (including the 10P ferry fare). Service is frequent with from 1 to 4 ferries operating from 05:30 in the morning to 23:30 in the evening. Their buses go further on Samal to serve Babak to the north or to other places to the south and west. Also, the ubiquitous habal-habal (sit on the back of a motorcycle) services will take you anywhere you want to visit on Samal Island.

On the western side of the Kinawitnon Ferry Wharf there is a concrete ramp and ship haul out facility also owned by the Holiday Group and used primarily to repair/service their ferries. I used their ramp to beach my catamaran to do some repairs and anti-foul the bottom. Another cat was craned out onto a concrete hard-stand and blocked up to do some under-deck repairs. Again, Holiday management was very welcoming and helpful.

Most interesting news is that the Holiday Group is currently building a new resort and modern marina a few miles NE of Camp Holiday at the northern tip of Samal Island. It is expected to be operating early 2010.

Some other useful facts:-
US$1=50P, AU$1= 40P (approx)
Samal Isl, Camp Holiday Finger Jetty Location – 07d 07.38mN, 125d 40.31mE (approx)
Samal Isl., New Holiday Marina Location – 07d 11.94mN, 125d, 42.74mE (approx)

John Macey
sv Andiamo IV, Sep 2009

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Previous Article by John Macey (5 October 2006)