Balut and Sarangani Islands

The Southernmost Islands Of The Philippines A Volcano, Hot Springs And A People Whose Relatives Live In Indonesia · Sarangani, Davao Occidental

BALUT AND SARANGANI ARE THE SOUTHERNMOST ISLANDS OF THE PHILIPPINES, CLOSER TO INDONESIA THAN TO MOST OF MINDANAO, and the Sangir people who live on them have relatives across the water in the Sangihe islands - the border is a line on a map through a single community. BALUT IS A VOLCANO. Mount Balut rises out of the sea and the island has HOT SPRINGS AND FUMAROLES on its flanks, black-sand coves, and a coast that almost nobody has photographed. THE JOURNEY IS THE OBSTACLE: IT IS SEVERAL HOURS BY BOAT FROM GENERAL SANTOS, weather-dependent, with no airstrip and almost no accommodation. THE PROVINCE ITSELF IS NEW - DAVAO OCCIDENTAL WAS ONLY CREATED IN 2013 - and has close to no tourism infrastructure of any kind. This is a row for people who want to stand at the bottom of the country and are prepared to work for it. Arrange accommodation before travelling, carry cash because there is effectively no banking, and build spare days, because being stuck for several is a normal outcome.

Balut and Sarangani Islands, Davao Occidental, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Philippines

BALUT AND SARANGANI ARE REACHED BY BOAT FROM GENERAL SANTOS OR GLAN, SEVERAL HOURS AND ENTIRELY WEATHER-DEPENDENT - there is no airstrip and the sailings are not frequent. THERE IS NO GATE ANYWHERE and almost no visitor infrastructure; ACCOMMODATION IS A HANDFUL OF SIMPLE LODGINGS AND HOMESTAYS and should be arranged before travelling. THE HOT SPRINGS AND FUMAROLES on Balut are reached on foot with local guides; MOUNT BALUT IS AN ACTIVE VOLCANO and the upper slopes are not a casual walk. CARRY CASH - there is effectively no banking - AND CARRY SUPPLIES. CROSSINGS ARE CANCELLED IN ROUGH WEATHER and being stuck for days is a normal outcome. Check current travel advice for the wider region before planning.

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