There was a knock on the door. It was Arvee, a Punta Bulata staff, informing us that the boat had just arrived, ready to pick us up.

“Are you sure it’s safe to go now?” The rain seemed to be getting heavier and the waves stronger. Honestly, my two friends Celine and Ronnie and I had been having second thoughts. We were not sure whether we wanted to brave the downpour and the waves to go to Danjugan Island. But we figured that the 4 hours of travel time from Bacolod to Cauayan would be pointless if we chose not to push through with our daytrip. But as it would turn out, we would miss so much had we chosen otherwise. Our visit to Danjugan Island was the highlight and the most memorable part of our Negros Occidental trip.

Getting to Danjugan Island

We were welcomed by one of the boatmen, Kuya Allan, as we climb onto the boat. Despite the threatening waves, Kuya Allan was confident it was safe to travel to Danjugan Island. We made ourselves comfortable on the boat as we started our trip to the marine reserve. The boat ride alone would prove to be the most unforgettable. IT WAS INSANE!!! It felt like the sea was playing with us. The waves were powerful and many times we thought our boat would capsize. We were screaming most of the time. Haha. The boatmen was taking good care of us but they couldn’t help laughing at how we reacted to each big wave that would slap our boat (and many times, our faces).

Soon enough, our fear became excitement and we began asking for more and bigger, stronger waves. The boat ride was like an attraction at a theme park. Move over Enchanted Kingdom; this was miles better than Anchors Away.

Aside from the waves, one thing that made the boat ride to Danjugan Island extremely unforgettable was the magnificent view. It gave us a sneak peek of what was in store for us on the island. We saw pockets of white beaches and several colorful birds flying around. We also noticed a flying fish that would emerge from the waves, fly a short distance, and then dive again. I had seen many flying fish before but this one was bright blue with a dash of other colors. That alone made my day.

Danjugan Island Learning Center: History and Biological Facts about Danjugan Island

After about 15 minutes, we reached Danjugan Island and we were excitedly welcomed by Benj Casipe, Island Manager and Marine Reserve Superintendent at Danjugan Island. Benj was very friendly, accommodating and incredibly funny — everything you’d want in your guide. To our surprise, we were the only tourists at the time. The only human beings in the island were us and a few island staff. It was like we rented the entire island that day! It was like we owned it for a day!

Every tourist who visits the island needs to attend a short briefing. Benj discussed the history of the island as well as its amazing, diverse wildlife. He also briefed us quickly on our itinerary that day.

Here are some facts about Danjugan Island that we learned from Benj.

• Colorful History. It seems like colorful is a word that can be used to describe not just the island’s physical properties but also its history. Benj said that before the island was managed by Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc (PPRCFI), it was almost in the hands of destruction. People used to inhabit the island and they were starting to abuse the island’s various resources. The inhabitants started a somewhat lime factory. At the time, a group of scuba divers would pay the inhabitants to allow them to see the underwater paradise. The breaking point was when the divers learned that the inhabitants were planning to cut down one of the island’s tallest trees, the one that was home to several species of eagles. That was when the group of divers decided to take action and make sure that the island is protected. It’s a long story but suffice it to say that in 1994 they bought the island and it is now in good hands.
• Five lagoons. The island harbors five lagoons, three of which are land-locked. These lagoons are easy to explore and many species of corals and fish have found home in them.
• Diverse Wildlife. Although famous as a marine reserve, the island is also covered in thick (very, very thick) rainforest. You know forests that seem to be impossible to get around in, that’s exactly like it. That said, the island boasts of 72 species of birds including sea eagles and the Tabon scrub fowls and 10 species of bats. You can also see several species of other animals like coconut crabs and snakes.
• Diving Paradise. The island is surrounded by healthy coral reefs and sea grass. Expect to see a wide array of marine lifeforms such as fish (including small sharks), turtles and giant clams. In fact, scientists have recorded 579 species of fish and 244 species of corals in the island. The best part is that you don’t need to be a scuba diver to see these precious living gems. You can see many of them even when just snorkeling.
• Solar-powered. There is no electricity and running water in the island. Solar power is harnessed for lights and water was being delivered from the mainland.
• Location. Danjugan Island is located 3km west of Negros Occidental, in Sulu Sea.

These are just some of the fascinating facts we learned about the island in that short briefing session. But the best part was experiencing these! We were able to see that Avatar-reminiscent tree that triggered the protection of the whole island, explore the lagoons, and see the animals up close and personal. Check out this post to read more about our experience at Danjugan Island: Exploring Danjugan Island.

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