Surigao’s Best Tourist Destination: Britania Group of Islands in Surigao del Sur

Our trip to Britania Group of Islands is not planned. We just know that we want to go to Britania and because it was holy week, we have the time to make it happen. My wife and I love nature trips and outdoor adventures so we packed our bags and decided to bring our 9-month old baby for a family adventure.

 We were totally unprepared that we didn’t even know the road to Surigao. So we downloaded Waze, an app that gives specific directions from current location to desired venue, to help us get to Britania. The night before our trip, we bought snacks and drinks because Surigao is a long travel from Davao. So excited about going to Surigao, I remember one of my officemates telling me to visit Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River. These are the most visited tourist spots in Surigao del Sur so when I searched the location of Tinuy-an Falls, I was so excited to know that it’s just along the route.

Travel time from Davao City to San Agustin Surigao del Sur is 6-7 hours so we decided to travel as early as 5:00 AM. I woke up at 4:00 AM to load all the stuff in the car that we need for the trip. The trip is very challenging for me because it’s my first time to drive long distance.

Our first stop was in Nabunturan, ComVal Province –an hour and 30 minute drive to fetch our companions. We immediately drove our way to Mangagoy, Surigao del Sur where the Tinuy-an Falls is located. Nabunturan to Mangagoy was just 2 hours away via Cuevas Trento Picop road. The road was bumpy and only 80 to 90% of it was cemented. Tinuy-an Falls is 18 Kilometers away from Mangagoy Main Road.

TINUY-AN FALLS

Tinuy-an Falls is a must-visit spot. From the entrance, we could already hear the strong flow of water. The falls is wide enough to look like a very big washing machine (haha). The flowing water is clear and the surrounding is still very green. You could really say that the locals have taken so much effort to preserve the beauty of the place even when thousands of people visit the place almost everyday.

We had our lunch in Tinuy-an. Our companions from Nabunturan brought adobo, rice, & grilled fish. Stalls along the entrance area also have food to offer so you need not worry if you are not prepared. After lunch, we climbed to the edge of the falls which require you to pay 50 pesos for the guide. After having fun at the top, we had fun swimming and also tried to ride the “balsa” which brought us close to the water falling from the falls. Riding the balsa costs 150 pesos. We left Tinuy-an at 4:00pm to go to Hinatuan where we had our overnight stay.

Britania Group of Islands

We woke up at 5:00am to travel from Hinatuan to Britania. We passed by the road going to Enchanted River but because we have already been there; we decided to skip it for now as we also heard that the river is already jam-packed by tourists. Few minutes before getting to Britania, we dropped by at a common stopover area where you could take photos of Britania’s group of islands. You could actually take a selfie and make use of the view as your background.

Because we were not prepared, we were so happy to meet a tourist guide for island hopping in the stopover area. He helped us get to Britania and assisted us for our island hopping. We were introduced to Oasis Rest House which offered us their island hopping service for 1,500. The islands that we really landed were Hagonoy Island, Naked Island, and Boslon Island.

Surigao Britania Islands Itinerary

Davao City to Tinuy-an Falls Mangagoy

Day 1:

-       4:00 Am Wake-Up Call

-       5:00 AM Travel Time

-       7:00 AM Break Fast at Nabunturan ComVal

-       7:15 AM to 10:00 AM Travel to Mangagoy

-       10:00 AM – 10:30 AM House of Doll Mangagoy Overview Restaurant

-       11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Tinuy-an Falls

-       3:00 PM- 5:00 PM Enchanted River Hinatuan Surigao del Sur

-       5:00 PM Hinatuan Sleep Over

Day 2:

-       5:00 Am Wake-Up Call to Britania, San Agustin Surigao

-       6:00 Am Travel Time

-       8:00 AM Stop over to Britania Deck View

-       8:30 AM Britania

-       9:00 Am to 3:00 PM Island Hopping

-       4:00 PM Travel to Davao City

-       9:00 PM Home Sweet Home

Expenses:

-       Gasoline Php: 2,000

-       Food (Good for 5) Php 2000

-       Pump Boat Php 1500

-       House Rental Php1500

-       Tinuy-an Falls Entrance Php 50

-       Britania Environmental Fee Php 25

Approximately Php 10,000 for 5-8 People

If you have questions please put it on the comment Box.