Fast Facts:
Lying in the Sulu Sea, 3km west of Negros Occidental, Danjugan Island (1.5km by 0.5km) rises steeply to 80m and is covered in rainforest - home to a nesting pair of sea eagles, rare pigeons and doves, threatened Tabon scrubfowls and coconut crabs, fruit and insect bats and many other wildlife species that struggle to exist in the
mainland.
There are five lagoons: three landlocked and two flooded at high tide and colonised by coral and reef fish species.
Danjugan is fringed with turtle-nesting beaches and surrounded by diverse coral reefs.
Danjugan is a small island of approximately 43 hectares, measuring approximately 1.5km long with a maximum width of 0.5km. The islands lies in the Sulu Sea adjacent to Negros Occidental (Barangay Bulata, Cauayan) in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. It has a high relief topography with limestone hills approximately 80m in height covered in tropical forest and is surrounded by fringing coral reef, a combination of two of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world. The total area of island and reef is approximately 200 hectares.
Danjugan has five lagoons, two of which are open to the sea and four of which have surrounding mangrove stands. The island has a broken shoreline with numerous inlets of coral rubble and coarse sandy beaches. One of the sandy beaches is a confirmed nesting site for green turtles (Chelonia mydas). There is no permanent freshwater on the island.
Danjugan is one of the few small islands in the Philippines with relatively unspoilt vegetation. This vegetation includes plants like Pandanus spp. (screw pines), Veitchia merrilii (previously only known to occur in Palawan) and the threatened Pemphis acidula. The sub-tropical rainforest is an important bird nesting and feeding site for at least 55 resident and migrant avifauna species. The small limestone caves throughout the island act as important refuges of at least six bat species.
The island is completely encircled by fringing coral reef descending to a depth of approximately 30m. Seagrass beds occur along the western and eastern margin of the island. Prior to this report very little was known concerning the physical and biological composition of the reef system surrounding Danjugan (PRRP, 1996).
Getting There
Danjugan Island is located off Barangay Bulata in the Municipality of Cauayan, 151 kilometers from the City of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, the latter a 50-minute plane ride from Metro Manila, Philippines. Transport options include flying commercially from Manila to Bacolod City, then renting a private car or taking a public bus (Ceres Bus Liner) to the village of Bulata, a 30-minute banca (boat with outrigger) ride to the Island.
Day Stay
Price: Php 1,500* per person
Inclusions:
Food. Lunch and 2 snacks
Boat transfers. From the mainland to the island and back
Trekking & Snorkelling Guide.
Unlimited use of kayak. First come, first serve basis.
Unlimited use of binoculars for birdwatching. First come, first serve basis.
Overnight Stay
Price: Php 2,500* per person per night
Inclusions:
Eco-cabana accommodation. See accommodation & facilities section for description
Food. 3 main meals and 2 snacks per day
Boat transfers. From the mainland to the island and back
Boat tour. Go around the island on your the first day
Trekking & Snorkelling Guide.
Unlimited use of kayak. First come, first serve basis.
Unlimited use of binoculars for birdwatching. First come, first serve basis.
For reservations, visitwww.prrcf.org/about_danjugan Danjugan Island - Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
Thanks to Jomi Garrucho for the photos!!!