Things to do in Samal Island in May

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Overview

May is a good time to visit Samal Island.

Samal Island has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your May trip to Samal Island. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to May. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

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Best events and things to do in Samal Island in May

Top experiences in May
We couldn't find any experiences in May
Holidays in Samal Island in May
May
  • Labor Day (May 1)
  • Eid al-Adha (May 2728)
Other notable holidays
  • Maundy Thursday (April 2)
  • Good Friday (April 3)
  • Black Saturday (April 4)
  • Black Saturday (April 4)
  • Easter Sunday (April 5)
  • The Day of Valor (April 9)
  • Independence Day (June 12)
  • Amun Jadid (June 17)
  • Founding Anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo (July 27)
  • Ninoy Aquino Day (August 21)
  • Maulid un-Nabi (August 26)
  • National Heroes Day (August 31)
  • All Saints' Day (November 1)
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Best attractions for Samal Island in May

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Samal Island has to offer for travelers in May, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Samal Island that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Samal Island for May.
Hagimit Falls
1. Hagimit Falls
4.2
(503)
Nature & Parks
Nature preserve
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Very nice! 😍 Cool, clear and refreshing fresh water. Stunning view and an overall great place. Space for eating and there are shower area and CR available. Absolutely worth the visit. The kids loved it, and so did we adults. 👍 Great tip; get there early, preferably on a weekday, then there'll be less people "in the way" if you want to shoot great photos. Enjoy, and thank you for the experience! ❤️
It's just me again. Just a blue-collar guy. Full disclosure I did this wrong. I have to say I went to the falls thinking it would be a great sight to see. BUT I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT food and made a day of it. Its pretty, lots of pools to swim in, and tables to sit at but there is a fee. 150-300php. This is separate from the entrance fee. 150php each. This would be great for a family. Please be sure to know there is a steep staircase down to the falls.
This is one of those off-the-beaten path places that visitors to Samal Island must absolutely experience. The waters are cool and the closeness to nature can be felt by your senses. Hagimit Falls is not a location that is artificial, or excessively commercialised. Your tour guid really has to know the road to get here. When you arrive at the parking area, the falls at the bottom of a series of scissoring stairs that go to cascading pools. Keep in mind that these falls are on private property, so visitors have to pay an entrance fee. Apparently, not all pools are acessible since some pools are on other properties whose owners have restricted access to. There are guides there that will help you with your bags and take some creative pictures of your visit to the falls. They do expect a tip for their services. The guide who took pictires for us was Benjie. He was informative to talk to and had fun ideas for pictures at the falls. Make sure you bring water socks or water shoes to keep your step steady.
Paid PHP 50.00 environmental fee and PHP 150.00 registration fee. There's a 5-min steep stairs going down from the registration area to the actual falls. You can bring food and drinks and eat them beside the pool areas. They have multiple sections with varying depths. Natural water flows in the falls so it's very cold.
A lovely place to spend a few hours. Clean waterfall in the jungle. There are people making their business there tasking photos, videosand selling food and drink. In my opinion there was no pressure and it was a lovely, fun, relaxing experience
It was about 150 steps one way down and another 150 back up so be careful if you tore easily or have health issues. This spot seems nice for local weekend activity with friends and family.
Really enjoyed my trip here. It's open to the public again. It's 150php entry and they give you a guide - not sure if you need one but they are volunteers so I'd recommend taking one and tipping well. The waterfalls, lagoons and area in general are very beautiful. Well worth a visit!
quite a few people actually but we got a place. a bit cold in the water but it's refreshing. plenty of parking and cheap. long stairs down to the waterfall. but highly recommended
Monfort Bat Sanctuary
2. Monfort Bat Sanctuary
4.5
(488)
Wildlife refuge
Nature & Parks
Sanctuary with a large cave housing more than 2 million fruit bats, with tours & views from outside.
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Of the many wonderful places in Samal, the Monfort Bat Sanctuary is a must visit. Off the beaten path, the sanctuary has litetally millions of fruit bats from various species. The place really puts the ecosystem in perspective. Besides bats, there are other kinds of animals that you can see wandering in the labrynth of the caves. Super exciting to see. Make sure to bring a nose cover if you are sensitive to animal scents because the draft from the caves carries an amonia-animal fur smell.
Fantastic place to explore for a day excursion from Davao. It is amazing viewing so many bats in one place, although you cannot go directly inside of the caves, however the openings are large enough to view the bats very well. I wished I had a real camera where I could adjust the focus better as the walls of black bats affected my auto focus. Btw, the bat poo really smells so be prepared
The staff were friendly and it was interesting to see the bats up close. However, the place didn’t feel well maintained, the restrooms could be improved, and a visible signage along the highway would help tourists easily spot it.
I visited this place back in 2016 during one of my trips to Samal Island. It was such an amazing and educational tour with my friend Sir Toto. We came all the way from Negros Occidental with my friends Joseph from San Enrique and Arnel Genova from Pontevedra. We learned so much about bats and their important role in the ecosystem. It’s best to visit before 6 PM so you can witness the bat formation as they fly out of the cave. And guess what — there’s actually a white bat surrounded by black bats!
Never thought I’d be this fascinated with these creatures. They really remind me of Harry Potter’s Cornish pixies haha. You’d be in awe seeing how many there are.
the small talk was very informative,would drive your interest about the bats.guests are also allowed to ask questions.the property was clean, and restroom was also available
This is fascinating of you enjoy nature and especially bats and caves.
Super friendly staff. I love the undeveloped part of the beach :)
Maxima Resort
3. Maxima Resort
3.9
(128)
Public beach
Water & Amusement Parks
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A great place for people looking for a unique adventure. The slide and other activities are awesome. Though it is clear that safety is their number one priority, i wouldn't exactly recommend this place for children and people who don't know how to swim. A great place overall. Cheers.
🌊 Maxima Resort – A Look Back 🌊 Maxima Resort was once one of the go-to spots in Samal, and for good reason. 💙 Known for its unique attractions, fun water activities, and that unforgettable giant water slide, it gave us so many memories of laughter and adventure. 🏖️✨ Sadly, the resort has now shut down, but those who’ve been there will always remember the good old days — the excitement, the views, and the joyful moments spent with family and friends. 🌴 Maxima may be gone, but it will always be part of Samal’s tourism history and in the hearts of those who experienced its one-of-a-kind charm. 🌟
We went here mid De with my family and we had so much fun in this resort. They had a lot of water-based activities. We went to the huge slide that goes from the top hill straight to the blue serene sparkling ocean. Dogs were very friendly too!
This place is like home. We've got that feeling of "oh, i dont wanna leave this place" because its just so calming, far from the city, from busy streets, far from pollution. Here, you are one with nature. You will get to enjoy the breathtaking coral reefs, colorful fishes, fun activities like snorkling. There's no signal in this place which i loved more because you will surely just enjoy the presence of each other 😊 And lastly, the sunset. How amazing it was that you will never feel empty in that place, you will surely love life, and you will definitely fall in love with nature. This is one of my favorite places I've visited. ❤
Great place for people who enjoys extreme adventures. 2 giant slides and inflatable balloon not for the fait hearted. Entrance fee is inclusive of unli use of slides, diving board, inflatable balloon, and tables.
If you want Waterslides it is the place to go. Place looks like it has seen better days so wouldn't stay overnight, but Defo worth a day trip for 300php
Lots of water activities to choose from. You’ll need to ride in a car lift (guided by cables and rail). Amazing!!!
The sea water is really clean and the activities are fun. Also has a great view of mt. Apo and Davao city. A little hard to go to if you have no car, local mode of travel is quite expensive. We stayed for a night and with free breakfast. The food was delicious and simple breakfast meal. Water and electricty may come and go by the way. We were able to experience blackout on the evening for about an hour and the whole resort was pitch black. In the morning, there was a water interuption but the staff were all helpful, fetching us water for bath.
Kaputian Beach
4. Kaputian Beach
4.2
(119)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Resort area with a small entry fee, on a tree-lined stretch of white sand facing Talikud Island.
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Super nice beach ♥️
I like the place. It’s just the typical white sand beach. But I was amazed by the crystal clear water with a touch of Mountain view.
Accessible, quick nice escape from semi busy Davao City. Public bathrooms need to upgrade.
Kaputian Beach is one of Samal’s most beloved spots — a place where simplicity meets natural beauty. 💙 The beach has powdery white sand, clear blue waters, and a calm, relaxing vibe that’s perfect for families, barkadas, or even solo travelers looking for peace and quiet. 🌴 It’s well-maintained and affordable, making it one of the best budget-friendly getaways in the island. 🌞 You can enjoy swimming, picnicking under the trees, or just lounging by the shore while taking in the fresh sea breeze. 🍃 What makes Kaputian Beach special is its laid-back and local charm — it’s not overly commercialized, so you really get to experience the simple joys of the beach. 🐚 Truly, Kaputian Beach is a must-visit in Samal if you want a mix of relaxation, natural beauty, and that authentic island feel. 🌟
Great white sand beach for a Public Beach. This is a great place to enjoy white sand beach for less. Clear and clean beach water . Cottages and Tables are available for less. We had a great time swimming. Day Tour entrance for only 50pesos and overnight at 100pesos.
I like how they encourage people to keep the beach clean and ban the usage of single use plastic. Nice and clean public beach. Good for family picnic.
White sand beach :) clear and calm water, very good, but they don't have pool and the room is nice :)
The beach is really good, but the comfort rooms badly need improvement.
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