Davao City Travel Forum

Hi. Before I set off for Davao, I would like to know more about the city. Could anyone give me some useful info?

1) I heard that Davao lies outside the typhoon belt. Is that true?

2) If I arrive in late-July, will the waters between Samal Island and the mainland be too rough for speedboats? I'm afraid I'll be stuck in Pearl Farm (PF).

3) Are the water sports offered by PF expensive? I'm staying there but have no idea how much they charge.

4) I would like to go swimming and muck about in the water. I wanna know if there are any life guards on the beaches? Are the currents strong?

Thanks a lot.

Hello CH Lam. It is true that Davao is outside the typhoon Belt. Although they do have rainy season too. If you are staying in Pearl Farm you will have no problems because they have big boats that ply between the resort and the marina. The waters between Samal Is. and mainland Davao City is normally calm.

The rental for snorkeling equipment is P300/set and the boat service between Malipano Island and the main resort is free. I don't know how much they ask for boat & scuba gear rentals though. There is a good snorkeling patch right below the Parola (where the boats dock), quite shallow even kids are safe there. BTW, ask the restaurant to provide you with stale bread so you can feed the fishes while snorkeling. :) From my experience, there's always someone watching the swimmers on the pool and on the beach (I don't know if they've changed that policy). If you want to go to deeper waters be sure to tell the people at the Parola so they can look out for you.

Have fun!

the start of the monsoon wind here in davao is from july to september, the waters in the gulf is quite rough during the aternoon and night not be suitable for speed boats... but as to what have monina said, you don't have to worry because PF has big boats.

:) and you'll have good photo opportunities on the way as Mt. Apo is visible on the horizon and there are a lot of spider boats on the way to PF.

Thanks Monica and Olitrac. Your info is of great help to me, an ill-informed traveller.

Monica, may I know where Malipano Island is? Just right next to Samal Island? Or is it a long way away? Does PF offer boats to that island? I always thought that I will do water sports on Samal Island (with no other options).

As for the boat plying between PF and the mainland, I always thought it is a speedboat! How stupid I was!

Not stupid, just that you don't know the actual situation CH. :)

Malipano Island is actually part of Pearl Farm Resort. It is separated from the main resort hub by a thin stretch of water. The bigger and more expensive accommodations are located there. They have a small green there and a little chapel where they hold weddings and other religious activities. Generally speaking, Malipano is quieter than the other side. I think that is also where the owner's residence is located.

just what you've said; an ill informed traveller...

good luck and happy travels CH. Cheers!