Day Trips from Davao. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Accessible Locations Within Day-Trip Distance

Samal Island (Island Garden City of Samal): A popular and easily reached island destination.

Eden Nature Park and Resort: A mountain resort with a cool climate and diverse activities.
Malagos Garden Resort / Philippine Eagle Center: A combined trip for nature & wildlife enthusiasts.

Popular Day Trip Destinations

Samal Island: Beaches, Monfort Bat Sanctuary, Hagimit Falls.
Eden Nature Park: Gardens, adventure activities.
Malagos Garden Resort: Botanical gardens, chocolate museum.
Philippine Eagle Center: Conservation of the national bird.

Natural Escapes Beyond the City

Venture out of Davao City for extensive natural beauty and serene landscapes.

Parks and Nature Reserves

Mount Apo Natural Park: Day trips to lower slopes offer scenic views. Marilog District: Known for cool climate and mountainous scenery.

Mountainous Retreats

Kapatagan (Digos City): Views, cool climate, coffee farms.
Marilog District: "Little Baguio" with viewpoints.
Emerging eco-tourism sites.

Scenic Landscapes

The Davao Oriental Coastline offers stunning drives, pristine beaches, and surfing spots.

Coastal Beauty

Coastal drives in Davao Oriental.
Pristine beaches near Mati City.
Surfing opportunities at Dahican Beach, Mati.

Beaches, Mountains, or Rural Areas

Closest Beach Escape

Samal Island: Closest and most popular.
Various holiday resorts and white sand beaches.
Davao Oriental: Longer travel for more remote beaches.
Weather during typhoon season needs attention.

Mountainous & Rural Landscapes

Eden Nature Park: Cool temperatures, gardens.
Marilog District: High elevation, refreshing escape.
Limited public transport to remote rural areas.
Road conditions vary, especially to remote spots.

Seasonal Natural Phenomena

Dolphin and Whale Watching (Davao Gulf)March to July
Philippine Eagle Breeding SeasonJuly to February
Durian Harvest SeasonAugust to October
Orchid Blooming SeasonYear-round, peak in dry season

Best Beach WeatherMarch to May
Mount Apo Trekking SeasonApril to May, October until December
River Rafting (Davao River)Wet season (Between june And november)
Bird MigrationsSeptember to February

Tip for Nature Lovers

Seasonal activities are weather-dependent. Confirm tour availability before your trip.

Cultural Excursions

Explore the cultural fabric of the Davao Region beyond the city limits.

Historical Sites

Digos City and Mati City offer insights into rural Mindanao and coastal history.

Rural & Agricultural

Plantation tours reveal Davao Region's significant agricultural industry.

Pilgrimage Sites

Neighborhood churches in surrounding towns provide spiritual retreats.

Organized Tours

These tours offer convenience for multi-stop itineraries, providing transportation, guides, and often meals.

Tour Benefits

Simplified logistics.
Often includes meals.
Expert guides for local insights.

Independent Travel

Travel independently for maximum flexibility to explore at your own pace, potentially at a lower cost.

Independent Benefits

Explore at your own pace.
Lower cost with public transport.
Spontaneous itinerary adjustments.

Time Required & Suggested Itineraries

Samal Island ExplorationFull day to overnight

Eden Nature Park VisitFull day

Malagos & Eagle Center TripFull day

Mount Apo Lower SlopesHalf to full day

Davao Oriental CoastlineFull day or overnight

Digos City & EnvironsHalf day

Booking Day Trips

Consider booking day trips in advance, especially during peak season.
GetYourGuide offers day trip booking options.
Local tour operators also provide various excursions.
Confirm inclusions (transport, guide, meals) before booking.
Factor in travel time as you plan your day.

Multi-Day Extensions

For those with more time, consider extending your trip to explore more of Mindanao or nearby islands.

Recommendations for Adding 1-3 Days

1

General Santos City & Sarangani

"Tuna Capital" with fresh seafood, beaches, white water tubing on Pangi River, or paragliding.

2

Tagum City Davao del Norte

"Palm City" known for palm plantations, cultural park, and local initiatives.

3

Lake Sebu South Cotabato

Cultural immersion with the T'boli tribe, serene lakes, and waterfalls.

Logical Next Destinations

Cagayan de Oro: Famous for white water rafting.
Siargao Island: World-renowned surfing destination and island paradise.
Cebu: Historic sites, diverse cuisine, island hopping.
Manila: National capital, important historical places, vibrant city life.
Palawan: Underground river, lagoons, pristine beaches.
Bohol: Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Sanctuary, Loboc River cruise.

Transportation Connections

Buses: Davao Overland Transport Terminal (DOTC) connects to most major cities across Mindanao.
Domestic Flights: Davao International Airport (DVO) serves other Philippine islands.
Ferries: Inter-island ferries go between Davao to adjacent islands.
Private Car Hire: For flexible regional travel.
Vans: Shared shuttles for selected journeys.
Jeepneys & Tricycles: For local short-distance travel.

Suggested Routes for Longer Regional Travel

Mindanao Loop

Davao to General Santos and Sarangani, then north towards Lake Sebu for cultural immersion. Connect to Cagayan de Oro or return to Davao.

Island Hopping

Davao direct flight to Cebu, then another flight or ferry to Siargao. Return via direct flight to Davao if available.

Highland & Coastal

Combine mountainous escapes like Marilog with coastal exploration of Davao Oriental for varied scenery.

Planning Your Extension

Research accommodations and transport in advance for longer travels. Inform your Davao hotel if you plan an overnight stay elsewhere.

Day Trips from Davao