The alarm blared at 3:30 AM. Most people would groan and hit the snooze button, but not us – not when paradise was waiting just an hour away.
By 4 AM, we were already cruising down the highway from Cagayan de Oro, headlights cutting through the pre-dawn darkness as we made our way to Jampason, Jasaan. The destination? Agutayan White Island, a slice of heaven that locals have been quietly enjoying while the rest of the world chases overcrowded tourist traps in Boracay and Palawan. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that don’t require a plane ticket or a week’s worth of planning; they’re right in your backyard, waiting to be discovered.
Jasaan isn’t just another coastal town in Misamis Oriental. It’s a revelation. A place where you can dip your toes in crystal-clear waters in the morning and stand beneath a thundering 150-foot waterfall by afternoon. Where Mediterranean architecture rises against a backdrop of coconut palms, and where you can ride a gondola, yes, an actual gondola, without flying to Italy.
The Sandbar That Stole Our Hearts
Agutayan White Island doesn’t play games. It doesn’t hide behind Instagram filters or exaggerated marketing claims. What you see is exactly what you get: three hectares of pristine, powdery white sand rising from the brilliant blue waters of Macajalar Bay like nature’s own masterpiece.
We arrived at the Brgy. Jampason Covered Court just as the sun began painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The boat ride cost us ₱1,500 for our group of seven, a steal considering we had the entire vessel to ourselves. Add ₱50 per person for the environmental fee, and you’re looking at one of the most affordable island getaways in the entire Philippines. Twenty minutes later, we were stepping onto sand so white it almost hurt to look at it under the strengthening morning sun.
Here’s what makes Agutayan different from every other white sand beach you’ve visited: it’s a nude sandbar. No, not that kind of nude, it means there are no structures, no trees, no shade—just sand, sea, and sky in every direction. The 360-degree view is absolutely unobstructed. Turn north, and you’ll see the distant silhouette of Camiguin‘s volcanic peaks. Spin around, and you’re face-to-face with the endless expanse of Macajalar Bay. It’s the kind of view that makes you forget your phone exists, at least until you remember you need photos, or nobody will believe this place is real.
Beneath the surface lies an even more spectacular world. The vast coral reef surrounding the island is a kaleidoscope of marine life. Snorkeling here feels like swimming through an aquarium, except everything is wild and free and completely unconcerned with your presence. We spent hours floating above the corals, watching tropical fish dart between formations that have been growing for decades, maybe centuries.
The beauty of Agutayan isn’t just in what’s there, it’s in what isn’t. No hawkers shouting at you to buy pearl necklaces. No jet skis roaring past and ruining the tranquility. No overpriced beach clubs claiming to offer “exclusive experiences.” Just you, your friends or family, and the kind of peace that’s becoming increasingly rare in our overstimulated world.
From Sea to Table: A Breakfast With a View
After soaking up enough sun to power a small solar farm, we climbed back into our boat and headed to shore, but not back to where we started. Instead, we docked at SophieRed Hotel & Restaurant, a Mediterranean-inspired hotel. But we weren’t there for the aesthetics; we were there because island hopping works up a serious appetite, and breakfast was calling our names.
SophieRed isn’t just a hotel; it’s a destination unto itself. The restaurant serves up good local cuisine. We fueled up on a traditional Filipino breakfast fare, all while gazing out at the same waters we’d just been swimming in.
The hotel has earned its reputation as the premier venue for weddings, corporate events, and family gatherings in the region. It’s easy to see why. The combination of sophisticated amenities, breathtaking views, and genuine Northern Mindanao hospitality creates an atmosphere that’s both luxurious and welcoming. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or just need a staycation that doesn’t require leaving the province, SophieRed delivers.
Into the Jungle: Sagpulon’s Roaring Beauty
Fed and recharged, we set off for our next destination: Sagpulon Falls, located seven kilometers from the poblacion in Barangay San Isidro. The drive took us from the coast inland, where the landscape transformed from palm-fringed beaches to dense, jungle-covered hills.
Nothing quite prepares you for your first glimpse of Sagpulon Falls. The waterfall plunges nearly 150 feet down a sheer rock face, creating a constant mist that catches the sunlight and creates dozens of tiny rainbows. The sound is deafening—a thunderous roar that drowns out conversation and reminds you just how small you are in comparison to nature’s raw power.
The natural basin at the base of the falls is surrounded by ancient trees and dramatic rock formations that look like they’ve been carved by millennia of water and wind. The water is shockingly, wonderfully cold after the heat of the morning sun at Agutayan. We waded in cautiously at first, then fully surrendered to the refreshing embrace of the mountain-fed pool.
This is eco-tourism at its finest, untouched natural beauty. Photographers could spend hours here capturing different angles, different light conditions, and different perspectives of this majestic cascade. We spent longer than we planned, unable to tear ourselves away from the hypnotic rhythm of falling water.
A European Detour in the Heart of Mindanao
By the time lunch rolled around, we were ready for something completely different. SR Mall delivered in ways we never expected.
First stop: Pares Original, where we devoured plates of authentic Kapampangan beef pares. Forget the street-side versions you’re used to; this is the real deal, with large, tender chunks of beef that actually justify the name. The meat practically melted in our mouths, braised to perfection and served with garlic rice that soaked up every bit of that rich, savory sauce.
But SR Mall’s real claim to fame isn’t the food court, it’s the Gondola Ride. Yes, you read that right. Jasaan, Misamis Oriental, has a gondola ride. Not the ski-lift kind; we’re talking about the romantic, gliding-along-a-scenic-canal kind. The ones you associate with Venice, with proposal videos, with bucket lists.
This unexpected touch of European charm transforms SR Mall from just another shopping center into a legitimate lifestyle destination. We floated along the canal, laughing at the surreal experience of riding a gondola while still tasting the beef pares on our tongues. It’s these unexpected juxtapositions of mountain waterfalls and Venetian canals, island sandbars and Mediterranean hotels that make Jasaan so delightfully unpredictable.
After our gondola experience, we tried our hand at Pickleball on the mall’s dedicated court. None of us were experts, but that’s the beauty of Pickleball: it’s easy to learn and hilariously fun even when you’re terrible at it. We worked up another appetite running around the court, which we promptly satisfied with coffee at SR Cafe.
The mall itself offers everything you’d need and then some: a well-stocked grocery store, pharmacy, Mr. DIY hardware, Pizza Kid, Samgyup Salamat (an eat-all-you-can Korean samgyup spot), and office supplies that are notably more affordable than what you’d find in CDO. It’s become a hub for locals and tourists alike, a place where you can handle practical errands while also creating unexpected memories.
Why Jasaan Deserves Your Attention
As we drove back to Cagayan de Oro that evening, exhausted but exhilarated, I couldn’t stop thinking about how Jasaan encapsulates everything that makes Northern Mindanao special. It’s accessible; you don’t need to block off a week and spend thousands on airfare. It’s diverse ocean, mountains, and urban amenities, all within a few kilometers of each other. Its authentic development hasn’t erased the genuine warmth and culture that make this region unique.
Jasaan proves that you don’t need to travel far to find paradise. Sometimes paradise is just an hour away, waiting to be discovered by those willing to set an alarm for 3:30 AM and chase adventure before the rest of the world wakes up.
Contact for Agutayan Island trips: 09648869709
Whether you’re planning a barkada getaway, a family escape, or a solo adventure, Jasaan delivers. From the pristine shores of Agutayan White Island to the misty grandeur of Sagpulon Falls, from Mediterranean luxury at SophieRed to unexpected European charm at SR Mall, this coastal gem in Misamis Oriental is rewriting the rules on what a day trip can be.
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