Davao Day 1: Talicud Tour at Samal Island

Just wanted to share a wonderful discovery during our trip to Davao. Gelo, my sister’s friend, taught us about the bus from MRT/LRT Taft that goes to NAIA. The ride costs Php20 only! That saved us a lot! We usually take a cab from Taft to the airport or from our house to the airport.

Anyway, we decided to spend Sunday night at the airport since our flight to Davao is at 5am, Monday. We didn’t get much sleep. We slept during the plane ride.

Here’s how we reached Red Parrot Inn from Davao airport (Francisco Bangoy International airport):

1. Cab from airport to Sasa wharf

2. Ferry from Sasa wharf to Babak, Samal Island (trips to Samal Island are more frequent here than Sta. Ana wharf which has trips to Kaputian)

3. took a tricycle from Babak to Red Parrot Inn (the tricycle driver agreed to take us to Kaputian for Php250 only. The tourist price is Php600. This caused some kind of commotion when the other trike drivers found out about our arrangement with Kuya Jason)

Alternative 1: From Sasa wharf, you may opt to wait for a bus that goes around Samal Island. In our case, we could have waited for a bus with a sign board that says “Kaputian” or “Penaplata”. The bus gets on the ferry and gets off at Babak then travels to Kaputian/Penaplata. Ride a tricycle or habal-habal in Penaplata going to Kaputian. If you have plenty of time, you may go for this route. But we were on a hurry to reach Red Parrot Inn for our Talicud Island Tour.

Alternative 2: From Babak, hire a habal-habal. They charge more than Php300 per person. As much as we’d like to experience riding on a habal-habal, our heavy stuff and lack of sleep prevented us to do so.

You may find a map of Samal Island here.

Accommodation: Red Parrot Inn

We had to pass by rough roads going to Red Parrot Inn. We were starving when we got there so we had no choice but to order food from them. Our bill was more than Php600 for 3 viands that were for sharing. We knew better come dinner time. We ate at a carinderia nearby. Our dinner cost was Php120 for 3 persons. 🙂

Kuya Aries, the staff there, was very very accommodating. He upgraded our room probably because it was still lean season. We had the best good night sleep here! Well, maybe because we were really tired and lacked sleep.

calamares, boneless bangus, chopseuy

Red Parrot Inn

Private bathroom with hot shower! Yay!

comfy bed

Activity 1: Talicud Island Tour

After having our lunch, we prepared for our Talicud Island Tour. Much to our dismay, this was not an island hopping tour. We were brought to different places where one can dive or snorkel — not our thing. We just took pictures then went back to Red Parrot Inn. The trip was around 2 hours only.

Talicud Island map

Cost: Php1800/boat

Activity2: Kaputian Beach Resort

Good thing Kaputian Beach Resort was just a few steps away from Red Parrot Inn. What’s great was the Entrance Fee’s only Php15! The beach quenched our thirst for sand and quietness. We enjoyed a few good hours here just before we had our dinner and hit the sack.