Swimjunkie Challenge

A boat drops swimmers onto an uninhabited sandbar anchored 1.4 kilometers off the northern shore of Camiguin. This remote sandspit sets the starting line for the Swimjunkie Challenge: Camiguin, an open-water sea event based from the shores of Somewhere Else Resort in Mambajao, Northern Mindanao. Organized by Swimjunkie under the direction of coach Betsy Medalla, the race made its debut in 2023 to bring distance swimmers into these waters. The competition offers challenges across courses of 2,000, 5,000, and 8,000 meters. Leaping off the boat into the sea, swimmers encounter deep water that shifts into an intimidating dark blue abyss beneath their goggles. In this open channel, strong currents and choppy sea conditions quickly make it difficult to hold a straight heading.

Swimmers fighting the sweep can struggle to make forward progress until they close the distance to the island, where the current eases near the shoreline. Yet despite the rough chop, the water remains remarkably clear, revealing expansive underwater scenery and thriving coral reefs below.

White Island: the shifting sandbar off Camiguin

White Island is an uninhabited sandbar with a dynamic horseshoe shape that morphs continually under the relentless push and pull of the tides. The islet is made entirely of bleached white sand, without a single tree, patch of scrub, or shelter to shield you from the morning sun. Standing on its edge before plunging in, you look across an open expanse of sea. The stark, dazzling white of the sandbar stands in complete contrast to Camiguin's distinctive shoreline. Across the channel, the island reveals its dramatic volcanic history through black sand beaches and vibrant offshore coral gardens.

The volcanic coast of Mambajao and Catarman

On July 17, 1864, local residents began feeling tremors shaking the ground and water, early tremors signaling intense activity from an undersea volcano located near Catarman. The underground forces culminated seven years later, on May 1, 1871, when the submerged volcano erupted violently from the depths. The catastrophic explosion completely destroyed the settlement of Catarman, forcing its maritime community to flee and relocate their homes to Mambajao. Today, those turbulent coastal chapters have given way to tranquil seaside life, leaving a calm coastline where visiting athletes gather to test themselves in the open sea.

Mantigue Island: turtle sanctuary and marine drop-offs

A short distance across the water from the main island lies another marine highlight, Mantigue Island, positioned 3.5 kilometres off Camiguin's volcanic coast. This tiny coral outpost spans an area of approximately 4 hectares and once supported an artisanal fishing community. To safeguard its unique ecosystem, the authorities phased out the fishing village and declared the entire islet a protected reserve. The waters around Mantigue present two entirely different aquatic environments. One flank of the island boasts a shallow white sand beach protected by offshore coral formations where reef life thrives. Across the island, the opposite side drops away sharply into a sheer underwater drop-off that plunges into deep pelagic water. This vertical wall makes the site an exceptional destination for diving and snorkeling after the race weekend is done.

Agoho Beach: villas and sea breeze at Mambajao

Back on the mainland, the event centers at Somewhere Else Resort, situated right on the sands of Agoho Beach in Mambajao. The boutique retreat features standalone villas with uninterrupted views across the water, placing you just steps away from the surf. Between swims, you can rest and take in the refreshing sea breeze. The setting also serves as a strategic launchpad for an extended multisport holiday. Only 6 kilometres away along the coast, the 5150 Camiguin triathlon takes place, allowing endurance athletes to link both events in a single journey. Stepping off the sand into the volcanic channels of Camiguin, you discover an open-water challenge shaped by currents, reefs, and the raw power of the sea.