Talikud Island

One of the treats of Davao is that everything is pretty close. You can leave the city and in ten minutes be on a beach in Samal Island enjoying the sun and the view as well as crystal clear waters.

For those interested in a bit more adventure, consider hitting Talikud Island. It is a small island just off the southwestern tip of Samal. It takes a specially arranged charter to get there, but you won't have the crowds or the bustle or development of Samal.

To see the island and spend a day there, you have a few options and varying price ranges. Most of the charters depart from Sta. Ana Pier downtown. This is where the dive shops cluster. There are probably a half dozen companies doing scuba.

On weekends, most of the shops have group excursions called Island Hopping where you can get to Samal and Talikud with a large group of folks wanting the same. Prices run around 500 pesos a person.

If you have a large group or just want to get out to Talikud, you can charter a boat during the week on your own from any of these companies. Price for most are in the 4500 to 5500 range and can accomodate anywhere from 18 to 31 persons. They usually throw in snorkeling gear gratis.

The boat transport to Talikud lasts about 30 minutes. You get great views of Davao City and, eventually, Mt. Apo. The beaches on Talikud are pristine and nearly empty. Each charter company has their own little cabana where you can cook out and get shade. There are also primitive restrooms if needed. It is really a little beach paradise and close to Davao.

It is just another option of a way to enjoy Davao.

In addition to the main island, IGaCoS also has 7 islets that surround it. The largest islet, known as Talikud Island, is about 2,500 meters from Poblacion, Kaputian. The other six (6) islets are Big Liguid (28,092 has.), Small Liguid (4.5 has.), Arboles Shoal, otherwise known as Sanipaan (3.125 has.), Small Malipano (.1595 has.), Dela Paz (1.378 has.), Big Malipano (8.2858 has.) and Wishing Islet (700 sq.m.), respectively.

There are four baranguays on Talikud: Linosutan (pop. 1,177), Dadatan (pop. 1,244), Cogon (pop. 1,982) and the largest Sta. Cruz (pop. 3,924) all belonging to the Kaputian District. Sta. Cruz is also the where the wharf is located.

Though just a small island, Talikud is very popular as a scuba diving destination. Two of which sites are Mansud Wall and Coral Gardens. There are also several small resorts lining the exterior, including Isla Reta and Bali Hai.

Talikud Island has a wide variety of soft and hard coral gardens that are home to numerous exotic small tropical fishes. Not only small tropical fish, larger marine life can also be found in here like barracuda, tuna and jacks. Divers can also see fusiliers, sea horse, morays, sea urchins, garden eels, wrasse and parrotfish.

Boats for Talikud leave every morning at 6am, 7am and 9am (P50) from Santa Ana wharf in Davao. While it only takes a ten-minute boat ride to get to Samal Island, the trip to Talikud Island takes around 30-45 minutes, but it is well worth the trip.

The photos in this page are mine but the write-ups are from various sources. 
Article Sources:  http://www.tripadvisor.com , http://www.journeytosamal.com