Ardent Hot Spring, Philippines

Quick Facts

Experience

Public Pools & Parks

Access Level

Easy to reach (no hike)

Safety Level

Be mindful

What to Wear

Swimsuit required

Family Friendly

Yes

Entry Fee

Paid

Wheelchair Access

Address

Barangay Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin, Philippines

Overview

About Ardent Hot Spring

Ardent Hot Spring, Philippines is a paid government-run geothermal pool complex at the foot of Mount Hibok-Hibok in Barangay Tagdo, Mambajao, Camiguin Island. The facility has been operated by the municipal government of Mambajao since 1999. Six cascade pools are fed by volcanic springs at 33 to 40 degrees Celsius. The water is sulfurous, clear, and mineral-rich. Entry is PHP 30 for adults and PHP 15 for children. Open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.

The pools are arranged in tiers with water flowing from the top pool downward. An earthquake that struck Camiguin shifted the underground spring channel; as a result, the hottest pool is now at the bottom of the cascade rather than the top. Stone pathways connect the pools through a shaded tropical forest. A small cafe on site serves local food and drinks. Sheltered tables and chairs are available for rent. Cottage and dormitory accommodation is available for overnight stays.

Ardent Hot Spring is the most popular hot spring on Camiguin Island and the natural endpoint for a day of island exploring, particularly for visitors who have spent the day hiking, cycling, or sightseeing around the island's volcanoes, beaches, and waterfalls.

Location & Access

Getting to Ardent Hot Spring

Ardent Hot Spring is in Barangay Tagdo, Mambajao, approximately 4.2 to 6 km from the Mambajao town centre. From Mambajao, the most common way to reach it is by tricycle (PHP 50 to 100 per person) or habal-habal motorcycle taxi (PHP 100 to 150). The ride takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Renting a scooter in Mambajao for PHP 350 to 500 per day is also popular. The access road to the spring is paved and clearly signed. Ardent is also the jump-off point for climbing Hibok-Hibok via the Ardent Trail, so local drivers know the location well.

To reach Camiguin Island, the main options are by ferry from Balingoan in Misamis Oriental (approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, around PHP 170) or by occasional domestic flights to Camiguin Airport (CGM) from Cebu. Balingoan is approximately 90 km from Cagayan de Oro; buses and vans run regularly from there. Most travellers from Manila fly to Cagayan de Oro or Cebu and take the Balingoan ferry.

For visitors seeking hot springs near Cagayan de Oro as part of a wider Mindanao trip, the Camiguin ferry connection makes Ardent a practical addition to any itinerary. Once on the island, Ardent Hot Spring is best incorporated into a full island circuit day, with the hot spring reserved for late afternoon or evening when the cooler air temperature makes soaking most enjoyable.

Suitability & Accessibility

Who Should Visit Ardent Hot Spring

Ardent Hot Spring suits families, backpackers, couples, and solo travellers exploring Camiguin Island. The very low entry fee, casual tropical forest setting, and multiple pools of varying temperatures make it accessible and unhurried for most visitors. It is particularly well suited to evenings, when the cooler island air makes soaking in 33 to 40 degree water especially comfortable. Weekday visits are significantly quieter than weekends, when local families fill the pools.

Families with children are well accommodated. The six pools include cooler lower-temperature options suitable for children, and the shaded setting with tables and chairs gives parents a comfortable base. The recommended maximum soaking time of 20 minutes is easy to manage with children by rotating between soaking and the poolside seating areas. The on-site cafe provides food and drinks without needing to leave the site.

Wheelchair accessibility is not documented. The complex has stairs, wet stone pathways, and uneven terrain between pool levels; no step-free access has been confirmed for this listing. The post-earthquake pool layout change is worth noting: the hottest pool is now at the bottom of the cascade, not the top, which surprises first-time visitors. Families seeking hot springs near Cagayan de Oro as part of a Camiguin Island visit will find Ardent the most accessible thermal option on the island.

Safety & Etiquette

Ardent Hot Spring Safety Tips

Ardent Hot Spring is generally safe for most visitors. The pools range from 33 to 40 degrees Celsius. The hottest pool is now at the bottom of the cascade following the earthquake-related spring shift, reaching about 40 degrees Celsius at its shallowest point and cooler at greater depth. Test each pool before entering and do not go directly to the hottest pool without first acclimatising in a milder one. The recommended maximum soaking session is 20 minutes; cool down between soaks and drink water throughout your visit. Moving to a cooler pool or exiting the water entirely if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or overheated is the right response.

The water is sulfurous and volcanic in character, which is normal and gives it its mineral therapeutic quality. People with skin conditions, open wounds, or sulfur sensitivity should be aware of the water chemistry before soaking. Stone pathways and pool surrounds are wet and slippery; wear footwear with grip between pools and remove it only at the water's edge. Evening visits are popular on Camiguin; bring a towel, a dry bag for your belongings, and sandals suitable for wet surfaces in low-light conditions.

Ardent Hot Spring sits at the foot of Hibok-Hibok, an active volcano. No specific hazard applies to the hot spring site under normal conditions, but it is advisable to check current volcanic activity advisories for Hibok-Hibok before visiting, particularly after any recent seismic activity or eruption alerts affecting Camiguin Island. Cash is required for entry and for the cafe and table rentals on site. Bring your own towel and drinking water as they are not provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the hottest pool now at the bottom of Ardent Hot Spring?

Originally the hottest pool at Ardent Hot Spring was at the top of the cascade, which makes intuitive sense since the volcanic source water enters at the top and cools as it flows down. However, an earthquake that struck Camiguin Island shifted the underground channel through which the hot spring water travels. After the earthquake, the water from Mount Hibok-Hibok emerged at a different point in the pool layout, meaning the hottest water now enters the system at the bottom pool rather than the top. First-time visitors who expect the top pool to be the hottest are often surprised. The bottom pool now reaches up to about 40 degrees Celsius at its shallowest point, while the upper pools are cooler and more moderate. Starting in the upper pools and working down is the recommended approach for a gradual temperature progression.

How do I get from Cagayan de Oro to Ardent Hot Spring on Camiguin?

From Cagayan de Oro, take a bus or van to Balingoan in Misamis Oriental, which is approximately 90 km away and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic. From Balingoan port, take the ferry to Benoni port on Camiguin Island; the crossing takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and costs around PHP 170 per person. From Benoni port, take a tricycle or multicab toward Mambajao and then onward to Ardent Hot Spring, which is approximately 4 to 6 km from Mambajao town centre. The total journey from Cagayan de Oro to Ardent Hot Spring takes approximately 4 to 5 hours. Alternatively, renting a scooter or motorcycle once on Camiguin makes the island very easy to navigate independently.

What is the best time of day to visit Ardent Hot Spring?

The best time of day to visit Ardent Hot Spring is late afternoon or evening, when the ambient temperature on Camiguin Island drops and the warm water feels most enjoyable by contrast. The complex is open until 10 pm, which allows for relaxed evening soaking sessions after a full day of island sightseeing. Early morning visits starting from 6 am are also peaceful and tend to be less crowded. The busiest periods are weekend afternoons when local families visit in large numbers. For the quietest and most relaxed experience, visit on a weekday and aim for either early morning or after 6 pm.

Is accommodation available at Ardent Hot Spring?

Yes, limited accommodation is available within the Ardent Hot Spring resort compound. Cottage-style and dormitory-style rooms are offered for visitors who want to stay overnight on the resort grounds. This makes it convenient for those who want to soak in the evening and again in the early morning without needing to travel back to Mambajao town. However, the majority of visitors to Ardent Hot Spring stay in the broader Mambajao area, where there is a wider range of accommodation options at various price points. Most accommodation on Camiguin Island is located along the north coast near Mambajao and the popular beach areas of Agoho and Yumbing, which are only a few minutes drive from Ardent.

What else is there to do near Ardent Hot Spring on Camiguin?

Ardent Hot Spring is on the south side of Mambajao, close to the interior of Camiguin Island, and is the jump-off point for climbing Mount Hibok-Hibok via the Ardent Trail for those with the fitness and permits to attempt the ascent. Camiguin Island itself has numerous other attractions nearby including the White Island sandbar (a short boat ride from the north coast), Katibawasan Falls, the Sunken Cemetery (a dive and snorkelling site), Gui-ob Church Ruins, Sto. Nino Cold Springs, and the Mantigue Island day trip. Camiguin is small enough that most of its main attractions can be covered in a single full-day motorbike circuit, making Ardent Hot Spring a natural final stop to soak away the day's effort before dinner.