Mati City · Area guides
Mati City Travel Guides
Davao Oriental · 8 areas
Mati is the capital of Davao Oriental, about four hours east of Davao City by bus, and the place everyone heads for is Dahican. It's a long sweep of pale sand facing the Pacific, lined with the resorts, surf camps and beach bars where most of Mati spends its weekends. Skimboarding in Mindanao started here, and local riders work the shorebreak most afternoons. From October to March the amihan brings proper surf.
Come on a Saturday and Dahican is buzzing: families under the kubos, beginners catching whitewater on their first lesson, and groups staying on for sunset and a few drinks. Come midweek and you'll have long stretches of sand to yourself. Sea turtles still nest on the same beach, and a local group has protected them since 2004. Stay right on the sand, from surf-camp huts to resort rooms, or base yourself in the city, 10 to 15 minutes away by tricycle, near the baywalk and places like Kusina Merced.
When the Pacific is too rough, cross the peninsula to Pujada Bay. It's calm, sheltered and dotted with small islands, and a boat from Pier One in Tamisan makes a full day of Pujada Island, the Oak Island sandbar and Waniban. For the best view of the whole bay, climb the Sleeping Dinosaur at sunrise. The trail costs ₱15. There are no commercial flights yet, so most people ride the Bachelor Express from Ecoland in Davao, which leaves about every 40 minutes. ATMs are scarce at Dahican, so bring cash from the city.
The guides cover Dahican Beach, Mati City, Pujada Bay and the Sleeping Dinosaur, plus longer day trips to Mount Hamiguitan, Aliwagwag Falls and Cape San Agustin. New to the area? Start with the Mati travel guide.
- Getting there
- Via Davao (DVO), then by road
- Getting there
- Via Davao (DVO), then by road
Browse area guides
Each with stays, food, transport and the best time to visit
8 areas
Cape San Agustin
The southern tip of Davao Oriental: old lighthouses, a pink-sand beach, the Altar rock wall, fees, camping and getting there from Mati.
Aliwagwag Falls
A staircase of cascades in Cateel, Davao Oriental: how far it is from Mati, entrance fees, the eco park, and how to plan the day trip.
Mount Hamiguitan
Davao Oriental's UNESCO World Heritage Site: the pygmy forest and pitcher plants, permits, fees, guides, closures and how to plan a trek.
The Sleeping Dinosaur, Mati
Mati's best-known view: a headland in Pujada Bay shaped like a dinosaur asleep in the water, the view deck, the trail and when to go.
Pujada Bay and Island Hopping
Mati's protected bay: its four islands, sandbars and reefs, booking a boat from Pier One in Tamisan, what it costs and what to bring.
Dahican Beach
Mati's long Pacific-facing beach: skimboarding and surf, sea turtle conservation, where to stay and eat, and getting there from the city.
Mati City
The capital of Davao Oriental: the baywalk, the Subangan Museum and its whale skeleton, where to stay and eat in town, and getting around.
Mati and Davao Oriental Travel Guide
How to get to Mati from Davao City, where to stay, Dahican Beach, Pujada Bay, the Sleeping Dinosaur, and the day trips worth the drive.