Information about Sunken Cemetery

Sunken Cemetery

As its name implies, this burial ground is located underneath the waves off the northwestern coast of Camiguin. Its spot is marked by a large cross that you can spot from Camiguin. To view the cemetery, most travelers ride a van bound for Mt. Vulcan, where they can get an unobstructed view of the Sunken Cemetery. It can also be accessible by the shore with a short banca ride to visit the cross. 

The story of the Sunken Cemetery can be traced back to the 1800s when Mount Vulcan was still an active volcano. It first erupted in 1827, followed by a second one in 1862. However, its third eruption in 1871 was its most destructive, causing the cemetery to sink. It sunk deeper when Mt. Vulcan erupted once again in the 1960s.

Following the tragedy, the local government erected a large cross in its spot to mark the burial ground's location. Since it sunk, the locals of Camiguin head to the nearby shore every November 1 to offer flowers and wreaths to commemorate their ancestors who now rest underwater. 

Best time to visit

It's best to visit this burial ground in the Philippines' dry season (December to May), so you can take a boat out to the cross marker as there are fewer chances of heavy rainfall during this season.