Southern Mindanao is not a real common tourist destination at this time
but there is a lot to see down there.
It is kind of a fascinating area
with a different feel than other parts of the country.
Zamboanga is the transportation hub for the Sulu sea islands. A ferry
runs to Sandaakan in Sabah, Malaysia at least once a week.
Alison
Shipping Lines goes all the way to Dumaguete, Negros.
Other ferries go
all the way up to Manila. Local boats take supplies and passengers to
Jolo, Tawi Tawi, Basilan and other islands in the chain but really it's
not a good idea for tourists to go traipsing around right now because
of the political situation.
Davao
and General Santos have a thriving tuna industry and you can
always get fresh fish in the markets.
The jaws have a lot of really
good fresh meat on them and are for sale cheap.
It was common at one time for travelers to take passage on merchant
ships to Bitung, Sulawasi from General Santos but they discontinued
that run so people heading south to Manado usually fly.
The cost is
around 120USD one way. (I have heard that the price jumped recently to 200 USD one way 300 return)
Manado is an official port of entry so most
travelers can get a visa upon arrival there good for 30 days.
It is kind of cool to see these guys walking by with a tuna or a
swordfish on their shoulder. The fish are kept on ice as much as
possible to keep the quality up as it is a big factor in what
price the fishermen get for their fish. Most of the top grade tuna is
exported.
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