The lure of Discovery Samal Resort
Discovery Samal is the first and only Discovery Resort brand in Mindanao with the biggest resort convention facilities in Davao. Samal Island, a tropical paradise with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, lush rainforests, and a diverse marine ecosystem, now has a massive, six-hectare luxury resort that offers magnificent views of the Davao Gulf. The resort is a short ferry ride from Davao City and offers a wide range of activities and experiences for their guests.
From modern comforts to service that is founded on the famously known “Service That’s All Heart” from its award-winning sister resorts, Discovery Shores Boracay and Club Paradise Palawan, Discovery Samal is a remarkable and unforgettable place to visit in the south.
Discovery Samal boasts 128 hotel suites, 15 executive suites, and the Grand Signature Suite. It has a gym, spa, and two swimming pools, plus one pool exclusively for villa guests. The white-sand beach is right there, too! The place is huge but there are golf carts available 24 hours to take guests from one point to another. All villas have a personal yard and their own dipping pool.
Get fresh seafood caught daily (I enjoyed the lobster and mantis shrimps) at restaurants that include Morning Catch, The Shoreline, and Garden City Café. Breakfast at The Shoreline is a must and don’t miss their crisp and delicious bacon and danggit (dried salted rabbitfish). Afternoon snacks can be had at the Pool Bar and Haribar Lounge that serves cocktails, spirits, and wines.
The resort has a huge game room that has tables for billiards and table tennis. There are several board games as well and soon, they will be adding video games. There is a karaoke room adjacent to the game room for those who want to sing. Kids will love the island since they have the Sand Box — a children’s play area with interactive games and a range of toys that has an environment where kids can build structures or enjoy arts and crafts.
There are lots of activities in the resort and they can arrange an island-hopping tour as well. Visit the Coral Gardens in Talicud Island and snorkel in through coral reef formations. While on board, have fresh sea urchin sold by vendors that go to your boat. You can also explore Samal’s Giant Clam Sanctuary. Taklobo Tours (which partners with Discovery Samal) also offers immersive learning experiences where different species of clams thrive. There is the Monfort Bat Cave, a remarkable natural wonder and a significant site for wildlife conservation that is often hailed as one of the most extensive bat colonies in the world and gained international recognition for its ecological importance. It’s an eerily interesting place but the stench of bat droppings is quite strong. This bat cave is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most number of bats inside a cave.
Worth a visit, too, is the Vanishing Island at Sanipaan Marine Park located in Babak, Samal Island. As the tides recede, the beautiful white sand peeks through and showcases a magnificent view of the island. It’s a great spot for taking photos! Indulge in the freshest seafood for lunch while looking at relaxing views of Dayang Beach Resort’s clear blue waters.
For thrill seekers, dive from Sabang Cliff with three levels starting at 14 feet above the sea to as high as 40 feet! All these activities can be done in around six hours of island hopping.
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Visit www.discoverysamal.com or contact +63 84 308 2998 for reservations or inquiries.
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