What to Expect from a Club Samal Day Tour: Honest Review + Tips
When we planned our trip to Davao, we knew we wanted to keep things simple and relaxing. So, for our second day, we decided to explore Samal Island—a short boat ride away from the city. Instead of hopping from one tourist spot to another, we opted for a more laid back experience: a Club Samal day tour. We booked the day trip at Club Samal Resort, which is well-known for its upscale feel.
How we booked the Club Samal day tour
Booking our Club Samal day tour was surprisingly easy. We didn’t need to make any calls or visit their office—we just sent them a message on Facebook Messenger. They were quick to respond and shared all the details, including the Club Samal day tour rates and the requirements for booking.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the rate we paid:
- Php 1,300 per person for adults and kids
Free entrance for children under 4 years old
What’s included in the fee?
- Resort entrance
- Welcome drinks
- Lunch buffet (available only on weekends)
- Free use of towels
- Access to the pool and beach area
- Use of tables and chairs
They also offer a free boat transfer on weekends, which saved us from dealing with the long lines at the barge. That alone made it worth it!
Here’s what you need to do before your trip:
- Provide a government-issued ID (for adults), school IDs or birth certificates (for kids), and senior/PWD IDs if applicable.
- Pay a 50% down payment to secure your booking. They’ll send you a confirmation voucher once they receive the payment.
We transferred our payment through their BDO account, emailed the proof of payment, and received our confirmation the same day.
How to go to Club Samal
For those wondering how to get to Club Samal, it’s a pretty straightforward process. They offer a free boat transfer from Garden Bay Restaurant & Resort in Lanang, Davao City. It’s important to reserve your boat schedule in advance. We chose the 8:00 AM boat transfer, which worked out perfectly.
Here’s the current schedule for weekend trips (subject to change without prior notice):
These times are ideal if you want to maximize your day tour. Just make sure to confirm your slot when booking.
If you’re visiting on a weekday, the free boat transfer isn’t available. But don’t worry—you still have options:
- Private Boat Ride – You can arrange a private boat through the resort for a more direct trip.
- Public Boat + Tricycle – Head to the Sasa Wharf in Davao City, take a public boat to Samal Island, and then hire a tricycle to take you to Club Samal Resort.
The tricycle ride from the Samal port to the resort is quick and easy, so you won’t have trouble finding a ride.
Our early morning at Garden Bay
We arrived at Garden Bay Restaurant & Resort around 7:00 AM. Since we had some time before the boat ride, we decided to grab breakfast there. The food was simple but satisfying. Here’s what we ordered:
- Tapsilog – Classic Filipino breakfast with marinated beef, egg, and rice.
- Tocilog – Sweet pork tocino paired with egg and garlic rice.
- Spamsilog – The go-to comfort meal with Spam, egg, and rice.
Each meal came with a choice of juice or coffee and some fresh fruit slices.
Our experience at Club Samal Resort
The boat ride from Davao City to Club Samal Resort took around 10 to 15 minutes. It was quick and smooth.
As soon as we docked, we were greeted by the resort staff. They were warm, welcoming, and made us feel at ease. From the very beginning, it was clear that customer service is one of their strengths. We also left our luggage with the concierge.
Club Samal has a tiny stretch of beachfront compared to other Samal resorts, but it’s enough to enjoy a dip in the sea. The sand is light brown, and the water was clear when we visited.If you’re someone who prefers long walks along the shore, this may not be the place for you. But if you just want a peaceful spot to relax by the water, it’ll do just fine.
The first thing we noticed was the pool. It’s massive! There’s a 335-square-meter adult pool and a 50-square-meter kiddie pool, so there’s plenty of space to swim and lounge around. The pool area was well-maintained, and the staff made sure everything was clean and ready for guests.
We spent most of our morning lounging by the pool. The water was clean and refreshing, perfect for cooling off under the sun. There were poolside chairs and umbrellas.
After a few hours of swimming, we decided to grab some snacks from their bar. Here’s a quick look at their bar menu during our visit:
Club Samal Bar Menu
The food was reasonably priced for a resort, and the portions were good enough to keep us full until lunchtime.
Lunch buffet at Club Samal: Worth it?
By 11:40 AM, we were ready for lunch. There was a good mix of dishes to choose from.
Here’s what was on the menu during our visit:
- Hot and sour soup
- Pasta (choice of white or red sauce)
- Fish cake with tartar sauce
- Fried garlic chicken
- Breaded pork chop
They also had a few add-ons like lechon baboy, priced at Php 120 for 100 grams.
For dessert, there were:
- Butterscotch bars
- Fresh watermelon slices
- Mini cream tarts
There was also a salad bar with options like seaweed and mango green salad, stuffed eggs, and siomai. They even had a mini pizza station.
Overall, the food was decent. It wasn’t mind-blowing, but it was satisfying and enough to keep us full until the afternoon. The staff was attentive, making sure we had everything we needed during lunch.
Club Samal facilities and amenities
Aside from the pool and beach, the resort had several areas where guests could relax. There were plenty of shaded spots, lounge chairs, and tables around the pool.
The bathroom and shower facilities were clean, which is always a plus. We didn’t have to worry about bringing towels as they provided them.
Is the Club Samal day tour worth it? My honest take
So, would I recommend Club Samal Resort for a day trip? Definitely, especially if you’re looking for a laidback escape that’s easy to plan.
Here’s what I liked the most:
- Easy booking process – Everything was done online, and they responded quickly.
- Free boat transfer – This saved us a lot of time and hassle.
- Relaxing pool area – The pool was well-maintained, and there were enough spots to lounge around.
Things to remember when booking
- Book at least 2 to 3 days in advance.
- Prepare your IDs and down payment for confirmation.
- Double-check the boat transfer schedule to avoid delays.
Club Samal Resort
Address: Babak, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clubsamalresort/
Website: https://clubsamalresorts.com/
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