By Angelyn V. Collado

Most visitors arrive early, bringing enough food and supplies to last until mid-afternoon. Once the pump boat pulls away, the floating cottage becomes the main space for the day—where meals are cooked, children swim, and groups settle into a slower pace on the water. For several hours, there is nowhere else to go.

Floating bamboo cottages, locally known as balsas, have long been used for group day trips in parts of Misamis Oriental. One of the remaining operations is Balsa De Agua, which has been operating since 2020 and offers a simple, sea-based activity close to Cagayan de Oro.

Where is Balsa De Agua located?

Balsa De Agua is located in Barangay Baybay, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, a coastal town west of Cagayan de Oro City facing Macajalar Bay. Its generally calm waters made the area suitable for floating cottages, which became popular for family gatherings and group outings—especially during summer. While many similar operations have closed, Balsa De Agua continues to operate along this stretch of coast.

How to get to Balsa De Agua

By Air:
Travelers from outside Misamis Oriental can fly to Laguindingan Airport. Flights from Manila take around 1 hour and 45 minutes. From the airport, Balsa De Agua is about 9.5 kilometers away, or a 15-minute drive by private car or taxi.

By Land:
From Cagayan de Oro City, Alubijid is around 20–22 kilometers away, or about 40 minutes to one hour by road.
Commuters may take buses bound for Alubijid from Gaisano City Mall along Claro M. Recto Avenue. Current fares are ₱52 for students and ₱65 for regular passengers.

Another option is to take a bus bound for Iligan City from the Bulua Westbound Terminal and get off at the Alubijid town center overpass. From there, motorcycles or habal-habal can take passengers to Boardwalk Mangrove Park in Barangay Baybay, the jump-off point to the balsa.

Best time to visit

Balsa De Agua is busiest during summer, holidays, and December. According to the operators, the best months to visit are from March to August, when sea conditions are generally more stable. Walk-ins are allowed, but visitors planning to come on weekends or peak periods are advised to book one to two weeks ahead, as reservations are first-come, first-served.

Who should visit

Balsa De Agua is ideal for groups—families, friends, or small organizations—looking for a relaxed, day-long activity on the water. Groups can stay in one place, cook meals, and swim at their own pace.

It may not suit solo travelers, overnight stays, or visitors expecting resort-style amenities such as air-conditioned rooms or on-site dining.

Choose your balsa: options and costs
Balsa rentals are charged per floating cottage, not per person, and are exclusive to one group for the day. Operating hours follow LGU-approved schedules from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The operation is closed every Saturday.

Available units:

  • Agua 1 — up to 20 persons — ₱3,000
  • Agua 2, 3, and 4 — up to 30 persons — ₱3,500

A ₱1,000 downpayment is required to secure a reservation, with the balance paid on the day of the visit. Up to five excess guests may be allowed at ₱100 per person, subject to safety clearance.

For a group of 25 renting an Agua 2–4 unit, the base rental comes out to about ₱140 per person, excluding food, transport, and other fees.

Additional fees:

  • Environmental fee (ages 7 and up): ₱25
  • Parking fee (per vehicle): ₱15
  • Request fee (if asking bangkeros to buy supplies): ₱100
  • Kayak rental (optional): ₱500 per day

What’s included

Each floating cottage serves as a simple, day-use base for swimming, cooking, and group meals. Inclusions are:

  • Mini pool area attached to the raft
  • Dining space with tables and seating
  • Built-in grilling station (sugba-an)
  • Dressing room
  • Life vests for all guests
  • Garbage bins
  • Round-trip pump boat transfers

There are no bedrooms, air-conditioned rooms, or overnight facilities. The setup is best treated as a sea-based day camp.

Safety reminders before boarding

All guests attend a short pre-boarding orientation covering safety rules and movement limits. Boatmen assigned to each trip also act as on-duty lifeguards and remain on site throughout the rental period.

Key guidelines include:

  • Wear life vests at all times
  • Follow capacity limits
  • Avoid rough play and unsafe diving
  • Follow crew instructions
  • Supervise children closely

Guests are advised to bring sun protection, drinking water, and motion-sickness medication if needed. Trips may be postponed or canceled if weather or sea conditions become unsafe.

Food setup: bring your own

Balsa De Agua operates on a self-catering basis. Guests bring their own food and drinks, with no corkage fees. Each cottage includes a grilling station, and some visitors buy fresh seafood nearby before boarding. With limited eateries in the area, food preparation is best done ahead of arrival.

Balsa De Agua may not offer the amenities of large beach resorts, but it provides a clear, structured day on the water. For travelers who value simple arrangements, upfront costs, and a slower pace, knowing how the balsa operates makes it easier to decide if this Alubijid day trip fits their plans.