Santa Cruz Island

Mindanao


Great Santa Cruz Island is around 7km off the Zamboanga City waterfront, and is home to only a few dozen families from the Samal tribe. Visitors come to see the pinkish 2km-long beach, coloured from finely crushed red coral. You can swim here, but it’s on a busy shipping channel and currents are strong. Bangkas (round-trip P2500 for up to six people) leave from in front of Paseo del Mar.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mindanao attractions

1. Fort Pilar Museum

2.56 MILES

At the southeastern end of town near the waterfront is this solid and squat building, partially restored to maintain its historic character. Inside is a…

2. City Hall

2.59 MILES

Completed in 1907 and originally the seat of the United States' governor of the Moro province.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "philippines/zamboanga-city/attractions/santa-cruz-island/a/poi-sig/1450055/1318513",
      "destination": "Mindanao",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Philippines",
      "region": "Mindanao",
      "position": "superzone"
    }