An iconic landmark off the coast of Catarman, the Sunken Cemetery marks the spot where a Spanish-era burial ground sank beneath the sea after a massive volcanic eruption in the 1800s.

Today, a giant white cross rising from the water memorializes the lost cemetery, creating one of Camiguin’s most photographed and mysterious seascapes.

In 1871, a powerful eruption associated with Mount Hibok-Hibok (often referred to locally as “Mount Vulcan”) and the resulting earthquake caused the ground under the Cemetery of Bonbon to collapse into the sea.

The town’s graves and tombs now rest about 20 feet below the surface, overgrown by corals and teeming with marine life.

At the site, visitors can view the giant white cross from the nearby cliffside platform, take a small boat ride to its concrete platform, or snorkel down to see the remnants of the old cross, a lone tombstone, and a sprawling coral reef.

At sunset, the cross makes a stunning silhouette against golden skies.

Whether you come for history, snorkeling, or simply a breathtaking sunset, the Sunken Cemetery offers a poignant reminder of nature’s power and the island’s resilience.