Davao Region / Davao Oriental
Mati
₱700 million in the 2026 national budget covers a new airport for Mati City, with groundbreaking at Barangay Dahican in February 2025. Phase 2 extends the runway to 2.1 kilometers for Airbus A320 jets; current road travel from Davao City takes 3 to 4 hours. Pujada Bay behind the city is recognized by Les Plus Belles Baies Du Monde, a UNESCO-supported club based in Paris, as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Mount Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dahican Beach has both surf and skimboard activity alongside marine turtle conservation.
Mati at a Glance
- Location:
- Davao Oriental, on Pujada Bay along the Philippine Sea, east of the Davao Region core
- Province:
- Capital city of Davao Oriental, Davao Region (Region XI)
- Mayor:
- Joel Mayo Z. Almario
- Known for:
- Dahican Beach skimboarding and surfing, Pujada Bay, Subangan Museum, and the Sleeping Dinosaur view route
- Adventure:
- Surfing (Amihan season) and skimboarding at Dahican
- Local Snack:
- Empanada de Mati, a signature savory pastry found in local bakeshops
- Barangays:
- 26
- Dahican Beach
- Sleeping Dinosaur viewpoint
- Subangan Museum
- Pujada Bay
Local context
Mati's current mayor reference on this page is Joel Mayo Z. Almario. Joel Mayo Z. Almario took office as Mati City mayor on June 30, 2025 after the 2025 local elections.
Mati is linked to local place pages including Dahican Beach, Sleeping Dinosaur Viewpoint, Subangan Museum. Those pages help separate the city guide from a generic location summary by giving readers concrete markets, parks, transport corridors, civic districts, and visitor routes to compare.
The city profile emphasizes Dahican Beach, Sleeping Dinosaur viewpoint, Subangan Museum, Pujada Bay. These points give the page a practical local frame instead of treating the city as only a name on a regional map.
Landmarks and orientation points
- Dahican Beach
- Sleeping Dinosaur viewpoint
- Subangan Museum
- Pujada Bay
- Mati Baywalk
Frequently Asked Questions About Mati City
Is Mati City worth visiting and what are the top spots?
Yes. Mati is worth visiting for Dahican Beach, competitive skimboarding, surf schools, Pujada Bay views, and the Subangan Museum. The appeal is strongest when you give the city enough time, since a rushed day trip from Davao City can turn into more road time than beach time.
When is the best surfing and skimboarding season in Mati?
Surf and skimboarding conditions are strongest during the northeast monsoon (Amihan) months from late October to March. Dahican is a working shoreline with local instructors and small operators like Amihan Surf & Skim Camp who can guide beginners through the waves.
How do you get to Mati City from Davao City?
You can take a van or bus from the Victoria Plaza or Gaisano Mall terminals in Davao. The 3 to 4 hour trip costs roughly ₱350 to ₱500 in 2026, passing through the scenic but winding Badas road sections near the city entrance.
What can you see at the Subangan Museum?
The museum’s centerpiece is the 53-foot mounted skeleton of "Davor," a sperm whale. Exhibits also cover natural history, coastal ecology, and the cultural heritage of the Mandaya and Mansaka tribes, providing context for the Mt. Hamiguitan pygmy forest.
Is there an entrance fee for the Sleeping Dinosaur viewpoint?
The primary viewpoint is a roadside stop in Barangay Badas with no formal entrance fee. However, some private viewing decks and parking areas nearby may charge a small maintenance fee of ₱20 to ₱50.
How is Mati different from Davao City?
While Davao faces the gulf and is a large urban hub, Mati faces the open Pacific. It is the Davao Region city most closely tied to surf culture and rugged coastal landscapes, offering a slower, eco tourism focused rhythm.
Source note
Joel Mayo Z. Almario took office as Mati City mayor on June 30, 2025 after the 2025 local elections.