5 Breathtaking Places to Visit in Surigao, Philippines
Philippines is known for its breathtaking archipelago and rich culture, practiced and loved by amazing people. The beaches, islands, forests, mountains, and surreal views are not foreign to the world, but many are only known to locals. Both my parents are from this beautiful country, and in all my travels none would come close to the beauty of home. I’m referring to none other than Surigao, also known as the “Shangrila by the Pacific Ocean”.
As most rural towns and accommodations in the Philippines, you’ll need cash to pay for most things, so bring enough to cover for your trip.
The closest airport is in Davao City. From there, you can ride a bus to Butuan or Tandag City; all these places would be accessible from there.
Or, you could wait till the end of the article for me to reveal the best deal to visit all these stunning places without having to travel for hours and hours. It could save you lots of time and money, so if you really want to know, keep reading!
1. Enchanted River
The island of Surigao is located in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. It is most popularly well known for one of its wonders, the Hinatuan Enchanted River. It’s a crystal-clear blue river than flows into the Pacific Ocean, and it is dearly beloved and enjoyed by anyone who visits. When I say crystal-blue, I mean crystal blue. Look at that spectacular body of water hidden like a gem in the Hinatuan forest. The water is so clear you could almost see the bottom of it, if you dare to look into its 80-feet depth. People have come from all over the world to see this river, and it was even named one of the Seven Wonders of the World at one point.
To get to the Enchanted River, take a 4-hour bus ride from Butuan to Hinatuan. From there, you can hire a tricycle or habal-habal that would take you to the Enchanted River. It’s pretty easy to get there. To add to your comfort, everyone around the area knows how to get there, so you won’t get lost. Additionally, you won’t get hungry either, thanks to the several food stalls along the way that sell local delicacies and treats. Whether it’s savory, for dessert, or if you just want a light snack. It’s a fun trip to try out, and you could spend a few hours frolicking there before splashing your way to the next destination.
2. Tinuy-An Falls
Tinuy-an Falls is a force to be reckoned with. Those majestic falls shower rainbows every time the sun hits it during midday, and the sight is nothing short of therapeutic. The waters are cold, fresh, and clear, and a swim there might be all you need to relieve any stress. Its several layers of waterfalls also make for a pleasing photo with your loved ones.
To get there, it’s a 4-hour and 25-minute bus ride from Butuan to Mangagoy, where the falls are located. From there, you can again hire a habal-habal to take you to Tinuy-an Falls. These rides would usually cost about 100–150 Philippine pesos per person, or about 2–3 US dollars. They will drop you off right next to the falls, and it will be your choice to stay at the bottom or climb further to see and swim where the highest waterfall is. If you decide to get the full experience and do the latter, be sure to wear waterproof climbing shoes, or at least make sure your shoes are stable enough to grip slippery rocks under lights currents.
It’s an absolute stunner and every second is worth it. If you want to go when there aren’t a lot of people, it would have to be very early in the morning or close to sunset. It’s not just the foreign tourists that go there to unwind; it’s a favorite spot of the locals to kick back and enjoy the cool refreshing waters. As such there are plenty of food stalls when you arrive at Mangagoy where you can buy food to pack for your time at the falls. You might work up an appetite after all that climbing, swimming, and gasping in awe.
3. Britania Islands
If you feel like visiting several different beaches of different islands at the same time, then you’ll love the Britania Group of Islands. Every scenery in each island is different, and offer many different places to explore in each.
The powdery white sand and aquamarine waters are the perfect getaway for you and your loved ones. If you want to explore the islands, you can rent a boat for 1,500 pesos (31 US dollars) for 4 islands, or 2,000 pesos (42 US dollars) for all the islands. It’s an absolute steal, if you ask me.
To get there, ride a bus heading to Tandag City from Butuan or Davao City, and tell the driver you’ll be getting off at Brittania junction. Once at the port, you can opt to spend the night at Mac Arthur’s Place or La Entrada Resort and Restaurant. Both accommodations offer island hopping tours from P1000 to P1500, depending on the size of your group. It’s an absolute stunning beauty, and you have my word for it.
4. Laswitan Lagoon
This recently discovered gem stole the breath from anyone standing in its presence. Its unique shape and landscape has a strange contraption. Contrary to what you see in the picture, it’s not waterfalls. It’s not water that’s constantly rushing down, in constant speed, like normal waterfalls. It’s actually the waves of the ocean spilling over those rocks, making those foamy white appearance.
You know how at the edge of these lighthouse islands in movies you see these waves crash against jagged rocks? That’s exactly what’s happening here, but on a larger scale. The ocean waves are crashing against this big rock and spilling over it, painting this beautiful masterpiece every few minutes. It’s no wonder they named it “Laswitan”, a Visayan term meaning, “sea water pounding on the rocks”.
To get there, ride a bus going to Tandag and drop off at Cortes. From the Cortes town proper, ride a trycicle (habal-habal) to get to Laswitan. It’s a short ride of just 15 minutes.
5. Cagwait White Beach
I saved the best for last. Welcome to my mother’s birthplace; the beautiful Cagwait in Surigao del Sur.
I’ve always remembered the smell of the air whenever our car was getting close to Cagwait. I remember the taste and feel of salty air from the white beach, the smell of barbequed fresh fish the locals would traditionally cook, and the sound of the fishermen coming back with their new haul of fresh seafood. And then I’d see the white sand, the aquamarine waters, the palm trees, and I knew immediately this was a place I could get used to. Nothing could beat that feeling.
My mother’s family lived near the beach and all we had to do was walk a few meters to be greeted by the beautiful expanse of the Pacific Ocean. I remember looking out into that horizon from the edge of the beach and watching it curve into the rising sun. I could watch it a thousand times and never tire of it.
The people there are the friendliest I’ve ever met, and it didn’t matter if you were a foreigner or a local Filipino. They always made you feel at home and welcome, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they started treating you like they’ve known you for years. It wasn’t just that it was my mother’s home; it was the culture and heart of the place itself. It felt warm.
Not only did the place feel like home, it also felt like you could fall in love with absolutely anything. The people, the view, the delicious fresh seafood, and the easy access to all the places I’ve ever mentioned in this article.
I saved this for last because you could opt to disregard anything I said about how to travel to those four places above from Butuan or Tandag, and just come here. There are plenty of tourist inns and hotels here with a rustic feel of the town’s warm culture. They charge just a few dollars per night, and are very accommodating. All four places mentioned above could easily be visited from Cagwait White Beach. In fact, it’s only a few minutes away from each, at most an hour or two. To get to Cagwait White Beach, ride a bus to Tandag from Davao City, and simply ride a van from there to Cagwait.
What are you waiting for? Come visit Surigao!