A huge percentage of travelers still wouldn’t dare visit Mindanao because of its negative image to tourists. Unfortunately, they’re missing out on seeing pristine natural wonders like this one.
🇵🇭LAPSAY LAGOON ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭
✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Lapsay Lagoon, Surigao del Norte:
⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Butuan City (e.g. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific).
⏺ Hail a tricycle to get to the bus terminal in Butuan.
⏺ Ride a bus bound for Surigao City then ask the bus conductor to drop you off at Tagana-an Crossing, Lower Libas (travel time: 2 – 2.5 hours).
⏺ Charter a tricycle that will take you to the town proper of Tagana-an where you can hire a boat that will take you Lapsay Lagoon in Tinago Island.
⏺ Alternatively, you may ride a multicab from Tagana-an Crossing to reach the town center. These multicabs ply the Surigao City-Tagana-an route.
I first saw a photo of Lapsay Lagoon when a friend of mine from the travel community who lives in Butuan City posted a photo of this breathtaking gem on Facebook. I immediately messaged him to ask for directions on how to reach the place.This visit of mine to this lagoon transpired in June 2017 when my friends and I planned a trip to Siargao. Lapsay Lagoon was actually a side trip before we headed to Siargao.
⏰⏳ SAMPLE DAY TOUR ITINERARY:
7:00 AM ETD for Tagana-an from Butuan or Surigao City
9:00 AM ETA Tagana-an
9:30 AM ETD for Lapsay/Tinago Lagoon
10:00 AM ETA Tinago Holiday Resort
4:00 PM Head back to Tagana-an town proper
5:00 PM ETD for Butuan or Surigao City
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler): Php 1,500 – Php 2,000 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the boat and tricycle transfer rates.
Upon landing at Davao Airport, we immediately made our way to Ecoland Terminal then spent the night on our bus trip from Davao to Butuan. After our quick breakfast, we hopped on a bus bound for Surigao and alighted at the junction en route to the laid-back town of Tagana-an where this enormous pool is located.Since the town proper of Tagana-an is far from the national highway, we chartered a tricycle that would take us to the wharf where we could hire a boat. The tricycle driver also helped us look for the owner of the boat after we told him the purpose of our visit in Tagana-an.With our heavy backpacks, we hopped on our boat and crossed the calm sea to reach the island. One of the things that I love about this visit is our quick boat ride.A few minutes passed and we finally docked at the resort managing Lapsay Lagoon in Tinago Island. We walked a few meters to get to where the lagoon is.My face lit up the moment I saw the lagoon with my own eyes. Truly stunning as it glistens with the rays of the sun touching its surface. The place was deserted so the tranquility of the water without any visible ripples adds up to its beauty.Realizing that we’re literally the sole visitors, my friends and I started our photo shoot right away.Originally, it was never part of the plan to swim because we strictly had to follow our itinerary but we just couldn’t help ourselves. The lagoon was too enticing.
📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌The boat ride to Lapsay Lagoon takes about 15 – 20 minutes.
📌This place is also known as Tinago Lagoon.
📌You may include this in your itinerary if you are exploring Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.
📌Expect rain and rough sea condition during monsoon season (June-February).
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
Fortunately, the weather cooperated that day because we won’t be able to see the lagoon in its full glory had it been overcast or worse, raining.I thank the gods that I could swim. At least I could enjoy frolicking in this pool.I was actually a bit hesitant at first to take a dip. I know it’s beautiful and inviting and all that jazz but it’s creepy at the same time. I mean, the opaque emerald hue of the lagoon suggests how deep it is. I’d still prefer swimming in coral reefs where I could see what’s underneath.A few more minutes passed and a huge group of visitors arrived. We hastily finished our pictorial before they invaded our space.We didn’t have ample time to wash up so we just had a change of dry clothes before returning to the town center.I had one last look at Lapsay Lagoon and bid goodbye to this awesome natural wonder. Considering its beauty, I’m pretty sure that this place would welcome an influx of tourists in the coming years. Once we’re back in Poblacion, we ate lunch at a local eatery before heading to Hayanggabon Port to catch the public boat going to Bucas Grande Island.
***For other destinations in Surigao del Norte and Caraga Region, you may visit this link.
