Camiguin: A Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

by lakwatserong tatay

As our shuttle droves to Giant Clams Sanctuary, Kuya Chris told us about the Tanguines Lagoon, an artificial lagoon, which was not actually part of our itinenary. We just passed by on this lagoon although were aware what to see and do on this lagoon. We just have our photo opps and proceed to our last destination....^_^

Tanguines Lagoon

Tanguines Lagoon is a man made lagoon near Benoni Port, Town of Mahinog, used as a fishpond but eventually on a part of this lagoon was converted into a floating restaurant, travel lodge and now offers ziplines. Aside from this choices, it offers nature fresh air, with serene rocky cliffs and purely tranquility.

other side of Tanguines Lagoon

Aside from J&A Fishpen that is known in this area, this lagoon also offers travel lodge known as  Lagoon Travel Lodge and a bistro not far from Lagoon Travel Lodge known as Lagoon Bistro that offers inexpensive seafoods cuisines too.

from far away is JA Fishpen (floating restaurant)

One of the restaurant located in Tanguines Lagoon is J&A Fishpen, based from some reviews it offer fresh and delicious dishes, some like it and some don't. The food costs also was quite pricey so basically we passed by this because where on a budget travel that time, but maybe by the next time we visit the Province of Camiguin, we may have the chance to experience dining on this floating restaurant.

photo source

photo source

As of July, 2012, Camiguin launch their 1st ever Zipline that has a distance of 700 meters. Now known as Camiguin Benoni Zipline located at Benoni, Mahinog, Camiguin Island, a three lane zipline, that basically crosses Tanguines Lagoon, giving you a chance to across a body of water and a sight seeing experience of the serene coasts of Mantigue Island and Benoni. So after having hanged in the air, you may try to dine in JA Fishpen or Lagoon Bistro or stay near the lagoon on Lagoon Travel Lodge, which we missed out when we where there.

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Taguines Lagoon

One more activity in the Province of Camiguin, An Educational Tour and Snorkeling Activity @ Giant Clams Sanctuary. Then next stop in the Province of Bukidnon, to visit the Del Monte Pineapple Plantation and Farm and Experience the Asia's Longest Dual Zipline in Dahilayan Adventure Park.....^_^

This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our second stop is Camiguin Island , that is known as the "Island Born of Fire", the 2nd province of Northern Mindanao.

Food Trips:
Food finds: Camiguin's Unique Dessert : Kiping
Food finds: Vjandep Bakeshop : Camiguin's Famous Pastel

Accomodation:
Pabua Cottages

Tours & Activities:
Having Fun at Sto. Niño Cold Spring Resort
Bura Soda Pool Resort
Walk to the Old Church Ruins
Trek to Walkway to the Old Volcano and Station of the Cross
Sunken Cemetery
Relaxation at Ardent Hot Spring Resort
A Glance with Katibawasan Falls
Camiguin's Ostrich Farm
Snorkeling at Giant Clams Sanctuary
Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

Island Hopping:
White Island
Mantigue Island

Big Lagoon

Another Lagoon in Miniloc Island
by lakwatserong tatay

At first i thought Miniloc Island is also like Shimizu Island where we could stay for a while, but sad to say Miniloc Island is a really big island were you could choose where you want to explore, although there's a private resort that we've seen in one of it's island, if im not mistaken, that is Miniloc Island Resort. In Miniloc Island there are two lagoons you can be found the small lagoon (previously i've made one blog story) and big lagoon. There are no entrance fees here. You and your group will just have to explore and swim on it and would already take time. Also in same island another lagoon can be found the secret lagoon (previous i've made also an story) and the hidden beach (sad to say we did not see this beach...huhuhuhu...)

Going to Big Lagoon

(According to wikipedia)....The tranquil turquiose-green waters of its orchid-line limestone walls of Big and Small Lagoons showcasws a kaleidoscope of marine life. Scientists believe that these lagoons were actually caves which abound in these islands. The roofs of these caves must have collapsed millions years ago, and these lagoons have emerged in their stead.

Part of Miniloc Island

Miniloc Island is located on the north-west side of El Nido Bay. One of the popular tourist destination because of its dramatic cliffs and hidden lagoons. A unique formations that can be observed as one approach the island by view gives a mysterious aura. A tropical island with excellent diving and snorkeling sites, that you could really enjoy within this island.

Now entering Big Lagoon

Ok...lets start our journey to Big Lagoon....Upon entering the narrow channel with limestone walls on each side. The limestone cliffs of El Nido are believed to be 250 millions years old...(tama ba..wow). This lagoon has a maximum depth of 27m, while it counter part the Small Lagoon has a maximum depth of 8m.

e kung nalaglag kaya ako...dahil lang sa papicture..

From a far, i could already see the lagoon, it was not like the Small Lagoon which has a small opening and you will have to swim far and explore the lagoon with yourself. In Big Lagoon, you could already see it, it was a huge like football stadium out in the ocean, when you're there you can hardly believe it, because it was really huge formed inside, with wall of limestones cliff and rocks and add the clear waters.

This is the strait that leads in and out of the Big Lagoon

Differentiating the two lagoons, Small Lagoon has a clearer sea water which was a pretty bluish green color and the Big Lagoon has a darker type water. There was also more seaweeds than the Small Lagoon and there was also sea urchins lurking around the edges of the strait so be careful with it...

Big Lagoon

So what just we did it, our boat just go in the strait up to center of its lagoon and have some time to take photo souvenirs and roamed around, few meters before getting out this lagoon we parked and had the chance to snorkel and swim.

Trippers photo opps in Big Lagoon

The limestone cliffs that surrounds the Big Lagoon

According to our boatman, this island is taken cared of by the Miniloc Island management. Upon roaming around and reaching the center of this lagoon, we recognized a small floating platform, where used to held some important functions like weeding, and even a romantic dinner date also held in there according to our boatman(wah...ang sweet naman nun...gayahin ko kaya...^_^). Adding to that, it was also used as a station for dugong, but due to lack of funds, the Miniloc management decided to transfer the dugong to another location (san kaya?...sayang naman...)

The Platform in Big Lagoon

other trippers cruising in this lagoon...

bye...bye....

sarap magrappel dito.....

Our boat parked few meters before the exit of the lagoon, we walked around a bit , took some pictures, and of course experience the waters of Big Lagoon. The lagoon was deeper afar even though were few meters only away from our boat, so we hesitant to go more instead enjoy the spot we were a swimming around and also watching other trippers that passing us by and also father to us, swimming, snorkeling and their some foreigners kayaking...(kainggit...)

The entrance and exit of Big Lagoon

Some of our photo opps in th Big Lagoon......

so....ano masasabi nyo....paseksihan nalang ha...^_^

Swimming Time....me with chris....thanks caloy for the shot...

parang gusto kung gayahin si kuya foreigner...^_^

Some of my last shots before saying bye...bye....to Big Lagoon......



The strait that leads in and out of the Big Lagoon

Before i end this story, here are some insight about the world-class resort in Miniloc Island. The island is home to the El Nido Resort, which is located in a cove, if im not mistaken, we just passed by on it. Were visitors could choose among the wide variety of rooms that include water cottages built on stilts over the water, garden cottages surrounded by tropical flowers and cliff cottages nestled on the islands hillside. Or may choose the the rooms with verandah that provide an unmatched view of the sea.
For more informations about the resort you may click this link...Miniloc Island Resort....

Lakwatserong Tatay Xplored Big Lagoon....^_^

All in all, we had really fun time staying and exploring the Big Lagoon, all us said that we will go back on that placed and experience kayaking....(lahat kasi naiingit sa foreigners na nagkakayak...hehehehe...)

So we have to go to our last destination for our first day of island hopping experience...Seven Commandos..here we come....!!!!!

This story is part of: Five Days Trip at Palawan

Secret Lagoon

A One of a kind Lagoon.....
by lakwatserong tatay

After a sumptous lunch at Shimizu Island, we headed to the "real" Secret Lagoon. It was a bit late afternoon, the sun is still up and the waters really invites us to go in swim. This island has really interesting part because it's divided into two by a giant limestone and has beautiful rock formation on it.

The Shores of Secret Lagoon

It was called Secret Lagoon because you must have to get into a hole to be able to reach the lagoon, and only one person can pass through it. And you may also wonder how it was discovered, and now part in Island hopping activities in El Nido.

Awesome Rock Formations in Secret Lagoon

We docked into one of the beach, and we walked through slippery stones and corals to reach the rock opening of the Secret Lagoon. Actually the time we visit this lagoon there already other tourist entered the lagoon, so we waited our turned for our photo opps.....^_^

The beach shore of Secret Lagoon

If you want some privacy, this lagoon is perfect for two people who want to hide from the rest of the world. Because from the beach it self, you can just walk to this rock opening, and squeee through a small hole to get to the beach inside. Where it has a really small lagoon with an equally small beach, which is on latter part of this lagoon is really deep, i think it was above 10 ft deep, we did not have the chance to go to the end part of the lagoon because we've been warned by our kuya guide....^_^

Inside The Secret Lagoon

But seeing the rock formation inside this lagoon was really awesome, seeing it was really rewarding, and had the chance to stay and swim for a while on this lagoon was really experience, because you may think how the waters comes out, since the lagoon is an enclosed space and waters comes out when the tide rises, the water inside can be.....hmmm.....stagnant...and maybe pee by some of the tourist...what do you think?.....

Entrance to Secret Lagoon

But upon saying and thinking that, it does not stop us to enjoy the waters inside this Secret Lagoon, because this could be a once in a lifetime experience....heheheheh...^_^. Below are some of our cool pictures taken inside the Secret Lagoon.

Trippers photo opss inside the Secret Lagoon

We stayed inside the lagoon for almost 30 minutes, and transfer to nearby beach that i called Secret Lagoon Cove, because far away this island, it just look a cove that been separated by 2 rock limestones that place infront of it shores.....

Rock formations infront of Secret Lagoon

Two holes perfect for photo opps in Secret Lagoon

Of course, we did not missed the opportunity to take some sourvenir shots for our group, we're really thankful to Eric for bringing his underwater pack for digicam's....or else wala talaga kami souvenir pics sa mga too.....^_^

Our photo opps with this holes? Where's the hole...^_^

It's time to say goodbye.....and really hoping to get back on this island....Miniloc Island....specially on this lagoon too....

Bye....bye.....Secret Lagoon

Lakwatserong Tatay Xplored Secret Lagoon & it's Beach

***photo credits: courtesy of Eric and Wendz.....thanks guys...***

All in all, even though we stayed on this Secret Lagoon for 1 hour and almost in half, we're really fortunate to see a one of a kind creation. That our Lord has allowed nature to work on its ways. And be amazed of this such creations that made by time.

Next stop for our first day of island hopping is Big Lagoon also part of Miniloc Island......yahooo.....^_^

This story is part of: Five Days Trip at Palawan

Small Lagoon

First Day of Island Hopping in El Nido
by lakwatserong tatay
This is one of my anticipated activity on our trip, our 2 days of island hopping activity. Our group was able to booked island tour package reservation courtesy of Marina Garden Beach Resorts, they arranged our 2 days of island hopping courtesy of Cadlao Tours, courtesy of Ate Beth. Upon our first night of stay at El Nido, we had some couple drinks, after our tremendous trek to Nagkalit-kalit, we just have a little bit late group dinner, in one of carinderia's around the town and buy some couple of beers, we ended our night a bit drunk....hehehehe....most of the tripper boyz spend until almost 2am, and one of us really got drunk, and it was Carlo...hehehehe...buti nalang sa island hopping namin sa starts with Small Lagoon nagising siya kasi kelangan talaga lumangoy kahit lango pa siya sa alak (joke..joke..)...hehehehe...

The trippers on photo mode activity....^_^

Here's the option of CADLAO TOUR'S Island Hopping Activity (just add Php100 for snorkeling gadgets)
contact information : Beth Fabregas   (0927-5460691)
email address:    cadlaotour_beth@yahoo.com

Tour A(Php700)    Small & Big Lagoon / Shimizu Island / Secret Lagoon / Entalula / 7 Commando
Tour B(Php800)    Pangalusian / Cudognon Cave / Cathedral Cave / Snake Island / Pinagbuyutan
Tour C(Php900)    Hidden Beach / Star Beach / Matinloc Shrine / Tapiutan Island / Secret Beach
Tour D(Php700)    Helicopter Island / Cadlao Lagoon / Paradise Beach / Sabang Beach

We suppose to choose all of the tours, but we ended up to choose two tours, A and B, because of...all the trippers know that thing...^_^..... And then our first morning at El Nido arrives, our island hopping will gonna start around 9am, so we could have some time to prepare ourselves, our wake-up call time was around 630 in the morning, and we have to eat our free breakfast around 730 in the morning courtesy of Marina Garden Beach Resorts it ws included on our 3 days of stay in that resort...hahahaha...

e kung mahulog kaya ko rito noh?

All of us were excited with island hopping activity except for one person that is shown in the picture below left front row of the boat...that's my co-tripper Carlo..lango pa siya nun mga time na yan...buti nalang Small Lagoon ang una sa list...hehehehe...^_^.

@ another angle....basag po kasama nmn c carlo dyn..nsa harap...^_^

Sad to say i just had the glimpse of Helicopter island, hopefully on my next visit ill gonna set my foot on this island...^_^.

The Helicopter Island

It was around 10:15 in the morning, when we finally reached the parking space for boat of Small Lagoon snorkeling activity, yah it was a really different kind of snorkeling activity...parang swimming lessons eh...hehehehe...nawala tuloy hangover ng kasama kong tripper.

Some of the limestone along Small Lagoon

The entrance and parking space for Small Lagoon was really crowded that time, maybe because we have opted to choose this destination in the month of love....where most of the tourist looking for time to spend with their love ones...hmmm...

The parking space for boats in Small Lagoon

I really love looking at the limestone around this Small Lagoon which is part of Miniloc Island. At first i really thought it was a small lagoon, but when i've swimmed and entered it's lagoon, i was really amazed with  it's beautiful limestone that surrounded the lagoon.
TIP: One thing that is most important and i've missed on this trip is to borrow from someone else, maybe from my friend or relative, an underwater camera.....huhuhu...buti nalang Eric brought a waterproof digital camera bag, or else wala kami souvenir pictures from our water adventures....thanks pre...^_^

Some of the limestone and cliff edge stone around Small Lagoon

Ok, photo opps muna bago lumusong...sayang lang ang DSLR, but if you have the gutz and courage, you could bring your DSLR's camera via riding a kayak, together with your friend or maybe you could ask someone in your guides to padel for you to get some good and very nice picture around and inside the Small Lagoon....so what do you think? Sad to say no one with us have to courage to do that...thanks to Eric for bringing her waterproof pack...or else....inggit kami sa iba....my souvenir photos around Small Lagoon.

super thumbs up ako rito....

My photo opps....upon entering the Small Lagoon

Here are some of our photo opps courtesy of Eric's camera...thank talaga ng marami pre....Our group really had a great time, even Waks, son of Eric had a great time, he is just riding a floating salbabida and one of the guide is swimming with him...sarap talaga....

wow sarap....

It's me, having swimming lessons...hahaha

We stayed on this lagoon for almost 2 hours.....kasi naman grabe ang naging swimming lessons namin, most of us are not ready for tha looooooong swim up to the end of this lagoon....hahahaha....

bye...bye....Small Lagoon...i'll be back...very sure..^_^

L. T. has x-plored "Small Lagoon"

Tip: Be sure to check your time, or else you will not missed out some of your schedule destination on your island hopping activity, like what just happened to us, instead of a stopover in Miniloc Island, we just passed by it....huhuhuhu....hopefully by next time, i will not miss that island...^_^.

Next stop is our lunch time at Shimizu Island.....^_^

This story is part of: Five Days of Trip at Palawan