A rainy-day loop: Tayangban Cave Pool and Taktak Falls

When the sea is rough, head inland to wade through a cave river into a hidden pool and find a waterfall in the forest.

Area

Northern Siargao

Start from

General Luna, Siargao

Distance

about 50–80 km round trip

Time needed

1 day

Best season

All year; good for rainy or cloudy days

Difficulty

Moderate

Transport

Scooter or van

Tickets & rules

Small entrance fees; guide required at Tayangban

Why go

Siargao is famous for sea and surf, but when the weather turns or you need a break from the sun, the island’s inland side has its own surprises. Tayangban Cave Pool in Pilar is a short cave walk through knee- to chest-deep water, guided by local people, that ends in a natural pool where you can swim and jump.

Further north, Taktak Falls, in Santa Monica, is a cascade in the forest that tumbles over rock into pools. After rain it can be strong and loud; in the dry months it is gentler. Either way, it is a refreshing contrast to the coast.

Combined, they make a good day when the sea is too rough for boats: a ride through the palms, a cave, a waterfall and a lunch somewhere along the way.

The story

Siargao’s interior is built partly from old coral limestone, and rainwater has spent thousands of years dissolving it into sinkholes, springs and caves, many of them flooded by underground streams. Tayangban is one of the few that has been opened to visitors. Local guides lead small groups through the water by headlamp, under a low ceiling where stalactites drip and the occasional bat stirs, until the passage opens and daylight falls into a green pool surrounded by forest.

Communities in Pilar and Santa Monica have used caves, springs and waterfalls for generations as sources of fresh water, places to wash and places to cool off on hot afternoons. As visitors started asking the way, families and barangay councils began charging small fees, training guides and building simple steps and railings. The money is modest, but it stays in the village, and the guides who lead you through the dark are often the same young people who swam here as children.

Taktak Falls is a local place first and a sight second. On weekends families arrive with rice pots and grilled fish wrapped in leaves, children jump from the lower ledges, and older people sit in the shade, half in the water. Come on a weekday and you may have the pools to yourself; come on a Sunday and you will probably be invited to share someone’s lunch. Either way, keep your voice down and your rubbish in your bag.

These inland sights are good reminders that Siargao is more than a beach, with forests, rivers and caves that remain little explored.

Getting there

From General Luna, ride north to Pilar for Tayangban (roughly an hour), then continue to Santa Monica for Taktak Falls.

Vans or tricycles can be hired for the day if you prefer not to ride.

A suggested plan

1. 8:00Ride north from General Luna.
2. 9:00Tayangban Cave Pool with a local guide.
3. 11:00Continue north to Santa Monica.
4. 12:00Lunch along the way.
5. 13:30Taktak Falls; swim in the pools and ride back.

Where to stay

General Luna is the usual base; this is a day trip.

Good to know

• Bring a waterproof headlamp or rent one at Tayangban.
• Wear water shoes; cave floors are rocky.
• Start early to avoid riding in the dark.
• Carry cash for entrance and guide fees.