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May 23, 2013

Visiting Laswitan of Surigao del Sur

GPS waypoint: N9 18.702 E126 11.462
Location: Brgy. Madreleneo, Municipality of Cortes, Province of Surigao del Sur

Attraction Recall
In Cortes, Laswitan is the most recognized tourist attraction. It's the one thing in Cortes people from along the coastal area of Surigao del Sur, say I should visit. Interestingly though, many of them haven't been to Cortes yet.

Archie
After securing my stay in Cortes, through the courtesy of LGU officer Vincent Duenas, I was taken on a habal-habal ride to Laswitan by Archie, an LGU staff. From Cortes town proper, it was still a good 6 kms of dirt riding away. When the road ends, there is a 5 minute hike down to sea level where you see the majestic Pacific Ocean and Laswitan, fronting it.

Cortes, Surigao del Sur

Laswitan |

Bakwitan Cave |

Buybuyan Beach |

Capandan Sanctuary |

Light House |

Uba Marine Sanctuary guard house |

Sihagan Beach |

Campiri Rocks

Sea Water Shower
Laswitan comes from the Visaya word, laswit, meaning the sea water pounding on the rocks. Laswitan is unique because of the strong waves crashing on a 20-foot rocky sea wall and spilling over the other side to fill up a rock pool. Guests can dip on the 2 rock pools as they are showered by sea water splashing from the other side. Best time to see Laswitan is from October to mid-March. There is one sizeable sheltered hut for day use with a nominal rental fee.

Buybuyan Beach
A short walk away from Laswitan is the Buybuyan Beach. I see this as a personal-type of beach. It's only about 60 feet long, flanked on both ends with boulders, so it provides privacy. There is also a graded stream beside it that can be tweaked to serve as a jacuzzi. Again, possibilities abound.

Ending Thoughts
It's too bad I came at the wrong time for Laswitan. The waves are gentle...hardly the stuff that can breach a formidable rock wall. But I've viewed YouTube videos of Laswitan. It is truly a majestic spectacle to see that thunderous smashing of Pacific Ocean's massive waves to spill beyond a 20-foot rock wall to fill up a rock pool on the other side. A must-see!

--- TheLoneRider

ps - If you want me to objectively cover the features of your city or municipality or barangay for this website (fiesta, waterfall, mountain trail, lake, river, cave, food, islands, beach, etc.), email me.

Laswitan Travel Tips

there is no bank in Laswitan. Bring cash.
as of this writing, the only lodging in Cortes, Kamalig at P600/head. Contact the LGU for reservation
best time to see Laswitan is during Amihan from October to mid-March when strong waves pound heavily on the rocks
there is no lodging in Laswitan, but there is a wooden hut for day-use shelter
you can do this yourself, but you can also go to the LGU office for assistance and for overall Cortes adventure guide
Laswitan is sometimes referred to as "Salt Lake Pacific"

Laswitan Fees

entrance fee: 5-15 years old, P10
entrance fee: 16 years old snf sbovr, P20
cottage rental: P200
mask (for rock pool) rental: P10

How to Get to Laswitan from Surigao City

take a jeep or tricycle in Surigao City for the bus termial. The sign board should say "Terminal" or "Gaisano". 10 mins, P8
Take a bus or van going to Tandag, but tell the conductor to drop you off Cortes junction
at the highway junction, take a motorcycle (aka habal-habal) for Laswitan. The motorcycle will pass through the town proper of Cortes on its way to Laswitan, 9 kms, 20 mins, P30/person

Cortes Travel Tips and FYI:

bring lotsa cash. There is no bank here. Others had to go to the next big city (no joking matter) just to replenish on cash
there is no internet here

How to Get to Cortes

from Tandag - take any northbound bus or jeep heading to Surigao City and ask to be dropped off at Cortes, 1 hour. If you take a jeep that specifically says "Cortes", take it. It will take you all the way to Cortes proper and to some of its barangays (and not just at the junction). If you take a bus, ask to be dropped off at Cortes, 1 hour. Then take a habal-habal for Cortes proper, 15 mins, P20.
from Surigao City - take any southbound bus for Tandag and ask to be dropped off at the Cortes junction, 4 hours. Then take a habal-habal for Cortes proper, 15 mins, P20.

Attractions in Cortes and nearby area

Lubcon Falls - from Tandag, take jeep for Cantillan or Cortes and ask the driver to drop you off at Lubcon Falls, P25, 30 mins, 15 kms
Laswitan - strong waves crashing against the rocks and spilling over to fill up a rock pool (while you're dipping in it)
Campiri Rocks - going over huge boulders, dipping in a rock pool, standing on a rock summit as waves hits and splash against it, and to cap all, you rest on the base of the light house perched on top of the rocks in full view of the magnificent Pacific Ocean
Bakwitan Cave - a refuge by the towns folk during the Japanese occupation and during the typhoon of 2004
Buybuyan Beach - small beach, almost like a personal beach, fine white sand (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
Sihagan Beach - fine white sand for long walks on a beach (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
Burgos Togonan Falls
Uba Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
Capandan Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
Balibadon Marine Sanctuary
Mabahin Marine Sanctuary
Tigao Marine Sanctuary
Poblacion Marine Sanctuary

Lodging in Cortes

Kamalig - this is the only lodging in Cortes, P600/head. Best to make arrangements with Cortes LGU before coming over

Cortes LGU

for more information on anything and everything about Cortes, you can get in touch with Vincent Duenas of the Cortes LGU: 0907.444.6551 or email divecortes@yahoo.com.ph

SUGGESTED ITINERARY
(along the Surigao coastline from Surigao City to Surigao del Sur)

Surigao City

Rite of Passage on Cantrasa Shoal Jul 12, 2013
Karma Yoga in Surigao City July 5, 2013
The Wooden Footbridge and Waterfall of Cantiasay, Surigao City July 1, 2013
Outdoor Adventure Tour in Nonoc Island, Surigao City Jul 1-2, 2013
The Deadly Bitaugan Whirlpool of Surigao City Jun 26, 2013
Beaching it at Pebble Beach and Looc Beach, Surigao City Jun 22-24, 2013
Exploring Silop Cave of Surigao City Jun 22, 2013
Free-Diving the Coral Reef of Birok Islet, Surigao City June 12, 2013
Boat Ride through the Floating Village of Day-asan June 12, 2013

Surigao del Norte

Island Hopping Adventures in Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte July 23-25, 2013
Exploring Siargao's Cloud 9 July 18-20, 2013
Judging Del Carmen's Beauty Pagent and Street Dancing July 15-16, 2013
Diving the Reef of Cagtinae, Surigao del Norte Jul 7, 2013

Cantilan

Ayoke Island May 27, 2013
Casarica Island May 27, 2013
General Island May 27, 2013

Carmen

Sua Cold Spring - in Brgy Esperanza. From main highway, get off at Madrid terminal and take motorcycle ride for the spring. If coming from Lanuza, get off at crossing of Cangcaban then take habal-habal for the spring
Hubason River May 18, 2013

Lanuza

Lanuza Marine Park and Sanctuary May 17, 2013 - coral reef, snorkeling, cafe. Also a short walk to Magkawas Falls.
Magkawas Falls in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur May 16, 2013
Silop Spring May 16, 2013
Campamento Cave May 16, 2013
Herrera Ancestral Home

Cortes

Lubcon Falls - from Tandag, take jeep for Cantilan or Cortes and ask the driver to drop you off at Lubcon Falls, P25, 30 mins, 15 kms
Burgos Togonan Falls
Laswitan - strong waves crashing against the rocks and spilling over to fill up a rock pool (while you're dipping in it)
Campiri Rocks - going over huge boulders, dipping in a rock pool, standing on a rock summit as waves hits and splash against it, and to cap all, you rest on the base of the light house perched on top of the rocks in full view of the magnificent Pacific Ocean
Bakwitan Cave - a refuge by the towns folk during the Japanese occupation and during the typhoon of 2004
Buybuyan Beach - small beach, almost like a personal beach, fine white sand (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
Sihagan Beach - fine white sand for long walks on a beach (there are no commercial establishments on the beach...its undeveloped)
Uba Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
Capandan Marine Sanctuaries - scuba dive with gear from the LGU. At P250 per dive, you can't beat it!
Balibadon Marine Sanctuary
Mabahin Marine Sanctuary
Tigao Marine Sanctuary
Poblacion Marine Sanctuary

Tandag

Exploring Dayao Cave of Tandag, Surigao del Sur May 12, 2013
Brgy. Bongtud - Twin Linungao Island, Mancagangi Island & MPA (Marine Protected Area - fish sanctuary)