Tandag, a very small coastal town in Surigao del Sur, is hardly the most exciting destination in Mindanao. There are no ziplines here, no white sand beaches, no waterfalls to draw hordes of tourists. A sleepy and quiet place, I loved its tranquility, looking forward every year to go back to its small-town charm.
When I came home for a few days last month, I went around and took pictures of Tandag as a tourist would, and I realized that it was more beautiful than I thought it would be. The best thing, however, was that I learned that there are several cave systems in my town that had remained unexplored and unexploited. As an avid traveler, the prospect of an adventure was something that immediately made my heart beat faster.
The caves are located in the rocky islands across the seaport in the barangay of Bongtod. Called Bat Island and Linungao Island, those were off-limits to us as children, as people believed that Linungao is haunted by spirits who regularly claim human lives to serve them in their kingdom. Stories abound of people drowning on knee-high water, or young women getting lost for days and found disoriented in Linungao.
We climbed through balete roots to reach the cave.
When I went there with my cousins last month, though, Linungao took on a different aspect. According to a local, Dodong Dayao, he discovered three caves there, and he had kept their presence private (his family holds the title to the property). He guided us to the nearest unnamed cave, accessible only through a small hole in the ground, bringing only a length of rope, some candles, and a headlamp.
To reach the cave, we had to climb through balete roots, holding on to and squeezing through the thick and fleshy roots of the banyan. When we saw the small entrance, we had slight misgivings; would we fit inside? It seemed too small for us. When Manong Dodong made it through, though, we all excitedly followed, my Nikon D3100 wrapped securely in plastic.
The entrance is a hole in the ground.
Amazing formations inside Danakit Cave.
An excellent place to take pictures!
Nong Dodong in one of the pools.
Manong Toto amazed at the stalactites inside Danakit Cave.
Tata in awe of the rock formations.
The way down was muddy and a bit dangerous for those who are not used to physical activity but the rock formations inside were breathtaking. The light from our candles and headlamp made the crystals sparkle, and the pools of water were cold and deep enough to make for a very refreshing swim. One end of the cave was a bench-like rock formation where we stopped to take pictures.
We had to jump off into the pool to reach the other side.
When I asked Manong Dodong for the name of the cave, he only took a moment to think. Seeing all the banyan trees around it, he gave the name “Danakit,” which is the local name for balete.
After around an hour, my cousins and I went back, all tired and hungry from our impromptu adventure. Still, we couldn’t wait to go back next time to explore the other two caves!
How to go to Danakit Cave in Tandag: The cave is in Linungao in Bongtod (same island where the Grotto is). It is best to go there during low tide, and you can look for Dodong Dayao to guide you—don’t forget to compensate him for his time and effort in taking you there. Leaving your waste inside the cave is strictly prohibited, as well as defacing the site by writing on the rocks or cave walls. Let us all protect our natural resources; leave those markers and spray paints at home!
Tandag is accessible by bus from Butuan City (5 hours) or Surigao City (5 hours). There are direct flights from Manila going to Butuan or Surigao daily.
UPDATE (August 2011): This may be closed to the public at the moment, as per the 01 August 2011 comment below.
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@ Ed/Island Vacations: Oo nga po e, I hope the Tandag government will help regulate its use as a tourism site. Sayang ganda pa naman.
I felt envious about that still unknown cave, unspoiled and untouched stalactites and stalagmites. A stark contrast with the heavily exploited caves at Sohoton Cove in Bucas Grande Island. How I wish I can visit the place once it is opened for the public.
@ Dennis: I was just in San Miguel last week! Yes, it’s one of the islands near the port, but I don’t want to send you on a wild goose chase. The title owners of that island seem to have no plans of taking visitors, which is a pity since that cave is so beautiful.
Hi aleah … just like you i am an avid fan of nature… i work here in san miguel surigao del sur, i wonder where this cave is … is this the one adjacent to the port of tandag??? how can we find the tour guide manong toto??? thanks alot .
@ Doki: I’m sorry you had such an unfortunate experience getting to the cave. I already posted an update that it has been closed to the public. Tourism is something new to Tandag; I just hope that policies will be put in place someday.
it was an excitement turned into such a big flop! after we painstakingly travelled all the way from davao just to explore that dinakit cave, we ended up meeting the alcoholic brother of Dodong Dayao, the said guide to that dreamed cave. so unfriendly to tourists but not to Tanduay, that guy was so inconsiderate and so disrespectful to turn us down without any hesitation. it was even a surprise that people in Tandag did not even know that there is such cave named Danakit exist in their own place, which proves that it is not open to all, but only to chosen few (?). So, to everyone who wishes to explore this cave, better think again especially if you are coming from afar. well, we can’t do anything about it, not unless the owner would sell that piece of land to us. hehehehe
@ Owik Golabits: Thank you for the feedback. When I was there, the owner of that property said that he welcomes visitors. I’ll be able to talk to him only in October 2011. In the meantime, I’ll post a notice here in the blog that it’s not open to the public. Again, thanks for giving feedback!
M A G A N D A N G A R A W S A L A H A T!!!!
WE REALLY DISAPPOINT WHEN WE CAME IN THAT PLACE! GRRRRRRRRR!
WE TRAVELED ALMOST 7 HOURS FROM STO.TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE TO TANDAG SURIGAO DEL SUR LAST AUGUST 30 2011 PARA MAKITA ANG PINAGMAMALAKI NILANG Spelunking in Tandag BUT SUDDENLY HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! PRIVATE PROPERTY PALA, THE CAVE IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! SA SUSUNOD KUNG MAGPOPOST KAYO NG TOURIST SPOT DAPAT OPEN SA PUBLIC!
WE GOT NOTHING IN THAT PALACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANG DANAKIT NAGING DINUKOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Ma. You are really my mother. Mwah! 😀
maling, my mapasigarbo na an Tandag, for those who are as adventurous as you they really will appreciate the caves whew… with the sexy model… the view is breathtaking…
@ Fe Enaldo-Lagumbay: Not exactly below, but same island. We entered from the Bongtod side, not from the pantalan. 🙂
marvelous! didn’t know that this cave exists in my backyard. is this the one below the grotto?
@ Virgo Itinerary: I haven’t been to Britannia yet, but I know what you mean by the waterfalls. It’s called Tinuy-an. Will go there in October this year. With regards to the very nice river, I’d been there. You can read my post here: https://www.solitarywanderer.com/2011/01/going-to-enchanted-river-hinatuan/
have you heard of britannia?its a nice beach in surigao del sur and there’s also a waterfall na sobrang ganda,and a nice river din sa hinatuan.
@ Gay: Maybe you can go back to it when Luna’s bigger hehe
I miss spelunking!!! Wish I could explore non-touristy caves as well… Sigh.
Cedric: Yes, the rocks are really wonderful, especially when they sparkle from the light we brought. And thanks for the compliment! *blush*
Ang ganda ng formations inside, pati yung model. 😀
@ Manang Catch: Nope, no snakes there. Bats, yes!
@ Happy Sole: Camiguin is far from Tinuy-an, which is far from Tandag! Like my page on Facebook and we can talk there about your IT 🙂
@ CA: I really love spelunking too, and now I realize all the more that I love caves which are not “discovered” by tourists yet. So much fun! Re sexy, thanks! Aren’t I in real life? Bwahaha
this is nice, i love the experience, a week ago,i’ve been ranting how i miss spelunking so much, and this post made me rant more! thanks for sharing 🙂
and i must say, you’re sexy in the pic!
uy Surigao del Sur! we’re going there in Sept and aside from Tinuy-an Falls and Camiguin, we don’t have an itinerary yet. do you know khow how we can contact Manong Dodong or do you know of other places nearby that we can also visit? thanks a bunch!
ling!!!
soo nice,one of this days will surely visit danakit..wla kha snake ling?hehehe..
@ Fetus: It’s really exciting to explore caves. There are a lot in Cebu, right? Go! 😀
@ Grace: That’s what I loved best–that the place is isolated 🙂 The popular caves in the Philippines–in Sagada, for example–are already full of tourists.
Aleah, ok ha the place looks so isolated and parang walang mga turista. Super adventure!
yeah the place is really gorgeous! pag spelunker na ako, pupuntahan ko talaga to hehehe.
@ Red: Yes, the water was cold! It was very refreshing though. It washed off all the mud in our bodies 🙂
@ Liza: Yep, I didn’t know we had those wonderful caves in Tandag. Will go home in October-November pa 🙁
@ Claire: I loved the cave and looking forward to explore the other two! I would also want to go to other cave systems in the PH including Hoyop-Hoyopan.
The pool inside the cave looks inviting and the gleaming crystals remind me of Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave, nice find Aleah 🙂
Wow Al, I didn’t know these beautiful scenes can be found in our very own Tandag! 🙂
Nice one, Al! Can’t wait to get to my hometown this coming June 21. Wanna come with us?
How magical!! Was the water cold??