1. Kawa-Kawa sa Awog

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Wondering what to do in Bislig City? Why not cool off at Kawa-Kawa sa Awog? The circular pools that form most of this place are all-natural, one of the few things that are artificial here are the slides and walkways that lead up to this wonderful natural gem.

Soothe your troubles away with the natural waters because nothing beats nature when it comes to relaxing environments. You won’t regret going here as this attraction guarantees you a rejuvenating, enjoyable, and memorable time.

Kawa-Kawa sa Awog

Address: Brgy. San Jose, Bislig, 8311 Surigao del Sur

Website: Kawa-Kawa sa Awog

2. Sian Falls

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

A hidden gem is what best describes Sian Falls. Overshadowed by Tinuy-an Falls, this natural wonder remains undiscovered by many tourists. Thanks to this obscurity, Sian Falls showcases the beauty of nature that remains untouched by human development and is a great place for nature lovers to discover and take a dip in. Take in not only the cool water but also the fresh air of the surrounding woodland, and enjoy the hike you’ll be taking to get to these falls.

Sian Falls

Address: 772W+45W, Bislig, Surigao del Sur

3. Hinayagan Cave

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you’re a spelunker or someone who wants to go spelunking, Hinayagan Cave is a beautiful place to explore. The first cave is 100 m (328 ft) in length, with the entrance having creek water flowing through it and the sunlight from the middle ceiling providing some light.

You’ll spot some bats and birds that like to go in and out of the cave. The second cave, on the other hand, can be accessed via a 50-m (164-ft) swimming area. This second cave contains an underground river and several stalactites.

Hinayagan Cave

Address: Kapatagan 2, Bislig, Surigao del Sur

4. C-Fish Cage & Sand Bars

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

C-Fish Cage & Sand Bars is a floating resort with a restaurant located out in the waters near the coastal village of Talisay, Surigao del Sur. Take in the fresh ocean air around you and feel the floor beneath you sway to the dance of the ocean waves.

The resort has several fish cages that house different species of marine life including stingrays, which you can also feed and pet to your heart’s content. Don’t worry about the stingrays as they no longer have their stingers which makes them safe to touch.

C-Fish Cage & Sand Bars

Address: Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur

Price: 0.39 USD (entrance fee)

5. Waterfalls

If there is one tourist attraction Bislig is known for, it is Tinuy-an Falls. Dubbed as the region’s version of the Niagara Falls, it features three layers of frothy white falls, at a height of 55 meters (180.4 ft) and a width of 95 meters (311.68 ft). It is one of, if not the widest waterfall in the Philippines.

Tinuy-an Falls is roughly 30 to 45 minutes away from the city proper. Visitors will need to go on a habal-habal (passenger motorcycle) ride to reach this destination. Each motorcycle can accommodate a maximum of six passengers, with the fare priced at about 200.00 PHP (or 4 USD).

Other waterfalls within the vicinity are Sian Falls, Canlumawag Falls, Mendezona Falls, Sibaroy Falls, and the Kambawl Falls.

Tinuy-an Falls

Address: Barangay Burboanan, Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Price: from <1 USD (8 PHP), plus another 1 USD (50 PHP) for a guide

Duration: around 2 hours required.

Access: Take a habal-habal (passenger motorcycle) ride from the city proper to get to Tinuy-an Falls. These motorcycles regularly travel the streets, so getting one would not be difficult.

6. Beaches and islands

The Philippines is widely known for its beautiful beaches, and Bislig City offers good ones to visitors.

The most popular beach is Lawigan Beach, which is an hour away from the city proper. Bislig residents proudly declare this attraction as the “Boracay of Mindanao,” because of its white sand and clear blue waters.

Surfers, on the other hand, would appreciate Mabakat Beach, which has good waves. In fact, it serves as the venue for the Bislig Surfing Competition, which is held annually.

If you’re after peace and quiet, pearl-shaped Hagonoy Island is a good option for you. Like Lawigan Beach, visitors can expect white sand and clear blue waters here. However, it is usually not as crowded as the former. Hagonoy Island is a great choice for those who want to go snorkeling or scuba diving, because they may see a lot of different species of fish, given that it is located in the Pacific Ocean. Visitors will need to go on a 40-minute pump boat ride before they can reach Hagonoy Island. Note, however, that this is a privately-owned island resort, so those who are interested in visiting here will need to make prior arrangements before going there.

A perk about visiting the beaches of Bislig is that since these are not well-known to tourists, you do not have to worry about overcrowding when you visit. However, do expect to rough it when you go to any of these places, as facilities are usually spartan at best.

Lawigan Beach

Address: Barangay Lawigan, Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Nearby Food: It is best if you bring your own food

Mabakat Beach

Address: Barangay Tabon, Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Nearby Food: It is best if you bring your own food

Hagonoy Island

Address: Barangay Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Access: 30 to 45 minute pump boat ride from the city proper

Near by Food: It is best if you bring your own food

7. Lake 77

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Lake 77 is a manmade lake originally constructed by PICOP Resources Incorporated, a paper company, with the intent of using the water to supply the company’s factory. The facilities have since closed down, and the lake has since been transformed by the local government into a Bislig City tourist spot, while the surrounding forests now serve as a protected habitat.

The lake, which is named after the total number of hectares owned by the paper company, is best known for its reflective surface, casting a near-perfect mirror image of the sky. Tourists can also go on boat rides across the lake. It is also possible to fish there. The lake is only a few minutes away from Tinuy-an Falls, so it is possible to explore both within half a day.

Lake 77

Address: Barangay Borbaonan, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

Access: Lake 77 can be passed on the way to Tinuy-an Waterfalls

8. Underground river

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Puerto Prinsesa in Palawan is not the only Philippine destination that features an underground river. Bislig City also has one of its own, albeit on a smaller scale.

Hinayagan Cave, which is about 30 minutes away from the city proper, is rumored to be enchanted, a reputation earned probably because of the almost otherworldly feeling that visitors get, with the collapsed ceiling of the cave allowing a bit of sunlight to filter through.

Please note that you will need to trek for about 15 minutes across a rough road to get to the jump-off point for the cave itself, and then another 10 minutes to get to the center of the cavern. Along the way, visitors will also need to cross a stream in order to reach it. It is possible to swim once inside.

Visitors do not need to be experts in spelunking, as it is easy to go in and out of there. The cave mouth itself is quite large. However, do note that the cave floor is wet and slippery, so proper footwear is necessary to avoid accidents.

There is no entrance fee to enter the cave. However, it is advised that travelers provide a monetary tip to their guide.

Hinayagan Cave

Address: Kapatagan 2, San Vicente, Bislig City

Access: The place can be accessed via a motorcycle ride, followed by walking

9. Enchanted River

Technically speaking, the Enchanted River is outside of Bislig City, as it is found in the municipality of Hinatuan. However, a visit to the area is not complete without dropping by this destination.

One look at the river’s waters will make visitors understand why it was given this name, with its vivid blue waters. It is possible to swim in the Enchanted River. Even those who are not confident in their swimming skills can enjoy the waters, as there are stalls there that offer rental of life jackets and goggles.

The Enchanted River is about 30 minutes away from Bislig City. Like the other destinations, this can be accessed by taking a one-hour habal-habal ride. Alternatively, you can take a bus ride from Bislig to the Hinatuan Bus Terminal. From there, you can take a habal-habal to the Enchanted River.

Enchanted River

Address: Barangay Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Price: from 1 USD (50 PHP)

Access: From Bislig City, visitors can go on a motorcycle ride or take the bus to get to Hinatuan

10. Chocolate Beach

If you’re looking for a place to swim, this is not it. What you can do at the Chocolate Beach, however, is mud skim boarding. Just be sure to bring a lot of soap after you try this out.

Chocolate Beach

Address: Guava Junction, Poblacion, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

Dive into the adventure offered by the waters of Bislig City

Bislig might not be the usual go-to place for tourists, but it offers a lot of different attractions to tourists. Visit here to get a taste of what the rest the Philippines can offer.