Bluer than Blue: Hinatuan Enchanted River, Surigao del Sur
Words are not enough to express the magnificence of Hinatuan Enchanted River in Surigao del Sur. If there are truly engkantos in the area as the old folks believe, then I must have been completely charmed. But who would not be mesmerized by the river's awesome beauty --it's bluer than blue, the depth seems unfathomable, the colorful and variety of fishes that suddenly appears during feeding time, and the surrounding exotic foliages and thick forest. It needs no magic to capture your heart.
I've never seen a river close to its magical beauty.
Around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the bell rang. It signals swimmers to get out of the water because it almost fish feeding time.
The feeding time used to be at 12 noon. I don't know what happened, why the change.
Fishes of various species and sizes surface from under water.
Two men on a bangka fed the fishes as a song was played in the background.
Check this video during the feeding time:
Amazing! You'll be puzzled where all of these fishes come from. According to some folks, the number of fishes declined through the years.
It was only last March 2017 that the river became operational again. It was closed for rehabilitation, giving the river the time to recuperate.
While the influx of tourists, both local and foreign, is beneficial to the industry, unknowingly it damages the river's ecosystem. The swimming activities caused river bed erosion preventing the proper flow of water from the spring.
The Bluer than Blue River has now been restored to its former glory. People can visit and swim in the river with some restrictions, of course.
I've never seen a river close to its magical beauty.
Around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the bell rang. It signals swimmers to get out of the water because it almost fish feeding time.
The feeding time used to be at 12 noon. I don't know what happened, why the change.
Fishes of various species and sizes surface from under water.
Two men on a bangka fed the fishes as a song was played in the background.
Check this video during the feeding time:
Amazing! You'll be puzzled where all of these fishes come from. According to some folks, the number of fishes declined through the years.
RIVER REHAB
It was only last March 2017 that the river became operational again. It was closed for rehabilitation, giving the river the time to recuperate.
While the influx of tourists, both local and foreign, is beneficial to the industry, unknowingly it damages the river's ecosystem. The swimming activities caused river bed erosion preventing the proper flow of water from the spring.
The Bluer than Blue River has now been restored to its former glory. People can visit and swim in the river with some restrictions, of course.
Also read: TINUY-AN FALLS IN SURIGAO DEL SUR
WHY THE RIVER IS BLUE? WHY IT BECOMES GREEN?
As posted on the Enchanted River Facebook page, Jake Miranda of Filipino Cave Divers explained that the river is blue when it is low tide. The spring flushes water that is so pure that it is colored blue like a swimming pool.
The river becomes green when it is high tide. Seawater comes in. Seawater with salt is colored green.
HOW TO GET THERE?
If you are coming from outside Surigao del Sur, you have to go to Mangagoy, Bislig. From Mangagoy, you go to the Brgy. Talisay in Hinatuan Town then to the Enchanted River. The travel can be quite long at 5 to 6 hours but it is totally worth it.
When you get there, you will be welcomed by food stalls. You have to pay an entrance fee and logged your name in the log book. Short orientation follows prior to going to the river.
From the entrance, you have to walk through the Eco Trail for about 20 minutes to reach the river.
Hinatuan Enchanted River
Brgy. Talisay, Hinatuan
Surigao del Sur
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