The Island of Siargao isn’t all about surfing and palm trees, it is also home to the magnificent Magpupungko Rock Pools. These huge tidal rock pools are some of the biggest and deepest we have ever come across. Not to mention it has crystal clear water. After living on Rottnest Island in Western Australia where we first discovered amazing rock pools, we think we are quite good judges.
Exploring Rock Pools is one of our favourite things to do whilst travelling. Sometimes it can be dangerous due to the constant moving tides and sharp rocks. This guide will cover everything you will need to know to enjoy a day out, exploring the Magpupungko Rock Pools in Siargao.
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📍 Where Are The Rock Pools + How To Get There
🎟️ Entrance Fee
🏖️ The Beach
🌴 Other Things To Do In Siargao
Where Are The Magpupungko Rock Pools And How To Get There📍
You will find the Pools on the East Coast in the Pilar Municipality of Siargao Island. It is a 45-minute drive on a bike from General Luna. One of the best things about Siargao is there is little traffic on the incredibly well-maintained roads. Along the ride, you will pass by the Maasin River Rope Swing and the Palm Tree Lookout. You might want to stop here to break the ride up.
If you are not confident riding a bike or would rather join a tour, then the Klook Siargao Land Tour is perfect for you. You get to visit all the places we have already mentioned plus, in the afternoon you get to explore the Sub Lagoon. Here you can enjoy jumping of dive boards into the blue waters of the lagoon.
Places To Visit On The Way To Magpupungko Rock Pool 📷
The Palm Tree Lookout 🌴
The first place to visit on your way to the Magpupungko Rock Pools is the Coconut Tree View Deck. In a small layaway at the side of the road is the perfect viewpoint. Sitting high above the tops of the trees you can see the forest of palms stretching for miles across the Island. This is arguably the best lookout on the whole island.
The Palm Tree Road 🌴
As you leave the lookout and start to descend into the palm forest, you will reach a straight stretch of road. Lining each side are coconut palm trees, branching out to create an amazing canopy. The Palm Tree Road is where you can take some amazing pictures standing in the middle of the road, we took our shots with a drone.
Palm Tree Swing 🌴
Once you have finished, continue along the road until you reach the small town of Maasin. As you enter you will cross a red bridge, this is where you will find the famous Siargao Palm Tree Rope Swing.
Best Time To Visit Magpupungko Rock Pools ⌚
To safely explore the Magpupungko Rock Pools you need to visit them at low tide. This changes throughout the year so we have included this handy Tide Checker.
We recommend arriving around 2 hours before low tide. This is because the sea retreats quickly and as the rock pools become exposed, this is your perfect opportunity to explore. We found that this was the quietest time, with more people arriving around the peak of the low tide.
Packing List For The Magpupungko Rock Pools 🎒
Whether you decided to take a moped to the Rock Pools or take the Land Tour, our packing list can apply to both. We highly recommend getting a pair of water shoes or an old pair of trainers. The surfaces around the rock pools can be sharp, it makes it a lot easier to walk out to if you have something to protect your feet.
👙 Swim Wear
🚰Water/snacks
Magpupungko Rock Pools Entrance Fee 🎟️
- Like most places in Asia when you arrive there is a small parking fee of 20 Peso’s, this is assuming you made the journey from General Luna to the Magpupungko Rock Pools on a moped.
- There is then an Environmental Fee and Magpupungko Beach Entrance Fee to pay. Again this is a small amount for the amount of fun you are about to have.
- Environmental Fee 20 Peso’s
Magpupungko Beach and Rock Pools Entrance Fee 50 Peso’s
Once inside keep hold of your tickets so you can come in and out of the beach and rock pools. There are a few small restaurants inside the beach area where you can buy some local Filipino food. On the outside, there are some convenient stores selling clothes and refreshments.
Magpupungko Beach🏖️
If exploring rock pools isn’t your thing, then relaxing on Magpupungko Beach might be the option for you. There are shower and toilet facilities to the far right of the beach if you are facing the rock pools.
Whilst we were visiting, we arrived a few hours early and were able to top up our tans.
The Rock Pools 🏊🏼
If you arrive before low tide you might struggle to spot the Rock Pools. But as the tide starts to go out, it will reveal an amazing hole, full of blue crystal-clear water on the edge of the reef. The main rock pool is then surrounded by lots of smaller pools dotted all around. You will not be able to see the huge rock formation from the shore.
A top tip is to keep walking passed the main section, which can get busy at the peak of low tide. Around the corner you will find more space and your very own private pool. This is also where you will find Magpupungko Rock, a huge boulder posed on top of a smaller rock.
From above each tidal pool created by the retreating tide looks like a cluster of tropical lagoons. This is what make the Magpupungko Siargao rockpools one the top highlights of the island.
Tayangban Cave 🦇
Once you have finished at the Rock Pools on your ride home you will pass the Tayangban Cave. Here you can pay the 100-peso entrances fee which includes a mandatory guide to take you through the cave systems. Once you reach the end of the system you are greeted by the lagoon, where you can cliff jump into the pool below.
Other Things To Do In Siargao 🌴
One of the best things about Siargao is that there is plenty of things to do within a small radius. If you are looking for more things to do in Siargao then we have a list of the top spot you need to check out.
Sugba Lagoon
If you want to visit the beautiful Sub Lagoon you can combine it and book the Siargao Land Tour.
Alternatively, you can ride to the Port Of Del Carman on the west side of the Island. This is where you will take a boat from to reach Sub Lagoon. There are plenty of private boat operators around the town where you can agree on a price to get you to the lagoon.
Island hopping
One of the most popular activities in Siargao, which technically isn’t even on the island is Island Hopping. Although a long day, you defiantly get your money’s worth. You get to visit the amazing Sohoton Cove, Daku Island, Naked Island and Guyam Island
More Island Hopping
Experience the Corregidor Island Tour in Siargao with the One Love Boat Tour. Also known as Casolian Island, this tropical paradise is where you can experience the true island life. Join the One Love crew planting coconut trees, cooking up an island feast, learning how to make headbands from palm trees and meeting the locals.
This day tour is all about giving back to each other, enjoying the smaller things in life and having an epic day out in the Philippines.
Surfing At Cloud 9
Siargao is best known as the surf capital of the Philippines. All around the island, you can find beautiful surf spots, but none can beat Cloud 9. This section of waves is more for the advanced surfers, but if you are a beginner, head to Jacking Horse. This is where you will find more forgiving waves. Whether you just want to walk along the Cloud 9 Boardwalk or chill with a Shaka Bowl this small town in Siargao has some of the best vibes in the Philippines.
Siargao Travel Tips
A few handy top tips to make you might want to know about Siargao Island.
Best Time To Visit Siargao ⌚
Like most of the Philippines Siargao has a wet and dry season. Luckily the dry is a lot longer than the wet, however, it is the Philippines, so anything can happen.
March – November: The dry season is the best time to visit Siargao. The waves get bigger for the surfers between September-November.
December – February: The wet season, we recommend you avoid these dates.
Wifi & SIM Cards Siargao 📲
The Wifi in Siargao is renowned for being awful, much like the rest of the Philippines. So most people rely on their phones. If you need to get a Sim Card whilst you are in the Philippines you can organise one right here.
Siargao Surf Competition 🏄🏾
Every year Siargao Island hosts an international surfing competition. This is typically around September-October and means the Island becomes a lot busier. If you are a keen surfer then this is the time to visit, for other’s you might want to avoid the competition.
Our Best Meal In Siargao🍲
Although defiantly not the cheapest place on the Island, but in this case, you get what you pay for. At the Isla Cabana restaurant, the food was out of this world, you can order a mixture of local or western dishes.
Best Area To Stay In Siargao 🛏️
The most popular area of Siargao is General Luna, here you will find everything you need from bars and clubs to healthy breakfast spots. The main stretch of road is funnily enough called Tourism Road.
Where To Stay In Siargao 🛏️
Siargao has some of the best hotels and hostels that we have seen in the Philippines. Here are our top recommendations, starting with the traveller who wants two splash the cash or just had enough of hostel life for a few days. Followed by something in between and then the budget traveller.
Luxury:
Something in between:
Tropical Temple Siargao Resort
Budget:
Pin our Magpupungko Rock Pools guide for later!
What Camera Gear Do We Use
- Main Camera: Panasonic G80
- Go To Lens: Panasonic 12-60mm
- Tripod: Manfrotto Adventure Tripod
- Camera Bag: Manfrotto Backpack
- Underwater Camera: GoPro Hero 8
- Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- Power Bank: Anker Power Bank
- Hardrive: WD 1TB hard drive
