We were in a silent, uncharted outskirt of Anda in Bohol. Before us is a somewhat endless, muddy, palm-fringed road that faded away to a flickering horizon. We hear nothing but the sound of cold breezes brushing against the leaves of the trees.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man, wearing a wide grin on his face, emerged out of nowhere. He already knew what we were up to. He offered his yellow umbrella as he showed as the way while trimming the grass that blocked our way using his bolo.
What brought me back to Bohol was the image of a deep blue cave pool called Cabagnow Cave Pool in Anda I saw online years ago. Yes, that alone was enough to make me go back.
Cabagnow Cave Pool is just one of the many cave pools scattered around Bohol, particularly in the southeastern part of the province where Anda is located. This sleepy municipality is said to be made up mostly of limestone, and over the years, because of the harsh weather, heavy rains and other geological activities, mini cave pools like Cabagnow Cave Pool were formed.
Cabagnow Cave Pool is a private property. It turned out that the friendly guy we met is the care taker of the land where this mini pool sits. The place is surrounded by a rustic gate, so you really need to find him when you arrive here so he can open the gate for you.
There’s a mighty iron ladder that tourists can use to go down the cave pool. The water is irresistibly deep blue in color, seducing me to dive and take a dip. It’s not as deep as I thought, it’s about 12 feet and I can even see its sandy bottom. But if you can’t swim like me, make sure you hold on to the ring buoy, adventure tastes good, but please don’t waste your life.
TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS
HOW TO GET TO CABAGNOW CAVE POOL IN ANDA, BOHOL
Option 1: MANILA TO ANDA, BOHOL
STEP 1: From Manila, you need to fly to Tagbilaran, Bohol.
STEP 2: Exit Tagbilaran Airport and hail a tricycle to take you to Dao Terminal.
STEP 3: Ride a bus or van to Anda. Travel time is about 2.5 to 3 hours. Bus fare is PHP 100/USD 2 (EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8) while van fare is PHP 120/USD 2.35 (EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 10).
STEP 4: At Anda, hire a tricycle or habal-habal to Cabagnow Cave Pool, which is located in the outskirt of the town.
*We used a car when we visited so I’m not sure about the rates. But based on the distance of the cave pool to the town center and the minimum fare of PHP 8/USD 0.16 (EURO 0.13/SGD 0.21/MYR 0.66), I think a one way fare of PHP 100/USD 2 (EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8), good for 2-3 persons, is already fair enough. Just pay additional if you want the driver to wait for your or return for you since it’s quite hard to find a tricycle there.
STEP 5: Text or call Kuya Charlie at mobile # 0912 – 414 5098. He’s the care taker of Cabagnow Pool.
STEP 6: Pay the PHP 50 /USD 1 (EURO 0.83/SGD 1.33/MYR 4.10) per person entrance fee. The care taker will assist your group, tipping is highly encouraged. You may also rent a life buoy for swimming.
*Tipping kuya Charlie is highly recommended as he will assist you while you are inside the cave pool.
Option 2: CEBU CITY TO ANDA, BOHOL
STEP 1: Ride a fast craft/ferry to Tagbilaran, Bohol at Pier 1 in Cebu City. You can check out the
Cebu-Bohol ferry Schedule here Ferry fare for tourist class/open air is around PHP 800/USD 16 (EURO 13/SGD 21/MYR 66), while Business Class fare is PHP 1,000/USD 20 (EURO 17/SGD 27/MYR 82).
STEP 2: At Tagbilaran, hire a tricycle to take you to Dao Terminal.
STEP 3: Catch a bus (PHP 100/USD 2 /EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8) or van PHP 120/USD 2.35 (EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 10) to Anda, Bohol. Transit time is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
STEP 4: Once you arrive in Anda, hire a tricycle or habal-habal to Cabagnow Cave Pool.
STEP 5: Text the care taker of Cabagnow Pool – Kuya Charlie at mobile # 0912 – 414 5098.
STEP 6: Pay the PHP 50 /USD 1 (EURO 0.83/SGD 1.33/MYR 4.10) per head entrance fee. You may also rent a ring buoy if you plan to swim.
*I encourage tipping kuya Charlie as he will assist you while you are inside the cave pool.
Option 3: ARGAO, SOUTH CEBU TO BOHOL
We took this route since we were coming from Carcar, South Cebu. It’s a large ferry where you can bring your car or vehicles.
STEP 1: If you are coming from South Cebu like Oslob, Moalboal, Osmena Peak, etc., you can catch a ferry at Argao Port to Tagbilaran, Bohol. Ferry fare is PHP 200/USD 4(EURO 3.31/SGD 5.31/MYR 16.40) for adults, PHP 143/USD 3(EURO 2.37/SGD 4/MYR 12) for seniors and PHP 100/USD 2 /EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8) for kids.
*Be careful with your stuff, I lost my wallet at Argao Port (I don’t how it happened).
STEP 2: Upon arriving at Tagbilaran Port, charter a tricycle to Dao Terminal.
STEP 3: Ride a van PHP 120/USD 2.35 (EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 10) or bus (PHP 100/USD 2 /EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8) to Anda, Bohol. Travel time is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.
STEP 4: At Anda town center, you can charter a tricycle or habal-habal to take you to Cabagnow Cave Pool.
STEP 5: Call or text the care taker of Cabagnow Pool – Kuya Charlie at mobile # 0912 – 414 5098.
*Tipping kuya Charlie is highly encouraged as he will assist you while you are inside the cave pool.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE IN ANDA, BOHOL:
TALISAY BEACH
This is walking distance from Cabagnow Cave Pool. The area is where the fishermen of Anda usually hang out with their families and boat. So if you want to see the local way of life, this is a good place to visit. No entrance fee but there I a donation box.
The water is clear and the sand is powdery white. It’s a good place to swim, we like it better than Quinale Beach, just needs some cleaning though. The place is rustic, no store, restaurant or beach resort here.
QUINALE BEACH
Quinale Beach is a popular public beach in Anda, Bohol. It has powdery white sand and clear water. A lifeguard is also stationed here to ensure that tourists are safe. Entrance fee is free. There’s a restaurant here where you can order food and drinks.
BUDGET HOTELS AND RESORTS IN ANDA, BOHOL
There’s no shortage of hotel or resorts in Anda, Bohol, they are sprinkled everywhere. Here are some of the budget accommodations you can find in Anda.
R & S Seaside Unit Accommodation Bar & Restaurant
Visaya Street, Poblacion, Anda, Bohol
Zenith Inn & Resto Bar
Poblacion, Anda, Bohol
1 Peace Guesthouse
Purok 1, Barangay Virgen, Anda, Bohol, Anda
Bohol Lahoy Dive Resort
National Highway,Cabantian, Guindulman Bay/Anda, Anda, Bohol
Old Castle Bed&Breakfast
Quinale Beach, Poblacion, Anda, Anda, Bohol
Anda Cove Beach Retreat
Sitio Banilad, Barangay Candabong, Anda, Bohol, Anda, Bohol
Blue Star Dive Resort
Ipo Candabong, Anda, Anda, Bohol
SAMPLE ANDA, BOHOL EXPENSES
| EXPENSES | ACTIVITIES |
| PHP 200/USD 4(EURO 3.31/SGD 5.31/MYR 16.40) | Ferry fare from Argao, Cebu to Tagbilaran, Bohol |
| PHP 120/USD 2.35 (EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 10) | Van to Anda from Dao Terminal in Tagbilaran, Bohol |
| PHP 120/USD 2.35 (EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 10) | Van from Anda to Tagbilaran |
| PHP 100/USD 2 /EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8) | Tricycle from Anda town to Cabagnow Cave Pool |
| PHP 100/USD 2 /EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8) | Tricycle from Cabagnow Cave Pool to Anda |
| PHP 50 /USD 1 (EURO 0.83/SGD 1.33/MYR 4.10) | Entrance Fee Cabagnow Cave Pool to Anda |
| PHP 100/USD 2 /EURO 2/SGD 3/MYR 8) | Tip (per person) to kuya Charlie (the care taker) per person.
We were 4 in a group and gave him PHP 500 because we were there for a few hours and he was really friendly and helpful. He assisted us, swam with us and watched over us to make sure no one will drown. I think PHP 100 tip per person is fair enough. |
| PHP 790/USD 15.45 (EURO 13/SGD 21/MYR 65) | TOTAL EXPENSES |
- This budget is good for a solo traveler, it can still go down if you are sharing the tricycle fare.
ALSO READ:
ANDA BOHOL TRAVEL GUIDE (BUDGET + ITINERARY)