Cabagnow Cave Pool: Anda's Iconic Cenote

We have witnessed the recent rise to fame of the town of Anda in the eastern coast of the Province of Bohol. Thanks to its white sandy beaches including Quinale Beach which is just in the town proper. This three-kilometer long fine white sand beach with beautiful turquoise water and breathtaking view of sunrise is hailed by many as among the best beaches in the province. Then there are more beaches and coves along its rich shore such as Talisay Beach, Bituon Beach, Cambilagan Beach, Bugnaw Beach and Arthoghin Beach, among others.

More than its beautiful beaches, Anda is also popular for its deep blue cave pools. These cave pools are sinkholes connected to the sea. It is their own version of Central America’s cenote, a natural pit resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath or seawater in Anda’s case due to its proximity to the sea.

There are at least six cave pools hidden in Anda which include Combento, Cateres, Kaligoon, Tiburako, East Coast and Cabagnow. Cabagnow Cave Pool is said to be the biggest and the most beautiful of all.

Cabagnow Cave Pool is situated in Barangay Bacong, just a short walk from the town plaza and Quinale Beach. It is an almost circular sinkhole approximately 20 feet on its deepest with a wide opening but the only way to get in is to jump off 15 feet into its surface or by using a ladder.

With its depth and clear water, Cabagnow Cave Pool reflects a deep blue hue which makes it inviting to swim in. But make sure that a ladder is in place before jumping off as there is no other way out than its surface opening.You may rent the steel ladder owned by Mang Junior Amora (Contact No: +639213729242), rate is whatever your kind heart desires.

How to Get to Cabagnow Cave Pool

Cabagbow Cave Pool is just a short walk from Anda town proper and Quinale Beach. To get here:

From Manila

Catch a plane to Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia have daily flights from Manila to Tagbilaran via their new airport in Panglao. From Panglao Airport, flag a tricycle a taxi or mini-bus to take you to Dao Terminal then catch a bus (P100) or van (P120) to Anda at Dao Terminal, travel time is two to three hours.

From Cebu

Supercat and Ocean Jet Fast Craft have multiple departures daily from Cebu City to Tagbilaran City, travel time is around two hours. Meanwhile, Cokaliong, Lite Shipping, Trans-Asia Shipping and F.J. Palacio Lines also have regular ferry or RoRo departures with varying frequencies daily or weekly, travel time for slow ferry takes four hours. From Tagbilaran Port, flag a tricycle to take you to Dao Terminal and catch a bus (P100) or van (P120) to Anda at Dao Terminal, travel time is two to three hours. You can book your ferry ticket from Cebu to Bohol below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CEBU TO BOHOL

From Larena, Siquijor

Lite Shippine Corporation has multiple departures weekly from Larena, Siquijor to Tagbilaran City, travel time takes at least four hours. From Tagbilaran Port, flag a tricycle to take you to Dao Terminal and catch a bus (P100) or van (P120) to Anda at Dao Terminal, travel time is two to three hours. You can book your ferry ticket from Siquijor to Bohol below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM SIQUIJOR TO BOHOL

From Nasipit, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin and Dumaguete via Jagna

Ocean Jet has daily fast craft from Dumaguete City and Cagayan de Oro City (via Camiguin) to Jagna, three towns away from Anda, travel time from Cagayan de Oro is three hours, and two hours from Camiguin or Dumaguete. Trans-Asia Shipping Lines have mulltiple departures weekly from Cagayan de Oro City for nine-hour journey while Cokaliong Shipping Lines serves Nasipit to Jagna route once a week for a travel time of five hours. From Jagna, catch a bus or van going to Anda, travel time is one hour. You can book your ferry ticket from Nasipit, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin and Dumaguete to Bohol below.

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM NASIPIT TO BOHOL

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM CAGAYAN DE ORO TO BOHOL

BOOK YOUR FERRY FROM DUMAGUETE TO BOHOL

Where to Stay in Anda

There are plenty of accommodation to choose from, from high-end beach front resorts to interior hotels, guest houses and even home stays.

For groups, R & S Seaside Unit is a good choice, just few steps away from Quinale Beach. An air-condition room that can fit six (or even up to eight) people is only at P1,900 overnight. It has a balcony and glass window fronting the beach, toilet and bath, kitchen with sink area, refrigerator and microwave.