BRITANIA ISLANDS

San Agustin, Surigao del Sur

Britania Islands is one of the places you would want to explore if you’re looking for a beach to relax when in the Northern Mindanao region. The place offers island hopping adventure where you can visit four (4) islands namely Hagonoy Island, Naked Island, Boslon Island, and Hiyor-Hiyoran Island. Each island has unique attractions and activities to enjoy together with your families and friends.

Hagonoy Island, usually the first stop when you avail of the island-hopping adventure. There’s a portion of the island covered with coconut trees where you can pose for your Instagram feed.
Naked Island, almost similar to the naked island in Siargao and white island in Camiguin that features a white sand bar without any shade.
Boslon Island, this is where the various water activities are located like banana boat, disco ball and flying fish rides. Many of the tourists have their lunch on this island. There are vendors as well that offer sea urchins to taste.
Hiyor-Hiyoran Island, the last stop of the island-hopping adventure where you can opt to stay for lunch, swim, relax or play around.

ENCHANTED RIVER

Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

The Hinatuan Enchanted River in Mindanao, Philippines, is a flawless saltwater river that flows into the Pacific Ocean. It is around 80-feet deep, and just barely long enough to be considered a river, yet the flow attracts visitors from around the world who want to experience the beautiful waters that locals have long thought to be miraculous. Its moniker “Enchanted River” came from a poem by Modesto Farolan.

In fact, no one is sure exactly where the saltwater emanates from, although the prevailing theory involves an underground cave system that spits the river out, free of any dirt or silt which would usually cloud such a stream. Whatever the explanation, the clean waters are a natural wonder unlike any other.

Local legends tell all sorts of stories about the river. One of which states that fairies added some mesmerizing colors of sapphire and jade to the river. Another legend states that the river is home to a mysterious fish that is impossible to catch.

TINUY-AN FALLS

Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Tinuy-an comes from the word Tinuyo-an, a Cebuano word which means “intentional act or performance to attain an objective or goal.” It can also mean babalik-balikan or “a place you’ll keep going back to” in the Filipino context. So, the question here is how did the people come up with such a name? Let’s find out the Tinuy an Falls history!

Legend says, the Magdiwata Mountain settlers were enslaved by cruel masters coming from the hinterlands of Agusan. They were mistreated and were forced to do hard manual labor.

Tired of the maltreatment, the brave natives gathered among themselves and created a plan to end the cruelty. So, one day, while rowing the bamboo raft boarded by their masters, the slaves jumped off and intentionally shoved the bamboo raft towards the cliff of the waterfalls killing all their vicious masters. This was how they got the freedom they’ve been longing for so long.

From then on, the high falling waters are called Tinuy-an Falls to commemorate the bravery of the heroic natives.