Enchanted River: An Enchanting Beauty

ENCHANTED RIVER
Brgy. Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Entrance fee: P20
Parking fee: P10
Life vest rental: P15
Boat ride: P150/hour

The majestic blue water of Enchanted River is definitely worth the travel. Enchanted River is located at Brgy. Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, about a four-hour drive from Davao City. Visitors without private vehicles have to ride Mindanao's famous habal-habal, a motorcycle with extended seat.

When at Enchanted River, it is best to bring an underwater camera to capture the beauty below the water (ahem) literally and figuratively.

One highlight at the Enchanted River is the fish feeding. Every 12 noon, a bell rings signalling the fish feeding time. No one is allowed to swim, and visitors are asked to remain quite so as not to scare the fishes. Only the Enchanted River employee is allowed to feed the fishes.

Fresh seafoods are sold right outside the entrance of Enchanted River at cheap price. Delicious!

For only 150 pesos an hour, you can rent a boat that can accommodate six persons and have a tour in the community around Enchanted River, with a few stopovers. The tour usually takes an hour to finish.

The first stopover is at a certain island, where we basically had the island for ourselves (or at least that part of the island where the friendly boat driver brought us) to swim.

The next stop is this fishing community, an interesting place worth visiting. Entrance fee is 5 pesos per person.

I cannot remember if this bowl of fish costs 5 pesos or 20 pesos. But you can buy this to feed the fishes in pen and see them jumping for it.

Ara teaching three-year-old Yoji his first lesson of feeding the hungry.

Drying fishes is one of the major sources of income in the local community.

Dried fish, seaweed, and bottled sea urchin for sale.

And, of course, I would never forget the hospitality by "Manang" who encouraged us to try the fresh seaweeds dipped in super hot vinegar.


Speaking of hospitality, I would like to thank Ara and her family for warm welcome and this truly enchanting experience. :)