The Philippines is blessed with natural tourist attractions that are scenic and worth visiting.  Palawan and Boracay are the most visited tourist destinations that a traveler should not forget. But aside from the beaches and scenic islands, there are also breathtaking lakes that will amaze you. Here are some of them:

1. Kayangan Lake, Coron, Palawan

As the “World’s Last Frontier”, Palawan is home to many beautiful natural wonders and Kayangan Lake is one of them.  The lake is recognized by the US-based news aggregator Huffington Post as one of the twenty-one (21) most spectacular lakes in the world.  It surrounded by towering rock formations dotted with greenery and the lake is one of the cleanest bodies of water in the country.

How to get there: Take a flight to Busuanga. Upon reaching Busuanga airport, ride a shuttle to Coron town then take the Coron Island Loop boat tour that includes Kayangan Lake.

2. Lake Danao, Ormoc, Leyte

A guitar-shaped lake surrounded by green forests, it is the main attraction of Ormoc City. It was originally named “Lake Imelda” but was renamed and declared as Lake Danao National Park on February 3, 1998. The lake supplies potable water to at least seven towns in Region VIII including Tacloban City. The lake’s tranquil water is ideal for kayaking, boating and fishing.

How to get there: Take a flight to Tacloban City. Upon reaching the airport, take a taxi or jeepney to the city proper where you can ride a van going to Ormoc. From Ormoc, take a jeepney or multicab bound for Barangay Lake Danao.

3. Lake Holon, T’boli, South Cotabato

This magnificent lake is a dormant crater of Mt. Melibingoy which is a sacred place for the T’boli indigenous people. It is one of the cleanliest inland bodies of water in the Philippines where its water is clear and cold. The lake is situated 1, 250 meters above sea level so tourists need to hike for about four hours to reach the majestic Lake Holon.

How to get there: Take a flight to General Santos City,  then from the airport, you can take a shuttle bus going to the city proper. From Bulaong Terminal, tourists should catch a Yello Bus Line bus to Koronadal then tell the bus attendant to drop you off at Marbel Terminal.

From there, tide a Suralla-bound bus, then, upon reaching Surallah Turallah Terminal, ride a jeepney or van bound for T’boli. Upon reaching T’boli take a habal-habal to Barangay Salacafe where you can start your trek going to Lake Holon.

4. Pinatubo Crater Lake, Botolan, Zambales

It is the summit crater lake of Mount Pinatubo that was formed after its climactic eruption on June 15, 1991. The lake is described as “a wide jewel of blue and green” and is now known as a bush walking destination that is mostly frequented by adventure-seekers and mountaineers. It is the deepest lake in the country at 800 meters which has aquamarine waters enclosed by a crater.

How to get there: Ride any bus bound for Capas, Tarlac then get off at Capas Junction and have a tricycle ride going to the tourism office. Register there and a tour guide will be assigned as a guide to your group. Tourists can also book a packaged tour from tour operators.

5. Lake Sebu, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

A natural lake located in the town of Lake Sebu, it is considered by the Philippine government as one of the country’s very important watersheds. It is one of the many bodies of water that supplies the province of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. The Department of Tourism has promoted it as one of the primary eco-tourism destinations in the municipality.

How to get there: Take a flight to General Santos then from the airport, you can take a shuttle bus going to the city proper. From Bulaong Terminal, tourists should catch a Yellow Bus Line bus to Koronadal then tell the bus attendant to drop you off at Marbel Terminal. From Surallah Terminal, ride a jeepney or van bound for Lake Sebu then ride habal-habal going to the lake.

You may also check these articles for more tourist spots in the Philippines:

The Ten Most Popular Destinations to Visit in Manila

Ten Tourist Attractions in Davao City that are worth visiting

Ten Hidden Vacation Spots in the Philippines

25 Emerging Tourist Hotspots in the Philippines

Top Ten Most Livable Cities in the Philippines

The Seven Natural Wonders of the Philippines