When we think of Samboan, what comes to our mind are the number of majestic waterfalls you can find in this place. What most people do not know is that there is another gorgeous destination that is somehow hidden in this sleepy town. It’s a beautiful lagoon called Ponong Lake.
Now, just a heads up, Ponong Lake is not a lake. I don’t know why they called it a lake, but it is actually a lagoon in Barangay Poblacion, Samboan. It is situated near the sea, so 90 percent of the water coming into this lagoon is saltwater.
In order for you to fully enjoy your stay, you can ride one the bamboo rafts and listen to the guide talk some facts about the trees and animals living in this lagoon.
The last time my friends and I went there, there was no entrance fee yet and we didn’t get to sail the raft because there was no one else in the area. We didn’t want to cause any trouble, so we simply settled down to eating our food in the parked raft.
This time, there were already a few people who were taking care of the area, so I finally got the chance to ride the raft and tour around the lagoon. Our guide, Kuya Dennis talked about some facts about the mangrove and bakawan trees inside the lagoon. Interestingly, he also said that there is a lone turtle living there too. The turtle has an interesting name, but I totally forgot about it. I know, I am such a bad blogger.
There are lots of fishes in the lagoon that you can feed too. Just ask the guides to give you some fish food pellets and they’ll let you scatter it to the water.
One interesting thing you can do there as well, is to climb this bakawan tree.
One interesting thing I would have wanted to experience was the firefly watching. They usually arrive at around 6 in the evening, and they would lit up the lagoon. My brothers and I really wanted to stay but our parents insisted that we have to go home before dark. 🙁
Well, I guess, the third time might be the charm. We will see each other again, Ponong Lake!
How To Get There:
From Cebu City, ride a Bato-Oslob bus at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. You will be dropped off at Bato Terminal, and from there, ride a tricycle going to Poblacion, Samboan. Just inform the driver that you are headed to Ponong Lake.
Additional Info:
- There is already an Entrance Fee of 20 pesos.
- If you decide to use a raft, you will need a guide to sail it. There is no standard rate for the guide fee, so it would be up to you how much you are going to give.
- No corkage fee. You can bring your own food, and eat inside the raft.
- You can also stay overnight, if you want to. Just bring a tent, since there are no available accommodations there yet.
- The management is planning to build a floating restaurant in the next few months.
- If you have any questions, please call 0975 014 6900 and look for Tata.
