• Follow Me on Twitter!
  • Like Me on Facebook!
  • View My Channel!
  • View My Snapshots!

Main menu

Skip to content
  • Home
  • No Access
  • Shop
  • About Me
  • Archives
  • Bucket List
  • Links
  • Contact Me

PH Travel Idea: 3 Largest Lakes

Posted on October 3, 2014 by journeyingjames 3 Comments
Share
Tweet

Mountaineers can easily identify the three tallest mountains in the Philippines. most people are keen to know World and country trivia like the biggest whatever, smallest whatever or longest, etc.

Since we Filipinos have this adiction, might as well capitalize on this. Giving you an idea of the biggest lakes in the Philippines and how to visit them can make your travel plans exciting:

1. Laguna Lake

Actually, calling this Laguna Lake is redundant since laguna is the Spanish of lake. That is why we also hear people call this Laguna de Bay (Bay’s Lake- Bay is the old capital town of Laguna province). Not only that this is the largest lake in the country, but it is the 4th largest in Southeast Asia (1st- Tonle Sap in Cambodia; 2nd Toba Lake in Indonesia; 3rd Songkhla Lake in Thailand).

This W-shaped lake is surrounded by the provinces of Laguna and Rizal and some parts of Metro Manila. When roads are not yet paved, this lake also played an important role in the transportation system during the Spanish and American period . There is actually an old port used by the Yangco Steamboat Company in my hometown Los Banos.

Laguna Lake from Los Banos

A tilapia fisherman paddles through waterlilies. Los Baños, Laguna

Interestingly, some local folks call this Lake “dagat” or “baybay” which is the Filipino term for sea. Lakes in the local language is actually “lawa.”

Travel Tip: Best viewed at Art’s Center, UPLB

 

2. Lanao Lake

Found in the province of Lanao del Sur. Surprisingly, this lake is counted as one of the 15 ancient lakes of the world, meaning this lake has carried water for more than one million years already. Amazing right?

I saw this lake during my 100 Days Journey in Marawi City when I stayed in Mindanao State University campus. Best viewed from the University’s golf course, it is like sparkling diamonds and golds when the sun start to reflect it’s rays.

Early morning tilapia fishing as seen from Marawi City

Early morning tilapia fishing as seen from Marawi City

The lake is home to one of the biggest Muslim tribes in the country- the Maranao. Actually, Maranao means “the people living around the lake.” This lake plays an important part in the economy, hydropower and irrigation of most of Mindanao. Because of this lake we have the powerful twin falls called, “Ma. Cristina Waterfalls.”

Travel Tip: Best viewed from Mindanao State University, Marawi City

 

3. Taal Lake

Not only that this is the 3rd largest lake in the Philippines, this is most famous because this is where you find the smallest active volcano in the whole world. Not to mention that it is most visited because of its proximity from Manila.

Taal Lake from above (Image from http://awesci.com/lake-like-taal-lake/)

Taal Lake from above (Image from www.awesci.com/lake-like-taal-lake)

An interesting trivia about this lake is that before it was just a part of Balayan Bay (Balayan is one of the towns of Batangas province) but because of the volcanic activities in the 18th century, Taal Lake was sealed from the sea eventually making its water non-saline (fresh). Since the 1754 eruption, the surface elevation had gone up from sea level (as the lake was freely navigable from Balayan Bay) to 5 meters above sea level. This is why there are yacht’s docked in Taal Lake, actually this lake is the most fancy of all because it is home to Taal Lake Yacht Club.

Travel Tip: Best viewed at Tagaytay City, Cavite

 

If you are interested, here’s number 4-10 of Philippines’ Largest Lakes.

4. Lake Mainit, Surigao del Norte
5. Naujan Lake, Oriental Mindoro
6. Buluan Lake, South Cotabato
7. Bato Lake, Camarines Sur
8. Pagusi Lake, Agusan del Norte
9. Labas Lake, South Cotabato
10. Lumao Lake, Agusan del Sur

Do follow the following post-

PH Travel Idea Series:

  1. Provinces that doesn’t have Jollibee or McDo
  2. UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  3. Lakes 1-2-3
  4. 8 Rays
  5. Mountains 1-2-3
  6. North, South, East, West

 

Related Posts with Thumbnails
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged 10 Largest Lakes, 10 Largest Lakes Philippines, Laguna Lake, Laguna Lake Philippines, Lanao Lake, Lanao Lake Philippines, Taal Lake, Taal Lake Philippines. Bookmark the permalink.

Post navigation

← Finally! 100 Days Journey book its out!
Schick Exacta Parkour Challenge →

3 thoughts on “PH Travel Idea: 3 Largest Lakes”

  1. ian | going places said:
    Reply
    October 9, 2014 at 6:36 am

    Nice PH travel ideas! Taal lake is the most fascinating among the 3 lakes of the country.

  2. Line Producer Mumbai said:
    Reply
    November 18, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Nice Blog, I’m always search for best travel blog for getting information about the best places for film shooting.

  3. Tourist Spots Finder said:
    Reply
    February 10, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    And those are also beautiful lakes especially the “complicated lake” called Taal Lake. I must add sir that Lake Sebu is also gaining more Popularity and the 7 falls zipline in Lake Sebu is getting so much attention.

    Read more here ► Lake Sebu | TOP 10 LAKES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CAPTCHA Image
Refresh Image

*

Search

Like Me?

My Newly Opened Homestay in Palawan

Palawan Homestays, Lifehouse

Puerto Princesa, MIMAROPA, Philippines
This is great for families or group of friends who wanted to have their own house. Japanese-themed house, cozy bedrooms and complete kitchen set. Enjoy the tea area where you can relax, listen to m...
Short Term Rentals in Puerto Princesa

Travel Partners:

Follow me on Instagram:

PRESS & MEDIA

Back-to-Back GMA News TV Interviews
Cebu Pacific's Featured Article: Around the Philippines for 100 Days
Manila Bulletin: Around the PH for 100 Days
TV 5: ISANGDAAN Journey Interview
ABS-CBN News Channel: ISANGDAAN Journey Live Interview
GMA News To Go: ISANGDAAN Journey Live Interview
Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: Hidden Paradise Feature
ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao: Short Interview
Living Asia Channel: Watch Me Dancing
Radio Guestings
Cebu Pacific’s Smile Magazine: Bacolod on a Budget
Cebu Pacific’s Smile Magazine: Zamboanga City on a Budget
PAL's Mabuhay Magazine: Tacloban on a Budget
PAL's Mabuhay Magazine: Not Your Ordinary Palawan
PAL's Mabuhay Magazine: Iloilo and Guimaras Travel Guide
8 Travel Tips to Save Money While on the Road
How to Start Your Own Backpacking Trip

Top 25 Posts

  • No To Mining in Palawan- A Petition Letter (309)
  • 100 Days of Backpacking the Philippines- The Cheapest Way Possible (240)
  • My Top 10 Philippine Travel Destination (167)
  • ISANGDAAN: The Most Epic Travel Challenge in the Philippines- A Success! (138)
  • Calaguas Islands Trip Guide: The Cheapest Way Possible (124)
  • Puerto Princesa City to El Nido Travel Guide (114)
  • Do-It-Yourself Puerto Princesa City Tour (86)
  • No Money, No Honey or Why I Travel Solo? (84)
  • Hundred Islands Travel Guide (83)
  • Cheap Accommodations in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (81)
  • Panampangan Island: Tawi-Tawi's Finest White Beach (80)
  • Why You Should Date a Traveler? (79)
  • Surigao Nature Fuck: The Most Depressing Road Trip Ever (76)
  • Dear Reader, I'm not a snob... (75)
  • Wrap Up of Mindanao 400 Challenge (73)
  • Cheap Accommodations in Camiguin Island (71)
  • Puerto Princesa City: Benchmark Of What Paradise Is (70)
  • I’m on TV! Thanks Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Summer Special (70)
  • Boracay Cheap Accommodations and Rates (68)
  • September-October Travel Plans in Bicol, the Visayas, and Ilocos (62)
  • 10 Travel Secrets of JourneyingJames (61)
  • GMA News To Go Interview about ISANGDAAN Journey (58)
  • How to Fund Your Wanderlust? (58)
  • On Pursuing My Passion (58)
  • CDO Whitewater Rafting: The Ride of my Year (56)
Copyright 2012 | Journeying James Designed by: Regine Garcia