PH Travel Idea: 3 Largest Lakes

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.

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

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 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