Just outside Anda on the island of Bohol in the Philippines, Cabagnow Cave Pool sits underground with deep blue, crystal clear water.
The cave pool offers a retreat away from the hot dry landscape of Bohol, and it is the perfect place to cool off and escape the Philippine sun.
Whether you want to jump into the water, explore the cave, or just relax in its refreshing waters, the Cabagnow Cave Pool is an unforgettable destination for any adventurer.
Complete Guide to Cabagnow Cave Pool
Cabagnow Cave Pool is located in Anda on the island of Bohol in the Philippines. It’s one of a few limestone caves in the Anda area and is similar to the cenotes found in Mexico.
Cabagnow Cave Pool was made when the limestone bedrock dissolved and collapsed by erosion from water. The water in the limestone cave is a mixture of freshwater from the mountains and saltwater from the ocean.
Today, the cave pool is a place for locals and tourists to cool off by swimming and jumping into its clear waters.
In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about your adventure to Cabagnow Cave Pool.
How to Get to Cabagnow Cave Pool
Location: Cabagnow Cave Pool – Google Maps
While staying in Anda we decided to start our day with a nice plunge into a cave pool.
To give you a bit of backstory, we looked up the cave pools in the Anda area – there are 3 of them and Cabagnow seems to be the best one. We already visited Combento Cave which was beautiful but too shallow for swimming.
Our first attempt at going to Cabagnow Cave Pool failed. We tried to go on a Monday, but it’s closed for swimming on Mondays and Fridays. So we went back on Tuesday.
The road to Cabagnow is in good shape. Sometimes you’re driving on dirt but it’s mostly pavement until you reach the turn-off point.
Along the road, we were stopped by an environmental fee collector. We had already paid our environmental fee when visiting Quinale Beach, so we showed the fee collector our receipt and they let us pass through.
We parked on the side of the road, paid our entrance fee at the booth, and started walking to the cave. They were in the final stages of paving the road to the cave when we visited, so by the time you visit it, you may be able to drive straight to the cave without walking.
Cabagnow Cave Pool: Our Review
The walk to the actual cave pool only took 3 or 4 minutes, and then suddenly we reached a giant hole in the ground with the bluest, clearest water.
We were welcomed by a group of friendly locals all taking turns jumping into the cave.
We put our stuff down in the cabana area and then made the leap into the cave.
I would be lying if I didn’t say it was hesitant, but I’m glad I jumped in. The water felt amazing!
Once I started swimming around the cave, I realized that the cave was a lot bigger than it looked! The cave below extends far beyond the diameter of the hole in the ground. We swam to the far side of the cave and could barely see outside.
Trey and I spent nearly two hours jumping in the cave and swimming around. There are a few spots that you can jump from on the top of the cave, but they are all more or less the same height.
If you can bring goggles, I recommend it! The water is clear, and it would be cool to take a look at the rocks below the surface. There’s also a rope you can hold onto and the sides of the cave if you get tired of swimming.
The water inside the cave pool is deep. You need to jump or climb down a long ladder to get in. And there is no way to climb out of the cave pool, except by using the ladder.
When we were there more families arrived and I can honestly say the Philippines is better when there are more people because it just turns into a big party.
Even with all the people swimming and jumping in the water, this place felt pretty safe. 3 lifeguards were working and they provided life jackets for those who couldn’t swim. The lifeguards also helped make sure people moved out of the way to make room for people who were jumping in.
Surprisingly, there is a stand here that sells iced coffee. Most places we’ve come by in this town sell instant coffee so a legit coffee stand was nice to come by.
We told ourselves we would come back in the evening for one last swim but of course, like all our days in Bohol, we arrived back in Anda far after sundown.
Cabagnow Cave Pool Details
- Hours: 8 AM – 3:30 PM Daily (no swimming in the cave on Mondays and Fridays)
- Entrance Fee: 50 pesos entrance fee, 30 pesos environmental fee*
If you have already paid your environmental fee in Anda, keep your receipt to show the guard so you don’t need to pay it again.
Cabagnow Cave Pool: What You Need to Know
- To get into Cabagnow Cave Pool, you need to jump in or climb down the ladder.
- The jump into Cabagnow Cave Pool is about 4 to 5 meters high.
- The only way to get out of Cabagnow Cave Pool is by climbing the ladder. There is no other way out!
- The water in the cave pool is deep, but there is a rope that spans the length of the cave that you can hold onto.
Cabagnow Cave Pool Map Location
Where to Stay in Bohol
Depending on how long you stay in Bohol we recommend splitting your stays between Panglao and Anda. If you are in Bohol for less than 4 days we recommend basing yourself out of Panglao, but if you are staying longer I recommend staying at least 2 nights in Anda. Here are recommendations on places to stay:
- Luxury: Amorita Resort (Panglao)
- Mid-range: Casa Amihan (Anda)
- Budget: Bluewaves Apartment (Panglao)
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Bohol.
What to Pack for Bohol
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Bohol.
- Crocs: During our time in Bohol, I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when exploring rocky terrain and chasing waterfalls. They are the ultimate shoe in the Philippines for a reason – many Filipinos wear them too!
- Snorkel: With all the amazing snorkeling spots in Bohol, it helps to have your own snorkel set like this one if you plan to do some underwater activities! Plus, you won’t need to worry about renting a snorkel, which may be of… questionable quality.
- Sunscreen: For some reason, sunscreen is expensive in the Philippines and I’ve even encountered places selling fake sunscreen that doesn’t work! So I recommend bringing your own sunscreen to Bohol.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures, I was so glad to have a dry bag to keep all my things safe from the elements!
- Travel Towel: In my opinion, a travel towel like this one is super necessary for a trip to Bohol! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Are You Following Our Bohol Blog Series?
During our 11-day adventure in Bohol, we found some of the island’s most stunning natural wonders—epic waterfalls, caves, and incredible snorkeling spots. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Start planning your trip here: Bohol Travel Guide
- Our Bohol accomodation/area guide: Where to Stay in Bohol
- Our Ultimate Guide to Bohol: 24 Awesome Things to Do in Bohol
- How to plan your Bohol vacation: Bohol 3 Day Itinerary
- Interested in chasing waterfalls?: 5 Best Waterfalls in Bohol During Dry Season
- Our favorite hike in Bohol: Alicia Panoramic Park Hike
- Our favorite day tour in Bohol: Balicasag Island Snorkeling
- Our favorite waterfall in Bohol: Dimiao Twin Falls (Pahangog Falls)
- Our favorite place to swim in Bohol: Cabagnow Cave Pool
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Cabanow Cave Pool in Bohol!
