Siargao is an island full of coconut trees and one of the best ways to explore them is to go right into the heart of it at the Maasin River.
Made famous by the coconut tree rope swing, the Maasin River is nowadays known for its river canoe tours. These tours take you upstream through a winding path of palm trees, leading to a spot known as the “Secret Lagoon” — a clear, cold spring where you can take a refreshing swim.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to the Maasin River—from tips on getting there to what to expect along the way.
Maasin River Complete Guide
The Maasin River is one of Siargao’s most well-known attractions, originally gaining fame for its iconic coconut tree rope swing that hung over the river.
If you’re looking to get the iconic rope swing over the river photo, I regret to inform you that the beloved coconut tree rope swing was destroyed in a typhoon. In its place stands a jumping platform—a fun alternative for those still seeking an adrenaline rush over the river.
These days, the main draw of the Maasin River is its canoe tours. Guided by a local, the tour goes up the river, through the palm tree forest and ends at a place locals call the “Secret Lagoon.” It’s a relaxing journey to see a different side of Siargao away from the beaches and surf crowd.
How to Get to the Maasin River in Siargao
The Maasin River is a 20-minute motorbike ride from General Luna in Siargao. It’s located right along the main Siargao Circumferential Road, so you can visit there on your way to Magpupungko Rock Pools or Pacifico Beach. The drive is beautiful and peaceful, with smooth roads lined by palm trees.
The map below is accurate and leads you directly to the entry point for the Maasin River. As you approach, you’ll see a village along the side of the road where you pull over and park your motorbike. From there, the entrance to the Maasin River is just steps away, located on the left (west) side of the road.
Location: Maasin River – Google Maps
Maasin River Details
- Hours: 7 AM – 5 PM
- Entry Fee: 30 pesos per person
- Guided Canoe Tour: 600 pesos (up to 3 people per canoe)
Maasin River Boat Tour: Our Experience
When we arrived at the boat tour area, we were surprised by how organized everything was. There’s a desk where you pay for your boat tour and receive a receipt, making the process straightforward. There are also restrooms and changing rooms, so you can get ready if you plan to swim.
After paying the fee, we hopped into a canoe with our guide, who was one of the friendliest people we met on the island. Being among the first groups out that morning, we had the river almost entirely to ourselves. Our guide was clearly passionate about showing us around and was excited to take us up the river into the palm tree forest.
As we began paddling upstream, the scenery quickly transformed. We found ourselves surrounded by dense vegetation. I was surprised at how navigable the river was—it felt like we were gliding through a hidden jungle. The ride was relaxing, with the flat, glassy water reflecting the trees above. Watching little flowers fall from the trees made the experience feel even more magical.
Maasin River Secret Lagoon
After about 20 minutes of paddling, we reached the end of the Maasin River at a spot the locals call the “Secret Lagoon.” Despite being a popular turnaround point for the canoe tours, the area still has a secluded, hidden-in-the-jungle vibe.
When we arrived at the Secret Lagoon, we got out of our canoe and bought a coconut from one of the vendors. We were really thirsty so it came just in time for us to rehydrate.
We wandered down the steps into the lagoon. For a moment, we had the entire place to ourselves. One of the locals mentioned that the lagoon gets crowded later in the day, with lines forming for photo ops. Arriving early definitely has its perks!
Where to Stay in Siargao
Choosing where to stay in Siargao is pretty straightforward. General Luna is the island’s main tourism hub. Most of the accommodations, restaurants, and shops are located in General Luna, and it’s also where all the tours and activities depart from. If you want to be close to everything, General Luna is the place to be.
Here are our recommendations on where to stay in Siargao:
- Luxury: If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Siargao, Las Palmas Villas is hard to beat. It has everything you would expect from a resort, including a swimming pool, a garden, and a full-service restaurant and bar.
- Mid-range: Camanolo Homestay is located right in the heart of General Luna, but down a quiet side street. The rooms are clean and all have their own private bathrooms and AC.
- Budget: We enjoyed our stay at Hostel Bajala so much that we ended up extending it a few times. The place is clean, cozy, and comfortable. We couldn’t ask for more.
If you prefer to find your own place to stay, you can visit Booking.com to explore all your accommodation options in Siargao.
What to Pack for Siargao
Here are some of our must-have items you might not have thought of when packing for a trip to Siargao.
- Crocs: During our time in Siargao, I was so glad to have Crocs to protect my feet when exploring caves and islands. They are the ultimate shoe in the Philippines for a reason – many Filipinos wear them too!
- Earplugs: If you’re planning to do any island hopping while in Siargao, I recommend bringing a set of earplugs for the boat rides. Most boats in Siargao have super loud diesel engines that will make your ears ring!
- 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 Siargao.
- Dry Bag: With all the sand, salt, and water flying everywhere during our adventures out to Siargao’s islands, 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 Siargao! It packs down nicely and was there for me anytime I went swimming, or just needed to brush sand or dirt off.
Our Siargao Google Maps Locations
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Are You Following Our Siargao Blog Series?
We spent 16 days in Siargao and found so many things to do there—from caves to beaches, mangroves, and lagoons. 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: Siargao Travel Guide
- Our ultimate guide to Siargao: 26 Awesome Things to Do in Siargao
- Our Siargao accomodation/area guide: Where to Stay in Siargao
- How to plan your Siargao vacation: Siargao 3 Day Itinerary
- Our Siargao Beach Guide: 15 Best Beaches in Siargao
- Our favorite place to swim in Siargao: Beto Cold Spring
- Our most intense adventure in Siargao: Exploring the Marvelous Somyot Cave
- Our favorite day tour in Siargao: Sohoton Cove
- Our favorite beach in Siargao: Pacifico Beach
- How to rent a motorbike in the Philippines
I hope you enjoyed our guide to the Maasin River in Siargao. As always feel free to drop a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
