Siargao has no shortage of incredible places to swim, and during our two-week adventure, we tried to visit all of them. A huge goal, I know—but we can dream big, right?
After spending the day at Magpupungko Rock Pools, we wandered into Tubig-ajan looking for a place to rinse off. What we didn’t realize, though, is that unlike most other cold springs, can’t just walk up to Tubig-ajan. It’s a short boat ride away. But we like the adventure!
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Tubig-ajan Cold Spring in Siargao, including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive.
Tubig-ajan Cold Spring Complete Guide
Tubig-Ajan Cold Spring is an off-the-beaten-path gem tucked away in the heart of Siargao. It feels more like a local hangout than a typical tourist spot, which adds to its charm. The spring’s brackish water—a mix of fresh spring water and river water—gives it a slight hint of saltiness.
Tubig-ajan is an off-the-beaten-path cold spring in Siargao. It feels more like a local hangout than a tourist spot, which adds to its charm. Like other cold springs in Siargao, Tubig-ajan contains brackish water. The spring water mixes with the brackish river water, creating a slightly salty combination.
Since the cold spring is connected to a river, its water level changes with the tides. During our visit, it was low tide, so the water in the cold spring was quite shallow. Still, it remained incredibly clear and clean, making it a perfect spot to relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings.
How to get to Tubig-ajan Cold Spring
Tubig-Ajan Cold Spring is located in the Pilar area of Siargao. It’s near the Magpupungko Rock Pools, so you can visit both spots in one day.
What makes Tubig-ajan unique is that it’s not directly accessible by foot or motorbike—you’ll need to take a short boat ride to reach it.
To get to Tubig-ajan, navigate to the Barangay Consolacion Covered Court and park your motorbike there. Across the street, you’ll find the dock for the boat rides to the cold spring. Pay your entry fee at the tent, and a guide will ferry you over to the spring in a canoe.
Tubig-ajan Cold Spring: Our Experience
After exploring the Magpupungko Rock Pools, we decided to check out Tubig-ajan Cold Spring, a place tucked away in a nearby village and definitely off the usual tourist path.
We rode up to a boat dock and were greeted by a friendly lady sitting under a tent. Unsure if we were in the right spot, we asked, and she cheerfully pointed us to the basketball court across the street to park our motorbike.
Once we parked and returned, we paid the entry fee at her booth. She explained that the boat guide was currently on a tour but would be back soon. True to her word, after just a few minutes, the guide paddled up in his canoe with a group of happy guests finishing up their tour.
The boat ride across the river was short but sweet. I wasn’t sure how far the cold spring was, but I really enjoyed the peaceful paddle through the calm water.
Before long, we reached the other side of the river and climbed out onto a rocky shore. The area around the cold spring was quiet. We were the only ones there, but it looked like a place set up for a good time, with huts and seating areas surrounding the cold spring. I kind of wished there were a few more people around to liven up the atmosphere and share a fun time with.
We quickly noticed that we’d arrived during low tide, and the water level was extremely low. It was easy to see where the high tide mark should be—clearly, this spot is much better for swimming the tide is in.
But that didn’t stop us! We swam in the water, enjoying the cool spring and washing off all the salty ocean water from our earlier visit to Magpupungko. The rock pool built around the spring created a natural swimming area, and even at low tide, it was a peaceful and refreshing spot.
Once we’d had our fill of swimming, it was time to head back across the river. I made my way to the shore and called out “HELLO MA’AM SIR” across the water to the entry booth. The lady responded so we knew the boat was on the way. A few minutes later, the boat guide paddled over and ferried us back to the dock.
We left Tubig-Ajan Cold Spring feeling refreshed, clean, and ready for the ride back to General Luna. It was a fun little adventure to cap off our day.
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
Want a free map of all of the locations mentioned in this post? Sign up in the box below and we’ll deliver one right to your inbox, plus our top tips to help you plan your Siargao trip!
Can’t get enough of Siargao?
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 Tubig-ajan Cold Spring in Siargao! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! 🐸
