
Read our article on the best beachfront resorts in Bohol.This stunning gem hides underneath tall trees in Anda, Bohol. For those planning to take the Bohol countryside tour, you can take a side trip to the Cabagnow Cave Pool, a 5-meter deep sinkhole with crystal blue waters fed from the nearby mountains. The first cliff jumping spot is about 2 meters high, while the second is 5 meters deep.īohol is home to white-sand beaches and pristine diving spots in the Visayas. At the end of the cave lies a stunning emerald green rock pool with hanging vines around it. Bats are hanging from the ceiling beside ancient stalactites shaped like ice pinnacles. Read our article on the best Siargao resortsįreshwater pools surround the cave with at least waist-deep water.Canyoneering adventures are popular for tourists who want to discover the hidden marvels of the cave. While the island of Siargao is famous for surfing, this laidback island paradise is also home to natural attractions like the Tayangban Cave Pool, which is 22KM away from General Luna and can be explored when joining Siargao tours. These natural pools are safe for swimming since most of the sinkholes are shallow. Around 36 of them have been discovered on Simunul Island. There are also cold freshwater sinkholes and cave pools scattered on the island. The island covers only 15 barangays with over 30,000 residents.ĭotting this small island are stilt houses, mosques, white-sand beaches, and powdery sandbars. One of the smallest inhabited islands in the country is the Simunul Island in Tawi-Tawi, the southernmost island province in the Philippines. Simunul Sink Hole or Cave Pools (Tawi-Tawi) And thanks to iNaturalist, I can finally tell the difference between a handful of species of sea stars.9. Most of the ones I have come across are far beyond where my feet can take me, but bright enough to see from a distance, especially with the help of my camera’s zoom. I’ve seen sea stars in purples, oranges, and reds, but even with their bright colors, they can still be hard to spot. Something about spotting these uniquely-shaped creatures is so exciting. What always feels like a special treat is when I find a sea star. Whether they are packed in groups or solitary, all are hypnotizingly interesting. Here along the Central Coast you may find sunburst anemones, aggregating anemones, giant green anemones, or even moonglow anemones. Their iridescent green, yellow, pink, and purple colors and radial symmetry remind me of a kaleidoscope. Others that are a bit further from the protection of the water, maybe during a low tide, have their tentacles tucked away, revealing their usually hidden pebble-covered column. Some anemones might have their long tentacles exposed, flowing with the slight pull of the tide. Their tentacles are used for both defense and for capturing prey. Anemones are marine, predatory animals that are related to corals and jellyfish. You may notice several sea anemones of every size and color, both in the sand and on the rocks. It’s kind of like a pocket field guide, except it’s made up of your own findings! iNaturalist uses photo recognition and GPS to determine the best guess of what an organism is–and all you have to do is upload a picture! It’s been a great educational resource for me and has allowed me to properly identify all the organisms you’ll see below. This app has been a game changer for me, and I highly recommend utilizing it during any outdoor experience, not just tide pooling. And of course, follow nature’s golden rule of respect: do not harm any living creatures or or remove them from their homes.Ī resource I always have ready is my phone so that I can take pictures and use the app iNaturalist. Allow yourself to take your time traveling through you will not only be helping protect the tide pool residents, but you’ll probably see more too. Many of the tide pool creatures are small and can blend into the rocky landscape. The key to exploring the tide pools is to watch where you step. These tide pools invite all who wander through to learn their secrets, and all it takes is paying attention. I spend hours at these places and take my own time to research their intertidal residents.

Montaña de Oro State Park and Shell Beach are home to my favorite tide pools, and each time I visit I feel a mix of appreciation and wonder. From kelp to algae, mollusks to crustaceans, fish to anemones, there is always something new and exciting to see. This shallow, rocky area of the ocean, the intertidal zone, is home to a myriad of organisms.

Gazing into the tide pools is like peering into another world.
