Last weekend, my friends, their teachers (thankfully our friends too), and I finally made our way to Blue Hole Spring in Tuburan Cebu. If you had not heard about it, it is a beautiful, hidden gem completely surrounded by nature- cold, crystal waters, placid green jungle, and all that totally postcard-worthy ambiance.
We anticipated the day on a rather preposterous early morning. After getting from Medellin, the 5 AM drive was almost in chaotic excitement with the sleepless night's coffee in hand. It took approximately 3 hours to reach Tuburan. Well, we trucked on and carried on, as the time with which we would be spending Blue Hole Spring liked an enticing bait.
The legs were already stretched in the town proper by 8 AM to regain some energy. Little did we know, that was where the actual adventure would begin!
This one tested both our patience and our butts. The road to Blue Hole Spring? Painful, I tell ya! The last stretch was just pure torture- a dry land filled with rocks and ditches giving us some serious popcorn-in-the-microwave vibes to make us jump on our very comfy seats. We laughed at every bump (and groaned) with complaints that bruises were for sure in the making. Well, all part of the adventure, right?
What was actually a little over an hour's worth of travel finally came to an end, 9:05 AM being the Tag-7 checkpoint. Every bump was worth it.
As we got out of the vehicle, the first thing we noticed was the beautiful silence: nothing but trees fluttering in the wind and the occasional small splash of water. Lovely, untouched serenity.
The Blue Hole Spring was nothing short of enchanting: the water was crystal clear; you could literally see the bottom of the spring, and those incredible shades of blue and green looked something right out of a fantasy film. Cameras were out within seconds, and, seriously, how could you not?
We dipped our legs in first, more of a cautious test. And cold? I'm talking about "bring-your-breath-back" kind of cold, "shock-you-to-your-very-core" type. But after some pushing (and lots of screaming from the early jumpers), we took the plunge.
The water was refreshing, brisk, composed just right; perfect for a sweltering day. Some of us swam around while others just floated on their backs, gazing up at the trees, drinking it all in. Even our teachers-turned-friends joined in: adventure truly has no age limit.
Now it was time to explore because we had brought everything we needed from the car. The entire setting seemed quite isolated and probably existed just for us. We climbed some small rock formations by the spring to capture the best angles for our photos. Some of my friends tried to dive coolly and landed belly-first instead, while the rest just laid back on the water, soaking in the wonderful sight.
We had the chance to meet some locals who shared with us some interesting things about the history of Blue Hole Spring; how it was a natural pool formed from an underground water source, and how it mostly remained a hidden gem in Tuburan, known only to locals and some adventurous travelers. That made us appreciate the place even more.
By lunchtime, we were starving. Lucky for us, we loaded all the food as if we were feeding an army. Lunch was lain by the spring—rice, grilled meat, fruits, and of course, a lot of snacks. Eating outdoors with nature works wonders for the taste buds.
After lunch, we played a few games, took even more pictures, and generally enjoyed each other's company. It was just one of those moments filled with lightness—no stress, no overthinking, just fun.
And though we wanted to settle there for an eternity, the harsh truth broke in. By the mid-afternoon, we tidied up the place, took our last plunge in the cool waters, and slowly made our way back. The road out was just as unforgiving to us, but this time it didn't matter as we were busy recalling the day's events and already plotting a return.
The return journey towards Medellin was quiet, for several of us were out cold from all that swimming and laughing. But even in that easy silence, we all knew that this was a trip one wouldn't forget anytime soon.
If you're looking for a secret paradise away from the standard tourist spots, it's Blue Hole Spring in Tuburan. Peaceful, breathtaking, and best enjoyed with friends on an adventure day. Just prepare yourself for this rocky road (trust me on that one), but you'll realize it's worth it once you get there.
So if you're going to come to Cebu and want something out of the ordinary, add this to your list: Blue Hole Spring. You won't regret it.
And until the next adventure, Hivers! 😊🚗💦🌿