Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/800, f/3.5
Introduction
Hello Travelers all over the world and to all fellow Hivers. How are you all doing today? I hope you are having a great day. This is my first time posting here in HaveYouBeenHere Community and this is also my first ever travel blog.
Dalaguete is a town located 87km from Cebu City, which is the heart of the Cebu Province. This town has a few tourist spots which is heavily advertised. Places such as "Osmeña Peak", "San Guillermo Church Plaza", "Kadunghaw Peak" and "Obong Spring" to name a few are favorite tourist spots in Dalaguete. But for todays episode I will share to you guys a beautiful underrated spring of Dalaguete, Cebu.
Why underrated you ask?
Well when it comes to a natural spring in Dalaguete, "Obong Spring" is most likely to be suggested to you by Traveling Agencies and Tourist Guides. Even the Local Goverment Website says the same. But what most travelers and tourist don't know is that Dalaguete is home to so many natural springs. It is probably the king of natural springs in the whole Cebu Province when it comes to the number of natural springs in a town. Although most of these springs are really just for utility purposes like for drinking, washing clothes, bathing and farming. But some of these springs can easily become a tourist spot with proper advertisement and this is what I am doing today.
Gakub Natural Cold Spring
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @184mm, ISO 80, 1/640, f/5.5
Gakub Spring is a cold spring located in Barangay Banhigan which is 4.5km before you reach the town proper which Poblacion, Dalaguete. It is the 3rd Barangay before Poblacion, Dalaguete and after the Town of Argao.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @39mm, ISO 80, 1/1000, f/4.0
The entrance to Gakub Spring is quite inconspicuous and is very easy to miss. This is all thanks to the National Road being above the spring itself not to mention the spring is located just before a winding road.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/800, f/4.0
I came here before the COVID19 Pandemic and there was no such thing as a parking fee here before but not I see a sign stating a parking fee of 20 pesos or $0.4
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @72mm, ISO 80, 1/250, f/4.3
As you can see there is no guard house here because this place is free. Well kind of, I mean the entrance fee is none. Yeah you read it right, as in zero bro. This spring is open for everyone but that doesn't mean it is not well maintained.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/640, f/2.9
This spring is maintained by the Barangay Banhigan Officials and they have stationed a caretaker here to maintain the cleanliness of the place and also collect fees for the cottages you see right there. Although the entrance is free but the cottages are not. You really don't need to use/pay for the cottages to swim though. Most people who swim here don't really pay or use the cottages. But if you do want to use the cottage then you have to pay a fee of 100 pesos or $2 to use a cottage.
Fun Fact: Did you know that this spring was created and developed from donations and voluntary work of the locals? The people of Barangay Banhigan worked together to make this Gakub Spring possible and free to use for everyone whether you are a local or not.
This spring is a favorite of motorists due to the fact that its free. After a long hot ride they want to dip and chill here for a few minutes to an hour to cool their bodies off. This is also one of the reasons why I love this spring. I mean who doesn't want free dips in a cold spring right? 😄
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/1000, f/3.5
When I arrived at the heart of the spring, I took out my inadequate and laughable equipment out. I took one photo with the boys swimming as you can see in the picture above. After that one photo they disappeared out of nowhere so I asked the caretaker why they stopped swimming.
Apparently locals here are quite disciplined. They saw me taking a picture of the place and they got out and stopped swimming so I can take my photos in peace. What a place! But I would be happy if they would swim though coz taking a picture of an empty spring is kinda...
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/800, f/5.0
Anyways... As you can see the spring water is crystal clear. The floor and rocks at the bottom can clearly be seen in the picture which shouts of cleanliness.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @28mm, ISO 80, 1/1000, f/3.1
Well one of the reasons this spring is crystal clear is definitely from the disciplined locals and the hard work of the caretaker but another reason for this is that. This spring is actually a flowing water spring. It's hard to see but the stairs you see in the picture above? The stairs at the back with the huge rock on the right is actually a small cave. The water flows from the mountains to the underground water canals of Dalaguete and exits to multiple spots along the sea shore. That is why there are a lot of cold springs here in town of Dalaguete.
But this Gakub Spring in particular has one of the strongest currents from the underground spring water that is why this spring is much cleaner and clearer than "Obong Spring"
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @72mm, ISO 80, 1/640, f/4.3
Now you might be wondering, if this is such a great and better spring than "Obong Spring" then why is it so empty? I also asked that to the caretaker of this place since the last time I was here it was packed to the brim.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/1000, f/3.2
The caretaker told me that it is empty right now since it is low tide. Most local would only come here to swim if its high tide since they can jump into the water since when it's high tide the water depth can reach up to 14 feet which is high enough to let the kids jump into the water and the teenagers or adults can dive into the water as well.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/800, f/3.5
When it's low tide very few people come here to swim because it wouldn't be as much fun as during a high tide. Still some people come here during low tides since they know there would be less people and thus they can swim in peace.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @61mm, ISO 80, 1/500, f/4.1
The only downside to this spring is that the space is quite small and limited. Unlike the famous "Obong Spring" which has a much bigger area than Gakub Spring. So people might hesitate to visit this wonderful place. If you are planning like a team retreat with 100 people then this place might not be your best bet. But if you are only with few people lets say 20 people or less then this is a great place to be.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @100mm, ISO 80, 1/500, f/4.8
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/800, f/4.5
Also the thing that I also love about this spring is their amazing view. You can view the sea directly from this spring since this is connected to the sea. The parking boats are quite a sight to behold plus the perfect position of the mangrove trees which gives way to the view of the sea and the sky. Its just mesmerizing to watch.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @112mm, ISO 80, 1/800, f/5.0
Small time fishermen park their boats here and if I don't know better. I would think there must be a boat race soon. It's just absolutely amazing and breath taking to watch.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/1000, f/4.0
Another thing to have fun with is that locals here don't really mind that much being part of the picture, well except for those teenager boys from the start.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @117mm, ISO 80, 1/160, f/5.1
This family is just minding their own business, taking a bath and enjoying their cold spring.
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @56mm, ISO 80, 1/400, f/3.9
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/800, f/3.5
Just looking at them having fun and relaxing in the lovely cold spring and here I am drenched with sweat taking pictures of them. Really makes me want to just jump in there and swim with them lol
Panasonic Lumix DC FZ80 @22mm, ISO 80, 1/1000, f/3.2
I would have loved to take dip and chill in the cold spring water but I didn't bring any extra clothes with me and swimming butt naked is a big NO so yeah 🤣
Closing Remarks
This cold spring for me is really a gem. It might not be as big as Obong Spring but it makes up for its cystal clear water. Not to mention it being free and all so anyone can really just go in here and dive in. If you ever want to go somewhere in the southern part of Cebu then I would suggest making a pit stop here and chill in the coldness of the waters here in Gakub Spring.