Have you ever heard about the mystical blue river? A river that has many creepy stories about supernatural beings. This river is called the Enchanted River of Hinatuan, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Surigao Del Sur. This spectacular crystal-clear water believed that there are many strange creatures including fairies and beautiful maidens made and maintain this stunning beautiful river.
Locals believed that there are “engkantos” or unknown creatures lived in the forest and balete trees, prevented this river by prohibiting swimmers and fishermen not to swim but later the fairies accepted and allowed the people to explore the river. No one knows where this crystal-clear water came from. Maybe from a spring? or from the sea? with its unusual shimmering colors and unexplored depths believed that fairies added sapphire and jade to it.
Every 12:00 noon until 1:00, swimmers are prohibited in the area. The staffs at the resort hit the bell as a sign that it’s time to feed the colorful fishes every 12 o’clock by throwing the food in the water. This river remains mysterious like every 12 o’clock, the large fishes and school of various species comes out to eat but the fact is you never saw them the time you arrived. Fishing is not allowed in the river maybe there are many experiences and stories like no one ever catches a fish even they used nets and spears.
The river is a perfect spot for a vacation. A dark blue water, a green forest and friendly people or maybe with friendly spirits. Visitors are allowed to swim but non-swimmers are prohibited to jump and need to wear life jacket.
Enchanted River entrance fee is 30 pesos per person, the picnic table or cottage is 100 pesos and life jacket is 15 pesos per hour. The travel time from Cagayan De Oro to Surigao Del Sur is around 7 to 8 hours. From Hinatuan Terminal to Enchanted, there are motorcycles 100 pesos per person road to Enchanted River entrance.
Many unexplained things happened like drowning and complaints about inexplicable things they got. The river is surrounded with big trees and rocks, they said that the spirits kept the river and guarded when people tried to swim at night. Enchanted River is indeed a beautiful river with an 80 feet deep. The river’s lagoons, passages, caves, and chasms underwater are extremely wonderful.