Hinagdanan Cave, Natural limestone cave in Dauis, Philippines
Hinagdanan is a natural limestone cave in Dauis featuring stalactites and stalagmites surrounding an underground freshwater lagoon. The crystal-clear water reaches depths of about 12 meters and allows for swimming in this subterranean setting.
A local farmer stumbled upon this cave while clearing his farmland and discovered two openings in the ground. He built a wooden ladder to explore the underground space and opened it for others to visit.
The cave holds deep meaning for local people as a place where their ancestors sought shelter during turbulent times. Today, residents of Dauis share these stories with visitors walking through the passages.
Visit during daytime hours and bring water-resistant clothing and slip-resistant footwear, as pathways can be wet and slippery from the lagoon. A flashlight is helpful for seeing rock formations clearly in darker areas of the cave.
Natural light filters through ceiling openings and creates shifting illumination patterns across the lagoon's surface that change throughout the day. This dynamic interplay of light and water makes each visit visually different from the last.
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