The Maasin River on Siargao was once just a quaint little river town on the island’s Circumferential Road. However, ever since an opportunistic local erected an awesome rope swing on a historic picturesque, bent palm tree hanging over the river, the spot got international acclaim thanks to social media.
Unfortunately, the palm tree has fallen following the heavy typhoons. However, since this river is one of the most popular freshwater attractions on the island, locals have built a tower in its memory– yes you can jump off it! You can also rent a boat here and explore some cool hidden natural pools upstream.
In this updated guide, I’ll detail everything you need to know about visiting. You’ll see photos from my trip with the palm tree still standing, but all the information is up to date!
How to Get to the Maasin River
You'll have two options for getting to the Maasin River. You can either check this spot out on the famous Siargao Land Tour, or rent a motorbike and ride here yourself.
Here's a breakdown.
Option 1: Join the Siargao Land Tour
Want to visit the rope swing as well as a bunch of other must-see highlights on Siargao in a single day? The answer is the Siargao Land Tour. This is the most convenient way to get to all the must-do activities including:
- Coconut Road
- Magpupungko Rock Pools
- Bent Palm Tree Swing
Book: Siargao Land Tour
Option 2: Rent a Motorbike (independent)
For independent explorers, rent a bike in General Luna for between 250-350 pesos per day. This is how I explored much of Siargao during my visits.
Getting to Maasin River is easy and the roads on this stretch from General Luna are well-maintained, sealed and smooth the whole way. The easiest way to get here is to simply plug in the coordinates in the map below, which is accurate.
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Where is the Maasin River?
The Maasin River is located on the Siargao Circumferential Road. It's approximately 18 kilometres from General Luna, which should take you about 25 minutes if riding independently. You'll know when you're at the right spot when you reach the iconic red bridge crossing the Maasin River.
Stop here, and look to your left. You'll see the spot where the famous bent palm tree and the Siargao swing once stood just a little ways up the river. Now, there's a wooden tower in its place. You can park your bike here in Maasin for free.
Google Maps Pin: "Maasin Bridge River Swing"
What to Expect
Once you arrive, you'll notice that it has been developed quite a bit since I visited. It's now one of the most popular tourist spots on Siargao and it's usually pretty crowded with visitors.
I recommend that you walk down beside the northwest side of the bridge, turning onto the Maasin River Path.
You can walk alongside the river for about 80 meters and after you pay the fee, there is a tower at the end where you can jump, which is about 3 or so meters above the river.
You will need to exercise caution because you cannot see the bottom and it is not very deep. There are plenty of excellent photo options still.You can also reserve a bamboo raft or boat tour to explore the river upstream but this costs 600 PHP per boat.
Entrance Fee: 30 PHP - This fee is payable per person but you can use it as many times as you like.
More Things to Do Nearby
As you might expect, there's absolutely loads to see and do on Siargao besides surfing and jumping off platforms! Below are my favorite nearby highlights.
Also,. don't miss a trip to Sugba Lagoon or the epic Sohoton Cove on your trip to Siargao Island!
Where to Stay on Siargao
When planning accommodation on Siargao, you'll want to know that the main tourist hub is called General Luna. Here, there is solid tourism infrastructure like hotels, resorts, guest houses, restaurants, clubs, bars, and tour offices. Below are my favorite picks for where to stay.
1. Las Palmas Villas & Casitas Luxury
Very popular luxury villas located within 100 m from the beach in General Luna. Includes swimming pool, bar, and tropical gardens.
2.
The best tropical retreat in Siargao. Located in an excellent location on Malinao Beach which offers a unique glamping style accommodation with BBQ dinners and free bicycle rental!
3. Sinag Hostel Budget
The best hostel in General Luna with impressive reviews on popular booking sites. Great for those looking to save money and meet other like-minded travelers.
More Photos from Maasin River Siargao
I hope that you've enjoyed this quick guide to the Maasin River and its (sadly fallen) bent palm tree! For more travel guides and adventure inspiration, make sure to check out some of my other articles from the Philippines as well.
- Epic Things to do in Siargao - complete travel guide with hidden gems and top places to visit
- Siargao Tourist Spots - discover the main points of interest on this surfing and adventure island
- Where to stay in Siargao - complete guide to the best areas and hotel picks on the island
- Siquijor Island Guide - off-beat adventures in Siquijor
- Cebu Island Travel Guide - my ultimate adventure travel guide to Cebu
Tip: We drove past the Maasin River a few times at midday while exploring the island of Siargao. Let me tell you– this spot gets busy! I recommend getting here early to beat the crowds. I'd say you'd have it all to yourself if you visited around 6 am to 8 am.
