Discover crystal-clear, aquatic-blue pools at Magpupungko Rock Pools. Includes everything you need to know to visit including transport, timings, cost, and tips from my visit.
If you’re considering a trip to Siargao, then you already know that this is an epic island with so much untapped adventure potential! One of the best attractions you’ll want to check out is the Magpupungko Rock Pools– a series of salt-water pools on rocky flats that are perfect for swimming and cliff jumping.
Where are the Magpupungko Rock Pools?
The Magpupungko Rock pools are located on the eastern coast of Siargao Island, the Philippines. It's approximately 40 minutes from the main tourist hub of General Luna. The closest town is Pilar and you'll find it on the Siargao Circumferential Rd.
Below I've pinned the exact location to help you find it. Note that Google Maps spells it as "Magpopongko".
Google Maps Pin: "Rock Pools and Flats"
How to Get to Magpupungko Near Pilar
So, how do we get here? You'll have two main options for getting to the rock pools, which I've outlined below.
Option 1: Siargao Land Tour
For those short on time, or if you'd rather spend the day checking out all the best highlights on Siargao by a local guide, then you simply can't beat the very popular "Siargao Land Tour". This is the most popular tour on the island, and for good reason.
Not only does the Siargao Land tour visit the Magpupungko Rock Pools, but you'll also get to see both the epic coconut road and the rope swing on Maasin river.
Book: Siargao Land Tour
Option 2: Drive or Ride Independently
The second option for getting to the rocky lagoons is to do it independently. For this, you're going to need a motorbike.
This is the way I explored all the highlights on Siargao Island.
You can pick up a daily rental in General Luna for 250-350 pesos. Remember you'll always need to barter to get a fair price.
Directions to the Rock Pool
The drive to the rock pools takes about 40 minutes, following the Dapa-General Luna Road past the awesome palm tree viewpoint and down the famous palm tree road. When you get to the intersection at the Siargao Eagles's Statue, turn right onto the Siargao Circumferential Road.
Follow this past the famous coconut tree swing on the Maasin River and past the Tayangban Cave Pool. Soon after, the road gets a little winding as it wraps around the mangrove coves down to Pilar Port. Continue on and soon you'll arrive at the the rock pools.
There's a sign here that reads: "Magpupungko White Beach".
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My Experience at the Rock Pools
As soon as we arrived on the white-sand Magpupungko Beach, we needed to walk over to the left (north) side, where we spotted the famous rock pools. There's one main pool at Magpupungko, which is actually split in two. The average depth is around 2-3 meters.
These rock pools are a special breed of blue. They really are beautiful and the dense, coconut palm backdrops make for some pretty incredible scenes.
Tip: You'll want to visit the rock pools at low tide. On high tide, the ocean laps into the pools. Surf Reports is a good source for checking tide times.
The Big Pool
The main rock pool at Magpupungko is the first one you'll find. This is the widest and you can swim comfortably, jump off the rocks, and explore the coastal caves.
This one is great for swimming since it's sheltered from the sea. This large, natural lagoon is very clear and very blue– trust me, if you have an underwater camera or a drone, you'll want to bring it!
Below are some shots that I captured on my visit.
Cliff Jumps (Rocks)
While not huge, one of the best things to do at Magpupungko Rock Pools is to jump off the large boulders. The one in the photos is right in the middle of the first pool.
We had loads of fun doing this and captured some fun photos as well. Remember to always do a depth check when cliff jumping.
Smaller Pools And the Big Boulder
If you continue on around the headland for about 30 meters, you'll find some smaller pools and a huge, picturesque boulder on the edge of the coast. This is another great place to snap some photos. There weren't as many tourists at this side either when I visited, so it's a good spot to escape the crowds on busy days.
The Love Heart Rock
In the middle of the first lagoon (pool), there is a very large boulder with some green shrubs and small trees growing from it. From the ground, it doesn't look that special, but, after sending my drone up, I noticed that it's cut as a perfect love heart shape! This makes for an interesting subject to shoot!
Magpupungko Beach
The rock pools aren't the only attraction at Magpupungko Beach. In fact, the beach itself is pretty awesome. You'll find a few small local restaurants here too, which is great after a long day of adventure.
However, if you do visit at extra low tide, you'll find the beach is quite rocky. I'd say it's better to enjoy the pools at low tide and the beach at high tide!
Tips for Visiting Magpupungko Rock Pools
Below are some tips you'll want to know before planning a trip.
- Visit at low tide
- Get here early - this place is swarming with people around midday
- The rock pools are included in the very popular Siargao Land Tour
- There is no entrance fee to visit and you are free to park your bike!
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. Soultribe Beach Retreat Mid-Range
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 My Trip
I hope that you've enjoyed my travel guide to visiting the Magpupungko Rock Pools on Siargao Island. While you're here, check out some of my other blog posts about Siargao and the Philippines– I bet you'll find something new!
- 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
Below are some more photos I took with my drone, underwater camera, and GoPro.
