Agusan del Norte is a province of the Philippines decorated with mesmerizing tourist spots. It is a promising eco-tourism destination in Mindanao with its natural attractions that allows its visitors to enjoy various activities. These attractions includes beaches for swimming, waterfalls for picnicking, view parks for sightseeing, mountain peaks for trekking and a whole lot more. There are also plenty of dive sites and caves on the province waiting to be explored.
The province of Agusan del Norte is part of the Caraga Region in the Island of Mindanao. The northern part of the province faces the Butuan Bay. It is being bordered by Surigao del Norte (northeast), Surigao del Sur (east), Agusan del Sur (southeast) and Misamis Oriental (southwest). Over 350,000 total residents of the province speak in Cebuano, Filipino and English Languages. Cabadbaran City is its provincial capital.
From beach chilling to adventure trekking, this province has a lot to offer when it comes to beautiful tourist spots and things to do. If you are planning to visit here soon, you may want to check out the most popular tourist spots in Agusan del Norte below.
1. Bolihon Beach
Photo courtesy of thewanderlustic
Bolihon Beach is one of the most popular tourist spots in Agusan del Norte on its coast facing the Butuan Bay. It is a long stretch of white sand mixed with coral beach decorated with trees arrayed with cottages. The gradually sloping seabed with crystal clear waters is good for swimming. One of the most visited spot on the beach is the Bolihon Point Cliff which is actually a rock formation that forms a plain surface. It is the site where most visitors go for cliff jumping while others just admire the beautiful horizon with the sound of the splashing waves as it meets the rock formations.
Bolihon Beach is located in Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
2. Vinapor Blue Water Resort
Photo courtesy of Vinapor Blue Water Resort FB Page
On the northern part of Agusan del Norte, near the borders of Misamis Oriental, is a blissful resort perched on a rocky shore facing the Butuan Bay, the Vinapor Blue Water Resort. This is an ideal site for barkada outing or weekend getaway for families. The resort has wide pools, an awesome man-made pool on a cave, cottages perched on the stone cliffs, concrete pathways to explore the area, and even interesting sculptures of Jurrasic Animals. The area is surrounded with trees covered by bermuda grass while the waters on the shores are crystal clear perfect for swimming, snorkeling and cliff diving.
Vinapor Blue Water Resort is situated in Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
3. Tagnote Falls
Photo courtesy of Sarah
Tagnote Falls is one of the known tourist spots in Agusan del Norte favored by the locals. The 20-foot high waterfall cascades on a rock cliff down the 10 square meters wide basin which is about 3-foot deep. The wide and refreshing basin or plunge pool can accommodate about 20 people bathing at a time. The lush trees around the falls serves as shades for the visitors while the flat boulders serves as picnic or resting grounds.
Tagnote Falls is located in Sitio Tagnote, Barangay San Antonio, Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.
4. Sak-a Falls
Photo courtesy of Vic Jo
Sak-a Falls is another famous waterfall found in Agusan del Norte. It is a 3-tier waterfall with refreshing and crystal clear waters surrounded by lush greenery. The first waterfall basin is not an ideal site for swimming since the waters most of the time is too strong. However, it is an ideal spot for those seeking more fun since some visitors enjoy waterfall sliding down the basin below it but this is only for the physically fit and brave one’s. On the other hand, the second and third waterfall basin are the best ones for cliff jumping and swimming since it is indeed deep and refreshingly cool.
Sak-a Falls is situated in Barangay San Antonio, Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte.
5. Higanteng Bato
Photo courtesy of Claro Madrid
Giant Rock or commonly referred to “Higanteng Bato” is one of the popular landmarks in Agusan del Norte. It is indeed a giant and the largest boulder rock in the province which measures 124 meters in circumference, 54.13-foot high and 31-meter wide. Under the rock is a flowing clean and refreshing stream. There’s not that much thing to do on site but to admire this gigantic rock and the surrounding greenery.
Higanteng Bato falls is located in Sitio Pirada, Barangay del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
6. Balangay Shrine Museum
Photo courtesy of Cedie
Balangay Shrine Museum is one of the best tourist attractions in Agusan del Norte where history geeks would love to visit. It is a small open-air museum which houses one out of the nine balangays, an old wooden boat, discovered on 1970’s by the local treasure hunters. The balangay is said to be more than 300 years old which measures 15 meters long and 3 meters wide. Other displays inside the museum includes wooden coffins, human skulls, hunting tools, pots, ceramics and other items.
Balangay Shrine Museum is situated in Libertad, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
7. Butuan National Museum
Photo courtesy of Reina Mae Regner Navarro
Butuan National Museum is another known museum in Agusan del Norte which showcases the historical and cultural collections found in the province. The items inside the museum includes the parts of Balanghai or Balangay which were accidentally discovered by the locals. Further excavations done by the archaeologists from the National Museum yielded more archaeological finds. Moreover, old jars and ceramic wares, agricultural tools, musical instruments, textiles, wooden coffins, human bones and more interesting items are being displayed inside.
Butuan National Museum is situated in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
8. Mount Carmel View Deck and Park
View at the park | Photo courtesy of Xyrille Dianne
Mount Carmel View Deck and Park, formerly known as Marcos Park, is one of the best sightseeing destinations in the province of Agusan del Norte. It is a park located at the one of the highest peaks in the province with an elevation of 810 meters above sea level. The top offers fascinating views of rolling mountains covered with greens, the vast sea and shorelines of Agusan del Norte and Caraga Region, hence it is called as the “Show Window of Caraga“.
Mount Carmel View Deck and Park is located in Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
9. Mount Mayapay
Photo courtesy of Choy Cuevas Honculada
Mount Mayapay is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the province of Agusan del Norte. The mountain is standing 675 meters above sea level with its fascinating table-head summit. The trek from the trail head to the peak of the mountain is about 2 hours following a gradually meandering rough road. The “difficult” part of the journey is the climb near the peak where it is very steep and visitors may literally crawl up most of the time. As a reward, the peak offers a breath-taking view of the plains and rolling mountains of Agusan del Norte, Butuan Bay and Agusan River.
Mount Mayapay is located in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
10. Mount Hilong-Hilong
Photo courtesy of Butuan City FB Page
Mount Hilong-Hilong is considered as the highest mountain in the province of Agusan del Norte and the entire region of Caraga. It is standing 2,012 meters above sea level wherein its surrounding area is a home of different types plants and habitat of wild animals. There are known 7 waterfalls on the mountain and undetermined number of unexplored caves. Conquering its peak requires four (4) to five (5) days trek. This climb is recommended only to those experienced mountaineers.
Mount Hilong-Hilong is situated in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.
