Located in The Land of Dreamweavers, Lake Sebu is nothing but short of amazing. With its luscious forests, breathtaking lakes, satisfying sounds of birds and trees, and its raw appeal—anyone looking for a respite from the cosmopolitan lifestyle would love it here. 

In this blog, we will take you to the most beautiful Lake Sebu tourist spots and tell you everything you need to know about this wonderful place.

*Cover photo credits to Wayph.com via Flickr

What’s inside this blog?

About Lake Sebu

Lake Sebu is the humble second municipality of South Cotabato. It is home to the indigenous peoples: the Tirurays, Ubos, Manobos and T’bolis — the latter being the majority group.

The 42,450-hectare landscape is concealed by the mountains and forests, considered as one of the safest places in Mindanao, and is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a cultural landscape in Mindanao. The major livelihoods here are agriculture and aquaculture. That’s why it’s not surprising to see a lot of tilapia cages in their placid lake. 

More than being a beautiful tourist destination in Mindanao, it serves a greater purpose because Lake Sebu is one of the Philippines’ most important watersheds and a major provider of irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

Lake Sebu Location

Lake Sebu is located in the province of South Cotabato in the Soccsksargen region.

How to get to the location of Lake Sebu

From Manila, book a flight bound for General Santos City. Ride a tricycle going to General Santos City’s Bulaong Terminal and from there, you can ride a van or habal-habal that is directly going to Lake Sebu.

Lake Sebu Tourist Spots

Contrary to popular belief, Lake Sebu Mindanao is not just a lake but a municipality in South Cotabato. In fact, there are many beautiful Lake Sebu tourist spots and fun Lake Sebu activities to try. Read below to know more about it.

1. Seven Fall

hikong bente seven falls lake sebu

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Yes, there is not just one, not two, not three…but seven wonderful waterfalls can be found here, hence the name Seven Falls. Each of them has its unique features that make every waterfall a must-visit. Falls 1 and 2 are among the most popular of the seven waterfalls. At falls 1, you can try the Lake Sebu zipline that will definitely give you the adrenaline rush you’re craving. 

  • Falls 1 (Hikong Alu) – meaning “passage falls”
  • Falls 2 (Hikong Bente) – meaning immeasurable waterfalls
  • Falls 3 (Hikong B’lebed) – meaning “coil or zigzag falls” 
  • Falls 4 (Hikong Lowig) – meaning “booth” 
  • Falls 5 (Hikong Kefo-i) – meaning “the wild flower”  
  • Falls 6 (Hikong Ukol) – meaning “short falls” 
  • Falls 7 (Hikong Tonok) – meaning “soil”

2. Lake Sebu Punta Isla Resort

Punta Isla Lake Resort lake sebu

Photo credits to Punta Isla Lake Resort

Situated on a ridge in Sitio Toku-ful, Punta Isla Lake Resort is where you can have a panoramic view of the place. It has terraces, a patio, and dining areas on decks where you can comfortably sit and watch the beauty of the lake. You can also go boating to explore a few lakes and get closer to the egrets and kingfishers skimming over the surface of the water.

3. Lake Seloton

Lake Seloton Boats at Lake Sebu

Photo credits to Wayph.com via Flickr

Lake Sebu is home to three majestic lakes: Lake Sebu, Lake Seloton, and Lake Lahit, all which are blessed with stunning waters with pink lotus flowers that make them popular. This is actually the identifier of the lake.

4. T’Boli Museum

Immerse yourself in the T’Boli’s way of life by visiting the T’Boli Museum. It is a museum owned by Datu Bao Baay housing pieces, from household utensils and clothing to weapons of war, that give you a glimpse of their culture.

5. Grand Dulay T’nalak Weaving Center

T'nalak weaver at Lake Sebu

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

Lang Dulay is a dream weaver in Lake Sebu who is recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for promoting and preserving the traditional T’nalak Weaving. Before she passed away, she was the only living dream weaver in Lake Sebu but she was able to pass down the tradition and is being kept alive by the new T’boli generations. 

At the Grand Dulay T’nalak Weaving Center, you can see the masterpieces of the T’Boli tribe and buy the one-of-a-kind T’nalak fabric.

6. School of Living Tradition (SLT)

School of Living Tradition lake sebu

Photo credits to Philippine Information Agency

If you want to watch the T’Boli elders teach the younger generations with the native T’Boli song and dance, visit School of Living Tradition (SLT).

Things to do in Lake Sebu

Boating at Lake Sebu

Photo credits to I Travel Philippines via Flickr

From the famed thrilling Lake Sebu zipline to living like a local, Lake Sebu tagalog has something for everyone. Here’s a list of the fun Lake Sebu activities you must not miss when traveling here.

  1. Waterfalls-hopping
  2. Lake Sebu zipline 
  3. Ride a canoe in Lake Sebu
  4. Go on a boat tour in three lakes: Lake Sebu, Lake Seloton, and Lake Lahit
  5. Live with a T’Boli family
  6. Immerse with the culture of T’boli and Ubo tribes
  7. Trek
  8. Visit the T’boli Museum
  9. Go on a culinary trip by trying the different tilapia recipes
  10. Experience Helobung Festival

Lake Sebu Itinerary

Here’s a sample Lake Sebu itinerary that you can use for your future trip.

DAY TOUR

07:00 AM – ETA at Bulaong Terminal
10:00 AM – ETA at Lake Sebu Terminal
11:00 AM – Hotel check-in
11:30 AM – Lunch
12:00 PM – Depart for Seven Falls
12:30 PM – Zipline at Seven Falls
01:00 PM – Rent a T’Boli traditional clothing and take a photo near the waterfalls
02:00 PM – Visit the Grand Dulay T’nalak Weaving Center
02:30 PM – T’Boli Museum
03:00 PM – School of Living Tradition (SLT)
03:30 PM – Boat tour at the lakes
05:00 PM – Back to hotel

Rates and other information

Seven Falls entrance fee: PHP 20
Zip line: PHP 300
T’Boli Museum entrance fee: PHP 20

South Cotabato Tourism Guidelines 2021 | COVID-19 Updates

Only essential travel into and out of the NCR Plus shall be allowed (IATF Resolution 115-A). Leisure travels shall be prohibited into and out of NCR Plus during the said period.

  • All passengers entering Cotabato City shall acquire a QR Code from the Cotabato City Contact Tracing Website or from the COVID-19 Contact Tracing System (CCTS) which shall be scanned by authorized persons.
  • In the event that certain additional measures are imposed, persons who are unable to present their valid QR Code shall not be allowed to enter.

NON-APOR (Non-Authorized Persons Outside of Residence)

  1. Negative RT-PCR Test Result valid within 72 hours from extraction / swab
  2. Letter of Acceptance issued by the CDRRMO after confirmation by the barangay where such passenger shall reside.
  3. Mandatory 14-day quarantine upon assessment of authorized medical personnel

APOR (Authorized Persons Outside of Residence)

  1. Negative RT-PCR Test Result valid within 72 hours from extraction / swab
  2. Identification Card
  3. Travel Order
  4. Travel Itinerary

For the latest advice, information and resources, go to: https://www.facebook.com/CotabatoCityLGU

Source: Philippine Airlines

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Sebu

Q: What is Lake Sebu known for?
A: This place is considered as one of the Philippines’ most important watersheds and a major provider of irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

Q: What are the beautiful Lake Sebu tourist spots?
A: Here are the top tourist attractions in the location of Lake Sebu:

  1. Seven Falls
  2. Lake Sebu Punta Isla Resort
  3. Lake Seloton
  4. T’Boli Museu
  5. Grand Dulay T’nalak Weaving Center
  6. Mountain Log Resort Viewpoint Tower
  7. Lake Holon

Q: How many falls does Lake Sebu Mindanao have?
A: There are seven falls in the location of Lake Sebu. tThese are:

  • Falls 1 (Hikong Alu) – meaning “passage falls”
  • Falls 2 (Hikong Bente) – meaning immeasurable waterfalls
  • Falls 3 (Hikong B’lebed) – meaning “coil or zigzag falls” 
  • Falls 4 (Hikong Lowig) – meaning “booth” 
  • Falls 5 (Hikong Kefo-i) – meaning “the wild flower”  
  • Falls 6 (Hikong Ukol) – meaning “short falls” 
  • Falls 7 (Hikong Tonok) – meaning “soil”

Q: How long is the Lake Sebu zipline?
A: Zip lining is one of the most popular things to do in Lake Sebu. The zipline offers a thrilling drop of 180 meters and has two components comprising 740 and 420 meters long from the first to the fifth and second waterfalls.

Q: What is the Lake Sebu description?
A: Lake Sebu is the description in tagalog but its native term is Lanaw Sbù.

Q: Ano ang Lake Sebu?
A: Ito ay isang natural na lawa na matatagpuan sa South Cotabato. Isa ito sa mg pinakasikat at pinakaligtas na lugar sa Mindanao. Sana ay nasagot namin ang tanong mo kung ano ang Lake Sebu.

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