Magpupungko Rock Pools

Magpupungko is a wide shelf of flat reef rock on Siargao's east coast where the falling tide leaves a set of natural pools cut into the stone - the largest deep enough to swim in properly and to jump into from the rock above, with water so clear that the bottom is visible from the edge. A large boulder sits balanced on the shelf, which is what gives the place its name, and the rest of the platform is a maze of shallow basins, channels and tide pools with small fish and urchins in them. Everything depends on the tide: at high water the whole shelf is under the sea and there is nothing to see at all, so trips are planned strictly from the tide table, usually for a window of a few hours. The drive across the island from General Luna is part of it, on a road through palms and rice.

What you actually see

• The deep pool - the main basin, clear and jumpable.
• The reef shelf - flat rock with channels and small pools.
• The balanced boulder - the rock that names the place.
• The open Pacific - waves breaking beyond the shelf.

When to go

Only at low tide - check the table before setting out, since the pools do not exist at high water. March to October for the settled season; mornings are quieter.

Honest expectations

The rock is sharp and slippery - shoes matter. Jumping is at your own risk with no lifeguards, and depth changes with the tide. It gets busy in the short low-tide window.

Nearby

Sugba Lagoon at Del Carmen, Cloud 9 and General Luna are on the same island circuit.