Ponong Hidden Lake

Ponong Hidden Lake sits inland from Samboan, a freshwater pool ringed by limestone outcrops typical of the karst belt running through this stretch of south Cebu — the same rock system responsible for the sinkholes, caves and waterfalls found from Samboan up through Badian and Moalboal. The water sits still enough to mirror the surrounding rock and tree line, which is the main reason people come: a quieter, slower stop compared to the canyoneering runs at nearby Kawasan Falls.

• A small boat ride across the lake is the standard way to see it — arrange one with the local caretakers on arrival rather than expecting a formal rental counter.
• Birdlife is active around the tree line at the water’s edge; early morning gives the best chance of spotting it before boat traffic picks up.
• Guiding and boat services here run through the local barangay rather than a commercial operator, part of the same shift toward tourism income that’s reshaped livelihoods across the Samboan–Badian corridor as fishing and farming alone have gotten harder to sustain.

Explore More in Samboan to Badian

• Bugnawan Falls
• Kawasan Falls Guide: Canyoneering Rates & Tips (2026)
• Samboan Church