Bababu Beach

Philippines , Philippines

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Bababu Beach is an undisturbed, hidden gem located in Basilisa on Dinagat Island in the Philippines’ Dinagat Islands province, known for its powdery white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and unspoiled beauty.

The beach serves as the starting point for a 700-meter trail to the famous Lake Bababu, an enigmatic meromictic lake where fresh water floats on top of salt water without mixing, and which connects to the sea through a 650-meter underwater cave system—the longest fully submerged cave in the Philippines. The name “Bababu” comes from the Visayan phrase “baba sa buwaya,” meaning “crocodile’s mouth,” which describes the shape of Babas Cove where the beach is located, though there are no actual crocodiles in the area.

Visitors can swim in the beach’s crystalline waters, explore colorful coral reefs visible under the clear aquamarine sea, and enjoy the serene surroundings with limestone walls and lush forest. The trail to Lake Bababu takes about 45 minutes and has steep, slippery slopes with guide ropes for safety, requiring sturdy footwear, and the lake itself offers warm, refreshing water where colorful saltwater fish and even large trevally can occasionally be seen.