Dagubdob Picnic Grove in San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon

• Author’s Note
• Rates
• Operating Hours and Contact Information
• How to get there
• How to get out
• Notes

After our failed attempt to visit Busay Falls due to the strong rain that threatened our path with floods, and a very short trip to Cantingas River Resort we were on the Visitor Information Center of Dagubdob Picnic Grove in Baranggay España. This was the last destination of our tricycle tour from the municipality of San Fernando in Sibuyan Island, Romblon.

From the town proper of San Fernando, people highly recommended this place to us. That’s why I had high expectations when we visited.

We paid the entrance fee (20 Pesos/person) and rode our tricycle again to the site proper of Dagubdob.

When our tricycle finally parked after a series of river crossing and bumpy hilly ride, there was only grasslands and rice paddies that have not been used for a while. A guy approached us and told us that he would be our guide, then we started walking immediately.

Call me weird, but I have a personal preference that for me to enjoy a body of water I need to walk a good distance to get to it and Dagubdob was kind enough to make me suffer a little by making me walk through rocky river beds, unused rice paddies and through dense trees with pathways made of carefully placed river stones.

And at the end it showed me a peaceful wonder made of water flowing from one big rock to another.

After a short rest from our 15 minute walk, we decided to see the water closer. Walking through iron-red soil with cliffs fenced with round timber. When the flowing water was near, we were already standing on the rocks. Rocks that were now slippery due to the strong rain that passed by. The air was cooler than when where our tricycle parked and the cloudy skies did not help to raise the temperature.

We then crossed the bridge on stilts. Doubting the small diameter round timber strength to carry our weight but half-way across I gained confidence to trust it. As if I had another choice.

Then we were near one of the cascade of Dagubdob Waterfalls. We settled down on the nearby hut. I looked at Dazl and her cousin, and I could already know what they were thinking. Cool water, a basin that was very clear, rumbling sound of the waterfall plus cloudy skies is equal to a conducive atmosphere for a swim, even if it meant for us to be walking back with our clothes wet due to our negligence to bring extra clothes.

A group of teenagers arrived and was heading for the hut where placed our stuff. We did not rent for a hut as we were not planning to stay long. We knew that it was time for us to get out of the water and move out from the hut as the arriving group had paid for it. We took our stuff, said our apologies and moved on to the next basin.

We then walked again through the big rocks that was fenced to aid the walker not to slip to the cliff and into the water, until we reached an equally clear basin of water. The hut on this cascade of Dagubdob Waterfalls was already occupied and they were swimming on the cool water. We took a few shots and decided to not bother the family longer and move on.

We then walked on another set of rocks while holding on through the wooden fence and ended on another basin. This time with bigger rocks and calmer waters.

After just a short moment of picture taking, we decided to go back. I was expecting that we were going back the same way we went to but the trail that they made was actually going around the park. Yet it was equal in distance.

Author’s Note

I have seen a lot of “improved” waterfalls around the country and Dagubdob Picnic Grove is by far the best of the developed waterfalls that I have seen. It strike the perfect balance of making it easier for visitors to go around the place and still keeping the ambiance of nature.

How did they do it? Notice that when we arrived in the Dagubdob proper they never used concrete for developments? All the developments were made of rip-rapping of river stones, fences of round timber and huts made of indigenous materials. Nothing more, nothing less.

Plus they also made access to the Dagubdob Waterfalls not too easy. Just right the amount of effort that passed through different sceneries.

To everyone who planned and worked on the Dagubdob Picnic Grove to make it as beautiful as it is, congratulations for doing a job well done. Keep on doing a great job to maintain such a beautiful place.

Dagubdob Picnic Grove Details

Rates

Operating Hours and Contact Information

How to get there

We went there via hired tricycle from the municipality of San Fernando of Sibuyan Island, Romblon. We also passed by Busay Falls and Cantingas River Resort before we arrived. It cost us 700 Pesos for the tricycle for the 3 spots and back to the town of San Fernando.

I’m not sure how long it would take to get straight to Dagubdob Picnic Grove from San Fernando but you can look at the time log of our tricycle tour here.

How to get out

Dagubdob Picnic Grove is not on the usual route of the tricycles so you should make your tricycle wait for you so you can go out of Dagubdob Picnic Grove.

Notes

• When we went there there was no stores located in the Dagubdob Picnic Grove proper nor in the Visitor Information Center. There are a couple of sari-sari stores that you’ll pass by on the National Highway. I suggest you buy your snacks from there.
• Let’s help maintain the cleanliness of Dagubdob by bringing all your trash, taking it out of the park and throwing it on proper disposal sites. Paying entrance fees does not give you the right to throw anything wherever you want.
• Though fences are made for visitors to hold on to, please be extra cautious of your steps as some of the rocks are slippery.

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Follow my Sibuyan Island, Romblon Series

• Sanctuary Garden Resort in Magdiwang
• Dam, Dalipi River and DENR Substation at Magdiwang
• Lambingan Falls in Magdiwang
• Firefly Watching in Magdiwang
• Journey to Cajidiocan
• Gomot Falls in Cajidiocan
• Late Afternoon Around the Town San Fernando
• Tricycle Tour from San Fernando
• Busay Falls in San Fernando
• Cantingas River Resort in San Fernando
• Dagubdob Picnic Grove in San Fernando

Follow my Romblon Province Series

• Romblon Island
• Cobrador Island
• Sibuyan Island
• Tablas Island
• Banton Island
• Carabao Island