Where in the World is The Enchanted River?
Mystery, legends, and breathtaking natural beauty
This week’s location in the “Where in the World?” series brings us back to the extraordinary beauty that can be found on our planet. This river is not only dazzling to look at but also pulls people to its banks with its mysterious origins and tales of legendary creatures.
The Hinatuan Enchanted River
The Hinatuan Enchanted River, also known as the Hinatuan Sacred River, in Surigao del Sur, Philippines is a clear, saltwater river that flows into the Phillippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Formally known as Libwak, it gained its current name “The Enchanted River” from a poem written by Modesto Farolan entitled “Rio Encantado”.
Located on the island of Mindanao, this unique waterway only measures 648 meters long, which is barely long enough to be considered a river. Its crystal waters are so clear that you can see the riverbed at the bottom, even at its deepest parts.
Its source is unknown, but there are theories of an underground cave system that allows the water to flow from its crevices, filtering out the dirt and silt that would normally cloud a river. This cave system has only very recently been explored.
