Every summer, sometimes even as early as April, we have been accustomed to vacationing in the beautiful Camotes Islands. Since childhood, returning to Camotes has been a part of our lives because our grandparents live there. No matter how many years we have been going back to the island, there are still many places we have not explored and discovered.
Before, we usually just stayed at the nearby beaches that were within walking distance from our grandparents' house. But as we grew older and started exploring other parts of the island, we realized that Camotes has many hidden paradises that we had not yet seen.
Discovering Lizzie's Cavern
One of our discoveries is Lizzie's Cavern in Sitio Nonoc 2, Barangay Union, San Francisco. The name Lizzie comes from Elizabeth, the mother of the children who manage and own the place.
This cave is a natural wonder formed over thousands of years through natural processes. Inside, you can see stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor.
The Cool Brackish Water
But the most enticing feature of Lizzie's Cavern is the cool brackish water inside the cave. After a short hike to the area, the coolness and relief of the water are incomparable, washing away all fatigue.
Our guide gave us one hour to enjoy swimming inside the cavern because there were other visitors coming after us. However, we only stayed for about thirty minutes as we had many other places to visit that day.
A Unique Experience
Although there are many caves and similar attractions in Camotes, the experience of entering Lizzie's Cavern is truly different. The feeling of descending into the cool, somewhat dark cave while swimming beneath ancient rocks brings excitement and awe.
How to Get There
Getting to the place is easy. From Barangay Consuelo, where our boat docked, it takes only about 15 to 20 minutes by multicab. After that, you need to hike about half a kilometer to the remote area where the cavern is located. Even if the hike is a bit tiring, the experience is well worth it.
The entrance fee is PHP 85 per person, and they strictly enforce safety measures for visitors. You must wear a helmet as protection inside the cave. If you are looking for a different experience beyond the beaches of Camotes, Lizzie's Cavern is a place you should definitely visit.
