Beautiful and biodiversity-rich Naujan Lake: An off-the-beaten-path destination in Mindoro
While the province of Oriental Mindoro has long been known for the bustling and vibrant beaches of Puerto Galera, around two hours away is Naujan Lake’s serene waters surrounded by lush forests and replenished by river streams and mountain springs.
The lake, the fifth largest in the Philippines at 8,125 hectares, is perfect for sightseeing, birdwatching, camping, kayaking, and more.
What makes Naujan Lake especially beautiful and pristine is its rich biodiversity. From October to March, thousands of migratory birds take refuge here from countries with colder climates. The lake is internationally recognized as a flyway for birds and is part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, and the second in the Philippines to be designated as a wetland of international importance.
The lake thrives with 319 plant species and over 200 animal species, including fish. Some of these can only be found in Mindoro and nowhere else on Earth. However, many of them are threatened or endangered.
The scarlet-collared flowerpecker, also endemic to Mindoro, is a threatened species. Photo courtesy of MBCFI
Water birds thrive in the lake, especially during their migratory season. Photo by Mike Gabinete, MBCFI.
The black-hooded coucal, a critically endangered bird, is endemic to Mindoro. This means it can only be found there. Photo courtesy of MBCFI.
The scarlet-collared flowerpecker, also endemic to Mindoro, is a threatened species. Photo courtesy of MBCFI
Water birds thrive in the lake, especially during their migratory season. Photo by Mike Gabinete, MBCFI.
The black-hooded coucal, a critically endangered bird, is endemic to Mindoro. This means it can only be found there. Photo courtesy of MBCFI.
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To protect the lake and its wildlife, the national government in 1956 declared Naujan Lake and its surrounding areas totaling 21,655 hectares a protected area and became known as Naujan Lake National Park.
Choose your lake adventure
Naujan Lake is surrounded by four towns—its namesake Naujan, and the towns of Victoria, Pola, and Socorro. Each town offers its own unique outdoor activities—choose your own or do them all.
At Naujan, you can experience boating not just at the lake but also at Butas River. The dock is at the river’s emerald green waters, where much of the lake’s waters come from. Here, water birds also fly in abundance.
A 20 to 30-minute boat ride will take you to the lakeside barangay of Montelago known for its hot spring, where you can savor its therapeutic steam and try to cook eggs in its boiling waters, sample freshly cooked cuisine from the lake like the ginataang kuhol, sleep in a tent or a kubo while you take in the view of coconut trees and the lake, or you can also go kayaking and horseback riding.
Idyllic lakeside life in Montelago
Camping is the most affordable way to stay in Montelago. Photo courtesy of Montelago Nature Park Association
Boiling eggs in the hot spring
Local cuisine for lunch. Ginataang kuhol at the upper right, third dish down. Photo courtesy of Montelago Nature Park Association
Idyllic lakeside life in Montelago
Camping is the most affordable way to stay in Montelago. Photo courtesy of Montelago Nature Park Association
Boiling eggs in the hot spring
Local cuisine for lunch. Ginataang kuhol at the upper right, third dish down. Photo courtesy of Montelago Nature Park Association
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Meanwhile, Socorro offers the most picturesque and accessible bird’s eye view of the lake. While there is a park with a view, the ride along the main road in itself is scenic.
Down on Socorro’s lakeshore is a boardwalk, which allows a closer view of the lake’s birds. Once it is fully constructed and open to visitors, the area will also feature bike rentals, allowing for leisurely rides along the scenic lake perimeter.
The boardwalk's vantage point is particularly stunning at sunset, providing breathtaking views.
And, speaking of vantage points, one of Victoria’s highlights is its tower for birdwatching. Getting there is in itself an adventure as you ride on a dirt road with rice fields on either side. From the tower, enjoy a panoramic view of the lake, and water birds flying over the water or resting on mudflats.
Bird enthusiasts also have the option of taking a boat from Socorro to Victoria to have a closer encounter with the birds.
Pola’s main draw is its majestic Tagbakin Falls with seven tiers of falling water and a towering first tier of an estimated 15 meters. The waterfalls are a short trek from the lakeshore.
In all these travel experiences, what stands out is the tranquil beauty of the lake and its surrounding natural attractions. For those wanting a quiet retreat or getaway, Naujan Lake is perfect.
Nature conservation and livelihood
These tourism activities provide a much-needed additional source of income for locals, who already rely on the lake for traditional livelihoods like fishing and farming. The lake is also vital for the various needs of its residents, including the Mangyans, Mindoro's indigenous peoples.
In addition, Naujan Tourism Officer Florentino Gillado highlighted that Naujan Lake National Park provides livelihood in other ways. He cited the use of water lilies for handicrafts like bags as an example. These products made by locals are sold at Dao Water Lily Mini Park, a tourist attraction along the Butas River. Using water lilies for these products also helps protect the lake, as too many water lilies can lower oxygen levels and affect fish and other species.
In relation to the example of water lilies, Jose Maria Fontanilla, the park’s associate protected area superintendent, emphasized the need to balance conservation and livelihood. To do this, the park is being run by a protected area management board, which is composed of representatives from the local and provincial government, barangays, agencies like the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Science and Technology, NGOs like Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, academe, and concerned organizations.
“It’s not just one organization,” Raquelita Umali, Naujan’s PAMB representative on behalf of the town’s mayor, said. “Management of the lake is participatory.”
Enrique Castillo, former barangay captain of Montelago and current officer of Montelago Nature Park Association, affirmed that he took part in PAMB meetings.
All tourism activities and other projects are first proposed to and approved by the PAMB to ensure the lake’s conservation.
In addition to PAMB meetings, the province’s tourism offices regularly meet to coordinate and ensure that the travel experiences they offer complement one another.
Currently, discussions are underway in PAMB meetings regarding additional tourism facilities, including spas and wellness centers, and the construction of new infrastructure like an esplanade.
The PAMB is considering these enhancements to bolster conservation efforts while simultaneously ensuring the well-being and livelihood of the local communities.
“It is exciting to look forward to the further greening and reinvigoration of biodiversity in the park while ensuring the welfare of the communities here,” Fontanilla said.
How to get to Naujan Lake:
From Manila: Ride a bus to Batangas Pier (estimated P200 up). Take the roro or fastcraft to Calapan (P500+ up). From Calapan, go to the Robinsons terminal or the public market and ride a modern jeep to the municipality you are heading to (P50+ up). It is best to pass by the Naujan Lake National Park Office first to ask for assistance, though. Ride the Pinamalayan modern jeep and get off at DENR in Barangay Pasi II in Socorro.
From Puerto Galera: Ride a jeepney or bus to C5 (singko)/ Barangay Sta. Isabel, Calapan City junction. Get off at Jollibee C5 and ride a Pinamalayan jeep or van. Get off at DENR in Socorro.
For travel questions and other inquiries, contact the Naujan Lake National Park Office at DENR Socorro at naujanlakenp@gmail.com and (043) 285-7068.
