The Deadly Whistling Whirlpool of Bitaugan

BITAUGAN WHIRLPOOL

Photo from: http://www.thelonerider.com/2013/jun/bitaugan_whirlpool/pages/p6263052.shtml

I first heard of Bitaugan Whirlpool at Cody’s Bar from a runner/doctor. He described it as a thundering roar of swirling water that was both powerful and spellbinding! He got my attention. Then I heard of the whirlpool again about a man who was swallowed together with his boat…and regurgitated back, only to be swallowed again. This happened 4 times before he was rescued. The tale was so over-the-top I thought it was urban legend. When the Surigao tourism office asked me to tag along a group of guys from Data-Byte, who was contracted by GMA to take aerial shots of Bitaugan Whirlpool, it was an offer I dropped everything for. I even brought my snorkeling gear with me, thinking I can hang-on to the outrigger while I watch the whirlpool from below the water surface. Read More: http://www.thelonerider.com/2013/jun/bitaugan_whirlpool/bitaugan_whirlpool.shtml

Photo from: https://mapio.net/pic/p-16604642/

… There are also springs, lagoons, coves, waterfalls, mangrove forests and whirlpools which make Surigao more appealing to all nature lovers. The more popular waterfalls are those of Sta. Monica in Siargao, and the 70-ft. Buyho Falls in Brgy. San Jose, Bayagnan Island.

On the same island is the whistling whirlpool of Bitaugan, an awesome maelstrom that appears and disappears at intervals accompanied by a distinct whistling rumbling sound. Visible only during low tide, the whirlpool has been known to suck bancas although it is only 10 meters from the shore. Read More: https://go2net.wordpress.com/travel-adventure/surigao/

Photo from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/go2net/97132357

Bitaugan “Magic” Whirlpools. These maelstroms are found during ebb tide. They have a characteristic behavior to pull, twirl, and suck into their vertices anything that comes near them. They are called “magic whirlpool” due to their peculiar behavior to appear and disappear at certain nature designated time intervals. Locally called Pahibhongan their appearances usually followed by an almost inaudible explosions and then the subsequent disappearance, after the “explosions” their vertices vanish, after sometime, it would again appear. This is a cycle. The whirlpool is a scenic beauty to behold with its enthralling spinning water. The current that creates the whirlpool is so strong that the area is considered a danger zone to seafarers. Read More: http://hnricbtn.tripod.com/SNplaces.html