10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT MISS TAAL VOLCANO
1. See an active volcano up close, safely. From your boat, you can clearly view Volcano’s main crater walls and its steam vents. It’s one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, yet accessible for safe viewing from the lake.
2. Cruise across one of the country’s most scenic lakes. It is calm, vast, and surrounded by mountains — a beautiful setting for a short, peaceful boat ride.
3. Understand a rare volcanic landscape. Taal is part of a larger volcanic complex, with a crater island inside a freshwater lake formed from an ancient caldera. It’s a textbook example of how landscapes evolve after eruptions.
4. See endemic species found nowhere else. The lake is home to Sardinella tawilis, the world’s only freshwater sardine, and Hydrophis semperi, one of only a few known freshwater sea snakes. Both are unique to this Lake.
5. A rewarding spot for birdwatchers. Birders frequent the Lake area to spot species such as the Great Egret, Little Egret, Whiskered Tern, White-collared Kingfisher, and various herons — especially during the migratory season (November to February).
6. Meet the locals who live by the lake. Communities around Taal have long adapted to life beside an active volcano. Boat tours operated by local guides help sustain their livelihood.
7. Capture stunning scenery. The volcano’s shape, the water’s reflections, and the surrounding hills make this area one of the most photographed natural sites in Luzon.
8. Visit nearby Heritage Town. Not far from the lake, this historic town preserves 19th-century ancestral houses, the Basilica of St. Martin de Tours, and local crafts like balisong knives and hand-embroidered barong Tagalog.
9. It's a foodie favorite. Enjoy bulalo (beef shank soup) or kapeng barako, Batangas’ bold local coffee, often paired with suman sa lihiya (sticky rice cake).
10. A quick escape with depth and character. Only a few hours from Manila, Taal offers a mix of nature, heritage, and local life — simple, real, and unforgettable.