I Left My Heart at the Blue Lagoon of Dinagat Islands (A.O Beach Resort)

Clear, sparkling blue waters of the lagoon reflecting the bright sky on a sunny day.

As cheesy as it may sound, it’s true—when nature captures your heart, you have no choice but to succumb to its haunting memory.

I know this for sure because the AO Blue Lagoon in the Dinagat Islands is not just your ordinary island destination. I don’t want to sound over-the-top, but everyone seems to be gushing about its beauty—and for good reason. With its island “kisses,” clear blue waters, and peaceful ambiance, this is a place you simply can’t miss.

Tiny green islets dotting the blue lagoon, resembling chocolate kisses from the viewing deck above.

There’s a viewing deck you can hike to, which takes around 10 to 15 minutes. It’s a bit of a challenge to reach the top, but believe me, it’s worth every step. The view offers a whole new perspective of the lagoon—you can see all the islets from above, like chocolate kisses scattered across the lagoon and open sea.

A slightly steep hiking path leading up to the viewing deck of the AO Blue Lagoon.

I also loved that they have a pond area where they take care of tilapia fish. We even spotted some bayawak (monitor lizards), which added a unique and wild touch to the island experience.

A quiet moment by the lagoon, capturing the peaceful and relaxing vibe of the island.

It was a bit crowded when we visited AO Blue Lagoon, probably because it’s a common stop on island-hopping tours in Dinagat. Nevertheless, the lagoon can accommodate the crowd. It has a wide swimming area with crystal-clear blue water that seems to mirror the sky on clear days.

The calm surface of AO Blue Lagoon perfectly mirroring the blue sky and clouds above.

What stood out to me the most was the vibe of the island. It felt like everyone was excited for something. Despite the number of visitors, there was this unspoken connection among us—perhaps a shared love for the peaceful surroundings, or the collective dream of staying in a secluded paradise where we could forget everything and simply bask in the beauty around us.

Boats docked at the edge of the lagoon as part of a Dinagat island-hopping tour.

It was truly a magical experience, even if we only stayed for a short time. It was sulit—not just for the views and the adventure, but for the memories we created. For a while, we forgot the life we left behind. It felt like stepping into a different dimension, one where joy and appreciation were the only things that mattered.