The Four Quiet Lakes: Bunot, Calibato, Palakpakin & Mohicap
Most visitors meet two lakes and go home. The remaining four are where San Pablo's lake life is least performed and most lived-in: nets drying on bamboo poles, pens of tilapia, kids diving off rafts that carry feed rather than tourists. Visit with modest expectations of facilities and you'll be rewarded with scenes hardly changed in decades.
Bunot Lake
In Brgy. Concepcion, close enough to town for an easy tricycle hop. Bunot is aquaculture central — its tilapia pens have fed the city for generations. There's a viewing area by the road; it's a stop for atmosphere and photos rather than activities.
Calibato Lake
The most rugged of the seven, tucked against steeper country toward the San Pablo–Rizal side. Reaching the shore involves a walk down from the access road, and the reward is the most dramatic crater scenery in the group. Bring a local guide or ask barangay folks to point the path.
Palakpakin Lake
A broad, shallow lake surrounded by farming and fishing sitios. The name is said to echo the applause-like sound (palakpak) of water or wings. Come at golden hour when the pens and bancas silhouette against Mt. Banahaw.
Mohicap Lake
The smallest and least visited, hidden among coconut groves. If your goal is "I saw all seven," Mohicap is usually the final checkbox — a peaceful little bowl of green water that few outsiders ever see.
Doing the seven-lakes circuit
Hire a tricycle (or drive) for a half-day and sequence the lakes geographically; barangay roads are narrow and partly rough, and signage is thin, so drivers who know the routes earn their fee. Start early, and cap the day with a proper meal downtown — see where to eat. For the two headline lakes, read the Sampaloc and Pandin guides.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the smallest of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo?
Mohicap Lake — a small, secluded crater lake among coconut groves, and typically the last one people tick off when completing the seven-lakes circuit.
What is Bunot Lake known for?
Tilapia aquaculture. Its fish pens are a long-standing local industry, and the lake sits an easy tricycle ride from downtown San Pablo in Brgy. Concepcion.
Can tourists visit all seven lakes in one day?
Yes, with an early start and a hired tricycle or car — but expect rough barangay roads to the smaller lakes and treat it as a full day.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Spot an outdated detail? Email support@sanpablolaguna.com.
