Tadlac Lake (Crocodile Lake)

Tadlac Lake, also known as Crocodile Lake, is a small freshwater volcanic maar lake in Barangay Tadlac on the western edge of Los Baños. The lake is set in a quiet, rural area at the foot of the Mount Makiling forest reserve. The shoreline is accessible for fishing, birdwatching, and kayaking — the calm water and forest edge make it a good spot for waterbirds including kingfishers, herons, and ducks.

The lake is less developed as a tourist site than the hot spring resorts, which is part of its appeal. A small community manages basic boat rentals. The drive from central Los Baños takes about ten minutes along the national highway and a short turn toward the lake.

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A story
The lake is called "Crocodile Lake" colloquially because of its shape — seen from above, it resembles a crocodile. Despite the name, the freshwater crocodiles that originally inhabited it are long gone. The lake occupies a volcanic maar — a shallow crater formed by a phreatic (steam-driven) volcanic explosion — and is one of several volcanic features in the landscape between Los Baños and Mount Makiling.

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