Let’s take a second to wrap our heads around this. Imagine standing on the edge of a volcanic crater, peering down at a shimmering lake nestled inside it. That crater sits on an island. But the island itself? It’s also inside a lake. And all of this is happening on another island in the Philippines.
No, this isn’t a riddle—it’s Taal Volcano, one of the world’s most fascinating natural formations and a real-life geographical tongue-twister. Located just a couple hours south of Manila, this spot has earned global curiosity for one reason: it once had an island, inside a lake, inside a volcano, on an island, inside a lake, on another island. Yes, it’s that wild—and it’s one of the most beautiful and bizarre landscapes you’ll ever see.
Wait… What Exactly Is Going On Here?
Let’s break it down in simple terms. The massive Taal Lake in the province of Batangas was created by ancient volcanic eruptions. In the middle of that lake is Volcano Island, home to—you guessed it—Taal Volcano, an active stratovolcano with a crater that used to hold its own small lake called Main Crater Lake. And right in the center of that? A tiny piece of land known as Vulcan Point.
So yes, it really was:
An island (Vulcan Point)
In a lake (Main Crater Lake)
On an island (Volcano Island)
In a lake (Taal Lake)
On an island (Luzon)
It’s like Russian nesting dolls, but with land and water. For years, this bizarre layout was featured in geology books, travel forums, and trivia nights around the world. It even caught the attention of Atlas Obscura for being one of the only places on Earth with this kind of layered formation.
Formed by Fire, Shaped by Time
Taal’s dramatic structure is no accident. It’s part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates constantly shift and release pressure through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The original Taal caldera (a huge volcanic basin) collapsed thousands of years ago after a massive eruption, eventually filling with water and becoming Taal Lake.
But the volcano didn’t stop there. New eruptions inside the caldera created Volcano Island, and more recent activity inside that formed the Main Crater Lake. And then came Vulcan Point, a tiny rocky island that used to rise out of the crater lake like the tip of a sunken pyramid.
That is, until January 2020.
2020: The Year the Volcano Changed Everything
Taal has always been active, but the eruption in January 2020 was a harsh reminder of how powerful and unpredictable it is. The volcano spewed ash thousands of feet into the air, grounding flights, blanketing villages, and forcing over 300,000 people to evacuate. The event drastically reshaped the landscape—Main Crater Lake disappeared temporarily, and Vulcan Point was no longer visible.
Scientists believe the heat and movement beneath the surface caused the crater lake to drain or evaporate due to intense geothermal activity. You can find more scientific breakdowns of this eruption through National Geographic’s coverage.
Even though the lake has since refilled partially, Volcano Island remains off-limits, declared a permanent danger zone by PHIVOLCS (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology).
So, Can You Still Visit Taal? Absolutely.
Even if you can’t trek across Volcano Island like in the past, Taal is still very much worth the trip. The nearby city of Tagaytay is perched high above the lake and offers panoramic views of the entire volcanic system. On clear days, you can see the rippling water of Taal Lake, the silhouette of Volcano Island, and sometimes even faint mist rising from the crater.
One of the best things to do here? Just sit down with a cup of Batangas-grown Barako coffee and soak in the views from one of Tagaytay’s many cafes or view decks. You’ll find several fantastic spots listed in this Tagaytay travel guide.
There’s also a good chance you’ll meet locals who lived through the eruption—people who lost homes, farmland, or boats, but returned to rebuild with the same strength they’ve shown for generations. Their stories give the place a depth you can’t capture in photos.
For more quirky landscapes and jaw-dropping geography, check out this collection of America’s most beautiful lakes or dive into the strangest cities and destinations across the world.
Ready to Explore More?
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