Dao Falls In Cebu – 2023 Visitor’s Guide

A visit to Dao Falls in Samboan Cebu (also known as Dau Falls, or Dau Waterfalls) is one of the best adventures you can have in South Cebu in the Philippines.

The most famous waterfall in Cebu (and perhaps in all of the Philippines) is Kawasan Falls which is visited by more than 1000 people on a single day.

What most people don’t realize is that right around the corner from Kawasan is a series of other incredible off-the-beaten-path waterfalls, which are equally just as amazing with far fewer tourists.

Dao Waterfall is recognized as the tallest set of falls in the Samboan region and the jungle trail trek to get to these falls is an epic adventure in itself.

Here is your complete guide to visiting Dau Falls in Cebu including how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive.

QUICK ANSWERS – DAO FALLS IN CEBU

Let’s start this guide with all the essentials you should know when coming, such as the location, how to get there, and more.

WHERE IS DAO FALLS?

Dau Waterfall is located in the Samboan Region in South Cebu, Philippines.

Click here to see the Dao Falls location on Google maps.

Samboan is 150 km southwest of Cebu City and public buses run every hour on a daily basis from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Moalboal. The cost of the bus is around 150 pesos.

Click here to check all bus routes, timetables, and ticket prices online, and book ahead of time to secure your seat.

Dao Falls Samboan Cebu is best visited from Moalboal, which is 53 km away and the drive takes around one hour and twenty minutes.

HOW TO GET TO DAU FALLS?

The best way to reach Dau Waterfalls is to rent a scooter in Moalboal and make the drive south to Samboan.

There are many scooter rental stores located in Moalboal where you can get your hands on some wheels for around 400 pesos per day with a full tank of gas.

Alternatively, you can rent a car for the time you plan to spend in Cebu and travel around the island at your own pace.

DAU FALLS ENTRANCE FEE

The Dao Falls entrance fee is 200 pesos which includes a guide and the parking fee is an additional 20 pesos.

The guide, in my opinion, was not really necessary as the trail to Dau Falls is clearly marked but the lady at the ticket counter insisted on it so I wasn’t going to argue the fact.

Related Article → 6 Best Waterfalls In Cebu

The main falls – Samboan Waterfalls

FACTS ABOUT DAO WATERFALLS CEBU

• Height: 120 meters – The highest waterfall in Samboan, Cebu
• Swimming in Dao Falls: Possible in the emerald pool at the base
• Access to Dao Falls Philippines: 30 minutes to 1 hour trek required. The trail may be slippery.

TREKKING TO DAO FALLS SAMBOAN

The trek to the fall from the parking lot takes around twenty to thirty minutes including stops for photos (and you don’t want to skip photos at Dao Waterfalls Ecoadventure Park!).

It isn’t a difficult trek by any means though do note that your feet will get wet along this jungle trail.

In most parts, it requires walking through knee-deep water and I recommend bringing a pair of slip-on waterproof shoes for these sections, and you might also like to bring a dry bag so that your belongings don’t get wet.

The first part of the trek consists of a concrete staircase with around 200 steps that lead directly down into the valley and once you reach the bottom, this is where the real adventure begins!

An impressive bamboo suspension bridge surrounded by coconut palms stretches across the river and on the other side is the beginning of the jungle trail to Dau Waterfall.

The bamboo bridge seemed a bit sketchy when we crossed it though our guide led the way so we trusted in his judgment.

It wasn’t till later that I found out there is another trail to the right-hand side of the bridge where you can cross the river safely, so this is also an option.

It wasn’t long until we were completely immersed in a dense jungle as we followed the canyon trail upstream which seemed to grow narrower the further we advanced. It was one of the most tranquil trails I have ever hiked along.

Vines cover the canyon walls and blue Gatorade-colored waters cascade seamlessly past us as we navigated our way toward the waterfall.

The adventurous hike to the falls, in my opinion, is what makes this location so unique.

There are many turquoise rock pools along the way that are well worth stopping at for a quick dip and this is where you’ll likely get your best photos.

How’s that as an alternative to Kawasan Falls?

THE MAIN FALLS – DAO WATERFALL CEBU

Once you’ve passed this blue rock pool as shown in the images above, the main set of falls will soon be in sight as you continue along the stone staircase on the edge of the canyon.

Must Read → 3 Weeks Philippines Itinerary

There are bamboo handrails to use as an aid because it gets a little steeper through this last stretch of the trail.

There is another tier of cascading falls in this section which forms a natural slide as it cuts its way down the canyon. It’s definitely too dangerous to enter the water here but it’s an epic spot to marvel at.

When you reach the top of the staircase you’ll be graced with the epic sight of Dau Falls which towers 50 meters tall above the large catch basin.

The pools at the base of the falls aren’t quite as blue as the ones on the way up but it’s still a worthy spot for a swim to cool off after the hike.

After a short swim here, we made tracks back to the parking lot and we tipped our guide 50 pesos for his efforts.

If you plan on visiting a lot of waterfalls in the Philippines, I recommend purchasing these three items:

1. Waterproof Phone Case
2. Waterproof Dry Bag
3. Waterproof Shoes

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

If you’re up for a day of waterfall hopping, you can make a day of it from Moalboal and combine Dau Waterfall with Aguinid Falls and Binalayan Hidden Falls.

All of these Samboan falls can be found just one hour south of Moalboal. The road from Moalboal to Dao Falls is a little long but definitely worth it!

BEST TOURS IN CEBU

WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES

When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

FINAL THOUGHTS – DAU FALLS CEBU

I hope you enjoyed reading this Dao Cebu article and if you have any questions at all about Dao Falls Cebu, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations about falls in Samboan Cebu to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

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