Kawasan Falls Canyoneering in Cebu is the most adrenaline-pumping adventure to be had in the Philippines.
Whether it’s your first time canyoneering or not, the Kawasan Falls Tour is not to be missed on your South Cebu itinerary!
Book Now → Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls tour
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WHERE IS KAWASAN FALLS?
Kawasan Falls is located 120km south of Cebu City in the Badian region. From Cebu City to Kawasan, it’s approximately a three-hour drive.
Though the majority of people visiting these falls choose to stay a couple of days in the beachside town of Moalboal which is located just forty minutes drive north of Badian.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
KAWASAN FALLS TOUR
I recommend pre-booking a Kawasan Falls Tour Package online in advance which includes return transfers from your accommodation so you won’t need to worry about the logistics.
Book Now → Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour
HOW TO GET TO KAWASAN FALLS CEBU?
If you don’t book online, the other option is to find your own way to the entrance of Kawasan Falls in Badian and here you can find many different Kawasan Canyoneering Tour Companies to book on the spot with cash.
The best way to reach Kawasan Waterfalls is to rent a scooter in Moalboal and make the forty-minute drive south to Badian.
There are 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, there is a public bus to Kawasan from Moalboal which stops at the entrance and the cost of the bus is around 20 pesos.
On the way to Badian
KAWASAN FALLS ENTRANCE FEE
The Kawasan Canyoneering price is $30 if you book the tour online and this includes transport, an experienced tour guide, and the entrance fee.
If you plan to visit without doing the canyoneering, the Kawasan Falls entrance fee is 45 pesos.
Geared up and ready to go
Jumping into the rock pools
ARRIVING AT KAWASAN CANYONEERING
Upon arriving at the Kawasan Canyoneering Headquarters, we met our guide Raul who got us fitted into the required safety equipment such as water shoes, life jackets, and helmets. We were also provided with a water bottle that slotted into our life jackets which came in handy as the Badian canyoneering is thirsty work!
I left my bag in the safety lockers at headquarters and packed my GoPro camera and 200 pesos in cash into a dry bag that they provided.
There is a make-shift snack store selling cold drinks and bbq goods at the halfway point in the canyon, so you may want to take some money with you.
After a quick souvenir photo under the Kawasan Canyoneering sign, we jumped on the back of a habal-habal (motorbike taxi) for a ten-minute drive uphill to the trailhead of the canyoneering adventure.
As soon as we arrived at the top of the hill, we were given a quick safety briefing on what to expect down in the Badian canyon.
We then followed our guide Raul along a jungle trail to the top of Canlaob River and this is where the Kawasan Falls Canyoneering begins!
Book Now → Kawasan Falls Canyoneering
Riding our Habal-Habal to the top
The jungle trail
MY EXPERIENCE AT KAWASAN FALLS
Before we knew it we were completely submerged in the first rock pool. Soon after, Raul made us sit down at the edge of a one-meter cliff before he gently pushed us backward over a small set of falls into another rock pool below. At this point, I knew we were in for an epic adventure!
We then continued navigating our way through knee-deep water that was as clear as crystal. Our guide Raul was very cautious and always provided a helping hand through the slippery trails.
He also kept asking us throughout the whole trail whether we were doing alright and he provided us with the best instructions on where and when to jump in order to keep us safe.
The water trail took us through some amazing caves and natural rock slides. There were also numerous cliff jumps ranging anywhere from three meters up to fourteen meters.
It is also important to note that if you are afraid of heights you’ve always got the option to walk or climb down the cliffs instead of jumping. In fact, most of the guides walk the entire trail without jumping.
If you plan on visiting a lot of waterfalls in the Philippines, I recommend purchasing these three items:
Small waterfall in the canyon
Navigating the canyon
A helping hand from Raul
The trail on the Badian canyoneering adventure will take you through the most tranquil scenery and you might want to stop at a couple of places to take a few pictures if you brought a waterproof camera along with you.
When you reach the end of the canyon it will bring you to the famous Kawasan Falls Cebu. You can spend as much time as you like at the main falls as there are about five different levels of waterfalls and several big cliff jumps to keep you entertained.
There are also a few restaurants by the main waterfall to grab something to eat and drink.
As we had already explored the main falls earlier that morning, we decided to avoid the crowds and instead make our way back to the Kawasan Canyoneering headquarters.
Raul got us to jump into the back of a tricycle at the entrance to the falls for a short two-minute drive back to headquarters.
Once we got back to the registration office we had time to freshen up in the showers and put on dry clothes before being served up a delicious lunch!
The Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls experience takes around four hours from start to finish.
I highly recommend anyone that plans to visit Moalboal to add this experience to their South Cebu itinerary. It’s a very memorable, and adrenaline-driven activity that will leave you feeling pretty exhausted but super happy at the end!
Epic rock pools
Snack shops in the canyon
Cebu Kawasan Falls
Tranquillity at its finest
The main falls
Marveling at the falls
BEST TOURS IN CEBU
WHERE TO STAY IN MOALBOAL
Moalboal has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Dolphin House Resort Moalboal
Dolphin House is the best luxury accommodation in Moalboal. A stone’s throw away from the ocean, this accommodation offers a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, free wifi, and ocean views. There are double rooms, triple rooms, family rooms, and bungalows available at Dolphin House Resort. Snorkeling, diving, activities, and bike rental can also be organized at reception. Best place to stay for families, friends, and couples.
Mid Range: Pescadores Seaview Suites
One of the most recommended places to stay in Moalboal. For less than $40 a night, Pescadores Suites offers double rooms, twin rooms, and a garden villa. There are an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace, restaurant, mini-market, table tennis, billiards, board games, karaoke room, and wellness spa. Great place to stay for friends and couples.
Budget: Chief Mau Hostel
The best budget accommodation in Moalboal! Centrally located just minutes from the beach, Chief Mau hostel offers dorm rooms and private rooms for as little as $8. The owner Trish is super lovely and goes out of her way to make all of her guests feel welcome and comfortable. There is a shared lounge with hammocks, a billiards table, and an in-house restaurant and bar serving up the best western food in Moalboal. There is free wifi throughout the property. Perfect for solo travelers and friends.
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN MOALBOAL, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES
When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Philippines sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
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!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about Kawasan Falls Canyoneering, please leave me a comment below this post 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 to our awesome community.
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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