Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls in Cebu, Philippines, is a thrilling adventure that combines the natural beauty of nature with high-adrenaline canyoneering. As one of Cebu’s star attractions, Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls showcases a series of breathtaking waterfalls set amidst a lush, tropical jungle. The falls pour into pools, often described as ‘Gatorade Blue’. The highlight of the adventure are the different levels of cliff jumps throughout the course.
KAWASAN FALLS CANYONEERING ON CEBU
In this blog post, I’ll share everything you need to know about canyoneering at Kawasan Falls. There are a few ways to organize your trip and depending on your needs it may be better to book it on the fly with a vendor in Moalboal or Alegria OR it may be better to pre-book the top-rated online tour in advance if you are a bigger group or prefer the ease of transfers and a completely guided tour. Don’t worry, I’ll explain it all and break down all the information so you can plan an epic adventure of Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls.
HOW TO BOOK KAWASAN FALLS CANYONEERING
In Badian/Alegria and even Moalboal there are many tour companies you can book with for your Kawasan Falls canyoneering adventure on Cebu. However, these are often big groups and can range in quality as it’s tough to see the ‘reviews’. I’ve done the canyoneering twice and once I booked with someone from a local stand and one I booked online. Both worked fine. I suggest booking in advance with the online tour that has 1000+ positive reviews to guarantee the quality. There are two main options that I recommened:
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour: (BEST PRICE): The classic tour including transfers. Number one most booked activity in Cebu, with 1000+ POSITIVE REVIEWS.
- Oslob Whale Sharks & Kawasan Falls Canyoneering – This combo-tour is a great way to enjoy a guided tour of the two most popular activites in Cebu.
MY 5 FAVORITE CEBU TOURS
- Oslob Whale Sharks & Kawasan Canyoneering – This combo tour is the BEST VALUE way to enjoy a guided tour of the two most popular activities in Cebu.
- Moalboal Island Hopping & Kawasan Canyoneering: Swim with turtles and the sardine balls on an island-hopping boat trip from Moalboal aswell as Kawasan Canyoneering
- Bluewater Sumilon Island Day Tour – Visit the crystal clear water of Sumilon Island on this day tour.
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour (BEST PRICE): The classic tour. Number one most booked activity in Cebu!
- Bohol Day tour from Cebu: Want to visit Bohol but are short of time? See the top sights on this one-day adventure including transport.
Click the orange button below to view all of the top-rated tours on Klook
WHERE IS KAWASAN FALLS
Kawasan Falls is located in the municipality of Badian, on the southwestern coast of Cebu Island, Philippines. It’s a renowned tourist attraction famous for its turquoise blue waters and the thrilling canyoneering activities. The falls are situated approximately 130 kilometers southwest of Cebu City, the island’s capital. If you’re planning a trip, it’s typically a three-hour drive from Cebu City to Kawasan Falls.
HOW TO GET TO KAWASAN FALLS FROM CEBU CITY
Bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal: Take a bus from the Cebu South Bus Terminal to Badian. Look for buses heading towards Bato via Barili. These buses pass by Badian, where Kawasan Falls is located. The bus trip usually lasts around 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic. Buses typically leave every 30 minutes, starting early in the morning. Ask the bus conductor to drop you off at the entrance to Kawasan Falls, which is along the highway.
If you are traveling by car from Cebu City to Kawasan Falls, you can follow these steps:
- From Cebu City: Begin your journey from Cebu City center. You need to get on the Cebu South Coastal Road.
- Take the SRP Road: Take the South Road Properties (SRP) Road, also known as Cebu South Coastal Road. This road will lead you out of Cebu City.
- Carcar City and Barili: Continue driving and you will pass through the towns of Minglanilla, San Fernando, Carcar City, and Barili.
- To Badian: After Barili, you’ll pass through the towns of Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, and Moalboal before finally reaching Badian.
- Arriving at Kawasan Falls: Once in Badian, watch out for signs to Kawasan Falls. The entrance to the trail leading to the falls is just off the highway. You can park your car in the designated parking area near the entrance.
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour: (BEST PRICE): The classic tour including transfers. Number one most booked activity in Cebu, with 1000+ POSITIVE REVIEWS.
HOW TO GET TO KAWASAN FALLS FROM MOALBOAL
Traveling from Moalboal to Kawasan Falls in Badian by moped is a convenient and scenic option. The journey typically takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on your speed and traffic conditions. Here’s a guide:
- Starting from Moalboal: Begin your journey from the Panagsama Beach area in Moalboal.
- Route to Badian: You’ll need to head south on the Cebu South Road. This road will take you through the town of Badian.
- Arriving at Kawasan Falls: Once you reach Badian, look for signs to Kawasan Falls, which is right off the highway. There’s a designated parking area near the entrance where you can leave your moped.
- Walking to Kawasan Falls: From the parking area, there’s a 15-20 minute walk along a trail leading to Kawasan Falls.
MY EXPERIENCE: KAWASAN FALLS CANYONEERING
Huddled together in a village of Alegria we were waiting for locals to decide who wanted to be our guide. Surrounded by huts and coconut trees, we handed over 1500 pesos or $30 USD (2017). It would turn out to be the best money we spent all trip. The entire trip lasted over five hours and our guides were with us for 3.5 hours and then sent us on our way to Kawasan Falls for the last part of the journey.
The adventure started with a walk down a jungle path as we got to know our guides. Five different guys came with us and allowed us to go without lifejackets and helmets. I got to know our guide Jerome who was actually a ‘spiderman’ and did the entire canyon in jeans and flip-flops without slipping once.
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour: (BEST PRICE): The classic tour including transfers. Number one most booked activity in Cebu, with 1000+ POSITIVE REVIEWS.
ALEGRIA TO KAWASAN FALLS
As soon as we saw the river for the first time, the turquoise blue shocked me. I had never seen water looking so dense and rich in color. Our guides yelled out to jump in. I was a bit nervous about how deep it was and how lax the guides were but Jerome casually backflipped into the river so from that moment forward it was on.
The current was strong but even without lifejackets, it was never overwhelming. I would call myself a good swimmer and definitely had no issues but a lifejacket would have been more relaxing for the floating parts of the canyoneering tour at Kawasan Falls.
Each section of the Kawasan Falls canyoneering tour went for 10 or so minute before we would arrive at a big jump or a natural water slide. Our guides had no issues waiting around for everyone to climb the canyons and make their jump or to re-do their failed backflip to get a better photo. This is the benefit of booking a tour rather than just going with a big random group you will get thrown in to at the entrance. Our crew was really chilled out and it made the experience much more fun knowing that our guides were just in on the fun too.
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour: (BEST PRICE): The classic tour including transfers. Number one most booked activity in Cebu, with 1000+ POSITIVE REVIEWS.
The biggest jump of the day came early on and wasn’t a necessary part of the adventure. Only those who chose to climb the canyon and make the leap had to do it.
I jumped feet first but snapped a photo on my GoPro of this crazy headfirst dive from 50-60 feet. A GoPro and a small amount of cash were all I brought along as there was some food sold halfway through the adventure. It would be smart to bring a spare 200 pesos that will get you a drink and a snack and some cash for the tricycle home.
HALFWAY POINT OF CANYONEERING AT KAWASAN FALLS
From this point onwards it is mostly just trekking and exploring rather than cliff jumping and swimming. The water Is only ever about knee height. If you are like me and get cold easily you will be happy that you are out of the water and can now warm up for the rest of the Kawasan Falls canyoneering tour.
What are my favorite pieces of gear for waterfall adventures?
There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a waterfall adventure. These are four items that I using right now and this list gets updated every year! Here are my waterfall adventure essentials.
- North Face Rain Jacket: This is my go-to rain jacket. It’s super light, folds down into a tiny ball, and protects brilliantly in a storm. This one never leaves my backpack.
- Osprey Ultralight Dry Sack: Waterfalls get wet and wild so having this ultralight dry sack for cameras, phones and valuables means you don’t have to hold back!
- Quick-Dry Towel: A quick-dry towel is a must for travelers. It hardly takes up any room and dries in seconds.
- GoPro Hero 13: The best and easiest way to capture your underwater and snorkeling adventures.
There was a huge dam wall and a rope swing that we spent some time checking out. The jungle was such an amazing setting for our journey and around each corner was another magical scene.
We were starting to wonder if we would ever reach Badian Kawasan Falls when all of a sudden a small group of people huddled over a huge drop. We were at the second falls, which was about a 50 foot drop. I watched someone jump and decided this was a great way to cap off an amazing day!
REACHING KAWASAN FALLS
After hanging out in the pool below the second falls for about half an hour we decided to finally check out Kawasan Falls Cebu. Arriving at the falls we saw the 60ft+ jump and decided to give it a miss because of all the ropes below.
Kawasan Falls is a multi-tiered system of waterfalls with water that has a distinctive turquoise-blue color, thanks to the high mineral content in the water.
The first and largest waterfall is the most frequented by tourists. It’s a large cascade of water that plunges into a deep natural pool, which is great for swimming. The pool is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation that enhances the serene and picturesque setting.
Upstream, there are more waterfall tiers, smaller in size but equally beautiful. The second waterfall is about a 15-minute hike from the first, and the third waterfall, the smallest and most secluded, is another 15-minute hike further up.
This pool was much more crowded because many people just walk in off the road and pay Kawasan Falls entrance fee of 20 Pesos or 40 cents USD. We took in the moment and reflected on our amazing half-day journey before finally heading home.
A 10-minute walk out to the road before a short tricycle journey home and our amazing day was complete.
MY TIPS FOR CANYONEERING IN KAWASAN FALLS CEBU
- Do the Canyoneering from Alegria to Kawasan Falls. Just seeing Kawasan Falls at the end was not nearly as awesome as the entire experience and for only $30-40 USD it is amazing value.
- Don’t try and do canyoneering alone. I am the first one to try and ditch the guide but this is a tour where you really do rely on their knowledge with your safety. The guides tell you where to jump, land, step and what areas are safe. They help you hold on in the current and guide you safely. Our guides were happy for us to do risky climbing and high jumps but were on hand to point to us where to land and give us helpful advice.
- Only bring a GoPro. We were given a dry bag, which leaked. There is too much impact, scraping on rocks and big drops to feel entirely confident in a dry bag. Bring a GoPro but definitely no DSLR. If you only visit Kawasan Falls from the road without canyoneering you can bring a DSLR as you don’t need to swim or jump.
- Wear grippy closed shoes. I wore a pair of Nike’s and had no problems. There are lots of slippery rocks and climbing made much easier with a decent pair of sneakers.
- Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Tour: (BEST PRICE): The classic tour including transfers. Number one most booked activity in Cebu, with 1000+ POSITIVE REVIEWS.
FACTS ABOUT KAWASAN FALLS
- Location: Kawasan Falls is located in the municipality of Badian, in the province of Cebu, Philippines.
- Waterfall System: It’s not just a single waterfall, but a system of three waterfalls, each with a natural pool of cool, turquoise water. The first waterfall is the largest and most visited, while the other two provide a more secluded environment.
- Color: The striking turquoise color of the water comes from its high mineral content and the depth of the natural pools.
- Activities: Kawasan Falls is known for its canyoneering activities, which involve trekking, swimming, climbing, and jumping off the falls.
- Flora and Fauna: The area around Kawasan Falls is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, contributing to the site’s beauty and appeal.
- Access: Access to the falls involves a 15-20 minute walk from the main road, adding a trekking experience to the journey.
- Eco-Tourism: The falls is a popular eco-tourism site, contributing to local employment and the economy of Badian.
- Church: Near the entrance to the falls, there is a church named in honor of the Virgin Mary, where many locals and tourists light candles and pray before heading to the falls.
IS KAWASAN FALLS CANYONEERING TOO BUSY?
Kawasan Falls is a popular destination and can be quite busy, especially during the peak tourist season and on weekends. Weekends, holidays, and the period from December to May, which corresponds to the dry season in the Philippines, typically see the most visitors.
Weekdays, on the other hand, tend to be less crowded. If you are seeking a quieter experience, planning your visit on a weekday can be a smart choice. Also, consider arriving early in the morning, before the larger tour groups typically arrive, regardless of whether you’re visiting on a weekday or weekend. The canyoneering activities tend to start getting busy from mid-morning onward. I’d highly recommend going on a weekday if you are a traveler to avoid the local crowds that come on the weekends.
It’s also worth noting that even during busy times, the canyoneering experience at Kawasan Falls is managed in a way that ensures groups are spaced out during the activity, thereby reducing the feeling of overcrowding. That’s the aim but it can still feel a bit crowded at times.
I advise going very early in the morning if you want to get photos of Kawasan Falls without 50 people swimming in the background!
I hope you enjoyed this compreshensive guide to Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls in Cebu!
WHERE TO STAY IN CEBU?
I really think that if you are going to be exploring Cebu, the best place to stay is in Moalboal. There are a few reasons why!
Cebu City might be where you land at the airport but if you are looking for adventure, you will need to head south as soon as possible. Most of the best waterfalls, whale sharks, snorkeling with sardines and turtles are all down in the south of Cebu. So where do you stay to do all of these adventures? Moalboal!
Moalboal is a cool town, which is the free-diving and scuba capital of Cebu. There are tons of hostels, hotels, and hostels here as well as being close to all the waterfalls and hikes in the region.
Here are my recommendations on where to stay in Moalboal depending on your budget.
- Teobas Homestay – Value: You need to click on that link just to see how rad this place is. It has a staircase down to the ocean into crystal clear water. I can tell you, I have snorkeled out the front of this place with turtles many times. For about $30 USD you get a private room with all of the facilities you need. There is not much better than having ocean access and a bit of a sunset view!
- Dolphin House Resort – Luxury: If you are looking for a nice resort, Dolphin House is a 5-star resort with a huge pool for less than $200 USD per night. It has ocean access, great restaurant, chilling areas and a beautiful garden throughout the property.
MORE CEBU TRAVEL GUIDES
- Ultimate Cebu Bucketlist: 26 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON CEBU
- Canyoneering Guide: KAWASAN FALLS CEBU CANYONEERING
- Ultimate Oslob Guide: WHAT TO DO IN OSLOB CEBU
- Digital Nomad Guide to Moalboal: THE DIGITAL NOMAD GUIDE TO MOALBOAL, CEBU
- Waterfall Chasing: 14 BEST WATERFALLS IN CEBU
- Moalboal Guide: 20 BEST THINGS TO DO IN MOALBOAL
- Alegria Guide: 13 BEST THINGS TO DO IN ALEGRIA
- Hiking Osmena Peak: OSMEÑA PEAK IN CEBU – A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE HIKE
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT CEBU
When considering the weather, the best time to visit Cebu, Philippines, is generally during the dry season which runs from December to May. During this period, the weather is more predictable, with less chance of rain disrupting outdoor activities. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Dry Season (December – May): This period is characterized by less rainfall and more sunshine. Among these months, February to May are especially good as they tend to be hot and dry, making them perfect for beach-related activities.
- Cool Months (December – February): The months of December to February are part of the dry season but are slightly cooler compared to other months. This makes it a good time to visit if you prefer more moderate temperatures.
- Hot Months (March – May): These months can get quite hot, but if you’re planning on spending time at the beach or by the pool, this could be the ideal time for you.
- Rainy Season (June – November): These months have more rainfall, which can disrupt outdoor activities. However, the rain can also bring cooler temperatures and fewer tourists, which some visitors might prefer.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS FOR CEBU
There’s lots of different transport options to get around Cebu depending on the size of your group, travel style and length of your journey. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect.
Moped: The best way to get around Cebu Island is through moped/scooter rentals. A moped can be rented for about $8 a day but that price may come down if your rental is more than a week long. The roads aren’t always great to and from the waterfalls and hikes so drive safely. You will need your regular drivers license from your home country and a helmet to avoid any issues. Below are the other main transport options for Cebu.
- Tricycles: the most common means of private transportation in the Philippines, accommodating 2-4 passengers, more than a motorcycle. This allows you to hire a driver to transport you to various attractions and things to do in Cebu.
- The Habal Habal: essentially a “scooter taxi,” is an economical option for single passengers who don’t wish to rent their own vehicle.
- Jeepneys: vibrant buses used by locals for transportation in the Philippines. Operating on fixed routes, they provide a shared riding experience and offer a unique opportunity to interact with the local community. Expect to be crammed in like sardines but it’s the authentic transport mode for locals.
- Vans: available for transportation, typically offered by resorts, hotels, and private transportation companies. This option will be the most expensive, it can be a worthwhile choice during rainy weather or for larger groups.
MORE OF MY PHILIPPINES GUIDES
- The Ultimate Philippines Itinerary: 3-4 WEEK PHILIPPINES ITINERARY
- Best Island Hopping Trip: BIG DREAM BOAT MAN IN CORON
- The Backpacker’s Guide to the Philippines: 1 MONTH FOR $800
- Ultimate Guide to Coron: 22 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CORON
- Ultimate Guide to Siargao: 40 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN SIARGAO
- Ultimate Guide to Romblon: 17 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN ROMBLON
- Ultimate Guide to El Nido: 20 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN EL NIDO
- Ultimate Guide to Bohol: 27 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN BOHOL
- Ultimate Guide to Sibuyan: 9 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN SIBUYAN
MY ACCOMMODATION GUIDES FOR THE PHILIPPINES
- Luxury in South Cebu: 18 BEST SOUTH CEBU RESORTS
- Bucketlist: 13 BEST PHILIPPINES OVERWATER BUNGALOWS
- Beach Resorts in North Cebu: BEST RESORTS IN CEBU
- El Nido Resorts: 12 BEST RESORTS IN EL NIDO
- Moalboal Accommodation: WHERE TO STAY IN MOALBOAL
- Panglao Resorts: 13 BEST LUXURY RESORTS IN PANGLAO
- Siargao Accommodation: WHERE TO STAY IN SIARGAO
- Hostels in Cebu: 10 BEST HOSTELS IN CEBU
- Sustainable Resorts: 12 BEST ECO RESORTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
- Coron Accommodation: WHERE TO STAY IN CORON
Marisa
Friday 5th of May 2023
hi I experienced that last April 30, 2023..extreme to the extreme LOL but its great experienced Tour guides is very helpful and funny . we are 7 in a group and my son really enjoyed it .
Magda
Wednesday 28th of December 2022
Every time I go on holidays, I check if you have been there before as your reccomendations are spot on and adventurous - just how I like it -If you are ever back at Cebu I reccomend doing wonderfalls in Algeria.
It is a canyon but they have just opened in for tourtist 2021 so there would be 10 visitors per day as not many people know about it. The scramble features are interesting, no shopping cart half way the canyon and it is so remote and beautiful. It has two parts as well so you can do part 1 one day and part 2 the other.
It was my favourite experience while staying in Moalboal .
How I Spent a Month Backpacking the Philippines With US$800
Tuesday 17th of August 2021
[…] town just north called Kawasan. Famous for the spectacularly blue Kawasan Falls. We planned to do a canyoneering adventure from Alegria to Kawasan that cost about US$25. After a few communication breakdowns with tour agents, we were finally taken […]
Kris
Thursday 23rd of January 2020
Hi Jackson, do you happen to have contact details to guides that took you for the tour? I followed the link for your Recommended and the TOP-RATED Kawasan Falls Canyoneering tour in Cebu for under $40 - but it appears the tour is only for Kawasan fall but we would like to do the whole tour from Algeria
John Alex
Saturday 9th of November 2019
I am Mr. John Alex, These travel blogs are awesome and cover a range of travel styles. I've been excitedly following and Expert Vagabond for at least 2 years now which is cool. I'm really digging the Camels & Chocolate site too, thanks. Question Pete, would you mind taking a quick look at my site and providing some advice or suggestions? I realize you are busy so if there was a consultation fee, I'm okay with that too. Thanks :-)