Have you ever heard of Kawasan Falls in Cebu?
Known as one of Asia’s most beautiful waterfalls and top canyoneering spots, Kawasan Falls in Cebu is a must-visit attraction while visiting the Philippines.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing day by the falls to enjoy swimming and hiking or an adventure enthusiast looking for cliff jump and rope swings, Kawasan Falls has something for you!
Plus, as one of the most popular things in Cebu, it’s easy to find a tour that will take you there!
In this post, we’ll cover why Kawasan Falls is a great destination to explore, how to get there, what activities you can do at the falls, and tips for having an enjoyable visit.
About Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall that cascades over limestone cliffs and beautiful turquoise in the dense jungles of Cebu. Over the past few years, it has been nicknamed “Gatorade Pools” because of the light blue water that looks like it could be Gatorade.
The main falls have a total drop of around 40 m (130 feet), but there are four different levels you can hike to, each offering something new at Kawasan Falls.
Where is Kawasan Falls?
Kawasan Falls is on the border of Badian and Alegria, two coastal regions in the South of Cebu Island in the Philippines.
The falls are about 100 kilometers south of Cebu City, 20 kilometers from Moalboal, and 54 kilometers from Oslob. It’s a really convenient location for tourists and close to many other famous places in Cebu.
How to Get to Kawasan Falls
Travelers can get to Kawasan Falls in Cebu by taking a public bus, or private taxi, renting a scooter, or joining a tour group that offers free transportation to & from Kawasan Falls.
You’ll find that the public bus or renting your own vehicle (scooter/car) is always the cheapest route but requires the most planning and effort, while taxis are the most expensive. Booking a tour with free transportation is almost always worth it, especially if you plan on participating in the canyoneering experience at Kawasan Falls!
How to Get to Kawasan Falls from Cebu City
Kawasan Falls is roughly 3 hours from Cebu City, the biggest city in Cebu and the only city with an International Airport.
The cheapest way to get from Cebu City to Kawasan Falls is by taking a bus from the South Bus terminal. There are regular trips on air-conditioned buses departing multiple times each day (check the bus schedule here). This trip usually takes around 2.5-3.5 hours and costs less than $5/per person, making it an excellent choice for budget travelers.
If you want a private transfer to the falls, rather than paying for a private taxi, you consider joining a tour group or renting your car to drive to Kawasan Falls.
How to Get to Kawasan Falls from Moalboal
To visit Kawasan Falls from Moalboal, you’ll first need to get from Cebu City to Moalboal. You can hop on the same bus that takes you from Cebu City to Kawasan Falls and simply get off a few stops earlier at the Moalboal Bus stop.
From Moalboal, we recommend renting a scooter in Moalboal to drive yourself to the falls, taking a taxi to the Kawasan Falls entrance, or booking a tour with pickup in Moalboal. Buses are available, but the taxi/tuk-tuk ride will cost less than $10, so it’s worth paying for a door-to-door transfer.
How to Get to Kawasan Falls from Oslob
If you are staying in Oslob and trying to visit Kawasan Falls, booking a private tour or joining a group tour is best.
The bus takes roughly 2-3 hours and requires a transfer at the Bato Talisay-Samboan Bus Terminal, so it is not the most straightforward option. If you want to take the bus, it’s the cheapest option. The Oslob Bus Stop is here.
Driving your own vehicle or renting a scooter is also an option, but it’s over one and a half hours each way, so it can be a long way to drive yourself in a single day.
Things to do at Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is truly a paradise for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Visitors will enjoy crystal clear waters, lush greenery, and plenty of activities at Kawasan Falls.
Here are the best things to do at Kawasan Falls, from swimming and rafting in the natural pools beneath the falls to canyoneering, cliff jumping, natural slides, and rope swings.
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls
The most popular thing to do at Kawasan Falls is go canyoneering. This multi-faceted adventure includes trekking, ziplining, swimming, sliding, and cliff jumping as you make your way a few miles through the canyon, eventually ending the trip at Kawasan Falls.
Most canyoneering trips start with the option to zipline to the tour’s starting point (this costs $10 extra but saves you 40 minutes of hiking and is really fun!
Then you will spend about 3 hours swimming, jumping, sliding, and hiking down the canyon with beautiful jungle scenery all along the way!
The trip includes a few waterfalls with cliff jumps of 5-12 meters, but there is always an option to hike down the falls if you are not apt for jumping from these heights!
Albeit a bit more expensive, a private tour is well worth it. Multiple stops and roundtrip transportation from Cebu City are common options.
Swimming at Kawasan Falls
If you simply visit Kawasan Falls, apart from Canyoneering, swimming in the pool below the waterfall is possible. It’s a beautiful Gatorade-blue pool, and some stalls have snacks and drinks to enjoy after swimming!
Try to get to the falls early in order to avoid most of the crowds!
Also, it’s unsafe to swim under the falls, but there are some locals you can hire to take you on a raft up close (and underneath) Kawasan Falls!
Related read: 20 Philippines travel tips to make your trip memorable
Sliding, Swinging, and Cliff Jumping at Kawasan Falls
Four-tiers to Kawasan Falls have opportunities for swimming, cliff-jumping, rope swings, and sliding. Here is a short breakdown of what you’ll find at each tier of the falls.
Tier 1 – Kawasan Falls, Swimming, Rafting below the falls, food opportunities (no cliff jumping allowed here)
Tier 2 – This tier has some small waterfalls and pools for swimming and lounging. It’s the most relaxing (and often least crowded) section of Kawasan Falls.
Tier 3 – The third tier is the best place to cliff jump, with multiple 10-15 meter jumps and a vast pool below the waterfalls. There are also some small stalls selling snacks and drinks here.
Tier 4 – We call this section “nature’s waterpark.” There is a 10m cliff jumping opportunity, a ‘Tarzan’ rope swing into a huge pool, natural waterslides, and other pools for swimming and enjoying the beautiful jungle views.
Visiting Kawasan Falls after Typhoon Odette
Typhoon Odette struck the Philippines in November 2020, causing severe destruction, trees uprooted, land bridges destroyed, and natural devastation to Kawasan Falls.
The damage to Kawasan Falls was significant; however, the local government and community have worked together to restore the area. The falls are still semi-closed to the public, but canyoneering trips are still permitted to visit the falls, the footbridges are almost finished, and at that time, they will fully reopen to the public.
The Falls may not look the same as before Typhoon Odette, but it’s still a beautiful spot to visit in Cebu and worth the trip. Canyoneering is still safe, and fun to see the jungle upstream from the falls!
Tips for Visiting Kawasan Falls
Before you go to Kawasan Falls, Cebu, check out these tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
What to Bring to Kawasan Falls
When planning a trip to Kawasan Falls, bringing the right equipment for your adventure is essential for a great trip. The essential things to bring to Kawasan Falls are;
- Extra pair of clothes (in case you get wet)
- Cash (many vendors won’t accept credit cards)
- Go Pro
If you are canyoneering, then you should also bring
- A Drysack
- Water shoes (a.k.a. Aqua shoes)
- Waterproof Phone Sleeve
- Water and snacks
- All canyoneering tours should include a life jacket and helmet.
Kawasan Falls Entrance Fee
The Entrance fee to Kawasan Falls is only 50 pesos. Visitors to Kawasan Falls must pay an entrance fee before beginning their adventure.
If you want to go canyoneering or going with a tour guide is between $30-$40.
Final Thoughts on Kawasan Falls, Cebu
If you have the chance to visit Kawasan Falls during your trip to Cebu, you won’t regret it! Even after Typhoon Odette, the falls are beautiful, and you can have some incredible adventures at the falls, both canyoneering and cliff-jumping.
Be sure to book a reputable canyoneering tour if visiting from Cebu City or Oslob. We recommend GetYourGuide.
Enjoy your trip!
Caleb Pasiuk runs Pazook Travel Journal
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