Turquoise blue water, 3 stages of waterfalls and canyoneering – there’s really nothing to complain about… except perhaps the crowds. Kawasan Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Philippines but it’s difficult to enjoy it in all its glory when you have hundreds of people to share it with. We recently visited and were completely blown away despite our high expectations. Having the entire place pretty much to ourselves made a huge difference. When we arrived, the falls were empty but at 2 pm, it was PACKED and we couldn’t wait to get out of there. So, here’s our guide to visiting Kawasan Falls without the crowds and on a budget!
Contents
How to avoid the crowds
Kawasan Falls can be reached very easily by any point on Cebu so weekends are always a lot busier. The best way to beat the crowds is to go on a weekday and early in the morning – we’re talking 7am early. If you’re coming from Cebu City, the bus takes 3.5 – 4 hours and buses don’t start running until around 5 am so it’s impossible for you to get here until after 8 or 9 am. Instead, we recommend that you stay in Moalboal the night before. The bus from Moalboal only takes 30-40 minutes. We arrived at 7:30 am and had the whole place to ourselves with the exception of 2 other people. The restaurants weren’t even open! This meant we could just enjoy the place free of noise and touts and take plenty of photos without a tonne of people everywhere.
If you plan on going canyoneering, it’s best to visit the waterfalls first. The iconic photos of Kawasan Falls are taken at the first waterfall but the last waterfall is just as beautiful. There is a short uphill walk to the others and we also enjoyed these to ourselves early in the morning.
The cheapest (and easiest) way to get to Kawasan Falls
A pre-booked canyoneering tour is around 1,500-1,700 pesos and restricts your freedom to explore the falls before starting the canyoneering. Most tours start around 8 am so by the time if you finish your canyoneering trip, the falls will be busy. The cheapest and easiest way to get to Kawasan Falls is by bus. From Cebu City, go to the South Bus Terminal and hop on any bus bound for Badian. From anywhere else, just wait on the main road and wave down a bus heading south. Let the driver know you want to go to the main entrance of Kawasan Falls (rather than the canyoneering entrance) and from there, it’s a 20-minute easy walk to the main the waterfall. Buses are quite frequent and have no set timetable so you don’t need to book in advance.
- Bus from/to Moalboal: 15-20 pesos ($0.50AUD / $0.35USD) each way (depending on if the bus has air-conditioning)
- Bus from/to Cebu City: 130 – 150 pesos ($4AUD / $3USD) each way (depending on if the bus has air-conditioning)
- Kawasan Falls entrance fee: 40 pesos ($1AUD / $0.75USD)
- Canyoneering: 1,000 pesos ($26AUD / $20USD)
- Locker: 100 pesos ($2.60AUD / $2USD)
Total per person from Moalboal: 70 pesos ($2AUD / $1.50USD) or 1,070 pesos ($29AUD / $22USD) with canyoneering
Canyoneering: is it worth it?
If you love adventure, then canyoneering is a MUST! Rather than booking a tour company in advance, we picked a guide after we finished exploring the falls for ourselves. Mike gave us a great price and we recommend that you get in contact with him on Facebook. A guide is compulsory and there are a couple of different registration points so there is no way to avoid this or get through on your own.
The canyoneering starts at a separate entrance which can only be reached by motorbike. From there, it’s a 30-minute hike to the river. The great thing about canyoneering at Kawasan Falls is there are many different options to suit your adventure level. You can go crazy and do every cliff jump varying from 1 – 10 metres (I highly recommend this option, it was a tonne of fun) or navigate around these if you don’t feel comfortable jumping. But come on, you’re already here, so give it a crack! The canyoneering starts upstream and you will travel down the river until you reach the third waterfall at Kawasan. For safety, every person is required to wear a life jacket and helmet. You will be traversing through some pretty slippery and rocky areas so come prepared to get wet and wear good shoes!
What to bring to Kawasan Falls
- Cash
- Water and snacks
- Camera / GoPro
- Swimsuit
- Sandals, water shoes or runners if you are canyoneering. Thongs/flip flops if you’re not.
- Towel
- Dry bag if you have it but not absolutely necessary
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a place to keep stuff at Kawasan Falls?
There are lockers available at the first waterfall. A small locker is 100 pesos ($2.60AUD / $2USD) and will fit a small bag. We saw some people come to Kawasan with their big backpacks and there are only a few lockers that may be able to fit these. We don’t recommend you bring your big backpacks unless absolutely necessary.
Should I do canyoneering the same day?
Absolutely! We explored Kawasan Falls on our own for a couple of hours, took all of our photos and then went on the canyoneering tour. We were out of the area by around 1 pm. The canyoneering tour is around 2 hours depending on how many other groups there are on the day.
Is Kawasan Falls child-friendly?
Yes, but you should bring floaties as there aren’t too many shallow areas.
Are there changing rooms or toilets?
Yes.
Do I have to book a canyoneering guide in advance?
No, you don’t. Booking in advance with other companies is generally more expensive than arriving and booking on the spot. In saying that, the guide we found (Mike, see above) has been contacted by a few of our readers and given them a decent price. We aren’t affiliated with his business but he was a nice and honest person willing to give us a fair price which is why we’ve linked him. Feel free to contact him or show up on the day and find a guide.
Is there anywhere to eat?
Be prepared to pay! There are restaurants around and some canyoneering tours include this in the price. There are eateries 5 minutes before you get to the falls as well as right at the falls. The food isn’t that great there and we recommend you bring snacks and eat afterwards.
Do you have any other tips for Kawasan Falls that you think we should share? Let us know in the comments below!
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4 Mar 2018 @ 3:00 am
How amazing is Kawassan falls! Such a great article with awesome advice (we hate crowds too)
7 Mar 2018 @ 3:37 pm
Thank you so much!
25 Feb 2018 @ 5:48 am
Hi i’d like to ask if did you do kawasan and canyoneering on separate days?
26 Feb 2018 @ 10:12 am
Hi Christian, no, we did it all in one day. You won’t need more than half a day to enjoy the falls and canyoneering.
24 Feb 2018 @ 10:13 pm
OMG I so needed this tip! Came at the perfect time. I’m going to Cebu next month and am looking at how to best do the Kawasan Falls. I will look into staying in Maolbaol now if it will help us avoid the tourists haha.
26 Feb 2018 @ 10:13 am
Yay! So good to hear! Definitely check out Moalboal – great snorkelling and diving there too. Amanda
24 Feb 2018 @ 9:33 pm
A gorgeous place! I am desperate to visit the Philippines so will pin this and use for our planning! Love your pics too!
19 Feb 2018 @ 6:19 am
Hi ! Thank you sooooo much for sharing your experience ! There were some great tips (vsiting hours, transportation etc) that we will use for our to Moaboal trip in May. Also we will definitely contact Mike for canyoneering.
However I found on the internet that the Kawasan falls officially open at 9 am, how did you manage to climb to the first waterfall before this time ?
19 Feb 2018 @ 11:59 am
Hi Evy! No worries, thanks for reading. I just checked with Mike and he confirmed that you can still get in early. The waterfalls aren’t gated or anything like that so it shouldn’t be a problem getting through. I do know that canyoneering tours don’t commence earlier though so perhaps that’s why the official time is 9am. Hope that helps! Amanda
20 Feb 2018 @ 3:22 am
Hi Amanda. Thanks for your reply ! We will follow your advice for the Kawasan falls and we also booked a canyoneering tour with Mike. Your blog is so helpful and I’m actually checking all your other trips <3 have a blessed day
20 Feb 2018 @ 9:17 am
Hi Evy, I really appreciate that, thank you so much. You have a blessed day too 🙂 Enjoy Kawasan Falls!
15 Feb 2018 @ 8:36 pm
My family wanted me to plan a trip to Cebu. Little did I know, we’re already leaving later at 0400H! Good thing I stumble upon your blog! Thanks for the tips!
Anyhow, few questions just to ensure all is set since i’m travelling with kids.
-Are there nearby changing area/comfort room, lockers, eateries?
-How to go back to the city from Kawasan?
15 Feb 2018 @ 10:10 pm
Hi Trisha! Glad to help 🙂 There are eateries (quite expensive and not that great) and lockers available – please see above for how much we paid. The lockers are small though (enough to fit a small bag and belongings but not a big backpack). There are toilets but I’m not sure about changing rooms as we didn’t use them. To get back from Kawasan you take the bus from the opposite side of the road going back in that direction. Hope that helps! Amanda
8 Feb 2018 @ 2:27 am
Did you use your go pro for canyoneering pictures? For the pictures by the falls, did you have someone take your picture for you?
8 Feb 2018 @ 2:21 pm
Hi Sarah, yep we used a GoPro for all canyoneering photos. I wouldn’t really recommend bringing a non-waterproof camera as you spend most of the tour in the water. We take all of our own photos using a tripod. Hope that helps. Amanda
3 Feb 2018 @ 11:47 pm
I would love to come here early in the morning for a lesser crowd. Great experience you got there! Kawasan falls is on top of my list for 7 waterfalls in South Cebu. The place has a lot to offer and truly a gem.
5 Feb 2018 @ 12:47 pm
Yeah, definitely head there early in the morning 🙂
30 Jan 2018 @ 4:56 pm
Awesome, incredibly informative! What did you do with all your belongings while canyoneering? Was there a safe dry area to store them so they don’t get banged up/wet?
30 Jan 2018 @ 8:17 pm
We paid for a locker – 100 pesos ($2.60AUD / $2USD) – worth it to not have to worry about our camera gear etc 🙂
31 Jan 2018 @ 12:15 am
Exceleenttt! Loving your travels (might have stalked ya both on insta a little… or a lot ;))
31 Jan 2018 @ 8:39 am
Enjoy!! Haha thanks so much – we don’t mind the stalking!! – Amanda
24 Jan 2018 @ 6:02 pm
Hello guys .great blog and very handy. I think we’ll try and do the same thing but coming from Oslob instead. I did send a message to mike but he said it would be 1500 per person. Did you have a different tour than he normally offers? Thank you:)
26 Jan 2018 @ 10:52 pm
Hi Marek. No, we didn’t but also, I think he did give us a very discounted price. I think 1500 is very reasonable for the tour. Perhaps if you get a bit of a bigger group together, you may get more of a discount.
26 Oct 2017 @ 5:42 pm
Im going alone. So would I be able to get a guide all for myself. Or is it only for groups?
Because most of the Kawasan falls tour offers package for group or minimum of 2.
10 Jan 2018 @ 9:13 am
Hi there, I’m sure you can tag along with a group. It’s unlikely that they’ll let you you have a guide to yourself without paying a little extra.
6 Oct 2017 @ 7:32 am
Beautiful multi level of falls. A popular and most visited falls in Cebu Island. It is also a great site to do the adrenaline-rising activity – Canyoneering or Canyoning.. 🙂 If you’re planning to get there we can be your professional guide.
13 Jul 2017 @ 12:22 am
This article is so nice and informative. Just wondering how long it will take to do the canyoneering? I am travelling with an older crowd and they might not be up for it so I might have to go canyoneering by myself (I won’t miss it for the world). I look forward to your reply! Thanks!
21 Apr 2017 @ 11:06 pm
Mind-blowing location! Just the sheer colour of the water is so delightful! Also, I must ask, did you get these perfect couple photos with timer or somebody was there to click?
25 Apr 2017 @ 2:59 pm
Absolutely. We use a remote control or timer 🙂
21 Apr 2017 @ 7:03 am
Your photos are amazing – I bet with the crowds there it’d be hard to get any with just you guys in it!
I went canyoneering in Ecuador and thought I’d absolutely love it as I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie! It ended up being one of my worst experiences ever – I think I was the complete wrong height so all the falls just kept getting me straight in the face, it felt like being water-boarded or something!
I’d love to try again somewhere new though – maybe Kawasan 🙂
19 Apr 2017 @ 11:36 pm
I can’t believe that the water is that blue. It’s gorgeous! I would definitely enjoy the canyoneering! Great tips and details on how to enjoy this trip too.
19 Apr 2017 @ 8:33 pm
The water is absolutely beautiful! A super informative post, I’ll definitely keep in mind these tactics if I ever do visit. I also adore your bathing suit, it’s gorgeous 🙂
19 Apr 2017 @ 6:29 pm
This was a really great account of your time at Kawasan Falls and having been there myself, I can very much emphasise with what you said. Certainly, everything about the place is paradisaical but yup, the crowds can be a problems. Unfortunately my time there was spent battling swathes of Chinese tourists but will definitely keep this advice in mind if I’m ever lucky enough to find myself back there
19 Apr 2017 @ 2:42 pm
Oh well worth an early wake up call. I’m so jealous that I didn’t get to Cebu on either of my Philippines trips. Seeing how peaceful this looks I’m desperate to go back with my boyfriend. I too love the freedom of travelling without a tour company.
19 Apr 2017 @ 2:04 pm
OMG! The place looks like a paradise! The 3rd waterfall looks just too good to be true! I hate those organized tours as well as we can’t really pause where we wanna stop & enjoy! Thanks for the FB contact of the guide!
19 Apr 2017 @ 10:39 am
Wow…just like the previous comment. Your photos are breathtaking, talk about beauty. i keep seeing how beautiful the Philippines is and I cannot wait to go. I hope one day I get to visit.
19 Apr 2017 @ 10:35 am
Wow… the place looks so pristine. We have been to only plitvice waterfalls and since then, would love to explore more of such beautiful wonders. I had never heard of Kawasan until your post … thanks for sharing how to get there!