Everything You Need to Know About Canyoneering in Cebu
The Philippines host one of the most beautiful waterfalls and beaches in the world. Located in the south-central of the Philippines, Cebu is undeniably one of the most visited places! It’s where you can see the pristine beaches, visit one of the top diving spots, historical landmarks, and unique & delicious food.
Canyoneering is one of the activities, especially for adventurous travelers, you should do when visiting Cebu. Whether it’s your first-time canyoneering or not, you need to have it on your itinerary. It’s highly recommended!
Here’s everything you need to know about canyoneering in Cebu and visiting Kawasan Falls!
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What is canyoneering
Canyoneering or canyoning is an activity where you travel in canyons that includes walking, climbing, cliff jumping, and swimming.
All you need to do is wear your lifejacket and helmet, and you are ready to go!
You need to have a lot of energy because as you traverse down the rivers, you need to swim a lot, slide down, and jump. Sometimes, you don’t have a choice but to jump. It’s going to be an adrenaline-rushing day for you.
About Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is a multi-layered fall that is most visited in Cebu because of its crystal blue water where you can swim around. It’s considered the most beautiful and most popular waterfall in Cebu.
With the sheer amount of tourists, it’s no surprise that there’s a long queue to get on the bamboo raft.
How to get to Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is located in Badian, Cebu. Transportation is included when you booked a tour. But, if you are going to travel on your own, then here’s what you need to know.
Traveling from Cebu City to Kawasan Falls
It will take around 3 hours to travel from Cebu City to Badian. The first trip is at 3:00 AM and the last trip is at 6:30 PM. The bus departs every 30 minutes.
- Go to the Cebu South Bus terminal
- Ride a Ceres Liner bus going to Bato via Barili.
- Alight at Matutinao Badian church.
Traveling from Oslob to Kawasan Falls
The journey from Oslob to Kawasan Falls takes around 1.5 hours and costs PHP 100.
- Ride the bus going to Bato.
- Alight at Bato and take the bus to Badian. You can also take the bus going to Cebu City via Barili.
- Alight at Kawasan Falls. It wouldn’t be difficult to find since you will see tarpaulins everywhere.
Traveling from Moalboal to Kawasan Falls
Moalboal is close to Kawasan Falls so you can either take a taxi or bus that’s going to Cebu City.
How to book a Kawasan Falls canyoneering tour in Cebu
You can find local shops near the falls that offer canyoneering tour packages. You can also book your tour in advance online.
The advantage of booking tours online is you can also get a full package so you don’t have to worry about your trip!
We booked our tour in Cebu for two days & one night with Happy Juanderer. The package we booked is called Project Sursuroy that includes lunch, transportation, accommodations, and tours!
I’m not an affiliate of Happy Juanderer but I really recommend booking with them!
If you prefer to only book for the Canyoneering in Cebu and Kawasan Falls tours, then you can book through Klook.
What to wear for canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Canyoneering is not an easy adventure so you need to wear your most comfortable swimming attire.
Life jackets and helmets will be provided already. For safety precautions, wear it ALL the time.
If you don’t have closed shoes, you can rent shoes for only PHP 100. Make sure you inform your tour guide right away.
- Shoes with a strong grip
- Socks (neoprene)
- Swimsuits or wetsuits.
- Helmets
- Gloves (optional)
- Life jackets
- Sunscreen
- Dry bag
- Accessories or jewelry
- Flip flop or heels
- Avoid cotton or jeans.
What to bring for canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
You can find lockers so you can safely keep your stuff. Before canyoneering in Kawasan Falls, bring as little as possible since you will be jumping, sliding, and swimming.
- Dry bag for your personal items.
- Water.
- Cash so you can buy food.
- Camera.
What to expect when canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Before the start of the activity, your tour guide will ask you to wear your life jackets and helmets. Once you are ready, you will take a ride to the registration area.
They will also check again if you are wearing the safety gear properly. Our group had three tour guides!
We needed to trek for about 15 minutes from the starting point before we reach the river.
Expect a lot of cliff jumping, sliding, and swimming. There are some parts where you are required to jump. This means there are no alternative paths. But, don’t worry, the highest that you can jump is 12 meters.
In the midway of the course, you will find a barbecue area where you can buy food and rest. A variety of food is available for you to buy. You can see the typical ihaw-ihaw food such as barbeque, isaw, and hotdog.
Aside from that, there are also eggs, biscuits, and even kakanin available. Of course, you could buy your drinks too!
We went on a Sunday and we were the first group to arrive. We were canyoneering for almost 5 hours so it was almost lunchtime when we finished.
At the end of the course, you will see the Kawasan Falls. You will first visit the top level of Kawasan Falls.
In Kawasan Falls 3, you can jump off a cliff, rope-swing at the river, and slide down the stream. You can do a lot of activities here, so take your time and enjoy each activity!
Tables are also available; you can rest and enjoy the view if you want to. We didn’t stay long here, we went to Kawasan Falls 2 to have lunch.
In Kawasan Falls 2, you can jump at the highest cliff. One part of the cliff is already closed and you are not allowed to jump there.
This is also where you can have your lunch. Our lunch is already included in our tour package.
Do you see the stunning photos of Kawasan Falls on Instagram? That’s the most popular level of Kawasan Falls! This is where you can rent a raft for 30 minutes for PHP 400 only.
Tourists who skipped on canyoneering also stop here to enjoy the falls.
Kawasan Falls tips and final thoughts
Since it is a popular spot for tourists, you need to arrive early to beat the crowd. You should also pick up your trash and bring it with you.
You will find trash bins everywhere but they can overflow because of the number of tourists.
Canyoneering should be added to your bucket list! It’s a great experience, especially for first-timers.
The best time to do canyoneering in Cebu is during the dry season (November – May).
The activity itself was challenging but worth it. It’s an experience I will not forget and I will be happy to do it again!
Where to stay in Cebu
Discounted Hotels & Resorts in Cebu
Save money on your accommodation by booking from one of the hotels & resorts below! You’ll also get more perks like late check-out or more discounts.
Click the links below to get more details.
bai Hotel Cebu – up to 75% discount! Overnight or 2-nights stay in a deluxe room inclusive of breakfast for 2 and PHP 500 or PHP 1000 worth of food and beverage credits that can be used in Marble and Grain Ume Japanese Restaurant, Wall Street, Pool Bar, In-Room Dining, or Lobby Lounge.
Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort – up to 65% discount! A minimum of 2-night deluxe room with breakfast, 15% discount on F&B, BlueCARES Sanitation Kit & welcome Bluewater coolers.
Seda Ayala Center Cebu – up to 35% discount! 1-night stay in a deluxe room for 2 person(s) and inclusive of breakfast and/or PHP500 worth of dining credits.
Seda Central Bloc Cebu – up to 35% discount! 1-night stay in a deluxe room for 2 person(s) and inclusive of breakfast and/or PHP500 worth of dining credits.
Looking for travel guides in Cebu? Check out this post where you can find the itinerary, budget, and tips in Cebu.
More activities in Cebu
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Despite being afraid to jump (I can’t even do it in swimming pools LOLS who am I kidding?) I still want to try. At least try once on my life!
Hahaha! I only tried jumping off a cliff ONCE and that’s it. It was only 5ft high and there are no “obstacles” that’s why I didn’t hesitate. I was scared when I thought I’ll hit the rock at the bottom. I guess that’s the disadvantage of a crystal clear water. But I’m happy to hear that you still want to try it! ?
Waahhhhh!! I really want to experience everything but I’m not sure bc I might chicken out at the last minute– but I hope not! Haha. I have no certain plans on coming to Cebu anytime soon but I promise I will someday!
I hope not! I think one of the techniques (lalo na sa pag jump) is to try not to overthink. It ruined everything. Hahaha! And try not to look down. Alam mo ung feeling na I know the techniques pero I still didn’t jump? Hahaha. Nkaka-disappoint. Excited na ako when you go to Cebu!
I want to try canyoneering but scared AF due to the jumping parts. Hahaha. But you said you didn’t jump, right? So it means I can get through the whole canyoneering activity without jumping? Tama ba ‘ko ng pagkakaintindi? Hehe. Thanks for this guide, by the way! So persuasive that I wanna go to Cebu already.
I didn’t jump on the first one – yung considered na highest sa mga required. Hindi ko kaya! ? but there are still parts where you need to jump, I jumped there since mababa lang naman. ?
Pinaka fun na part dun is ung pag slide down! Haha. I hope you’ll visit Cebu someday, then try canyoneering! ?
Been here xx years ago! I didn’t jump before too as I was so afraid to jump huhu lol I’m glad you survived! It’s one of the things to tick off on your bucket list 😀
It’s okay! Would you like to try canyoneering again? Haha. I’m not sure if I want to experience it again. But, I had so much fun!! I’m just really scared on the jumping part.
Honestly, when I heard the news last year that someone died in Kawasan Falls, I was kinda hesitant to do this activity. But good thing is it’s safer there now.
Thanks for dropping by, Kai! 🙂
I was planning this whole Badian thing but never did we pursue it haha. I thought this was already closed. Someone informed me but I see they got the wrong information. It looks like you really enjoyed this trip. Wishing I could go there someday but afraid of all those jumping hahaha
It was closed last year because of the accident, I think? Or it’s the Kawasan Falls only that’s closed. I’m not really sure! I really enjoyed it, even though I’m afraid of jumping. I just had so much fun with my friends. ? I hope you’ll go there soon and try canyoneering! ❤️
Always wanted to try this when it started to be popular. I’m no good swimmer and not afraid of heights, but I’m scared to jump. Haven’t tried cliff jumping too! It got scary for me when I’ve heard that many have died because of this activity or bc of the jumping. Anyway, will still try this when I visit Cebu!
It’s okay if you’re no good swimmer. You’ll be floating most of the time naman. Our tour guide recommended us to wear our life vests all the time.
Same, same! Or when I saw videos where they accidentally fall on something after jumping. That freaking scared the most out of me! I can’t wait for you to try canyoneering! 🙂
My boyfriend and I actually included this in our itinerary last year BUT I had a “minor” condition with my back (#scolioproblems) that we just decided not to go to avoid worsening my pain. 🙁 I’m so glad you had fun though! And as I said before, sobrang cute ng thumbnails moooo
Oh no! Sayang naman you were not able to go there. ? I hope your back is okay na! I read something about your scolio in Twitter last week ata.
Canyoneering can be part of a bucket list, I guess, because it’s really an amazing experience. And thank you, Mel! ? though the photos are not in good quality because I grabbed it lang on my friend’s Facebook account. Hahaha!
[…] Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls […]
Oh, I can’t wait until November to explore this magical country. I love to jump into the cool waterfalls and swim in paradise beaches. Thanks for the detailed guide.
I hope this guide helped you! Feel free to send me a message if you have some questions 🙂 I’m looking forward to your adventure in November. Enjoy!
I want to try canyoneering but kinda scared sa jumping scenario. But I’m looking forward to try this in July excited na ako sa vacation namin. Hope mapuntahan ko to and face my fear