18 Jun 5 Must See Waterfalls in Cebu, Philippines
The island of Cebu is home to not one, but many jaw dropping, cascading waterfalls that fill a pool of gatorade blue water. When I first discovered photos of these falls, I thought for sure the turquoise water was contributed mostly to photo editing. But after seeing these bucket list worthy falls in person, I can tell you the color is not the result of digital editing at all! While in Cebu, I even asked a local how this blue color was possible. He replied, ” I don’t know…it’s not like this where you live?” Absolutely not, I wish!
In fact, I tend to chase many waterfalls wherever I travel. But even in other stunning countries, I had never seen anything like the bright blue waterfalls of Cebu. And they are in abundance!
The island has over 100 known waterfalls, and I myself had a long list to visit before coming; a list that only grew as I talked to locals and learned of more places to go. Unfortunately, because of this abundance of waterfalls in combination with limited time and bad weather, I was only able to visit a few that I wanted. Because I had to prioritize which falls to visit, the waterfalls I chose were diverse. Some of the most popular, some unique, and some off the beaten path. That’s why I believe these are must see waterfalls in Cebu!
1. Inambakan Falls
Inambakan Falls is the first on the list because not only was it the first waterfall I visited, but it absolutely blew my mind! And it’s not even really one waterfall, it’s five! The water flows though 5 tiers, each creating a unique cascade and a pool underneath, perfect for swimming. One could easily spend a few hours here, admiring the lush natural beauty, and enjoying the thrill of this natural water park.
Location:
Ginatilan, Cebu. 4 hour drive from Cebu City, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Moalboal, and an hour a half from Oslob (which I wouldn’t recommend coming from because it’s all back roads or a very long drive).
Cost:
50 pesos (~$1 USD) entrance fee, 10 pesos for parking, and I paid 150 pesos ($3 USD) for a guide; lifejackets are also available for rent.
Is a guide needed:
Yes and no. This is not like canyoneering where you cannot survive without a guide. However I do recommend having a one anyways. My guide took me to each tier showing me how to get to difficult spots and he also knew the best places to cliff jump or dive in. Additionally, he was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about him and the Philippines through our conversation.
What to bring:
Bathing suit, towel, and dry clothes if you don’t want to go back soaking wet. Also whatever camera gear you would like. I brought my mirrorless camera and GoPro, and I believe drones are allowed.
A waterproof bag is not needed as there are plenty of dry places in the wilderness to put your stuff while you swim, although it’s a good precaution.
2. Cambais Falls
Cambais Falls is another jackpot, because it is actually two waterfalls! The first (pictured above) is perfect for swimming and the surrounding lush greenery creates a picturesque scene. The second waterfall (pictured below) is hidden on the other side, but should not be missed! It has a great cliff jumping spot, and the water looks as though its dripping down the stone wall.
Location:
Alegria, Cebu. About 3 and half hours from Cebu City, 1 hour from Moalboal, and 2 hours from Oslob.
Cost:
50 pesos (~$1 USD) entrance fee, 10 pesos for parking. A guide is also available as well as lifejackets for rent.
Is a guide needed:
Not really. You will probably be pressured into having a guide, which can be beneficial but it’s not absolutely necessary here. This is not canyoneering, and unlike Inambakan Falls with 5 tiers, Cambais is only 2 levels.
The first waterfall you can access right away and simply wade into it.
The second waterfall can be accessed in one of two ways. First, by wading up through the water on the right of the first level, or by a small pathway to the right of the bottom level pool. I suggest taking the pathway up to the second level, cliff jumping (!) and then wading down to the bottom level waterfall to swim.
The cliff jump at the second waterfall is straight down (not really a specific spot, it’s all deep). However, if you’re a nervous cliff jumper like me, perhaps a guide would be beneficial for this part. Also, if you choose to go alone I would exercise extra precaution in testing where you step etc.
What to bring:
Bathing suit, towel and dry clothes if you don’t want to go back soaking wet. Also whatever camera gear you want, I brought my mirrorless camera and GoPro. A waterproof bag is not needed as there are plenty of dry places in the wilderness to put your stuff while you swim. Although not necessary here, it would still be beneficial if you have one.
3. Cancalanog Falls
Cankalanog falls is two small waterfalls, one natural and one man- made. It’s actually not really known for its cascade though. What actually makes this spot so amazing is the massive, clear blue pool. The pool floor and plants that inhabit it are visible from above, so finding where to dive in is a breeze.
Although this cenote-like pool is on the way to Cambais Falls, many people overlook it and therefore it’s likely you’ll have the place to yourself! It’s the perfect place to have a peaceful dip.
Location:
Alegria, Cebu. About 3 and half hours from Cebu City, 1 hour from Moalboal, and 2 hours from Oslob.
Cost:
50 pesos (~$1 USD) entrance fee.
Is a guide needed:
No. When I visited no guides were even available. For one, it wasn’t popular enough for guides to take the time to work here. And two, it’s an easily accessed pool that can be visited on you own.
What to bring:
Bathing suit, towel, and dry clothes if you don’t want to go back soaking wet. Also whatever camera gear you want. I brought my mirrorless camera and GoPro. A waterproof bag is not needed though, as there are plenty of dry places in the wilderness to put your stuff while you swim.
4. Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is by far the most popular waterfall in Cebu, in fact it’s the most popular attraction in Cebu. There are even pictures of it in the airport, every hotel and hostel will promote it, and some people travel to the island just to go there.
In my opinion, most places this touristy end up being completely overrated. Kawasan Falls fits this category in some ways, and in other ways not at all! That’s because Kawasan Falls can be experienced in two ways: by simply visiting the falls on your own and swimming, or by guided canyoneering.
The first way, visiting only Kawasan Falls on your own, I don’t believe is worth it. Although I’m aware I did a very poor job of capturing the waterfall (pictured above), even in person I was not much impressed with the waterfall alone. Yes it is beautiful, and a perfect place to swim. But for how much it’s hyped up, some of the other waterfalls make for a better experience. Kawasan is overcrowded, and commercialized so it does not feel like you’re in nature. The restaurant at the foot of the pool and concrete ground surrounding didn’t do it for me.
So why am I even mentioning it then? Well because canyoneering to Kawasan Falls is worth it! During the adventure you’ll swim and wade through smooth canyons, slide down rocks and cliff jump into blue pools. It’s like a natural water park, and the views are stunning!
Location:
Alegria, Cebu. About 3 hours from Cebu City, 40 minutes from Moalboal, and 2 hours from Oslob.
Cost:
Entrance fee to Kawasan Falls (not canyoneering) is 50 pesos (~$1 USD), parking is another 50 pesos. If you opt to do canyoneering, tours should be around 1500 pesos (~$30 USD)
Is a guide needed:
If you are canyoneering, it’s impossible to do without a guide. However, if you’re simply parking and visiting the falls, you will not need a guide. You may be pressured to have one, but ignore this and simply walk down the paved path to where the waterfall is; Kawasan is very accessible.
What to bring:
If you are only visiting the falls, you can bring whatever you want! The path is paved, and there’s many dry places to leave your stuff. However, if you’re canyoneering I would advise wearing a bathing suit, shorts, shoes with traction you don’t mind getting wet, and only a waterproof camera.
5. Kabutongan Waterfall
The Kabutongan Waterfall is almost completely overlooked by tourists, probably because getting there is a real challenge! Unlike Kawasan falls where you can opt out of canyoneering and still experience the waterfall itself, to get to Kabutongan you have no choice but to trek into the wilderness. But that’s what makes it so fun! You’ll hike through streams, wade through water, there’s a few cliff jumps along the way and even a natural slide!
In fact, once you make it to Kabutongan waterfall, the entrance into the pool is a cliff jump! Once you’ve taken the leap, you can even swim underneath the falls and into the cave behind. This waterfall trek is definitely for adventure seekers, or anyone brave enough to take a few leaps!
Location:
Ginatilan, Cebu. About 3 hours from Cebu City, 1 hour from Moalboal, and 1 hour and a half from Oslob.
Cost:
Entrance fee is 100 pesos (~$2 USD), 10 pesos for parking, and I paid my guide 300 pesos (~$6 USD).
Is a guide needed:
Yes. Because it is a trek in and there are many cliff jumps, I would say a guide is essential.
What to bring:
Because you’re wading through water, do not bring anything you don’t mind getting wet, or have a dry bag. I wore a bathing suit with shorts, and brought only my GoPro as a camera.
Other experiences in Cebu
If you decide to visit all or one of these waterfalls, below are some resources you may need!
Tips for Visiting any of the Waterfalls on Cebu Island:
1. Bring cash
When paying entrance fees and guides, they will only accept cash. Keep in mind, often times they will not have change. Make sure to bring smaller bills or stop at a 7/11 to break larger bills.
2 Ask Locals for Directions
Although Google Maps claims to know how to reach the falls, that’s not always true. Reaching the waterfalls always starts on the main road and then usually the second set of directions is a back road. Sometimes this back road is correct, and sometimes it’s the worst possible way to go. Only the locals know best. So before turning onto a back road, ask someone if it’s right! I always stopped for a quick snack before venturing out and always confirmed directions with someone like the cashier. I always got useful information!
3. Arrive early
Although some of the waterfalls I mentioned aren’t as popular as Kawasan Falls, they still receive plenty of visitors. If you’re aiming to have a place more to yourself, arrive early. I also suggest leaving your accommodation early because that gives you more time to explore, and usually if bad weather is to come, it’s typically hits in the afternoons.
4. You can find a guide at the entrance of the waterfalls
Except for Kawasan falls canyoneering where it is often cheaper to book transportation and a guide from your hotel or hostel; at all other waterfalls the guides will simply be available upon your arrival. They will approach you or you ask for one.
5. Negotiate a price with your guide before venturing out
Except at Kawasan falls, most guides will not have a fixed price. What happens is often times they say, “You can pay me whatever you think is fair.” And when the trek is over, ask for much more than you intended to pay. I suggest negotiating a price beforehand. If you’re a larger group, you could negotiate paying less per person. However, if the guide does a lot for you such as taking pictures, carrying your bag, etc. that should be compensated for. Being on a budget is understandable but don’t be too cheap. Often times these people guide one group per day and that’s all they make.
6. Wear proper clothing
This does make a huge difference, especially if you’re doing any type of canyoneering or trekking. Wet rocks can be incredibly slippery and when cliff jumping your feet may tap the pool floor. It’s best to have your feet covered with water shoes or sandals you don’t mind getting wet and muddy.
For women or anyone who typically wears a bathing suit that does not cover your legs, I suggest also wearing shorts to prevent chaffing or uncomfortable rubbing on rocks as you slide down them, etc.
Where to Stay in cebu when Visiting the Waterfalls
No matter which waterfalls you decide to visit, I suggest staying somewhere in Moalboal. Cebu City is most likely where you’ll fly into, however, I recommend heading south immediately to where the adventure happens. Moalboal is about 2-3 hours drive from Cebu City. It’s a perfect central location with plenty of accommodation and food available. There is also plenty of activities around, such as hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling and of course, the waterfalls! The most popular area is staying somewhere along Pangsama Road, although staying close to the beach isn’t a necessity. The coast of Moalboal is known for incredible diving and snorkeling, however the beach itself is not the perfect place for sunbathing, so inland is just as good an option.
There are many budget options in Moalboal for both hostels and hotels . Hostel form rooms range from $6 -15 USD per person, and private rooms/hotels range from $15 – 50 USD per room (2019 prices, there may be slight change).
For hostels I recommend Chief Mau Moalboal Hostel which is cheap, clean and the beds have a bit of privacy OR Moalboal Backpacker Lodge which is more social and highly rated.
Because hotels are so cheap, if you’re a couple, even on a budget it’s worth it to get a private room.
For hotels in the the $20 – $30 USD range, I recommend Pescador View Beach Resort & Restaurant, Beyond Island, Garden Village Resort, and Crazy Bears Hostel. All of these options are highly rated and great quality for price.
If you’d like a step up then I recommend Pescadores Suites Moalboal.
Getting to Moalboal
In order to reach Moalboal from Cebu City, it is possible to rent a car, but otherwise I suggest taking the bus. This is really the only other option, which happens to be incredibly cheap, very efficient, safe, and much more practical.
Buses leave from Cebu City about every half hour, running back and forth between the north and south of the island. So it’s incredibly easy to jump on a bus (no booking beforehand required), and simply get off at your stop in Moalboal. And did I mention the drive is beautiful?! I planned on sleeping on the bus, but ended up staring out the window watching trees and mountains pass by and Filipino people going about their day, only stopping to wave happily at me if my staring eyes happened to catch theirs.
To take the bus:
simply go to Cebu South Bus Terminal, tell them where you’re going (Moalboal). They’ll give you a ticket which is 150 pesos (~$3 USD); the ticket will have a number on the back which is your bus number. You simply find your bus and take a seat. Keep in mind, buses with AC are slightly more expensive (without AC it’s about 100 pesos), if you’re worried about this inquire as to which bus you want, however, they’ll probably assume you want AC. On the bus, hold onto your ticket in case they ask for it. The stops will be announced so you just jump off at Moalboal!
Once there, there are plenty of tricycle taxis to take you to your accommodation, be sure to haggle! To Pangsama road, they ask for about 200 pesos. Locals typically pay about 20 pesos to go the same distance, so there is room to bargain if you would like, but be respectful and remember you’re supporting locals who live off much less than you probably do.
HOW TO GET TO THE WATERFALLS FROM MOALBOAL
The best way to reach the waterfalls, and the most fun, is by motorbike/scooter. I highly, highly recommend you do this as the drive is stunning and it provides flexibility. Renting a motorbike can usually be done from your hotel or hostel. On the island of Cebu, renting a motorbike ranges from 300 – 450 pesos (~$6-9 USD). Be sure to fill up your gas before leaving Moalboal.
If you’re not comfortable riding a motorbike, speak to your accommodation, they will be able to arrange a driver/tour or will know where to refer you.
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