Cebu island offers visitors the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. With beautiful beaches, colorful coral, massive waterfalls, canyoneering, and whale sharks, it’s a must-visit destination in the Philippines!
The following 7 spectacular waterfalls on the southern end of the island are not-to-be-missed during your visit to this island paradise. Enjoy!
Don’t forget to check out our web story: 7 Must-Visit Waterfalls on Cebu Island
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What to Pack for Cebu, Philippines
Regardless of whether or not you choose to swim at the base of the waterfalls that you’ll be visiting, you will most likely get wet. Most of the waterfalls on Cebu Island require some easy river crossings and the trails can get slippery. So you’ll want to keep your valuables in a waterproof bag and do the trek in shoes that offer traction and that you don’t mind getting soaked.
- You’ll want to bring a swimsuit because the waterholes in Cebu are amazing! Most Filipinos swim in their clothes unless they’re under the age of six so you’ll probably feel more comfortable in a one-piece.
- It would be a shame to hike all the way to these amazing waterfalls and not go for a dip in the swimming holes at the bottom! Bring a lightweight, quick-drying towel so you can use it over and over again throughout the day.
- Many of the Cebu waterfalls involve several water crossings. And if you choose to go canyoneering at Kawasan Falls you’ll be scrambling up rocks and then leaping off of them so water shoes will help to give you traction.
- If you have expensive camera equipment that is not meant to get wet, invest in a quality dry bag prior to departing for the Philippines. If you’re not overly concerned that your bag might leak, there are plenty of dry bags for sale at shops around town and at the entrances to the more popular waterfalls.
- If you choose to hike in tennis shoes rather than water shoes, it’s a good idea to keep a pair of flip-flops in your bag as well. Oftentimes the area around the swimming holes is fairly rocky so it’s nice to have some protection for those soles.
7 Must-Visit Waterfalls on Cebu Island
1. Mantayupan Falls
Mantayupan Falls is not a popular foreign tourist destination but it’s certainly a popular swimming hole for Filipinos! There is only one waterfall and the swimming hole is quite deep so kids will need a lifejacket. Bring snacks and spend the day getting to know the locals.
Getting to Mantayupan Falls
Mantayupan Falls is about two hours southwest of Cebu City in the central part of Cebu island. Most tourists on this side of the island choose to stay in the town of Moalboal. Mantayupan waterfall is just an hour or so north of Moalboal. The road is paved so it’s easy to rent a motorbike for the day to make the trip there and back. Even if you choose to stay elsewhere, it’s still worth visiting Moalboal for snorkeling & scuba diving.
Overview of Mantayupan Falls
You’ll find plenty of locals picnicking at Mantayupan Falls but very few other foreigners so the locals will likely be quite surprised and excited to see you. There is just one large waterfall and the base gets plenty of suns so it’s perfect for swimming. Locals like to congregate on the one bamboo raft that just sits on the left-hand side since most of the swimming area is very deep.
Hike to the Falls
The hike to the falls is fairly short. You’ll need to cross a long, swinging bridge and then you’ll come to the picnic area and the falls.
Where to Stay Near the Falls
Eco-Top Inn offers air-conditioned rooms for 1,000 PHP (~$20 USD) for 24 hours and an air-conditioned music lounge for 100 PHP/hour. However, we would recommend staying in the Moalboal area where there are plenty of options for eating, drinking, shopping, and sleeping. Here’s our favorite spot in Moalboal:
Pescadores Seaview Suites
Pescadores Seaview Suites is located just south of the bustling area of town and you’ll appreciate the peace and quiet that it offers. Plus they have a stunning pool to lounge in while you’re not out exploring waterfalls!
2. Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls is the most popular waterfall in Cebu and for good reason! There are several lovely waterfalls, perfect for swimming. Plus there are plenty of restaurants and adventure opportunities. It gets crowded so arrive early for a more enjoyable experience.
Getting to Kawasan Falls
The parking area for Kawasan Falls is located right off of the Santander highway about 45 minutes south of the Moalboal neighborhood. It’s an easy drive on a motorbike or you can catch one of the red or yellow buses that run every 30 minutes. You’ll know when you’re getting close when men start running out in the middle of the street to try to take you canyoneering.
Overview of Kawasan Falls
There are three levels of waterfalls at Kawasan Falls that any visitor can access without a guide. The first is by far the busiest. There is a bustling restaurant with tables that are filled with locals sporting life jackets and chowing down. You’ve probably seen beautiful photos of couples on bamboo rafts in front of these falls. But don’t get your hopes up, all bamboo rafting adventures have been suspended indefinitely.
There is also a restaurant at the second falls. It is less crazy than the first and also gets a lot of suns, so swimming in the freezing cold water is a bit more enjoyable. You’ll probably want to spend the majority of your time lounging in the swimming hole below this waterfall. This is also the perfect vantage point to watch the canyoneering adventurers attempt their highest jump at 15 meters!
The third waterfall that you can hike to is a man-made fall that photographs exceptionally well but isn’t necessarily an ideal spot to swim.
Hike to the Falls
You’ll want to park your motorbike at the church and then walk the long, paved path to the first waterfall. The parking fee is considered a “donation” to the church but you’ll be required to give 50 PHP. Most of the trek is paved and flat. You’ll see several vendors along the route and occasionally cars and motorbikes will attempt to pass through the crowds so be careful.
Once you reach the second parking lot (reserved for vendors) the pavement ends and you’ll begin walking on a well-trafficked path. There is a restaurant and plenty of tables at the base of Kawasan Falls. If you don’t feel like eating, there are very few areas to sit and enjoy the falls or to keep your belongings (although the restaurant does offer lockers for a fee).
From the first waterfall, you’ll need to take the stairs on the left side to climb up to the second fall. There is also a restaurant here but there are fewer people.
Where to Stay Near the Falls
There are rooms available at the base of the falls for 1300 – 2500 per room depending on whether or not you need air conditioning or just a fan. However, Kawasan Falls is only a 30-minute or so drive from Moalboal which, as previously mentioned, is full of lovely hotels, delicious restaurants, and lively bars.
Activities at Kawasan Falls
The most popular adventure in the area is canyoneering. You do not need to book this in advance unless you specifically want to. There are guides literally lining the streets beginning several miles before you even reach the turn-off for Kawasan Falls. The price seems to be set at 1500 PHP per person (including lunch) or 1300 PHP per person if you’d rather skip the meal.
Your canyoneering adventure will start with a motorbike ride up to the very top where you will sign the manifest, grab an umbrella, and walk 30 minutes in the unrelenting sun to the first falls. There are some steep stairs here which can be difficult to get down but handrails make the descent easier.
Once you reach the first waterfall, you’ll strap on your helmet, tighten up your life vest, and hop in! If you are afraid of heights you really needn’t worry, many of the cliff jumps are optional (including the 15-meter jump at the end). There are also generally two options for jumping – a taller one and a much shorter one. Just tell your guide which one you would feel more comfortable with. Canyoning at Kawasan Falls is one of the best things to do in Moalboal (and in all of Cebu)!
3. Inambakan Waterfalls
Inambakan Waterfall is similar to Kawasan Falls but without the crowds! The main waterfall is beautiful and ideal for swimming, and there are several well-maintained trails so you can explore other smaller falls nearby.
Getting to Inambakan Falls
Inambakan Falls is tucked away in the hills to the east of the small town of Ginatilan. It is 34 kilometers south of Kawasan Falls making it about 50 kilometers south of Moalboal. Head south on the main road from Kawasan Falls (or north from Fantasy Lodge) until you arrive in Ginatilan. Then turn inland and follow the steep curvy mountain road to Inambakan Falls. There are a few signs and plenty of friendly locals to point you in the right direction.
Overview of Inambakan Falls
While there are several guides waiting at the entrance who would love to show you around for a small tip, this is one of the few falls that doesn’t require you to have a guide. The trail is very well maintained so it’s quite easy to find the way on your own.
The biggest and most impressive falls are the first ones you’ll see along your hike. It’s also the perfect spot to swim. Follow the stairs up the right-hand side to see all seven levels of waterfalls in the area. The trail splits near the top. Off to the left is a small fall and swimming hole but you’ll want to turn back around once you’ve seen it to follow the trail on the right side the remainder of the way.
The seventh level is a waterfall with a refreshing swimming hole and the trail abruptly ends here. You’ll probably be surprised that you saw all seven levels but count them as you go back down. The fourth and fifth levels are visible, they’re just really small. The entire hike is lush and beautiful, and it’s far less crowded than many of its neighbors.
Hike to the Falls
The walk from the parking area to the first waterfall is very short, less than 1/2 mile. There are a few sets of stairs but it’s easily accessible for any fitness level. If you continue to all seven levels you’ll need to climb some steep stairs and go through several water crossings.
Where to Stay Near the Falls
Inambakan Falls and the rest of the Cebu waterfalls in this article can be reached from Moalboal, but you’re in for a long day on a motorbike. We recommend moving to a hotel a bit further south as it’s much more pleasant to visit these waterfalls in the early morning to avoid the heat and the crowds.
Our favorite hotel in the area is Fantasy Lodge:
Fantasy Lodge Cebu
Fantasy Lodge Cebu is centrally located to visit several lovely waterfalls in southern Cebu, as well as to do some whale shark diving in Oslob. The hotel has a gorgeous pool, delicious food, and a private beach.
4. Dao Falls
The entire hike to Dao Falls is gorgeous and you’ll be rewarded with an idyllic turquoise blue swimming hole at the end. It was our favorite waterfall in all of Cebu so be sure not to miss it!
Getting to Dao Falls
After visiting Inambakan Falls, return to the main road and head south for three kilometers. Turn inland two kilometers before you reach the town of Samboan and follow the signs to Dao Falls. The road is windy and a bit confusing but anyone you encounter along the way can point you in the right direction.
Overview of Dao Falls
You’ll be required to have a guide for this hike and as with a few others, tipping is at your own discretion. We gave our guide 250 PHP but also took our time at the falls to snap some photos and swim. The falls are truly stunning. The walls surrounding it are a greyish color and the water is milky blue.
Hike to the Falls
The hike to Dao Falls is one of the prettiest in all of Cebu. After a fairly steep descent into the canyon (the loose gravel is difficult to walk on), you’ll follow a trail along the river for about 30 minutes or so.
You’ll need to do a few river crossings and if water levels are high, you may be walking through waist-deep water so be prepared to get wet. It’s also pretty slippery at times so be sure your valuables are in a waterproof bag, just in case you fall in.
Your guide will likely take you back up a different way than you went down. The climb back out of the canyon is over 100 stairs and if you are there in the middle of the day you’ll probably need to take a few breaks along the way. The shade is minimal, the gravel is loose, and the stairs seem never-ending.
Where to Stay Near the Falls
Fantasy Lodge Cebu is just 15 minutes south of Dao Falls and is the most conveniently located hotel in the area.
5. Binalayan Hidden Waterfalls
Binalayan Hidden Waterfalls is not nearly as popular as the rest of the Cebu falls because it’s not nearly as impressive as some of its neighbors. But cliff jumping is great fun and the guides go out of their way to make the experience enjoyable.
Getting to Binalayan Hidden Waterfalls
Binyalan Falls is located right off of the main road just a couple of kilometers south of the town of Samboan (or 5 kilometers south of Dao Falls). Just look for the sign and you’ll find the entrance booth and small parking area less than 100 meters from the road.
Overview of Binalayan Hidden Falls
Binayalan Falls (sometimes also called Bonbon Falls or Triple-Drop Falls) is the smallest of the waterfalls we visited in Cebu. They are also the least visited, which means you might wind up with them all to yourself!
You’ll be required to have a guide for this hike which will probably strike you as being silly since the trail is so well-trodden, flat, and short (less than a mile). However, they will show you where to jump off the rocks at the last waterfall and help you get up there if your climbing skills need work. They’ll snap photos of you and even push you on the tire swing.
We thought it was worth the 250 PHP tip we gave to have our own personal photographer hanging out with us for the hour or so that we were there.
Hike to the Falls
The walk to the two waterfalls is short, flat, and well-trodden. Only the short bit at the end of the second waterfall is a bit slippery. Shoes with traction would be recommended over flip flops.
Where to Stay Near the Falls
Fantasy Lodge Cebu is just a stone’s throw away from the falls!
6. Aguinid Falls
The waterfalls of Aguinid are not only beautiful but also so much fun to get to! You’ll hike up a waterfall and crawl behind another to check out the hidden cave. It’s a good mix of relaxing swimming and adventurous hiking, and it’s a photographer’s dream.
Getting to Aguinid Falls
You’ll find the road for Aguinid Falls just a short 650 meters south of Binalayan Falls. It’s the second most popular waterfall in southwest Cebu (behind Kawasan Falls) so it’s well signed and easy to find. There are several free parking areas on the road leading to the falls. We were skeptical at first, but it seems they are just hoping you’ll make a purchase at their store before or after visiting the falls.
Overview of Aguinid Falls
Once you arrive at the entrance to the falls, you’ll need to stop at the booth and pay your entrance fees. You’ll also be assigned two guides and given a quick safety briefing. Apparently, they’ve been attempting to establish the guide program for three years. At the time of writing, it was still in the works so you aren’t required to pay your guides but you are expected to tip them. We read in advance that 100 PHP per guide was standard for the 1.5-hour trip. We gave each 300 PHP because we took our sweet time taking photos along the way.
There are five waterfalls in total and, of course, the most impressive one is at the end. There is a small cave in the middle of the waterfall and your guide will help to hoist you up and the other guide will take photos of you from down below.
Hike to the Falls
There are five waterfalls in total. The distance between each is short but you’ll be expected to scramble up several rocks and climb a waterfall while using a rope. The rock is limestone so it provides a surprising amount of traction. You will most certainly get wet during this hike so wear either water shoes or tennis shoes that you don’t mind being soaked.
The guides are very attentive and helpful throughout the entire hike. They’ll carry your bag if you need it, lend you a helping hand, and get some amazing photos and videos of you along the way.
Where to Stay
Fantasy Lodge Cebu is just 2 km south of Aguinid Falls.
7. Tumalog Falls
Tumalog Falls has a minimal water flow but the cliffs that surround the swimming hole below are quite impressive. You’ll be in awe of the majestic beauty of the entire area!
Getting to Tumalog Falls
Tumalog Falls is just a short 10-minute drive from the whale shark watching area in Oslob. If you hired a tricycle to take you to go whale watching it’s easy to ask them to tack this stop on for a small fee. And if you have a motorbike it’s super convenient to get to after you’re finished snorkeling.
Overview of Tumalog Falls
Tumalog Falls is more of a water trickle as there isn’t a whole lot of water cascading into the pool below. But the steep cliffs rising overhead make for a picturesque spot regardless. Plus there is a pool at the bottom that is full of Garra rufa fish which are known for chowing down on dead skin. Soak your feet for 20 minutes or so for an all-natural foot spa.
Hike to the Falls
From the parking area, you’ll need to walk down an incredibly steep paved road to reach the falls. It doesn’t take long, it’s only about a quarter of a mile, but it’s rough on the knees. Several entrepreneurial motorbike drivers are doing a booming business bringing visitors back up to the top for 30 PHP per person.
Where to Stay Near the Falls
L & M Hearthstones Lodge
L & M Hearthstones Lodge is close to the whale shark watching area and offers vibrantly colored spacious rooms. The pool is stunning and everyone on staff is super friendly and helpful.
Nearby Activities On Cebu Island
Cebu, and more specifically Oslob, is known for the whale sharks that congregate nearby. And divers and snorkelers are almost guaranteed to spot at least one. However, the way that the tour operators guarantee this up-close-and-personal experience is by chumming the water.
Many people would argue that this is really harmful to the whale sharks because it domesticates them, causes them not to fear people, and makes it difficult to return to the wild to feed themselves. Be sure you do your research before deciding whether or not you’d like to participate.
Know of any other amazing waterfalls to explore in Cebu? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
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Inambakan falls was by far our favorite! Great ready and super helpful for people looking to visit these places!
Nicely done! Helped me plan my itinerary in Cebu as I’ll be coming in from Siargao and then heading to Coron after Cebu. Written with quiet observation and journalistic finesse. This is my 3rd trip to the Ph but the first to the Cebu mainland, and this piece made it a slam dunk.
Hello and thank you for the great info! We will be coming from Boracay to Cebu. We would like to see at least Inambakans Falls, Dao, Aguinid, Kawasan, & I think Binalayan & Tumalog if not too far apart. Once we finish on Cebu we will be going either to Bohol or Siquijior next, whichever makes sense for the easiest, quickest travel. Would you please suggest how many days we need for these falls? is it best to just do one a day or are there some close by that it makes sense to do a couple in one day? Maybe it is too crowded by afternoon & best to do each in the morning? We would also appreciate if you are able to suggest the order that makes sense so we are not crossing back & forth. We will be there in the end of April. So the questions are:, best order, number of days needed & then move on to Bohol or Siquijor? We will be going to both islands, just wondering which order makes to most sense. After those two, on to Siargao. Thank you very much for any suggestions!
Best regards,
Gina
Hi Gina, Thanks for reading our blog! The waterfalls are arranging in our blog from north to south and they are all along the southwestern side of Cebu. So the order you should visit them is the same order they are listed in the article: Kawasan, Inambakan, Dao, Binalayan, Aguinid, and then Tumalog.
Kawasan will take you at least half a day to visit – probably close to a full day if you want to do the canyoning. Inambakan is quite large as well and you could easily spend a half-day there. It’s also the busiest of the waterfalls and the one you would probably want to visit early in the morning to beat the crowds.
The other 4 waterfalls are not so big and you could see Dao, Binalayan, and Aguinid all in a single day (those 3 are quite close together).
Tumalog is quite far from the other waterfalls, but it is close Oslob (where the Whale Sharks are) and to Liloan – where the ferry leaves to Siquijor). So you could potentially visit Tumalog Falls in the morning and then catch the ferry to Siquijor. All total you’ll probably need at least 3 days to see those 6 waterfalls though 4 days would make it a little less rushed.
Regarding your last question, I think it makes the most sense to go to Siquijor after visiting the waterfalls on Cebu. There is a ferry to Siquijor from Liloan on the southern tip of Cebu. Then you can catch a ferry from Siquijor to Bohol.
Hope that helps!
Nick