Kawasan Falls Canyoneering, in Badian Cebu, is the best adventure in Cebu, and probably all of the Philippines.
Starting off from high in the mountains above Kawasan Falls, canyoneering in Cebu is an amazing experience that will lead you along a canyon full of turquoise water and surrounded by tropical jungle.
In total the whole canyoneering trip takes around 5 hours of jumping off cliffs, sliding backwards on slippery rocks and rope swinging above enchanted water full canyons.
Most of the Cebu canyoneering action, rope swinging and cliff jumping are optional for those looking for more adventure. Only one or two 5 foot cliff jumps are necessary to complete the canyoneering down to Kawasan falls. So you have the option of doing it as extreme as you like.
WHERE IS KAWASAN FALLS CANYONEERING
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering is in the South of Cebu.
From Cebu City, which is where most tourists first touch down in the Philippines, the Canyoneering is around a 3 hours ride.
Most tourists will stay in Moalboal while doing canyoneering and exploring other tourist attractions in South Cebu. Moalboal is the closest tourist town to Kawasan Falls and has become popular for the Sardines run just meters away from restaurants and accommodation.
It takes around 30 minutes to cruise down to Kawasan Falls from Moalboal. Usually a canyoneering tour will include pick up from your hotel.
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If you are not going with a tour or just want to walk straight up to Kawasan Falls without doing canyoneering, you can opt to rent a scooter for 250 pesos ($5) or hail down a tricycle while in Moalboal.
The map below shows the route from Cebu City to Moalboal. And further South is Kawasan Falls. You can click on the image for live directions.
KAWASAN CANYONEERING TOURS AND GUIDES
The Kawasan canyoneering tour was one of the few activities in the Philippines where we relied on a guide and booked through an agency. After all, we had never done canyoneering before and didn’t know what to expect. And besides, using a guide is mandatory.
Tours don’t have to be a large group. In fact, our group was just me, Jacqueline and our cheerful guide.
You can book a Kawasan Canyoneering tour either in the Badian region or from one of the canyoneering shops near Kawasan Falls. A tour costs between 1500 pesos ($30) and 2000 pesos ($40).
Some tours include Osmena Peak, Montpellier Falls and/or the Sardines Run after canyoneering at Kawasan Falls.
To book a tour you can walk into one of the shops offering the canyoneering package in Badian or Moalboal. Usually, the available spots will be for the next day. If you’re limited on time it would be best to Pre-Book the Canyoneering online.
Keep in mind that Canyoneering is a regulated activity and only a certain amount of visitors are allowed each day.
If you have a tight schedule it is good to pre-book your canyoneering tour for extra peace of mind. This can be done either in person at an agency near Kawasan Falls. Or if you are staying in Moalboal, the main tourist area in South Cebu, there are shops offering tours which will include pick up and drop off at your accommodation.
IS CANYONEERING IN CEBU SAFE
In 2016 Kawasan Canyoneering was officially shut down for a few months. This was to pave way for new regulations and rules and to limit the number of visitors per day. And guides where to get certified.
So yes, Kawasan Falls Canyoneering is a safe activity. And as I said before, all the higher cliff jumps are optional.
On a side note, during or just after the rainy season, heavy rainfall may cause stronger currents in the canyons and rivers. And rocks and surfaces may be slippery. Ask the operator you are going to book with what the situation is at that moment.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT KAWASAN CANYONEERING
Canyoneering in Cebu is one of the best activities to do in the Philippines.
The tour will start in the middle of the mountains high above Kawasan falls. For the first 15 minutes you will trek while overlooking dense hills of jungle.
At this point, we were a bit confused about what to expect. We thought we would start from in the Canyon.
The actual Kawasan canyoneering follows after the short downhill trek.
Starting off in ankle and waist deep clear water, and after some clambering over rocks, the first deep pool.
The pool and rivers are so dense in colour we couldn’t believe our eyes!!
Along the way we floated in these turquoise rivers. And there is a 6 foot cliff jump which was the only one that doesn’t have any way of getting around and a small waterfall that has carved a natural slide into the rocks. This was quite fun and followed our guide’s advice to slide down backwards.
Halfway through there are a few stalls selling barbecued food and drinks. The stalls are set up in front of a narrow Canyon and a few meter high optional cliff jump.
There are 2 more cliff jumps further down (both optional). The first jump is 8 metres and the other 10 meters.
Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls is a combination of trekking, floating in turquoise rivers and cliff jumping. And all this while surrounded by jungle and canyons and seeing some of the most amazing waterfalls.
The 2 main waterfalls are near the end with Kawasan falls being one of the highlights during your canyoneering trip.
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