When it came to planning our Philippines itinerary, a trip to Kawasan waterfalls was number one on our bucket list. Weβd seen the photos and read the reviews now we were ready to see for ourselves if they truly were the best falls in Cebu. Were they really that mind-blowing blue colour or was it simply an Instagram lie that wonβt live up to the hype?
To be honest, after our visit there are a lot of rumours we want to dispel and several truths that need to be told in order to prepare your expectations before your own visit.
Also, when we were trying to figure out how to get to Kawasan falls or even the Kawasan falls entrance fee there was so much contradictory information online, or it was two years out of date. Our intention with this Kawasan waterfalls guide is to give you an honest review as well as all the necessary info you need to include this visit in your Moalboal itinerary.
HOW TO GET TO KAWASAN FALLS
Moalboal to Kawasan Falls
There is absolutely no need to book an expensive tour from Moalboal to Kawasan Falls. We were shocked how easy it was to get to Kawasan Waterfalls from ourΒ Moalboal AccommodationΒ using public transport.
We left our accommodation around 7:00 am and took a trike to the bus stop in Moalboal town. This cost 150 pesos and it was super easy to flag down a trike on the street.
From Moalboal to Kawasan Falls, you will need to catch the public bus, headed for Badain. The bus should be every half hour. However, ours was late, during which time every bus, motorbike and trike driver offered us an overpriced lift to Kawasan waterfalls. You might be tempted to do this as a quicker option but the bus is so much cheaper and to us safer as the road was pretty crazy.
The bus from Moalboal to Kawasan falls cost us 23 pesos per person for a single ticket. When you pay, ask the conductor to let you know where the Kawasan Waterfalls stop is. Make sure itβs the falls stop and not Kawasan Falls canyoneering stop β they are a few miles apart.
The bus will stop at a very obvious entrance which is a car park with a dozen vendors trying to sell Kawasan falls canyoneering tours. There is also a huge sign that says βThis Way to Kawasan Waterfallsβ so you really cannot miss it.
From here itβs a pleasant 15-minute walk to the falls. You will pass the river which is crystal clear and just as beautiful as the falls themselves. We were surprised at how well kept the road there actually was, it shows where your fee is being spent and there was even construction work taking place which looked like new changing rooms or toilet block.
Cebu City to Kawasan Falls
From Cebu city to Kawasan falls takes around 4 hours. Take a bus from the South bus terminal in Cebu headed to Badain, which is the area where the falls are located.
The bus will likely be bright yellow from the company βCeresβ and have the destination Bato on the front. Some have air-con; some donβt β weβve experienced both, and the non-aircon wasnβt as bad as it sounds. The bus station staff and drivers are so friendly so ask anyone for help if youβre unsure.
Busses from Cebu city to Kawasan Falls cost around 150 pesos with the earliest leaving at 5 am. This will mean that even if you take the first bus of the day, you will arrive around 9 am when the falls start to get busy. If you want a crowd-free experience, travelling from Cebu city to Kawasan falls isnβt the best option, instead, stay in Moalboal the night before.
KAWASAN FALLS ENTRANCE FEE
The Kawasan Falls entrance fee is 45 pesos per person. You will spot the entrance desk about halfway to the falls from where the bus drops you off. You will need to sign in with your name and nationality.
Before our visit, we were told of people being offered local guides for the remaining walk to the falls and a guide of the falls themselves however we were not offered this nor did we see other people with a guide either. Perhaps itβs seasonal or perhaps itβs only when an enterprising local chance their luck.
As well as the Kawasan Falls entrance fee we paid for life jacket hire which was 50 pesos per person. You could opt to swim without a life jacket, but as we explain in detail below, you will be restricted on where you can actually swim in Kawasan waterfalls without one. We didnβt know if this fee was a money making scheme or genuinely for public safety β perhaps both.
KAWASAN WATERFALLS
After paying the Kawasan falls entrance fee and declining a vendor or 10 offering us everything from bottled water to selfie sticks, youβll cross a bridge before arriving at the falls. You might spot the world famous blue first, or more likely the giant rainbow umbrellas from the surrounding cafΓ©.
We were both shocked and overjoyed when we arrived at Kawasan waterfalls that there was no one else swimming, despite it being 8:30 am. We were also shocked that there is a lifeguard as well as roped off areas which you are not permitted to swim in unless you wear a life jacket.
Itβs also worth pointing out that whether you hire a life jacket at the office where you pay the Kawasan falls entrance fee or whether you hire it actually at the falls, all vendors charged the same price. We worried weβd be ripped off buying nearer the falls, but this wasnβt the case. To swim under the waterfall, you have to wear them, despite how strong of a swimmer you are.
Before we went in, locals warned us that the falls are really cold and the life jackets are also to help if you in case you experience cramp due to the temperature. Being Scottish, we found them incredibly pleasant and not too cold at all. To be fair, this may be the reason there were plenty of people at the falls but just us swimming β locals find them too cold in the early morning.
How to Reach The Other Kawasan Waterfalls
When you exit the Kawasan waterfalls head to the steps on the left, these will quickly turn to a steep forest track which will bring you to a beautiful viewpoint of the falls from above. Be extra careful if posing for photos here as there are many tree roots which make excellent trip hazards, not to mention your feet/you will likely be dripping wet from your waterfall swim turning the ground to mud.
The second waterfall had a cliff jump which explicitly said you were not allowed to jump unless you had a helmet or a guide. However, as we were there in the dry season the water was quite low, so it didnβt look the safest to jump off, even with a guide.
The water was equally stunning as the waterfall below, and there were natural waterslides formed in the rocks which looked amazing if you were taking part in the canyoneering at Kawasan falls. There was also a second picnic area and numerous smaller waterfalls which all looked equally inviting to swim in.
Waterfall Number 3: The Dam
The vendor who we hired the life jackets from explained we could not miss waterfall three as not many people can be bothered to make the trek so it would be blissfully quiet. What he didnβt explain was that it was bloody hard work β especially before 9 am and without breakfast.
You will cross a small bamboo bridge (which I didnβt even attempt due to fear of falling off onto the rocks) instead I walked through the water. Following this, it is a tough climb to the 3rdΒ waterfall/dam, but thatβs why itβs the most rewarding as only the most determined make it. A further few rock paths and half a rainforest later you will come to the grand finale of the Kawasan waterfalls.
There was a small group here canyoneering, and we admit, we were a tad jealous as they slid down the natural slides in the refreshing blue pools. We were also jealous of anyone who had previously shown us photos of the Kawasan waterfalls earlier in the year when the dam was in full flow as unfortunately, it was completely dry in our visit. It was still a beautiful walk none the less, we met lots of friendly locals and enjoyed the nature of the area and while it was still cool before the sunshine hit.
CANYONEERING AT KAWASAN FALLS
As we were staying in Panagsama beach in Moalboal, every few minutes someone tried to sell us a tour for canyoneering at Kawasan Waterfalls. To save money and because we didnβt fancy jumping off cliffs, we decided against it.
However, we met several people who had done it and loved it. They also said for those (like us) that donβt fancy big cliff jumps that there are routes where you wonβt have to jump from a high height, so donβt let that put you off.
When we arrived at the falls, there were still crowds of guides trying to persuade us to buy a Kawasan Falls canyoneering tour. Admittedly, once we saw the canyoneering tours, we were a little jealous as there are so many natural waterslides and jumps which youβre only permitted to do with a guide. Also, the guides we passed were so incredibly friendly and even gave us a few pointers although we were not part of a tour.
Book your tour for Canyoneering at Kawasan Waterfalls here.
The Kawasan canyoneering price varies depending on if youβre tour includes transport from Moalboal to Kawasan. Our friend only paid around 1500 pesos while other tours last up to 5 hours and are more expensive. If youβre getting public transport from Moalboal to Kawasan falls, remember to get off at the Kawasan Falls canyoneering stop which is a few miles BEFORE the actual waterfalls stop.
A few tips we did note about the Kawasan falls canyoneering was that during our visit in April, the water was very low as it was the dry season. This may affect the canyoneering tours, so if your heart is set on doing one, maybe plan your Kawasan falls visit at a better time of year than we did (we visited Moalboal in April.)
Itβs also worth noting if you do canyoneering at Kawasan falls the grand finale is the falls themselves, so you will end there when it is much busier. Most tours start at the top around 8 am and you work your way down, ending in the falls later in the day.
KAWASAN WATERFALLS: INSTAGRAM VS REALITY
Before our visit, we had read and seen so much online which didnβt match up to reality. Below are a few truths to give you an honest insight to Kawasan Falls, which many others seem to have filtered out of photos and reviews.
Get There Early
Everyone will preach βget to Kawasan waterfalls earlyβ which is true, however, thereβs no need to set the alarm for 5 am. We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at 08:30 am, and no one was swimming. We may have been lucky, or people may be exaggerating.
We were completely alone in the falls for a good half an hour, with the odd local popping in now and again but getting out as they felt it was too cold. In all honesty, even when we left, around 20 people were swimming in the falls, but as there was so much space and so many people coming in and out, it never felt too crowded. We canβt vouch this would be the case if you rock up at 2 pm.
Wear a Life Jacket
From all the Instagram photos or blog posts weβve read no one is wearing a life jacket in the photos, yet such a huge portion of the falls is blocked off from swimmers unless youβre wearing one. You will be unable to swim under the actual Kawasan waterfalls unless you wear a life jacket. By all means, remove them for a photo or two, but you will be unable to swim further than the entrance without one, which many people don’t share.
Take A Photo on a Bamboo Raft
Spoiler alert, you canβt. You may have seen photos online of people posing on a bamboo raft, the turquoise Kawasan Falls flowing in the distance but this is no longer possible. The Bamboo rafts were, in fact, a ridiculous 500 pesos to rent, and the Badain government banned themΒ as they felt it was ripping tourists off.
In all honesty, we preferred this, as we canβt imagine wrestling against bamboo rafts as you try and swim around them. We also think it actually looks better without them as thereβs more space to swim and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Yes, They Do Run Dry
On the third section of the Kawasan Waterfalls is the dam. After the falls themselves, this is probably the most popular area you have seen photos of. In fact, friends of ours even said they had to queue to take a photo here.
However, as mentioned above when we visited Kawasan waterfalls in April, there was no water flowing into the dam. There was still the striking blue coloured pool but it looked entirely different than we expected β although beautiful none the less.
You Need To Be Physically Fit
In none of the photos online will you see the red, sweaty faces or dirty hands and knees from the slips and slides on the way up to the falls. The climb up to the second and third falls is tough.
Bearing in mind youβre only equipped with swimwear and flip flops, we expected a short 15-minute jolly to the third and final fall. Instead, we experienced a steep rocky incline, slippy steps and as mentioned above, no water in the fall. Learn from our mistakes, take plenty of water and be prepared for a sweaty hike.
Also take your time, even if you want to βbeat the crowdsβ there are limited barriers to hold on to when climbing from one waterfall to the next, not to mention the wobbly bamboo bridges to walk over so be careful. In the end, Lauren avoided them completely and walked through the water as it seemed safer.
Kawasan Waterfalls Behind The Scenes
Understandably, online you only ever see photos of the falls, so it can come as a surprise when you rock up to a fully organised tourist complex complete with cafΓ©s, picnic tables and lockers.
Itβs far more leisure centre vibes than a natural oasis. You are restricted to which areas you can leave your bags unless you pay for a locker or place them near the tables. Also, the tables themselves are only available if you hire them for a ridiculous fee.
Where to Eat at Kawasan Falls
We read this advice over and over again, βpack a picnicβ, βdonβt buy food at the fallsβ, βthe Kawasan cafes are a rip offβ etc etc. However, we completely forgot to pack snacks and as we had travelled from Moalboal to Kawasan falls at 7 am we did not fancy breakfast before swimming.
We were pleasantly surprised after ignoring all that advice as not only was breakfast cheap, but the service was super friendly, and the food was delicious. We went to LRR cafΓ© which was nearer the bus drop off than the falls themselves, however, we only paid 110 pesos for a traditional Filipino breakfast and that included coffee. The owner also let us refill our water bottles for free.
As we walked back to the bus, we also saw numerous vendors selling coconuts, homemade doughnuts and corn on the cob which was very reasonably priced. We were surprised at the value for money although cannot vouch for the cafΓ©s directly at the falls which maybe are more expensive.
We hope this Kawasan waterfalls guide gives you an honest insight and helps fill in the gaps of information which we couldnβt find ourselves online. Whether you are travelling from Moalboal to Kawasan falls or making the journey from Cebu, we can say for sure that it is worth it as it was still a highlight from our Moalboal itinerary.
Like all tourist attractions take it with a pinch of salt, remember people only share the highlights online and not the full picture. With our guide, we hope to have shared the entire picture, and you make as epic memories at the Kawasan waterfalls as we did.
This was an interesting read to compare it to when I visited last year! I went early early in the morning and they were saying that life jackets were required, but they never made me wear one. Then again, my guide and I were the only ones there at the time, so I am assuming it wasn’t too big of a deal, but I could see why it would become a rule as more and more people visit! I was also sad to find out that the bamboo rafts were no longer rentable ): it really goes to show how tourism changes a beautiful place…
Such a practical guide, this is the kind of info we actually need – the small details youβd never think of beforehand, like whether the life jackets are more expensive if you wait to rent them closer to the falls. I wouldnβt have even thought to Google that, but in the moment itβd turn out to be a concern. Thatβs also great to know about the scrambly hike – def sounds too uncomfortable in a wet swimsuit and flip flops! Iβd probably salty about having to do that lol.
The pics are all gorgeous, it seems like a cozy little oasis, even with the tables etc. How special that you had it all to yourself for awhile (I hope I could handle the cold as well as you – I think Iβd just go for it even if I was uncomfortable haha. Seems worth it)! I appreciate that you guys didnβt use any filters so we can see the natural color of the water – and it really does look that blue!! Seems like the hype is mostly warranted. I was worried you would say the trip isnβt worth it and the Insta photos are all way overrated, but despite the drawbacks it still sounds fun!
Interesting post! It’s a funny phenomenon with IG nowadays that you never really know what a place is going to be like until you go there for yourself! Thanks for sharing your true experience – we’re hoping to go to the Philippines in the next year or two so we’ll remember this!