If you read about Cebu, one of the first things that comes up is the canyoneering adventure. At first, I couldn’t really picture what it would be like. Whether it might be too dangerous and if it really deserved a spot in the top activities. Now, that I went canyoneering in Cebu, I can confirm that it is a lot of fun. If you aren’t bothered by having to jump into pools of water, you will love this canyoneering experience.

 

How to get to canyonering in Cebu

It’s very similar to how to get to swimming with whale sharks in Oslob. Some people even do both on the same day. First the whale sharks and then the canyoneering. However, I wouldn’t recommend that, since you have to get up very early for the whale  sharks and might be tired afterward. Plus, the region has other beautiful waterfalls to offer and it would be a shame to skip them.

I’d recommend to stay two nights in Oslob and hire a trycicle for the day you go canyoneering. But you could also be based in Moalboal or Badian directly. There are some neat small beach resorts with rooms starting at 900 PHP. Moalboal can also reached by bus from the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City in about three hours. Just follow the directions in the post about Oslob but hop on the bus for Moalboal instead.

The agencies or hotels will offer you tours for 1500 pesos. If you ask directly at Alegria or Badian Canyonering, the price might be 1300. Just be sure to ask what is included beforehand.

The Canyonering

Your tour should include life vests, helmets, water shoes, the guides, and transportation and entrance to Kawasan Falls. Perhaps even lunch will be included. Our transport from Oslob was not included but perhaps if you book a tour with a bigger group it might be.

There are two Canyonering Adventure Companies; Alegria and Badian. Our hotel booked the tour at Alegria for us and we were very happy with it but I couldn’t tell if the other one would have been better since I haven’t done it. But here are the differences of both tours and then you can decide for yourself:

Alegria Canyoning

+ Allegria is situated higher up stream and therefore you get to do four jumps before the other groups even see the river.

+ On top of that, the upper part of the river is less crowded since only groups from Alegria are allowed to go there. The gorges up there were stunningly beautiful and our group of five people plus two guides was alone in it! Once we got to the part where Badian joined in, it was much more crowded and their groups seemed to be bigger as well.

+ Our tour guides carried our cameras and bags for us and did their best to take great pictures.

– After a very beautiful 1.5m jump where you swim through a small arch afterward, Alegria Canyoning groups have to leave the water and climb up a steep hill for 15 minutes. After that it’s the territorry of Badian and so you won’t see the lower part of the river. The motorcycle driver transports you to Kawasan Waterfall and have to walk up to it like a normal visitor.

Badian Canyoning

+ You hike up to Kawasan Falls and get to see the lower part of the river

– the groups are bigger and you have to carry your own things and ask people to take pictures of you

My canyonering experience

When we arrived at the Alegria office, which is just a wooden building along the main road, they handed us a life vest. I asked for water shoes and they gave me a pair of worn out Nike sneakers. The guys in the group received actual water shoes made of rubber and my friend decided to wear her own sneakers. I didn’t want mine to get soaked but since we got caught in another torrential downpour later in the day which soaked everything I had with me, I could just as well have worn mine.

We could leave everything we didn’t need at the office. I wore my bikini and my surf shirt and my friend only her bathing suit below her life vest. Further, I brought a bottle of water since the tour would last three hours. I could tuck it into the pouch of my life vest. My friend brought her dry bag with her phone and some sandwiches.

Then, we had to check in in another office and received a wrist band with which they could track us in the river and that we could keep as a souvenir later.
We both hopped onto the back of a motorcycle taxi and our guy drove us up the hill to the starting point of the canyonering. There, we received a helmet and the rules. They mostly involved not leaving any gaebage in the environment.

Now, we were ready to start. We had arrived at Alegria at 9 a.m. and although there already were some other tourists waiting in the rules tent, our group was the first one to start the tour.

The canyon

After an easy five minutes walk we reached the blue, very clear river. There was no time to think about whether this tour was a good idea because we already reached the first waterfall and our first jump of 3 to 4 meters. The gorge through which the river made its way was really gorgeous 🙂 So, it didn’t take much convincing and one after another we jumped into the refreshing water.

Some swims and climbs across rocks followed as well as a few natural slides and more jumps.
After four jumps, the other canyoneering company joined into the river. They had to climb down a steep stairway (similar to one we’d have to hike up later as it turned out).
Now, followed the big jumps of 8 meters. However, they both were optional and you could just swim or climb past them.

Somewhere, we asked our guides for a small break. All those thrills, the jumping, climbing and the cold water make you hungry!
Newly fueled up we could also fully enjoy the last part of the tour. About 20 minutes after our sandwiches we reached an area where locals sold skewers and other snacks. So, if you want anything there, you have to bring some money on the tour.

Then, followed my favorite area. After a jump there came a little swim through in a cave. With the incredibly blue water, this was very pretty.
Unfortunately, our tour was over in the next pond. We had to leave the water and only Badian Canyonering carried on in the river. We had to hike up a hill through the forest for 15 minutes. I was glad that I had brought my water bottle. Surprisingly, we reached the tent where we received the rules in the morning. How could we end up back here? Our journey down the river had felt much further.

Lunch and Kawasan Falls

Our motorcycle driver brought us back to the office. There, they checked out our wrist bands and after changing into dry clothes, we were served lunch in the wooden shack next door. Rice, a chicken wing and a fried chicken leg. Luckily, it was tasty as we were hungry again.

Then, the motorcycle transported us to Kawasan Falls (normal enty price is 35 PHP). It’s the most famous one on Cebu but after having seen Tumalog and Aguinid Falls we couldn’t tell what the fuss was about. Yes, Kawasan was big (not huge) and powerful but otherwise not special. We could swim in the pond but not below the waterfall as for that you need to wear the life vest and a helmet and we had already handed that in at the office. They should have told us that! Now we were jealous at the groups of Badian canyonering that were still in their gear as their tour had brought them to the waterfall directly. However, they must have left the water a while ago since accidentally going over this waterfall would probably be deadly.

We only stayed at Kawasan Falls for about 20 minutes and then we had enough. Plus, there was more to see. Along the road we noticed many signs for other waterfalls. Since we only had time for one more waterfall on this day, we asked our trycicle driver to bring us to the most beautiful one.

What else to do apart from canyonering

Visit Aguinid Waterfall

There are many waterfalls to visit in this region but Aguinid is a must for waterfall and nature lovers!
It’s a bit pricier than other waterfalls because the entrance fee is 60 Pesos and on top of that you have to pay a guide that will help you find your way to level 6 and back down again. However, there you can give as much as you please. Don’t let that stop you from visiting the falls, they are really worth it.

Wear water shoes or shoes that can get wet as you will climb over rocks. You even climb up and down along a rope through the waterfall of level 2. We were there shortly after a heavy rain but even now the water color was stunning. A bit like Erawan Waterfall in Thailand. How beautiful it must be when the sun is out!

Can you tell me anything about a canyonering adventure or an amazing waterfall? Answer in a comment!