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March 25, 2020

Canyoneering to Kawasan Falls, Cebu

Let’s take a break from all the Aussy adventure and move on to something a little closer to home. I’m not exactly an extreme sports/adventure junkie, but something in me thought it might be a fun idea to try out Canyoneering in the South of Cebu. First off, I have no idea what it is or what it entails- but the photos seem pretty cool and when you’re a blogger like me, you do it for the insta. LOL I ended up really enjoying myself though! Watch this little video we made of our adventure, and keep reading!

We called on a few of our friends to join us for a little Sunday Funday, but saturday night won over us, and Slater and I ended up doing it alone. That wasn’t exactly a bad thing though. Less people in the group mean a faster trekking pace, and less people for the guide to watch over- so I’m guessing it’s probably safer.

If you don’t have a car, you can hop on a bus at the Cebu South Bus Terminal and have them drop you off at Barangay Matutinao (in front of the Matutinao Church) for P110-130. Rates depend on whether or not the bus is air conditioned. Since it’s about a 2-3 hour journey, I suggest taking the air conditioned bus! I haven’t exactly tried it, but I heard people fight for seats, so it’s best to come early and get comfortable for the long day ahead.

We skipped this whole process and brought a car instead. We parked at Matutinao Church and met our guide there. His name is Lemuel Aspacio (lemuelaspaciocanyoneering@gmail.com  +63 926 112 0868) and you can check him out at his very well curated Instagram feed here. You will need a guide to help you navigate the canyons, and I do highly recommend Lemuel. He grew up in Badian and he knows these canyons in and out. Plus, he practically saved our lives! (You’ll see how in a bit!) Lemuel’s fee is P1,300 per person, inclusive of Habal Habal rides, a Helmet, Lifejacket, Aqua Shoes, Entrance fees and lunch at Kawasan Falls. We brought our own gear, but they will be happy to bring some for you in case you don’t have any. He also had his own aqua bag, so you can leave your camera and phones with him while you trek.

At the beginning of the journey, you’ll be asked to jump off an approximately 2-3 story high cliff into the water. Note that the cliff is not a flat platform- its quite slippery and rocky. Yep- they make you start hard! If you’re too chicken to do this (cause guys, I’m not kidding, it kind of freaks you out!), you may fall in line behind the hoards of tourists and climb down instead. Being that there were only 2 of us and we were (for lack of a better term) atat, we were forced chose to jump down.

After the jump, you slowly move forward and… well- do more jumps, and slides, and climbs. It sounds difficult, but the cool breeze makes it a whole lot easier. Also, another good thing about trekking with less people is that you get to move ahead quickly and avoid the crowd. (This also lets you take better photos :P)

And as you can see from above (and deduce from his instagram feed), Lemuel likes taking photos and asking you to pose (cheesily) for him as well! He kept asking us to stop and pose whenever the other tour groups fell behind. LOL (Maybe he knew I’d blog about this :P) I say why not? All in good fun!

I knew there would be a lot of “action” on this trip, so I chose to wear aqua leggings and a rash guard to avoid getting cuts and scrapes. Honestly though, I thought about bringing a one piece swimsuit to change into just so I could take nicer looking photos- but I figured it would be better to get into the experience instead of thinking about my pictures too much. Besides, I didn’t want to cause a tourist hold up and have angry people staring at me thinking I’m a lunatic 😛

I was mostly excited about this slide down because it seriously looked so cool! Slater got to do it before me, and it totally hyped me up even more. I made sure to turn the Go Pro on so I could take a video of me sliding down too. Guys, panoorin nyo nalang ang video below para makita nyo kung gano ka fail ang pagbaba ko LOL. Lemuel told me to keep my legs together so I put my right foot on top of the left. With the strong current pushing me down though, I ended up twisting around and lying face down while sliding down. It hurt guys!!! Buti nalang talaga I didn’t wear a swimsuit LOL.

And this is the crazy part. We were about to jump into another stream, but Slater said he wanted to take a video, so we stopped for a bit and turned on the camera. Just then, a huge branch from a tree above falls down literally inches away from us. Lemuel jumped from one side of the Canyon towards us and pushed us to the wall so we wouldn’t get hit. We were wearing helmets so even if we did, it wouldn’t have been that bad. But Lemuel wasn’t, and the branch almost cut his head! That branch was about the size of 2 large men combined! It was sharp and heavy and could easily have killed us!!! If we didn’t pause for a second- we’d definitely be goners. All of the other guides ran towards us and asked if we were okay because they heard it all the way from where they were! Guess there really must have been a guardian angel taking care of us then. Phew!

After a looong and tiring journey, we end at the beautiful, yet sadly commercialized, Kawasan Falls. There, you can relax and have lunch like we did, or you can rent a raft and enjoy the view or even go under the falls. It wasn’t quite as tranquil as it looks though. There are just one too many colorful umbrellas on the side, too many vendors, and a whole lot of tourists. So just be prepared!

From Kawasan Falls, you can walk back to where you parked and take a quick shower at the public restrooms. I’m quite the neat freak and I saw poop in there while coming in, so I skipped that part and just decided to shower at home. (TMI) On the way back, we saw a Milk Station (the first time I’ve ever seen one in my life) and thought it was a cute quaint little place for a snack. It was. Except it didn’t really taste nice. But the view was cute, and you can pee there if you need to! 😛

All in all it was a loooong but super worth it trip, and I’d definitely recommend it for a fun day trip in Cebu! So go out of your bubbles and get exploring!

210 Responses

  4. Omg! Hahahaha this is so fun!!! Will surely try this next next week hahaha. Thank you for sharing this Ms. Kryz!! Would be very helpful as i don’t know how to get there yet hahahaha you guys are so cute btw.. :*

    Reply

  7. Seriously love this post! Canyoneering is part of my bucket list but your VIDEO won me over!!! SUPER KILIIIIIIIIG!!!! GRABEH! ♥♥♥♥♥

    Reply

  8. tried canyoneering twice and still didn’t get a decent photo and video! t’was so scary! haha! but you were right! t’was very very fun experience!

    Reply

  11. 1) “I’m not exactly an extreme sports/adventure junkie…” Yeah right! LOL!
    2) It’s nice you are bringing Slater into the blog–he sounds very nice. Very best wishes!
    3) Great pix and video–Jack will be proud at how independent you’ve become, digitally speaking!
    –Mark/Ohio

    Reply

  13. You are finally bringing slater on your blog but I how I wish #KryzAndMike will be resurrected soon hahaha #TeamDiMakaMoveOn. Anyways your adventure was very fun. I hope one day I could try that too 🙂

    Reply

  17. Awwweeee! You too look so cuuuuttteeee! ♥♥♥ Finally, you brought him here in your blog. You’re the reason why I even created a snapchat account. #Slyzzie #Krater So happy for you ms. Kryz. 🙂 And by the way, it’s good to see you again (my passion talk). 😀 More powers!

    Reply

  22. Very informative thanks Ms Kryz! Will be there on oct10-14 made me more excited coz of your post. Btw where did you buy your aqua shoes and what brand thanks 🙂

    Reply

  23. Hi ate really planning to go canyoneering this sembreak. But danggg seeing your video looks really fun but so scary superr. Thankyou for posting this Ate this can help us a lot! And yeah went to that milk station and wa juy lami lol. Ps. Loveyou Slyzzzie forevs more adventures to come to the two of u lovelots xx

    Reply

  24. Great post, Kryz! 🙂

    I’m pretty blind without my glasses on so I wear contacts on a daily basis. Is it safe to wear them when canyoneering or contact lenses are not allowed? Thanks!

    Reply

  25. Hi! This is my first time to comment here but I just wanted to say that you look so happy in the video! 🙂 You’re such a ray of sunshine haha!

    Reply

  27. So you and Slater is really an item. <3 I went to Cebu early this year and never thought canyoneering is an option. We just stayed on the Kawasan falls itself and had lunch. the food is expensive and not delish btw better to bring your own food instead lol 🙂

    Reply

      1. Do I really need to wear aqua shoes for canyoneering? or OK na ang slippers like havs? parang mabato at madulas yta.

        Reply

  33. I so LOOOOOOVVVVEEEEE extreme adventures (well, for me) like that.
    nakapag Aguinid Falls din ako, parehas lang ba dyan? (except the jump and slide of course you can’t do that there hihi)
    And like you I was kinda lunatic and actually wear short shorts during my Aguinid Falls (plus the fashionable hat instead of helmet hihi) btw can you recommned me where to buy that aquatic leggings? 🙂 for future Canyoneering experience. 🙂
    TIA. and I’m so happy for you :*
    PS: I’m your super fan here hihi

    Reply

  35. You should also try AGUINID FALLS in Samboan. It’s like wall climbing but with water on the first falls (‘coz there are 5 levels of falls) I know you’ll have fun 🙂

    Reply

  38. Hi Kryz how much is the package and you have link where can I avail it. Thanks in advance! By the way. You two are so cute!

    Reply

  40. Nice blog and information Ms.Kryz very helpful for my December trip. BTW I like your shoes may I know the brand. Can’t recognize it well.

    Reply

  41. I’m excited for our upcoming trip to Cebu. Looks like you really enjoyed it. 🙂 Btw, how long did it took you to get to Kawasan Falls? 🙂

    Reply

  42. is it okay to go canyoneering when you don’t know how to swim? Can Life jacket save you already when jumping in the water and all?

    Reply

  43. hi kryz

    me and my friends are going to canyoneering too this july.
    what should we wear? to make us comportable?

    do we really need to wear rubbershoes? and did you bring bag when you have canyoneering?

    Reply

  44. Wow amazing photos! They’ve inspired me to go next week, I can’t wait 🙂 Which model of GoPro do you use?

    Reply

  46. Hi Kryz,

    Nice Blog 🙂 I’ll be in Cebu this Feb and will be doing this.

    Question, Is this area close to Oslob? I’ll be whale watching in the morning and planning to do trek after.

    Reply

  50. I got to experience this last Sunday. The struggle is so real. I am so frightened at first especially the first jump off is 20 feet *amnotsure* 🙂 but after all this mini heart attacks and muscle sores, it is all worth it.

    Reply

    1. I wore Aqua shoes, Slater wore tennis shoes. Its quite slippery so I recommend wearing something with a good grip!

      Reply

  52. Hi. I’m really interested to do canyoneering but i don’t know how to swim (even the basic strokes and floats). My boyfriend who will be my only companion doesn’t swim either. Should we pursue our canyoneering adventure? I’ll appreciate your advice. Thank you. 🙂

    Reply

  53. We’ll be visiting Cebu this 3rd week of Feb for my birthday, and this activity is part of our itinerary.
    I don’t know how to swim and I am medyo lampa. Given this action-packed journey, medyo kinakabahan tuloy ako. Haha!

    Reply

  55. Love love love your youtube video and post!! I was 95% against going canyoneering in since I cannot swim and will have to practically live in a pool for a month before my trip to cebu from san francisco to get used to not freaking out in water, but your post definitely helped me believe i JUST MIGHT have it in me to do this. Haha.

    Reply

  56. Nice blog about canyoneering and helpful indeed! We will stay for 5 days in Cebu-Bohol and planned to take Canyoneering on the First day. Do you think that’s okay and will still have the energy needed for 4 days more?

    Reply

  58. It seems Lemuel have different mobile number. Is there anyway to reach him?
    Any advise… if he is not available. Im here in Cebu until Feb 20, I wanted to experience canyoneering.

    Reply

  59. Is there another way to get to Kawasan Falls instead of canyoneering to go there? or Are kids less than 10 allowed to go canyoneering? Did you see any kids when you were there?

    Reply

    1. Hi Jazmine, kids less than 10-probably not. You have to jump quite a lot and trek so i dont recommend it. Kawasan, yes you can go directly there without the canyoneering.

      Reply

  60. Hi Kryz! Awesome photos! Im excited for our canyoonering experience this Feb 21. 🙂

    Did you edit your go pro photos? May i know what app you used?

    Thanks!!

    Reply

  61. Hi Kryz! Did you bring extra GoPro batteries with you for canyoneering? I read other blogs saying that a single GoPro battery with videos and pictures wouldn’t last. 😛 I’ll be going to Cebu for this first week of March and your blog is helpful! Thanks. 🙂

    Reply

  62. Place looks wonderful in pictures! This is a place to be when you want some adventure and nature. Aside from bringing your own car or riding on a bus, let me also suggest that you and your friends can rent a scooter or motorcycle at book2wheel.com, which me and my friends did when we visited Cebu. With motorcycle, you can hit the road without being stuck in traffic. What’s cool with book2wheel is that you can rent from them online and motorcycle will be delivered at your location immediately + they have very affordable rates!

    Reply

    2. Thank you so much for your comment. Your comment really helped me to rent a motorbike in the Philippines. I rented a motorcycle in Cebu city, Manila and Bohol using Book2wheel.com
      I was really surprised when I found out I was renting motorbike directly from local people in the Philippines. It made me so much happy to see that the money I paid for the rental will help local people to buy food. Book2wheel is a quite a good concept in the Philippines.

      Reply

  63. Hi kryz, is der any available go-pro or camera na pwede ma rent sa area during canyoneering adventure?thank you

    Reply

      1. There is po. There’s this restaurant just across the church and they’ll let you rent for some full gears for the canyo. 500/go pro. Extra charge for the better. 🙂

        Reply

  65. Hi Kryz! Ask ko lang kung dun nyo din ba mismo kinuha si Kuya Lemuel as tour guide? Or nag pa-sched din kayo? 🙂

    Reply

  67. Hi, Ms. Kryz! What time did your canyoneering activity with Sir Lemuel start? And what time did it end? Thanks

    Reply

  68. hello Ms Kryz, do you still have contact number of your guide Mr. lemuel? 🙂

    btw, your canyoneering pictures are really nice 😀

    Reply

  69. Hi Kryz! You wore aqua leggings, right. How about the shoes, may I ask what type of shoes you wore during this trip? Also appreciate if you can share what brand 🙂 thanks!

    Reply

  70. Hi! Your blog is a big help andninspiring. Thanks for sharing it.
    My hubby and i with our 2 kids, 11 and 9 years old, would be going to cebu next week. I really would like us to try canyoneering. Based on your experience, would it be safe for kids? Thanks

    Reply

  73. Hi Kryz 🙂
    Very informative blog, we wanted to try ds…
    Thou can a person who don’t knw how to swim can manage to finish d canyoneering esp d “jump off” part from cliff into the water? Thanks 🙂

    Reply

  74. Hi, Kryz!

    Was just wondering if your tour guide took you up to the third level of Kawasan Falls. Thanks!

    Reply

  76. Hi Ms. Kryz, thank you for sharing us your travel journey, its very informative. I would like to ask if you are able to count how many times you jump off the water? Thanks!

    Reply

  77. Hi, thank you for the informative page about Kawasan fall. May I know did it take you a whole full day canyoneering? If not, is there any other interesting places that worth a visit nearby the area prior or after the activities at the waterfall? Thanks!

    Reply

      1. Thank you! Another quick question: Is there a counter service or locker where we can store our belongings and collect it after the activities?

        Reply

  79. Hello, Ms. Kryz! 🙂 This post is awesome! I’m going there this weekend and thought of wearing a bikini also haha 😀 thanks for giving a heads up!

    Reply

  81. such a memorable place, i never knew what we did was canyoneering… i missed my gf,, she really love this place, if not with her i wont be able to relate to this post…

    Reply

  88. Dreaming of this place! Hope to see you soon kawasan falls!
    Anyway for those who want to rent motorbike you can at book2wheel.com

    Reply

  89. Hi! We’re going canyoneering as well on the last week of June however one of my friends is really scared of jumping off cliffs, is there always an option to just climb down for all the cliffs you’ve jumped? Thanks!!

    Reply

  90. Hi Kryz! We’re planning to go this weekend and we want to save as much as possible. Is it required to have a guide with you to go canyoneering? Also, how much is it if it’s just canyoneering (without the equipment and lunch package, etc.)? Thanks!

    Reply

  93. Oh I really love your filter applied to each photo. They look so stunning and vibrant. I will certainly do the same experience like you. Do you think that we can do it by ourselves or is it compulsory to buy a package? Thanks in advance!

    Reply

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