Kawasan Falls Canyoneering from Moalboal, with Lunch: A Day Plan

Is this day worth it?

Yes, if you are moderately fit, comfortable in water and happy to get wet and scraped for most of a morning. The Kawasan Falls canyoneering tour from Moalboal with lunch is a 6-hour road-based day on Cebu's south-west coast. You follow the Matutinao River downstream through a narrow limestone canyon, then finish at the blue pools of Kawasan Falls. Lunch follows in Badian.

It is a shared tour, not a private one. The only booking format listed is a small group of up to 13 guests. It is not a gentle sightseeing stop. If you only want a photo of the falls, this is more effort than you need.

A day trip, not a city sight

Kawasan is nowhere near central Cebu City. The trip's pickup points are hotels in Moalboal, Badian or Alegria, towns along the south-west coast. Those three are the only pickup areas listed. If you are staying in Cebu City, check with Helios before booking whether your hotel is covered. Many visitors sleep a night on the coast instead, because the road south from the city takes a good part of a morning. Our guide to the best things to do in Cebu helps you decide where to base yourself.

How the day runs

Pickup and briefing (about 1 hour)

You are collected from your hotel, which takes about 30 minutes. Then comes about 30 minutes of briefing, when the guide hands out helmets, life jackets and safety gear and explains the route. Listen properly. Some sections involve walking over rock, some wading, and some swimming in deeper water where the life jacket keeps you afloat.

The Matutinao River canyon (about 3 hours)

This is the main event. You go downstream, partly on foot and partly in the water, with a licensed canyoneering guide leading. Expect wet rock, cool water and narrow limestone walls. Three hours of this is tiring, so pace yourself and do not treat it as a quick splash.

Kawasan Falls (about 45 minutes)

The canyon ends at the falls. You get about 45 minutes to swim in the pools below and rest. The water is a vivid blue and the falls are popular, so expect other visitors arriving by road. Treat this as a swim and a breather, not a long beach afternoon.

Lunch in Badian (about 1 hour)

A homemade Filipino lunch is served back in Badian, with vegetarian, vegan and halal options. Then you are driven back to your hotel.

What is and is not included

• Included: licensed canyoneering guide, helmet, life jacket and other safety gear, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off in Moalboal, Badian and Alegria, and all entrance fees and taxes.
• Not included: canyoneering shoes, a waterproof phone case and dry bag, an underwater camera, the zipline and a towel.

The shoes matter most. Rocky riverbeds are hard on bare feet, so sort out footwear in advance. Our Philippines packing list covers wet-weather and water gear. Leave valuables at the hotel unless you have a proper dry bag.

What to explore on your own

Since the tour runs for about six hours and finishes after lunch, you have the rest of the day free if you are staying nearby. In Moalboal, the Panagsama Beach area is known for snorkelling close to shore, including the sardine shoals that gather offshore. It is an easy swim, not a long trip. Alternatively, do nothing: after three hours in a canyon, a quiet afternoon is a perfectly good plan.

Oslob whale sharks are further south, but they are a different kind of outing. Read what to know before you go before deciding whether to add them. For more on the canyon itself, see our practical guide to Kawasan Falls canyoneering.

Timing and weather

Rain can change river conditions, and the Philippines has a typhoon season. If you are travelling around then, read whether island tours still run in October and November. For general seasons, see the month-by-month guide. If you are planning transfers around Cebu, getting around the Philippines explains the options.

Kawasan Falls canyoneering FAQ

How long is the tour?

The trip lasts 6 hours, including pickup, briefing, about three hours in the canyon, about 45 minutes at the falls and lunch in Badian.

Is it a private tour?

No. The only booking format is a shared small-group tour with up to 13 guests.

Where does pickup happen?

From hotels in Moalboal, Badian or Alegria. If you are elsewhere, such as Cebu City, ask Helios before you book.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You need moderate fitness and should be comfortable in water. In the deeper sections the life jacket keeps you afloat.

Can I eat vegetarian or halal?

Yes. The homemade Filipino lunch comes with vegetarian, vegan and halal options.