South Cebu
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Kawasan Falls
Turquoise pools, jungle walls and three levels of waterfalls in Badian. Swim, float on a bamboo raft or arrive the fun way, by canyoneering down the river.
Kawasan Falls is the waterfall most people picture when they think of Cebu. In Barangay Matutinao in Badian, on the southwest coast, clear mountain water tumbles over limestone into pools of an unreal turquoise blue, framed by jungle and canyon walls. It is an easy walk from the main road, so you can come for a relaxed swim, or arrive the adventurous way at the end of a canyoneering trip down the river.
Check before you go
Kawasan has had rehabilitation and maintenance work in recent seasons, and parts of the falls area can close at short notice. Ask the Badian tourism office or your canyoneering operator for the latest a day or two before you travel.
Contact: message the Badian Tourism Office on Facebook.
Why go to Kawasan Falls
- Turquoise pools that look almost too blue to be real, especially on a sunny day.
- Three levels of falls, from the busy main pool to quieter cascades further up.
- Canyoneering: jump, slide and swim down the canyon and finish at the falls.
- An easy walk in from the highway, so it works as a day trip or a stop on a South Cebu loop.
The falls and the pools
The first level is the big one: a wide waterfall dropping into a large pool, with cottages and tables along the edge. You can rent a bamboo raft and float right under the falling water, which is a lot of fun and makes a great photo. Life vests are available and usually required for swimming, and it is worth wearing one: the water is deep in places.
Walk further up the trail to the second and third levels. They are smaller, often quieter and just as pretty. The second level is where canyoneering groups make their final jump into the pool.
Canyoneering to Kawasan
The famous Badian canyoneering trip starts upriver in the hills of neighbouring Alegria and follows the river canyon down to Kawasan. Expect a few hours of river trekking, swimming, natural slides and cliff jumps, most of them optional. Read our Alegria canyoneering guide for the full story.
Canyoneering is regulated, and you must go with an accredited guide. Packages usually include the guide, helmet, life vest, river shoes, the motorbike ride to the start and the environmental and entrance fees, but always ask what is included. Trips can be paused after heavy rain or for safety checks, so confirm the day before.
How to get to Kawasan Falls from Cebu City
- Go to the Cebu South Bus Terminal.
- Take a bus to Bato via Barili, which runs down the west coast. Do not take the Bato via Oslob bus, which goes down the east coast. The ride takes about 3-4 hours.
- Ask the conductor to drop you at Kawasan Falls in Matutinao, Badian.
- Register at the entrance, pay the fees and walk about 10-20 minutes along the river to the first level.
Leave Cebu City early, before 6 am if you can, to beat both the traffic and the crowds. Fares and fees change, so check them on the day. If you are staying in Moalboal, Kawasan is a short bus, tricycle or scooter ride south.
Getting around
Buses and minibuses run along the coastal highway all day, so it is easy to hop between Kawasan, Badian town, Lambug Beach and Moalboal. Tricycles and habal-habal (motorbike taxis) cover shorter trips. Agree on the fare before you set off.
Where to stay and eat
There are simple rooms and cottages near the falls and along the highway in Matutinao, which make a very early swim easy. Many travellers stay in Moalboal instead, about 30-45 minutes away, where there are far more places to stay and eat. At the falls, small stalls and cottage restaurants sell meals and drinks.
When to go
The dry season, from about December to May, usually brings the clearest, bluest water. After heavy rain the pools can turn brown and canyoneering may be suspended. Kawasan is busiest on weekends, holidays and around midday, so go early on a weekday for the calmest pools. Repair and improvement work has been planned at the site, so parts of it may be closed when you visit.
Tips for a good trip
- Bring cash in small bills for the entrance, life vest, raft and locker.
- Wear water shoes or sandals with grip. The rocks can be slippery.
- Pack a dry bag for your phone and money.
- Follow the staff and guides, and wear a life vest if you are not a strong swimmer.
- Take your trash home and skip soap and sunscreen right before you swim.
Make a weekend of it: pair Kawasan with the sardine run in Moalboal, or a sunset swim at nearby Lambug Beach.
Photo gallery
Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.
Watch before you go
Photo: "Kawasan Falls Cebu" by Rollymagpayo, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated October 15, 2026
