The Best Day Trip from Moalboal: Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls

Moalboal is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers, but if you’re craving an adrenaline rush, there’s one day trip you can’t miss—canyoneering at Kawasan Falls.

By far, canyoneering was the best thing I did during my month in the Philippines. It was challenging and I did rip my pants (more on that later) but in the end, it was so much fun!

This adventure will have you jumping off waterfalls, swimming through turquoise pools, and trekking through the lush jungle.

One of the things I loved most was the camaraderie among fellow adventurers. Everyone cheered each other on, helped navigate tricky paths, and celebrated every jump conquered.

It’s the ultimate experience for thrill-seekers visiting Moalboal. Let me walk you through everything you need to know before taking the plunge!

How Much is Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls?

The standard rate for canyoneering is ₱2,100 per person ($37 USD), as regulated by local authorities. ​

This fee typically includes:​

• Guided tour: Professional guides to ensure safety and enhance the experience.​
• Safety gear: Provision of helmets, life vests, and water shoes.​
• Entrance fees: Access to Kawasan Falls and associated sites.​
• Meals: Many packages offer lunch or snacks during the activity.​

Additional options, such as a zipline to the canyon entrance, are available for an extra fee of ₱600 ($10 USD).

We also tipped our guide ($20 USD) as he moved fast to cut in front of some of the larger groups, as well as took 400 photos.

In total, it cost two people ₱6600 ($115 USD) in 2025 to go canyoneering in Kawasan Falls.

Make sure you confirm the latest rates and inclusions with your chosen tour operator, as prices can vary and may change.

Getting There and Choosing a Tour Operator

Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls is a guided activity, and a few companies offer tours leaving from Moalboal.

You can buy tickets in advance through GetYourGuide or when you arrive, ask the hotel to help you book the activity. The cost will sometimes vary depending on how many people are in your van.

Kawasan Falls (where you end the Canyoneering) is approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) from downtown Moalboal, typically a 30 to 45-minute drive.

We went with Beltram Canyoneering as that was the company our resort partnered with. You need to book in advance, they do not take walk-ins.

Their team is well-organized, friendly, and ensures that you have an unforgettable experience. Plus, they hold your phone and take photos and videos of you throughout the trip. I had 400 images and videos by the end of the tour!

Most tours include a meal. Our meal was fried chicken, shrimp, vegetables, rice, and a Coke. Since we arrived later in the day, we ate before we did the canyoneering.

Why You Should Take the Zipline

Before the canyoneering begins, you have a choice: take a zipline to the canyon entrance or hike there.

Trust me—take the zipline. It saves you from a long, tiring uphill walk and gives you a fantastic aerial view of the landscape below.

I am deathly afraid of heights and even though I thought the cables would snap and I would come crashing down to my demise for the full three minute ride, I am still glad I did it.

The trek can take anywhere from 3-4 hours and I didn’t want to add another 45 minute uphill walk to my day!

The Canyoneering Experience: Jumps, Swims, and Stunning Views

After the zip line, a short trek leads you into the canyon, which involves a downhill muddy path and rocky terrain.

There is a metal bar to hold onto as you slide down the hill, however, it was full of holes and rusty, so wear gloves if you are worried.

Within the first few minutes is your first jump. After that, you continue through the canyon, with a mix of cliff jumping, walking on rocks, sliding down rocks, and swimming.

Here are some quick notes about canyoneering near Moalboal:

• The jumps range from 3 meters to 12 meters (10 to 40 feet). Some are optional, but if you love a good adrenaline rush, go for them all!
• The water is deep in some areas, but everyone wears a life vest for safety.
• Expect cool water temperatures, not freezing but refreshing in the heat.
• The trek (not including the zip line) takes around 3 to 4 hours, depending on the pace of your group.
• You’ll navigate through caves, natural slides, and lush canyons.
• There is no bathroom for the duration of the activity except at your tour operator.
• There is one place to stop for a snack along the way, you can pay for whatever you buy once you get back to the tour operator.
• If it rains, the activity is not canceled, nor is the zip line.

What to Wear and Bring

We were not allowed to bring anything with us. Our guide gave us a snack bar and one bottle of water, which fit in the pouch of the life vest.

We left our dry bag with towels, a change of clothes, and our shoes at basecamp.

I have a life proof case on my iPhone, so we decided to use mine for pictures. The guide held the phone for us, and put it in a waterproof case if he needed to be submerged.

You should wear quick dry clothes, such as bike shorts and a shirt of similar material. I wore a tank top and the life vest did not cut into me. Unfortunately, both of our shorts ripped on the rock slide. I was in bike shorts and my partner wore a bathing suit.

Wear socks! A friend told me to wear them, and I am so grateful that I did, as small rocks get into the shoes and can cut you.

The list is short and minimal, but here is what you need to bring canyoneering near Moalboal:

• Quick-dry clothes – You’ll be wet the entire time, however, you don’t want to wear a bikini and have your bottoms come flying off on the jumps! Plus the smaller the bottom, the larger the red mark you will have as you get dragged along rocks. So choose shorts or a wide bottom bathing suit at the very least.
• Water shoes– Provided by the tour company, but if you have crocs or tevas, I would wear those.
• Socks – Wear running socks or something similar to save your feet if you plan to wear the water shoes they give you.
• GoPro or waterproof phone case – Only bring this if you are comfortable with jumping into the water while holding it. Your guide can hold your phone for you and will keep it safe.
• Chapstick – I felt dried out from all of the activity, so this is the one item I did bring with me and kept in the pouch of the life vest.

Do You Need to Be in Shape for This?

Canyoneering is physically demanding but doable for anyone with a basic fitness level. Expect a mix of swimming, climbing, and jumping, but the guides are there to help if you need assistance.

If you’re terrified of heights, the jumps might be challenging, but you can always skip them and walk alongside the jump. Sometimes the walk is scarier than the jump, however, as it’s rugged terrain on the side of a mountain.

The one thing that hurt the most the next day was the bottoms of our feet from walking on all of the rocks. Next time I will invest in a pair of Tevas!

Timeline for Canyoneering

The amount of time it takes depends on how many groups are in front of you and how fast they move. There were about 50 people when I went, and after the zipline, it took three hours.

Here is a basic timeline so you can plan your day accordingly:

• Ride 30-45 minutes to your tour company
• Arrive and sign waivers, pay for extras, get your life vest, and water shoes
• Wait for a bus to take you to the zip line
• Watch the orientation for the zip line, then get in line for the zip line
• At this point, you will be about 60-90 minutes into the adventure after arriving
• After the zipline, the canyoneering begins, which took me 3 hours
• About two hours in, you take a break and can purchase snacks (stand shown above)
• Once you exit the canyon, you then walk 25 minutes to the main road
• Wait for a bus to pick you up to bring you back to the tour operator’s basecamp
• Drive back to your accommodations, about 30-45 minutes from Moalboal

Total time from leaving my resort = 6 hours

What’s Next After Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls?

After all that adventure, you’ll probably want to relax, but here’s the thing—Moalboal itself doesn’t offer much beyond diving and snorkeling.

There are a few bars and restaurants, but the town is small, with a rugged coastline and not much in the way of sandy beaches.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, I recommend Turtle Bay Dive Resort—a peaceful retreat perfect for unwinding after an action-packed day.

Rent a motorbike to explore the area at your own pace. About 25 minutes North of Moalboal is White Sand Beach.

Try the local food at one of the small eateries in town—fresh seafood is a must! I enjoyed Lola’s, Kugita, and JG’s grill.

Book a private car to take you to swim with Whale Sharks, which is 2 hours away from Moalboal. Just make sure you arrive when they open, at 6 am. Which means you need to leave Moalboal by 4 am.

If you arrive any later, expect a 3-4 hour wait to get into the water. This is what happened to me, and I decided not to wait as I had other activities planned later in the day.

Final Thoughts

Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls is an adventure you won’t forget! Whether it’s the thrill of jumping off waterfalls, the stunning beauty of the canyons, or the rush of floating through turquoise waters, this experience is one for the books.

It pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible and leaves you with memories (and possibly some sore muscles) that will last a lifetime.

If you’re in Moalboal, add this to your itinerary. Take the zipline, make the jumps, embrace the adrenaline, and soak in the beauty of one of Cebu’s most breathtaking landscapes. You won’t regret it!

And if you’re like me and happen to rip your pants along the way—consider it a badge of honor! 🙂

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