The Sky Blue Waters of Kawasan Falls Might Be the Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the Philippines

80 miles southwest of Cebu City in the Philippines is a series of waterfalls that are the most brilliant light blue – one blogger compares this unusual color to the of “Gatorade blue drink.”  The falls are formed from spring water that flows down the mountains near Matutinao, a barangay (a type of small town) in the city of Badian. The waterfalls form natural swimming holes that are perfect for a day of lounging and frolicking in the pristine waters.

From Cebu City, visitors can take a three hour bus ride to the Kawasan Falls park. The falls are nestled within the Mantalongon Mountain Range. A landscape of lush emerald green forests surrounds the falls and the rocky cliffs are made of limestone. Once visitors enter the park, they can walk less than a mile to the first waterfall. There are three waterfalls within the park, and visitors can swim at all of them.

There’s a $1 entrance fee to get into the falls. It’s a popular tourist attraction and the park sells souvenirs and t-shirts along the pathways to the waterfalls. There is a 15 minute uphill walk between each waterfall. At the last waterfall and the highest point of the park, there is a rope swing and plenty of opportunities for cliff diving.

Photo: valerii eidlin/Shutterstock

Though the waterfalls are a spectacular natural phenomenon, don’t expect isolated wilderness here. There are restaurants, cafes, picnic tables, and multi-colored umbrellas dotting the area around each waterfall (and it’s actually not the only place to eat near a waterfall in the Philippines; there’s a waterfall restaurant in Quezon, too).

For an even more luxurious swimming experience, some people also like to rent bamboo rafts piloted by guide, which float around the pools under the falls. At an extra charge, a so-called shower massage will take guests underneath the rushing falls. Some blogs recommend bringing your own picnic to the falls because restaurants catered to tourists are expensive.

If you’re coming from Cebu City, you can book a tour that will take you directly to the falls. Canyoneering tours are among the most popular group activities offered at Kawasan Falls – an intense physical excursion that involves climbing, cliff jumping, and swimming. However, if you prefer to travel there independently, buses run to Kawasan Falls from the cities of Cebu, Moalboal, and Oslob.

The falls are less crowded from June to December, during the rainy season. There are also fewer tourists early in the morning. The key to having the falls to yourself is to go on a weekday.