Guidebook
Lonely Planet Philippines
Lonely Planet · 2024
Covers Cebu for Kawasan, Laguna for Pagsanjan and Mindanao for Maria Cristina and Tinuy-an.
Philippines · Cebu
Kawasan Falls
Bright turquoise, mineral-rich pools step down through limestone in southwest Cebu, the finishing point of one of the Philippines' most popular canyoneering routes, which involves jumping and rappelling down a series of gorges upstream. Bamboo rafts ferry visitors closer to the base curtain for photos.
Finish line of the Philippines' most popular canyoneering route Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Kawasan Falls drops 40 metres (131 ft) on the Matutinao. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Badian, with CEB the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Kawasan Falls is number 7 on our list of the most adventurous waterfalls. As a tiered waterfall, a series of distinct drops, one below the other.
What you can do here
CanyoningCheck operators and availability
SwimmingCheck operators and availability
Zip linesCheck operators and availability
Planning one of these? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities — SafetyWing is one option.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Dry season (Jan-Apr) gives the clearest turquoise pools for canyoneering and swimming.
Entry: Entry fee ~50-100 PHP
Getting there
- Base town Badian
- Airport CEB
- Country Philippines
- Region Cebu, Southeast Asia, Asia
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Kawasan Falls
Philippines
Height40 mWidth—
Most similar
Pongour Falls
Vietnam
Height40 mWidth100 m
Also a tiered waterfall, of similar height and in Vietnam
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
40 m
40 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Kawasan FallsPongour FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Pongour Falls
100 m
Angel Falls is 24× taller than Kawasan Falls. Victoria Falls is 2.7× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Kawasan Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Kawasan Falls
23:45
6:30
35:49
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a BudgetRough Guides
Guidebook
The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget
Rough Guides · 2024
For a multi-country trip, one book covering the overland routes between the Southeast Asian falls on this site.
On the map
9.802, 123.3739
Quick answers
Where is Kawasan Falls?
Kawasan Falls is in Philippines (Cebu). The nearest base is Badian and the closest airport is CEB. Its coordinates are 9.8020, 123.3739.
How tall is Kawasan Falls?
Kawasan Falls drops 40 metres (131 feet). It is a tiered-type waterfall on the Matutinao.
When is the best time to visit Kawasan Falls?
Peak flow is January to April. Dry season (Jan-Apr) gives the clearest turquoise pools for canyoneering and swimming.
What can you do at Kawasan Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: canyoning, swimming, zip lines, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
Can you swim at Kawasan Falls?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Kawasan Falls, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
How do you get to Kawasan Falls?
The usual base is Badian, and the closest airport is CEB. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Entry fee ~50-100 PHP.
Nearby
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