Must-Visit Waterfalls in the Philippines

Being a travel professional for most of my life, as I track the destination routes of the Philippines, I have frequently observed tourists rushing their way to our seaside resorts, which are globally recognized. They want the sandy beaches of Boracay under the sun or the rocky limestone cathedrals of Palawan. And although our beaches have been the masterpiece of nature, it is just the start of the story, including the often-overlooked waterfalls in the Philippines.

The sands of the Philippines can be likened to the smile of the Philippines, so that the waterfalls are definitely the soul of the Philippines. Many explorers ask me how many waterfalls in the Philippines actually exist; while thousands are recorded, each offers a unique spirit.  Far off in the heart of our green jungles, unheard of by the seizing engines of the tourist capitals, is a system of roaring falls and hidden lagoons. These are the spots where the earth is talking, where the air is heavy with the odours of wild ginger and the moanings of primaeval ghosts. When you seek the most majestic waterfalls in the Philippines, you are seeking the very lifeblood of our islands.

I recall a discussion I recently had with one of my friends, Julian. He had travelled a good deal, but he had begun to think that he lacked the essence of genuine discovery. We sat, and the jungle twilight came down, and I told him the secrets of the water.

This is that story. This is your invitation to go deeper.

Julian: “Beaches, Elena, I have seen. I have witnessed the white sands of Boracay and the lagoons of El Niño. Still, I believe I am losing the heartbeat of these islands. Where has the true spirit of the Philippines gone?’’

Elena: “(Going around smiling and looking at the distant treeline) The soul is not on the shore, Julian. It’s in the mountains. It is in the locations where the earth chooses to spurt. You seek the falls. It has an old saying that Nature is the art of God, and in the Philippines, waterfalls offer a spiritual clarity you won’t find on a crowded beach.’’

Julian: “Waterfalls? I never liked them very well; they seemed a little… disorderly to me.’’

Elena: “That is where you are in the wrong. They are a paradox. They are the noisiest objects in the jungle, but they make the profoundest silence in your thoughts. In order to know these islands well, you need to visit Kawasan in Cebu. It is perhaps the most famous waterfall in the Philippines for its vibrant colour.  But don’t just look at it. You must become part of it. As Rumi once said, You are not a drop in the ocean. Thou hast become the whole sea in a drop. When you are canyoneering in those canyons whose colour is turquoise, and you are leaping in the sapphire pools, you know that it is not merely that the water is around you; it is flowing through you. It’s a baptism of pure joy.”

Julian: “Turquoise? And is it really colour, or is it the postcards?”

Elena: “I promise it is bluer than the postcards. But in case you want to keep it a secret, then you have to go to Asik-Asik in North Cotabato. It doesn’t fall from a river. It breaks through a wall of solid green ferns. The mountain is even weeping with joy. I always have in my mind a beautiful quote by John Muir; it goes like this. The rivers are not beyond us but run through us, chilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, causing them to shake and to sing.”

Julian: “That nearly appears spiritual. What about the scale of it all? I want to feel small. I wish that I could be a power of the earth.”

Elena: “Then you are after Tinuyan Falls in Surigao del Sur. Many consider it the biggest waterfall in the Philippines in terms of its wide, multi-tiered curtain. They refer to it as the Niagara of the Philippines. It is a magnificent, thunderous sheet of white. In the morning, you can go, and the mist will get the light, and make rainbows in the water. It recalls what W.B. Yeats said: “There is another world, but in this world.”

It is that other world at Tinuyan. You are on a bamboo raft, the spray wetting your flesh, and the roar of the water deadening all the cares you have ever had. It is a place where the ego is lost. Exploring the massive waterfalls in the Philippines, as this one reminds us of nature’s raw power.”

Julian: “And someone who likes a touch of mystery? You said that the islands have a heartbeat.”

Elena: “There must be talk about Cambugahay Falls in Siquijor. Siquijor is the island of paganism and magic. The drops there are stepwise, like the staircase of the giant of liquid silk. It has nothing to do with the height there; it has everything to do with the rhythm. You are hanging on a rope, between the green trees and the blue water, and it is a second between you, and in that moment, you are free. If you want a comprehensive list of waterfalls in the Philippines, you will find that Siquijor holds many treasures.”

Julian: “I can now begin to see it. Not water falling over a ledge, eh?”

Elena: “Never. It is a wake-up call that life has to continue. A waterfall does not stand still, just like we cannot be as we are. As the philosopher Heraclitus said. No man will ever enter the same stream twice; it is not the same stream, and he is no longer the man. The water is new every time you come to Pagsanjan or Maria Cristina. The experience is new. You come back to the jungle a new person compared to the one who was sent there. Visiting the iconic waterfalls in the Philippines is a journey of constant transformation. Every famous waterfall in the Philippines tells a story of change.”

Julian: “Elena, you have persuaded me. I have wasted a lot of time in the sand. I believe it was time I went after waterfalls.”

Elena: “Julian, just remember that the way to the most beautiful places is not always smooth and easy. But as they say, the best is seen after the worst climbs. Don’t just take photos. And let the dust of the world be swept away by the water. The Philippines is the secret of that.”

A Travel Expert’s List of Must-Visit Cascades

Why Waterfalls Are the Ultimate Philippine Experience

I usually advise my clients that the beaches form the smile of a Philippine, but the waterfalls in the Philippines are its soul as a travel expert. Whether you visit a famous waterfall in the Philippines or a hidden gem, the feeling is the same, as recognised by the Department of Tourism Philippines. The following is the reason why you need to place them in your plan of the trip:

• The Healing Power of Ions: We are told by science that falling water forms negative ions, which elevate the levels of serotonin. You do not observe a waterfall; you experience an improved position when close to a waterfall.

• The Journey is the Destination: It takes a hike through a village, a forest, or a river to see a waterfall, as opposed to the beach, which can be reached with a car. You do the locals, you do the flora, and you do the view. To find the biggest waterfall in the Philippines, you must often venture deep into the Mindanao region, exploring natural wonders along the way.

• A Different Shade of Blue: The watercolours of the volcanic and limestone geography of the Philippines, such as milky turquoise to crystal emerald, are something you will not find anywhere in the world. Any official list of waterfalls in the Philippines will showcase colours that seem otherworldly.

Final Words for the Wanderer

When you are preparing your voyage across our 7107 islands (at low tide) with World Pinoy Flights, you need not fear having your feet wet. When people wonder how many waterfalls in the Philippines can be reached, I tell them the adventure is in the trying. The waterfalls in the Philippines are there to share their stories with you. From the smallest stream to the highest peak or the biggest waterfall in the Philippines, they are old, they are strong, and most importantly, they are beautiful. Whether you seek the tallest drop or a hidden paradise of the highest waterfalls, the journey is transformative and essential for truly authentic Philippines holidays.

FAQs about Waterfalls in the Philippines