Let’s Go Chasing Waterfalls: Top 10 Awe-Inspiring Waterfalls You Must See in the Philippines

Alamada, North Cotabato

One of the most spectacular falls in the country, once you see the scenic and astonishing beauty of this nature’s obscure spectacle, you’ll realize it’s worth every bit of your effort. We must say, though, that the hike required to reach this remote beautiful destination is not for everybody.

Still, there’s something magical about the frothy whitewater that seem to gush from out of nowhere from the rocky mountainside draped in verdant sprawl of lush vines. The tallest cascade of this majestic natural wonder is 25 meters, while others are only about 5 meters high or smaller, with the entire system spanning 130 meters.


Getting There:

Asik-Asik Falls can be found specifically in Sitio Dulao of Barangay Upper Dado in Alamada, North Cotabato. It is tucked in the lower slopes of Mount Ragang which is an active volcano sitting in the boundaries of Mindanao provinces, Lanao Del Norte and North Cotabato. The nearest airport is Cotabato City airport. From there, you can make your way to the town of Midsayap in North Cotabato and travel time is at most a one-and-a-half-hour trip. To get to Asik-Asik Falls, you must endure over half-an-hour of bumpy motorbike ride and climb down the 376-stone steps before you get rewarded with the view of this awe-inspiring hidden natural beauty.

Bislig, Surigao del Sur

Dubbed as the little “Niagara Falls of the Philippines,” Tinuy-an Falls is one of the widest waterfalls in the country forming whitewater curtains and is nearly 300 feet wide and 180 feet tall.

Consist of three tiers of water cascades, visiting this falls in the morning, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, will offer you a delightful view of a rainbow beaming across the fall’s mist.


Getting There:

Found in Brgy. Burboanan, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, Tinuy-an Falls can be accessible via Butuan and Davao. The best jump-off point will be Barangay Mangagoy in Bislig City where you can hire a habal-habal or a motorcycle taxi to take you to the falls which is about an hour away.

Iligan, Lanao del Norte

Also known as Twin Falls, due to a huge rock near its brink that divides the falling water into two distinct streams, Maria Cristina Falls is the country’s second highest waterfall.

This 320-feet high waterfall features raging currents and is the source of electricity for the region, so trekking or swimming close to the falls is off-limits. Although the hydroelectric plant that taps its cascades has a viewing deck directly facing the falls and from there you can see its grand view and feel its spray. You can see the falls in its full grandeur on weekends when the dam gates along the Agus River are opened.


Getting There:

Maria Cristina Falls can be reached via Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City. It’s specifically located at the southwest of Iligan City at the boundaries of Barangays Maria Cristina, Ditucalan, and Buru-un. Easily accessible, the Maria Cristina Falls is nestled in the National Power Corporation nature park.

Badian, Cebu

Kawasan Falls is easily a stunner because of its turquoise water and amazing three-level cascades. The falls has become a tourist hotspot where one can swim around, and rent bamboo crafts to cruise around or head to the cascades for a relaxing ‘massage’.

With a height of 40 meters, the first waterfall tier you’ll spot draws the biggest crowd where visitors can enjoy swimming in its stunning basin. If you continue to the left there are stairs leading to the second and third waterfalls. Both are also deep enough for swimming, less crowded, and offer great views of the area’s natural beauty.


Getting There:

To get to Kawasan Falls from Cebu City, you can take the bus to Bato (via Barili) bound to Badian where the Falls is located. As you enter the bus, you can ask the driver or conductor to drop you off at Kawasan’s jumping-off point. Once you get off, just walk a few meters ahead and you should see giant signage that says, “This way to Kawasan Falls”. As you arrive there, locals will likely approach you and offer to guide you to the waterfalls for a fee. But a guide isn’t actually necessary as the Falls is quite easy to find.

Cateel, Davao Oriental

At almost 1,000 feet, Aliwagwag Falls is considered as the country’s highest waterfalls. And yet, that isn’t the most impressive thing about this falls, though. Comprised of over 130 smaller cascades, with heights varying from 7 ft to 110 ft, Aliwagwag is truly a magnificent sight to behold.

With too many waterfalls tiers to choose from, don’t worry about not seeing them all as one is just as stunning as the next. Most of them are deep enough for swimming too, so once you find your perfect spot, you just take a dip and snap a few photos. There’s also a bridge across the road built near the base that offers a nice view of the cascades and will take you directly to the falls.


Getting There:

Aliwagwag Falls is located in Brgy. Aliwagwag inside the protected Aliwagwag Eco Park. It is about 30 to 40 minutes away from Cateel and can be reached via Davao and Butuan.

Iligan City

Another stunning falls that can be found in Iligan City is Tinago Falls. This gorgeous secluded waterfall is consists of five tiers and towers about 240 feet into the equally appealing surrounding lush forest.

It’s whitewater curtain cascades and perfectly swimmable shimmering lagoons make this falls easily stand out from the rest, which is no wonder why it’s the most visited destination in the city.


Getting There:

Situated within the boundary of Barangay Ditucalan, Iligan City and Barangay Purakan, Linamon, Lanao del Norte, Tinago Falls can be reached either via Iligan City or Cagayan de Oro City. Tinago translates to ‘hidden in English’, which describes exactly what the falls is as you need to go down almost 500-step stairs to get to the falls

Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

As you may have guessed from its name, the majestic Seven Falls of Lake Sebu is consist of 7 interconnected falls, namely Hikong Alo (Passage) the biggest of the bunch, Hikong Bente (Immeasurable), Hikong B’Lebel (Zigzag), Hikong Lowig (Booth), Hikong Ukol (Wildflower), Hikong K’fo-i (Short), and Hikong Tonok (Soil).

Out of the seven, only the first 5 are accessible by foot, with the rest almost impassable due to difficult rocks and vegetation. For adventurers, one of the highlights, when you visit this natural grandeur, is riding a zipline that offers an amazing view of the Seven Falls.


Getting There:

Located in Brgy. Seloton, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato the Seven Falls can be accessed via the cities of Davao, General Santos, and Koronadal.

Laguna, Philippines

Also known as Cavinti Falls and with native name Magdapio Falls, Pagsanjan is one of the country’s most famous waterfalls.

Consist of three tiers, the falls’ tallest section is nearly 400 feet. You can explore the waterfalls through indigenous dugout canoe locally known as Shooting the Rapids or a hike from Cavinti. Exploring Pagsanjan is definitely an adventure-filled journey, but your efforts will be rewarded by the awesome natural beauty you’ll pass along, and of course, the amazing three-drop waterfall is a spectacle of nature that’ll surely take your breath away.


Getting There:

Located in the municipality of Cavinti, Pagsanjan Falls can be reached via two to three hours of bus ride from Metro Manila. Alighting from Santa Cruz, Laguna you can take a jeepney that’ll take you to Pagsanjan, which is about five kilometers away.

Burgos, Ilocos Norte

With its series of waterfalls that form a breathtaking stair-like scenic view that cascade into mini-drops and invigorating pools, one can’t help but be captivated by the beauty of Kaangrian Falls. This beautiful obscure gem lay hidden tucked in the equally enchanting and well-preserved lush forest of Barangay Paayas in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.


Getting There:

To get to Kaangrian Falls from Metro Manila, take a bus bound for Claveria, Cagayan. Ask the driver to drop you off at Burgos town proper. Alternatively, you can ride any bus bound for Laoag. From Laoag, you can take a van or bus bound for Cagayan. You may ask the driver to drop you off at the Kaangrian Falls bus stop. Finally, you can take a tricycle ride to take you to the trail where you’ll find these spectacular waterfalls.

Lazi, Siquijor

While Cambugahay Falls isn’t as tall and grand, still, it offers a jaw-dropping sight for its visitors. This three-tiered waterfalls come with an impressive series of small cascades of clear warm water streaming from natural springs.

The waters cascading from the falls, which turn into aqua green during the summer, form numerous lovely swimming lagoons and then flows down further into the Lazi Bay.


Getting There:

Cambugahay Falls can be found towards the East side of the island of Siquijor and is approximately a 40-minute drive from Paliton Beach. Since Siquijor is a relatively small island, getting around shouldn’t be difficult and you can easily rent scooters to explore the place.