Ureka Waterfalls Malabo: Swimming & Waterfall Hike
Two Waterfalls, One Day: Swimming at Ureka from Malabo
You drive from Malabo into Bioko Norte's interior, walk a beach to find two or three waterfalls depending on tide and daylight, swim in freshwater pools or the sea, eat lunch surrounded by forest and water, and return by late afternoon. The guide reads the conditions and chooses the route, so the day adapts to what's actually possible, not what a website promised.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Ureka Waterfalls and Nature
- Start early morning towards Ureka
- Take challenging tour to waterfalls
- Walk along the beach
- Observe and photograph waterfalls
- Relax and swim in sea and lakes
- Enjoy lunch surrounded by nature
- Visit two or three main waterfalls
- Return to point of origin
What’s included
Your day includes pickup from Malabo in an air-conditioned vehicle, transport to Ureka on Bioko Norte, a guided walk along the beach to view two or three waterfalls (depending on tide and daylight), time to swim in freshwater pools or the sea, lunch served during the excursion, and return transport to Malabo by late afternoon. Bottled water and all fees and taxes are included.
Times
- Monday to Friday 08:00
- Saturday and Sunday 08:30
Information
Day trip from Malabo to Ureka's waterfalls with swimming in freshwater pools, beach walk, lunch and air-conditioned transport. 8–9 hours, small groups.
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Traveler reviews
The experience
"The tide decides which falls you can reach," our guide told us before we left Malabo that morning. It's the kind of thing that makes you realize this isn't a scripted tour: the day unfolds by what the ocean does, not by a printed schedule. We picked up at dawn in an air-conditioned vehicle and drove toward Bioko Norte, the landscape shifting from town to forest as we climbed. The road itself is part of the trip. It's not a smooth transfer, it's a journey, and by the time we arrived at Ureka, we'd already seen how remote this corner of Equatorial Guinea really is.
The waterfalls themselves aren't lined up in a row waiting for you. You walk the beach, spot them falling into pools or straight into the sea, and the guide decides which two or three are reachable that day based on the tide and the time. Some drop from rock faces thick with green. Others feed into calm freshwater lakes where you can actually swim without the current pulling you. We stopped at one pool that was so clear you could see the bottom, and people waded in while others took photos from the rocks. Lunch happened on the beach. Nothing fancy, just food eaten in the open air with the sound of water and waves mixing together.
The whole day runs about eight to nine hours from Malabo, which means you're not rushed, but you're not wandering aimlessly either. Bottled water is included, the vehicle has air conditioning, and the guide handles the timing so you don't have to think about tides or distances. It's accessible for all fitness levels (you're walking on beach and rock, not climbing a mountain), and families with small children or anyone in a wheelchair can join without the tour reshaping itself around them. By late afternoon, you're back in Malabo with wet hair and sand in your shoes and the kind of tired that feels earned.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (under 4): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.
How long is the drive from Malabo to Ureka?
The total excursion is 8–9 hours including the drive, walking, swimming and lunch. The drive itself takes a few hours each way.
Can you swim at Ureka?
Yes. You can swim in freshwater pools fed by the waterfalls or in the sea, depending on which falls you visit that day.
How many waterfalls will we see?
Two or three, depending on the tide and available daylight. The guide decides which are reachable on the day of your visit.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch is included and served on the beach or nearby during the excursion.
What's included in the price?
Air-conditioned vehicle transport, bottled water, lunch, all fees and taxes. You bring swimwear and a towel.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and service animals are allowed.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes or sandals. Bottled water is provided.
Operated by Rumbo Malabo travel agency. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Ureka Waterfalls Malabo: Swimming & Waterfall Hike
8h · EN · ES · at your hotel
from US$ 449 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.