Whale Shark Swimming & Kawasan Falls Canyoneering in Cebu

Whale sharks, a waterfall cooldown, and a three-stage canyon in one day

A full-day activity in Cebu combining whale shark swimming in Oslob with canyoneering at Kawasan Falls near Badian. You snorkel with whale sharks in the morning, cool off at Tumalog Falls, then spend the afternoon jumping, rappelling and swimming through natural rock formations before reaching the three-tiered Kawasan Falls. A local guide, transport, meals and all gear are included.

The experience

The day starts early with hotel pickup at 4am for the 2–3 hour drive to Oslob, where whale sharks gather in shallow water. You'll wear a life jacket and snorkel alongside these massive creatures in the clear blue water: the guides handle the logistics so you focus on being in the water with them. After an hour in the water, a 10-minute ride takes you to Tumalog Falls for a freshwater rinse and a break before the second half of the day begins.

Canyoneering at Kawasan starts around noon after lunch and gear prep in Badian. You'll scramble up wet rock, jump from ledges into pools, rappel down cliff faces, and swim through narrow canyon passages carved by water over time. The terrain is steep and the activity is physical (you're climbing and descending constantly), but the route is designed so groups move at a manageable pace. The canyons are narrow and the water is cold, so the gear matters: you'll wear a helmet, life jacket and aqua shoes, and carry a waterproof drybag for anything that can't get wet.

The canyoneering ends at Kawasan Falls itself, a three-stage waterfall where you can swim and rest before the drive back to your hotel, arriving around 8pm. The whole day runs roughly 16 hours from pickup to drop-off, so it's a full commitment, but it covers two of Cebu's most-visited water activities in a single booking, with one guide managing both transitions and all the transport handled for you.

What’s included

• A local guide fluent in English and Filipino.
• hotel pickup and private transport for the full day.
• whale shark entrance fee and boat ride with life vest.
• light breakfast and lunch with drinks.
• entry to Tumalog Falls.
• canyoneering entrance fee, helmet, life jacket, aqua shoes, waterproof drybag and bottled water.
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:00, 04:30 and 16:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 to 55 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Filipino

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by El Nido Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?The day starts at 4am and runs 16 hours with two physically demanding water activities, so it suits travelers with moderate fitness who are comfortable in water and ready for an early start. The full itinerary (whale sharks, a waterfall, canyoneering and a three-stage cascade) fits into one booking because the guide and transport handle both transitions.

Traveler reviews

4.75★★★★★★★★★★

16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Filipino.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are whale sharks like to swim with in Oslob?

Whale sharks in Oslob are gentle and accustomed to swimmers. They're massive but not aggressive, and you'll be in shallow water wearing a life jacket with a guide nearby. The activity is accessible even for non-expert swimmers because the guides control the pace and the water is calm.

How difficult is the canyoneering at Kawasan Falls?

Canyoneering involves climbing, jumping from varying heights, rappelling and swimming through natural pools, so it requires a moderate level of physical fitness and comfort in water. The jumps range in height and you're moving constantly, but the route is designed for groups and the guides set a pace that works for the group.

What's included in the lunch and what should I bring?

Lunch is included with one round of drinks (soft drinks or bottled water). You should bring a camera if you want photos (GoPro rentals are available for an extra fee), and any personal items you want to keep dry go in the waterproof drybag provided as part of the canyoneering gear.

How long is the drive to Oslob and back to Cebu?

The drive to Oslob takes 2–3 hours each way, and the full day runs from 4am hotel pickup to an estimated 8pm return. The whale shark portion is about an hour in the water, and canyoneering lasts roughly four hours, with travel and meals filling the rest of the day.

What is Tumalog Falls and why do you stop there?

Tumalog Falls is a freshwater waterfall just 10 minutes from the whale shark briefing area in Oslob. You stop there for a cooldown and rinse after the saltwater snorkeling, giving you a break before heading inland to Badian for the canyoneering portion.