Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
Central Visayas

CEBU [Samboan]

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Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
This is one of the reasons I have high standards when I visit waterfalls, rivers and canyons. Cebu definitely has raised the bar when it comes to chasing picture-perfect waterfalls.
📍Dau Falls
🇵🇭SAMBOAN ADVENTURE PRIMER🇵🇭 
 
✈️🛳🚌 How to get to Samboan, Cebu:
⏺ Take a plane from Metro Manila to Mactan-Cebu Airport (e.g. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia).
⏺ Hail a taxi to get to South Bus Terminal.
⏺ Ride a bus with the signboard Bato via Barili and alight at the town proper of Samboan (travel time: 4.5 – 5 hours).
⏺ Hire a motorcycle that will take you to the waterfalls.
⏺ Alternatively, you may fly via Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport then ride a tricycle to Sibulan Port. Take the fastcraft bound for Liloan Port, Santander (travel time: 20 – 30 minutes depending on sea condition). Transfer to a bus en route to Cebu City then alight at Samboan (travel time: approximately 30 minutes).
 
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
The municipality of Samboan was part of my adventure leg during my first Cebu trip in 2015. After a quick visit to Tumalog Falls of Oslob, my friend and I made our way to this laid-back town of Southern Cebu.
📍Aguinid Falls
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
We were able to see Dau, Binalayan, Balay’g Sawa and Candayvic Falls that afternoon then continued our tour at Aguinid Falls the next morning.
📍Dau Falls
🏄🏝🚴 Sites to Explore/Activities:
 
⏺ Dau/Dao Falls
📌Register and secure guide/s.
📌The trek from the jump-off to reach this waterfall takes about 20 – 40 minutes depending on your pace.
 
⏺ Binalayan Hidden Falls / Triple Drop Falls / Bonbon Falls
📌Register and secure guide/s.
📌Trek for about 15 minutes to get to the waterfall.
 
⏺ Aguinid Falls
📌Register and secure guide/s.
📌The trek to reach all five levels of Aguinid Falls takes about 45 minutes – 1 hour.
📌There are portions of the trek that is quite technical and you would need to scramble to get to the next level of the waterfall. Prepare to get wet so waterproof your belongings.
 
⏺ Candayvic Falls
📌Trek for about 10 – 15 minutes to get to this waterfall.
 
⏺ Balay’g Sawa Falls
📌Confirm with your motorcycle driver if you can still visit this waterfall. No one goes here anymore as it’s no longer cleaned and maintained.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
I fell in love with the waterfalls of Cebu that’s why I decided to visit these pieces of paradise again when I came back in 2018. This time, I already got a mirrorless camera to produce much better versions of these waterfalls for my portfolio.
📍Aguinid Falls
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
Originally, Samboan and Ginatilan were not included in our itinerary but because Dumaguete is just near Liloan Port of Santander which connects the island of Cebu to Negros, I reckoned we could do a day tour of these town’s waterfalls.
📍Dau Falls
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
Our tour guide in Siquijor took us early to the port from our accommodation in San Juan in order for us to catch the first trip of fastcraft bound for Dumaguete. It was a good thing that the sea was calm so the boat ride was quick. The moment we arrived in Dumaguete, we rented a tricycle to reach Sibulan Port. The ride from Sibulan to Liloan Port was much faster. We had our breakfast first at the port while waiting for our contact from Samboan.
📍Aguinid Falls
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
We left our huge backpacks first at the house of our motorcycle driver so it won’t be a hassle to trek to the waterfalls. Our first stop was Ginatilan then we went straight to this waterfall afterwards.
📍Dau Falls
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
I was already expecting some changes compared to when I first visited this waterfall so I was not really awed by the time we parked by the registration area. The road leading to the jump-off to Dau Falls is now cemented.
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
Among the waterfalls that can be found in the municipality of Samboan, Dau Falls has the longest trail before you reach the tallest cascade. You will be trekking upstream and walking through some picturesque canyons just like this one.
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
I immediately noticed the change in Dau’s trail. According to our guide, some of the typhoons which battered the province the previous years have caused this.
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
You may already take a swim in these canyons as you trek farther up towards the main cascade of Dau Falls. Just be careful as there are deep portions though.
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
There was only one group when we arrived here at the highest cascade. After a few more minutes, they decided to leave so we got the place to ourselves. It was a weekday after all.
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
The cascade was not that strong during our visit considering it was dry season. At least the waterfall was not dried up though compared to other waterfalls in the country every dry spell.
Dau Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
We captured lots of photos before going back to the jump-off. We also took photos along the trail.
⏰⏳ SAMPLE ITINERARY (Southern Cebu):
 
DAY 1
5:00 PM ETA Mactan-Cebu Airport
7:00 PM ETA accommodation
 
DAY 2
4:00 AM Check-out / ETD for South Bus Terminal
5:00 AM ETD for Sibonga
7:00 AM ETA Simala Church
9:00 AM ETD for Dalaguete
10:30 AM ETA Dalaguete / check-in
11:30 PM Osmeña Peak
1:00 PM Lugsangan Peak
3:00 PM Kandungaw Peak
5:00 PM Head back to accommodation
 
DAY 3
5:00 AM ETD for Oslob
7:00 AM ETA Tumalog Falls
9:00 AM ETD for Bato Terminal, Santander
10:30 AM ETD for Samboan
12:00 PM ETA Samboan / check-in
1:00 PM Explore Samboan’s waterfalls
6:00 PM Head back to accommodation
 
DAY 4
5:00 AM Wake-up call
6:00 AM Explore Ginatilan’s waterfalls
8:00 AM Check-out / ETD for Alegria
9:30 AM ETA Alegria / check-in
11:00 AM Explore Alegria’s waterfalls
5:00 PM Head back to accommodation
 
DAY 5
5:00 AM Wake-up call / check-out / ETD for Badian
7:00 AM Kawasan Falls
8:00 AM Kabukalan Spring
10:00 AM ETD for Moalboal
11:30 AM ETA Panagsama Beach / check-in
1:00 PM Pescador Island
5:00 PM Head back to accommodation
 
DAY 6
5:00 AM Wake-up call
6:00 AM ETD for Basdaku Beach
7:00 AM ETA Basdaku Beach
11:00 AM Check-out / ETD for Barili
1:00 PM ETA Mantayupan Falls
3:00 PM ETD for Cebu City
5:00 PM ETD for Mactan-Cebu Airport
 
💰💶 ESTIMATED BUDGET (for a solo traveler exploring Southern Cebu): Php 10,000 – Php 12,000 (exclusive of airfare)
***Expenses may vary depending on the type of accommodation you will avail and personal consumption of food and other necessities. If traveling alone, you will solely shoulder the guide fees, tricycle/motorcycle transfer and tour rates and boat rental fees.
Binalayan Hidden Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
We had our quick lunch at one of the eateries then continued our waterfall circuit here at our third stop that day, Binalayan Hidden Falls.
Binalayan Hidden Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
The trek was short and easy but the hot weather was perfect for a cold dip. The place really brought back memories when we reached this first level of Binalayan Falls.
Binalayan Hidden Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
This is the main cascade of Binalayan. Its swimming area may be small for a large number of people but it’s actually deep. I could still remember that adrenaline rush during my first visit when I jumped into the water from the top portion of Binalayan’s stone wall. Also known as Bonbon Falls or Triple Drop Falls, this waterfall is normally crowded during weekdays. Thank the gods we were the only tourists at that time.
Binalayan Hidden Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
We only stayed for a couple of minutes and took our time as we leisurely walked back to the registration area. We shot some pictures along the way while savoring the cool breeze of the vegetation covering us.
📜✏️ Tips/Reminders:
📌It is possible to visit the waterfalls of Ginatilan and Samboan in one day but make sure you start your tour early.
📌Please keep in mind that buses with “Bato via Oslob” signboard will pass by Sibonga, Dalaguete and Oslob while buses with “Bato via Barili” signboard will pass by Barili, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Ginatilan and Samboan. Both routes meet at Bato Terminal in Santander.
📌You can hire a van if you are traveling with a group to save on time.
📌Expect rain and muddy roads/trails during monsoon season (June-February).
📌Always observe the LNT principles.
 
☎️ Contacts:
📌Van for hire: Kuya Tata (09776350200)
📌Motorcycle Driver/Tour Guide: James Gerzon (09229379005) – you may hire him to take you to the waterfalls of Samboan and Ginatilan.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
We set off en route to our last destination to complete our waterfall list. The moment we reached the registration area of our last destination in our itinerary, I already knew why Binalayan Falls and Dau Falls were not crowded. Almost all of the locals and tourists have flocked to this waterfall which is probably the most famous in Samboan.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
Who wouldn’t want to take a dip in Aguinid’s amazing pools? This spot by the way is the first thing that will welcome you as it’s just a few meters away from the registration area.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
I was filled with wonder the first time I visited Aguinid Falls in 2015. The turquoise water flowing down its limestone walls is to die for.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
More tourists continued arriving by the minute. But I made it very clear to our two guides that I wanted to capture photos of good quality without photobombers for my blog. I didn’t come back to Samboan all the way from Manila for nothing. They were very much supportive and told me that I didn’t need to worry. The barangay officials close down the waterfall by 5:00 PM and we would stretch and maximize our time until the tourists had left my frames so I could shoot my pictures.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
Don’t forget to waterproof your belongings since you will get wet as you scramble on all fours to scale the levels of Aguinid Falls.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
You will pass by a number of pools where you can swim as you trek upstream. This fun-filled adventure usually lasts for roughly one hour but it may take longer depending on your pace and duration of picture-taking. You will be accompanied by two guides.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
We waited for other tourists to finish taking photos at this part before we had our turn to shoot. The majority of visitors usually end their tour at Level 5 but Aguinid has more cascades, albeit more challenging. We capped off the day swimming here at the fifth level then went back to the registration area.
Aguinid Falls, Samboan, Cebu, Philippines
Our day trip in Southern Cebu was a success! After washing up, our motorcycle driver took us back to Liloan Port. We were just right in time for the magnificent view of sunset as our fastcraft cruised Tañon Strait towards the island of Negros.

***For other destinations in Cebu and Central Visayas, you may visit this link.

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