From Cliffs to Waterfalls: Canyoneering Adventures in Cebu, Philippines

Picture this: we're about 345 miles southeast of Manila, in the heart of the Philippines' Visayas region, Cebu, the "Queen City of the South." It’s this amazing blend of old-world charm and the energy of a growing city. Cebu City itself buzzes with life, but beyond the urban sprawl, the province opens up into everything you dream a tropical paradise would be - beaches, historic sites like Magellan’s Cross and Fort San Pedro, and festivals that make the whole island feel like it's alive.

But what really stole the show for us was something I still can’t stop thinking about: canyoneering in Badian, a small town about 65 miles southwest of the city. If you’ve never heard of it, imagine hiking, swimming, cliff jumping, sliding down waterfalls - basically every childhood daydream rolled into one adrenaline-packed adventure.

We booked with a group called Highland Adventure Tours, and on this cool, slightly overcast morning, things kicked off with a motorcycle ride (which was its own tiny thrill) to the starting point. After signing in and getting a quick orientation - you know, the "try not to die" kind of talk - we set off. It started easy enough with a 15-minute walk, but before long, we were scrambling down steep jungle trails with the river just teasing us from the distance.

And then, we got there... and wow. The river was this impossibly clear turquoise, framed by huge boulders and towering limestone cliffs. It was like walking straight into a postcard. And without much time to overthink it, we were standing at our first jump - a 12-foot cliff staring back at us. Heart racing, I took a deep breath... and jumped.

From there, it just kept getting better. We swam through calm pools, climbed over slippery rocks, and at one point, we stumbled onto this natural rock slide, smoothed out by years of rushing water. Whether you slid feet-first or headfirst (for the daredevils), it was a total rush.

Soon enough, we found ourselves at another cliff. This one, about 15 feet high. I’m not going to lie - I hesitated for a second, thinking about all the life choices that brought me there. But the high from the first jump was still buzzing in my veins, so before I could psych myself out, I leapt again.

The thing I loved most was how the adventure felt customizable in a way - if you weren’t feeling a big jump, there was usually an alternate route you could hike down instead. But even skipping a jump didn’t take away from how exhilarating it all felt.

Midway through, we hit something completely unexpected - a few food stalls. Right there, tucked into a narrow canyon along the river. At first, it felt surreal - how did they even get grills out here? But honestly, knowing the Filipino spirit, it made perfect sense. Of course there would be someone selling barbecue and cold drinks in the middle of a canyon. Of course.

Right after that, we came across another jump - 20 feet this time. Optional, but come on, how could I pass it up?

A little later, we reached one of the highest jumps of the day. You had two options: take a natural water slide down or jump from about 30 feet up. And you know me - the jump was calling my name. Standing there, heart hammering, I sprinted forward and threw myself off the edge. For a split second, it felt like flying. I swear, I can still feel that rush if I close my eyes.

After a bit of a breather at some picnic tables (where we caught our breath and tried not to think about how sore we’d be tomorrow), we found a rope swing that let us channel our inner Tarzan - another wild splash into the turquoise pools.

Finally, we made it to Kawasan Falls - the grand finale. The last jump was the biggest and definitely the most intimidating. It was a bit tricky getting there too: narrow, slick trails and steep edges that made you concentrate on every step. When we reached the ledge, we were 35 feet up. I stood there for a moment, taking deep, slow breaths, feeling the whole crazy day catch up to me - the laughter, the nerves, the pure childlike joy. And then... I leapt one last time.

It was absolutely surreal. Like hitting the pause button on life, just for a second, to remember what it feels like to be completely alive.

We also put together a little video that (fingers crossed!) captures even a piece of the energy, joy, and pure wonder we felt on this adventure. Take a few minutes to watch - you might just feel like you’re right there jumping with us.

Canyoneering in Cebu wasn’t just an adrenaline fix. It was about soaking in some of the most stunning natural beauty I’ve ever seen - the vibrant water, the thick jungle, the towering rocks - all while pushing myself past my own edges. And doing it alongside some of the people who mean the most to me? That made it perfect.

If you ever find yourself in Cebu, promise me one thing: go canyoneering. It's something you’ll be talking about over glasses of wine for the rest of your life.