Dau Falls, Samboan Cebu – Ultimate Guide For Travellers

While you’ve probably heard of the stunning waterfalls in south Cebu, you’ve probably not heard of Dau Falls.

Which is what makes this waterfall so incredibly special. We were in Moalboal for my birthday and so we were looking for something special to do.

We had heard about some of the waterfalls on the island and wanted to visit one, but honestly, we had no idea which one specifically, or how we wanted to get there, whether we wanted to book it as part of a trip or do it DIY.

However, during our journey from Cebu City to Moalboal, we made friends with some fellow backpackers from around the world. During our stay in Moalboal, one of them had been told about Dau Falls.

A waterfall we’d not managed to find during our searches on Google certainly sounded promising. The stories from those who had visited before us sounded very convincing – so, to Dau Falls we went!

How To Get To Dau Falls

Dau Falls is located 54 kilometres south of Moalboal in Samboan. As we were in a group we managed to negotiate a private transfer from Moalboal to Dau Falls.

We paid 2000 pesos for 5 people in a private car, that would take us to the falls, wait for us and bring us back.

One of the people we had met in Cebu had found a guy who works for a private transfer service and negotiated with him for a car for 5 people.

There is a tours office located next to the French Cafe on the way to the beach. Here you can organise a tour or private transfer. Alternatively, you can hire a scooter and drive to the falls on your own. Parking at the waterfalls is 10 pesos.

There are a number of places you can hire scooters in Moalboal both in the main town or further into the beach are at Panagsama Beach. If you don’t feel confident on a bike or scooter, check some of the local tour operators for private hire or taxis for the day.

It may cost you more in travel but well worth it, especially if you plan to do more than one of the waterfalls in the area.

Panagsama beach itself doesn’t have any taxis. The only ones you see will be dropping off tourists from the city. However, if you would prefer to hire a taxi instead of hiring a scooter then we suggest heading to the main town of Moalboal.

Dau Falls Entry Cost

The cost to enter was 60 pesos per person. There is an additional optional cost for your guides. You are given a guide or two (depending on your party size) to take you to the falls and back.

While they are not essential as you can clearly see the path in which to take, it is wise especially for those not local to the area or used to the hiking conditions.

We got these sunglasses for hiking, especially for our trip to The Philippines – if you plan on doing a lot of hiking during your trip they are well worth checking out.

They took photos of us while also guiding us so we were confident with our direction despite it not being necessary. However, it’s nice to think you’re supporting the locals in this small way.

It isn’t obligatory to pay the guides but we chose to as a group as they were very helpful and sweet. There is an additional fee of 10 pesos if you wish to park.

Guide To Dau Falls

Once you arrive you will be shown to a little station area where you will need to sign in.

After signing in you will meet your guide(s) and they will take you to the falls and back. You can do the route alone but honestly if you have any kind of accident or get lost it isn’t worth it, the guides are very helpful.

The guides are very friendly and will ask about where you are from and if you plan to do any of the other activities in the area during your stay.

The first part of the hike is a series of concrete steps going down to the valley. These can be a little steep but there is a handrail to hold onto. There are roughly 200 steps down to the valley.

You will then be required to cross a bamboo bridge to get over a small ravine to continue on the hike.

Once you are down in the valley you will start the real hike to the waterfall.

While we knew we were going to be wading through water and possibly getting wet, we didn’t want to bring too many electronics or valuables.

We chose to take essential money, a GoPro for filming and photography and a bottle of water.

The hike then takes you up and down the riverside and hillside following the water to the waterfall. We found the hike to the waterfall fairly straight forward but on the route back it was harder and slippier on the rocks and mud.

Any time we had to climb higher up rocks or steps there were some bamboo railings or handrails to help create a barrier and support.

Along the hike, there are a number of other clear blue pools and streams that you can walk through. Each is as beautiful as the last, though not all are safe to swim in.

While on our walk to the falls we saw roughly 4 people in total, as the waterfalls are already fairly quiet there is no real need to go at a certain time.

The hike takes roughly 20 minutes to get to the waterfall. Once we arrived at the waterfall there was a semi make-shift bench from a couple of bamboo sticks. These made a perfect place to store our bags and shoes while we went swimming.

There is then a slope down towards the clear blue pool at the base of the waterfall which can be a little slippy, thankfully our lovely guides helped us down to the pool. If you plan to wear water shoes you will be fine.

The pool itself is no deeper than 2-3 meters, the deepest point of the pool in at the very point the waterfall joins the pool area.

Within the pool at the waterfall, you will be able to see tiny snails and small fish. Though we would suggest going in the morning so you can have plenty of time to enjoy the waterfall.

We stayed roughly 1 hour within the waterfalls area exploring and swimming. There was a small pool that followed on from the main pool area that was a lovely spot to sit and take in the views.

The waterfall is a limestone wall into a turquoise pool at the bottom, the water then cascades down again to create a winding river.

Of course, there are a number of waterfalls in the Samboan region, the most popular being Kawasan falls which are visited by over 1000 people each day.

Dau Falls is actually known as one of the tallest set of waterfalls in the Samboan region.

Once we arrived at the waterfall there was a semi make-shift bench from a couple of bamboo sticks. These made a perfect place to store our bags and shoes while we went swimming.

There is then a slope down towards the clear blue pool at the base of the waterfall which can be a little slippy, thankfully our lovely guides helped us down to the pool. If you plan to wear water shoes you will be fine.

The pool itself is no deeper than 2-3 meters, the deepest point of the pool in at the very point the waterfall joins the pool area. Within the pool at the waterfall, you will be able to see tiny snails and small fish.

While on our walk to the falls we saw roughly 4 people in total, as the waterfalls are already fairly quiet there is no real need to go at a certain time.

Though we would suggest going in the morning so you can have plenty of time to enjoy the waterfall.

We stayed roughly 1 hour within the waterfalls area exploring and swimming. There was a small pool that followed on from the main pool area that was a lovely spot to sit and take in the views.