Cebu City: Whale Shark Swimming & Kawasan Falls Canyoneering

Highlights

• Depart directly from Cebu City or Mactan and head south in an air‑conditioned van with a dedicated driver and coordinator.
• Meet Oslob’s famous whale sharks with a guided briefing, then choose to watch from the boat or slip into the water with mask and life jacket.
• Continue to Kawasan for a guided canyoneering adventure through jungle ravines, turquoise pools, and natural rock slides.
• Take on optional cliff jumps at various heights under the watchful eye of local canyon guides.
• Experience the iconic lower level of Kawasan Falls after following the river downstream.
• Enjoy a full‑day circuit with transport, gear, and local support organized so you can simply focus on the sights and the thrill.

Tour Overview

Designed as a big‑ticket adventure from Cebu City, this day trip links two of the island’s most sought‑after experiences: swimming with whale sharks in Oslob and canyoneering at Kawasan Falls. The day starts early to get you ahead of the busiest queues and make the most of daylight in the canyon.

From hotel pickup to your final drop‑off, a local team coordinates the schedule, manages entrance fees, and provides safety gear. That means you can nap on the long drives, soak up the coastline views, and save your energy for the whale shark encounter and the action‑packed river route in Badian.

Typical Itinerary

1. Early pickup in Cebu City or Mactan – Meet your driver in the hotel lobby between roughly 2:00–3:00 AM and begin the journey south along Cebu’s coastal highway.
2. Arrival in Oslob & registration – Check in at the whale shark center, listen to a short orientation about interaction rules, and have a light local breakfast.
3. Whale shark swimming session – Board a small outrigger boat and spend a short, supervised period watching or swimming near the whale sharks with your life jacket and mask.
4. Transfer towards Badian – Travel by van to the canyoneering registration area near Kawasan, change into your gear, and receive a full safety briefing from your canyon guides.
5. Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls – Make your way downriver through a series of jumps, slides, and pools, choosing which obstacles to attempt based on your comfort level.
6. Lunch & free time at the falls – Enjoy a simple, filling meal and some time to relax or swim near the main Kawasan Falls area before drying off.
7. Drive back to Cebu City – Begin the return journey to Cebu; arrival typically falls in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on traffic and group pace.

Timings and the exact order of stops can vary based on whale shark queues, water levels in the canyon, traffic, and weather conditions.

What’s Included

• Round‑trip hotel pickup and drop‑off in Cebu City or Mactan (additional areas may be available on request).
• Air‑conditioned van transport for the full day with professional driver.
• Local coordination and licensed guide services where required in Oslob and Kawasan.
• Standard entrance and environmental fees for the whale shark viewing area and Kawasan canyoneering route, where applicable.
• Use of basic snorkeling gear (mask and life jacket) for the whale shark portion.
• Helmet, life jacket, and other standard safety equipment for canyoneering.
• Light breakfast in Oslob and a simple lunch during or after canyoneering.
• Guided canyoneering route with optional cliff jumps and rock slides.
• Basic local insurance cover as provided by the tour operator.

Not Included

• Optional GoPro or action camera rental and professional photo/video packages.
• Wetsuits, specialized footwear, or upgraded snorkel gear rentals (often available on site for an additional fee).
• Extra snacks, soft drinks, and personal purchases along the way.
• Gratuities for guides, boatmen, and drivers (tipping is voluntary but appreciated).
• Pickups from locations outside the standard service area unless pre‑arranged as an add‑on.

Accessibility & Practical Info

• This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, or for travelers with serious heart, back, knee, or mobility issues due to long drives, boat steps, and physically demanding canyoneering.
• You should be comfortable in deep water with a life jacket and prepared for a mix of hiking, climbing, and jumping on uneven terrain.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, a change of clothing, secure footwear that can get wet, and a light jacket for the cool early‑morning ride.
• Reef‑safe sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle are strongly recommended; apply sunscreen in advance to avoid affecting the water.
• Personal dry bags and waterproof cases are helpful if you plan to bring phones or cameras into the canyon area.
• Wildlife sightings (whale sharks, turtles) and specific jump heights can never be fully guaranteed, as they depend on nature and daily safety assessments.
• Expect an early start and late return; consider keeping the evening after your tour free of tightly scheduled plans.