Tumalog Falls is a tall and wide waterfall located close by the popular tourist hotspot of Oslob on Cebu Island, the Philippines– find out how to get here, what to expect, and tips.
Although this waterfall is not known for its impressive flow of water, its sheer height and width definitely impressed us. It’s definitely worth checking out if you are in Cebu, especially for those staying near Oslob!
Tumalog Falls Location
Tumalog Falls is located within the Oslob Municipality on Cebu Island. Due to its close proximity, many people combine a visit to this waterfall with the very popular whale shark tour.
The broader township is known as Barangay Luka, which is close to the popular tourist hub and Whale Shark operations.
Location: End of Tumalog Falls Road
How to Get to Tumalog Waterfall
The best way to get to Tumalog Falls is to take a motorbike or tricycle to the Tumalog Falls car park. Those coming from Oslob should expect about a 20-minute drive to reach the parking lot.
From the main coastal road (Natalio Bacalso Avenue), the road veers off to a short drive up the hills known as Tumalog Falls Road. The turn-off for this road is located just near Tavera’s Private Resort. I've pinned the location of the parking lot on the map below.
Once you reach the car park, there will no doubt be several locals asking to take you down the hill to reach Tumalog waterfall on a motorbike. If you want to walk, it'll only take about 15 minutes downhill to the base of the waterfall.
My Experience Visiting Tumalog Falls
Once we arrived at the base of the hill, we saw a small ticketing office. To gain entry to the waterfall area, we needed to pay a 50 pesos entry fee per person. This fee goes to the Oslob Municipality and pays for the upkeep and environmental protection of the waterfall.
Tumalog Falls is actually the second most popular waterfall in Cebu. However, this is more due to the location than the caliber of the waterfall.
Opening Hours: 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Sunday.
In saying that, it's still an epic waterfall for swimming or relaxing on hot days. The maximum height of the waterfall is approximately 100 meters. As mentioned earlier, there isn't a roaring flow, consider it more of a gentle trickle along a wide, moss-covered wall.
The waterfall is surrounded by lush jungle vegetation and steep limestone cliffs. There are also some scattered rocks around the main swimming hole.
While it is great for swimming, it isn't as deep as some of the other waterfalls in Cebu. To compensate for the shallow pool, the locals have built up a row of rocks and a concrete path along the banks to trap deeper water.
What to do?
Clearly, Tumalog Falls is a great spot for swimming or general relaxing. There are also some small rock formations to explore.
Though the waterfall is the highlight, I thought that the walk down to the waterfall was also pretty epic. You can get a good view of the waterfall from the top of the hill. If you look out, you can also see the dense jungle of Cebu's interior.
There's also a free fish pedicure you can have at the base of the waterfall. Locals call this "doctor fish".
Tips For Visiting Tumalog Waterfall
If you're looking to save money, the walk down from the parking lot is pretty easy. If you aren't feeling the walk back up, however, your money is probably better spent on paying a local to drive you up the hill.
Because Tumalog Falls is located so close to the nearby Whale Shark operations, it's definitely advised to come here early. When we arrived at approximately 8 am, we were the only ones at the waterfall. However, this quickly changed around an hour later after everybody was coming straight from the Whale Shark swim.
Remember to always take any rubbish or trash with you. To help keep Cebu clean, why not get some boosted Karma points and pick up a couple of pieces to take with you?
Review: Is This Waterfall Worth Visiting?
When I first visited this waterfall a few years ago, I could tell that this waterfall was going to take off. Back then, there was already some tourism infrastructure starting to be built onto the waterfall.
Lately, I believe this has gone too far.
The enormous infrastructure built for tourists detracts from the natural beauty of the falls, rather than conserving the falls' natural beauty. Yeah, it's still a beautiful site, and the worth a visit, but if you're looking for a less commercialized and more genuine waterfall experience, you might want to check out Cambais Falls or others nearby.
Where to Stay Near Tumalog Falls
The best place to stay is in Moalboal as it's close to all of the best things to do and all the epic attractions you'll want to add to your Cebu itinerary. However, if you're planning to travel around the island, then I'd also recommend staying at:
- Cebu City/Mactan
- Oslob
- Malapascua
- Sumilon Island
Here are my 4 top picks for hostels, resorts, and hotels in Cebu for each budget.
1. Ancelle Cristo Re Moalboal
Top-rated luxury resort situated on a private beach near Moalboal where you can snorkel with sea turtles. This hotel is run by three amazing sisters who use their proceeds to support a local orphanage.
2. Bai Hotel Mid-Range
Mid-budget resort in Cebu City with large rooms, daily buffet breakfast, and rooftop swimming pool. Located close to the Cebu International Airport.
3. Chief Mau Hostel
A great hostel with a relaxed backpacker vibe in the heart of Moalboal. Large rooms, an onsite bar, and tours can be booked straight from the front desk.
4. Sumilon Bluewater Island
Stay on a pristine private island with a beautiful white sandbar and crystal-clear water for swimming and snorkeling.
While you're here, make sure to check out some of my other blog posts for more adventure inspiration on the island below.
- Siargao Travel Guide - discover the epic island of Siargao and why there are so many more things to do than just surfing
- Cebu Island Travel Guide - my ultimate adventure travel guide to Cebu
- Siquijor Island Guide - off-beat adventures in Siquijor
- Kawasan Falls - how to visit the Philippines' most famous waterfall
- 10 Best Islands in the Philippines - a roundup of my 10 favorite islands to travel to in the Philippines
- Accommodation Guides: Plan where to stay in Siargao and find great hotels in Cebu