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Suggested Excursions around Moalboal |
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Kawasan Falls
What is it?
Kawasan Falls are where a river falls steeply down the hills above the town of
Matatinao, just south of Badian. It is actually a series of waterfalls, of which the first
is the biggest, however the scenery gets wilder and more impressive the further up you go.
How to get there
There are quite a few ways to get to Kawasan:
- The easiest is to arrange with one of the local tricycle drivers to take you there and collect
you a few hours later. This will cost about P350 for a tricycle (2-3 people) and it will take
about 30 minutes each way.
- If one of the dive boats is going to Sunken Island or Alegria, they may be willing to drop you
off, however you will have to make your own way back to Moalboal.
- There are frequent buses in the morning that will drop you in Matatinao by the church where you
start the gentle walk up the hill beside the river. Just remember that the last reliable bus back
to Moalboal passes the church at around 15.30h, so don't miss it! There are plenty of buses in the
morning, so it's far better to go and come back early. To get to Matatinao, take any bus heading
south except the Librando Lines buses, which usually stop in Badian. The fare is around
P6 each.
- Speak to Jochen at Planet Action Adventure; he frequently takes groups
to Kawasan in his pickup truck and with them explores the higher areas of the Falls. He will usually
bring lunch and it's far easier to take his truck down after the climb than to walk!
What to see
Check out the photos that Jochen has at Planet Action. The area is very pretty and
offers (cold!) fresh water bathing, a Tarzan swing and the opportunity to climb up beside the
waterfall and imitate the high divers of Acapulco! The higher up the river valley, the prettier
it gets, with places where you must swim up a gorge and clamber over rocks. Good fun!
Remember that this area is popular with locals as well as visitors, so try to avoid
the weekends and holidays otherwise you will share the place with screaming children, BBQ stands
and radios!
If you go up this far, the "Lost Falls" area, be sure to be out well before it gets dark
because it's very easy to get lost or injured in the dark. It's wiser to go with a guide (see below).
Planet Action Adventure
Jochen rents out Mountain Bikes from this operation between Roxy and Visaya
Divers. Jochen also offers a variety of guided bike tours to local spots of interest such as the
cave at Busay (1/2 day trip). Downhill adventure trips can be customised to your requirements and
usually last one or two days. You will be taken high into the mountains above Moalboal by truck and
descend by bike. On the descent, you will pass through native villages and down mountain trails
which are inaccessible to motor vehicles. For keen bikers, a "Hard Core" tour is available
which takes two days and is guaranteed to get you fit!
Jochen also makes trips to neighbouring Negros Island, to the Twin Lakes and Mount Kanlaon,
a volcano that is still active.
They offer regular bikes in addition to bikes with front suspension and all bikers
receive a specially produced "bikers map" which details points of interest. This map
cannot be obtained elsewhere and is more detailed than any officially produced map. Other excursions
offered are to nearby White Beach or
horse riding up in the mountains. For more details,
have a look at the
Planet Action Adventure web pages.
Windsurfing and Sea Kayaking
If you are interested in learning to sea kayak or to windsurf, John
Zuke can help you. If you're interested in learning, ask in one of the dive
shops and they will help you to find John.
Orchid Farm
Reto and Felix are the owners of the orchid farm
situated just outside Moalboal town. The farm is a paradise for orchid and flower lovers.
Inside the orchid farm there is also a big swimming pool where you can go swimming after
you have had your guided tour around the farm. Reto is a very skilled horticulturist and will
happily discuss his passion for orchids for hours on end if you wish! All you ever wanted to
know about orchids but were afraid to ask . . . .
Reto also has a small swimming pool at his Orchid Farm and it does make a pretty place to
spend the afternoon, especially if the weather turn a bit bad - can happen sometimes!
Moalboal Town
Moalboal Market
Around Moalboal there are several points of interest such as the
market. The
market is at its best on Sundays when many mountain folk make their way down from the mountains
with their handicrafts which are offered for sale at very reasonable prices. The men folk have
better things (26KB JPEG) to
do whilst their wives are buying and selling produce! Close to the municipal hall is the
fish market (29kB JPEG) which
is located right on the pier . . . just look for the fishing boats. If buying, don't forget to
haggle over the price!
Cock Fights
In Basdiot (a 5 minute
tricycle ride
(22KB JPEG) from Panagsama Beach) is the
cockfight arena; cockfights
take place every Saturday afternoon.
Saturday afternoon is gambling day for many Filipinos, and cockfighting is a national
passion. The visitor will be warmly welcomed and encouraged to bet. If in doubt pick a bird with
the most outrageous looking feathers! Alcohol and cockfighting go hand-in hand so don't be surprised
if beers are offered shortly after you arrive! Cockfighting is not for the squeamish . . . usually
the losing cock dies as a result of its injuries and is taken home for supper. Opposite two cocks
are put to a practice bout in the market before the big day.
Motorcycle Rental
Another way of getting around to explore the area is to rent a motorcycle. Several
places will rent you modern dual-purpose bikes. Normal procedures apply when renting bikes.
Note that helmets are not required except in Cebu City. If you plan to ride to the
City (not advisable, buses are cheaper and safer) then do get a helmet. Places that may rent
bikes include Eve's Kiosk, Roxy/Planet Island Inbound and Mollie's Place.
Hans' Aquarium
Hans has spent much of his years in Moalboal building up an enviable collection
of sea creatures. You can visit his Aquarium between 17 and 18.00h every day and have a look
at some of the shyer reef creatures such as an octopus and cleaner shrimps.
White Beach
This lovely beach is close to Moalboal and can be reached via a hour
walk, 20 minute mountain-bike ride or 10 minute motorbike ride (motorbikes can
be rented at Panagsama). At White Beach you can go snorkelling, sunbathing,
or just hang out and take it easy.
As the name suggests, the sand is very fine and white. There is little
in the way of development here - one sari-sari store and some lean-to shelters for shade
- so if you are looking for a traditional unspoilt quiet spot, this is a natural choice.
If you get thirsty, ask one of the children to fetch some coconuts for you. White Beach
can get quite crowded at weekends, and especially then keep a close eye on your possessions.
P.S. That was in 2000. Now . . . well shall we just say that it's a very different story and
the majority of the change is not (in my opinion) for the better. You can at least find something
to drink other than coconut juice though and if you go further north along White Beach it's still
like this:
There are a couple of good dive sites in this area, including "the Airport"; you can see the dive boats
moored just off the reef. There are a couple of lovely places to stay around here, including the
Serena Beach Resort and the
Blue Orchid Resort. This photo was taken at Easter
(peak season) in 2004. As you can see, fighting for space :-)
Other Activities for Non-divers
Snorkelling
Snorkelling is fantastic, try White Beach, Pescador Island or the
House Reef at Panagsama Beach. Warm, clear water and an abundance of marine
life mean that there are hours of pleasure in snorkelling.
Discover Scuba Diving
Or you may try a Discover Scuba Diving
course; the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program which is offered by all
the dive shops, allows those who never tried it to safely experience the thrill
of scuba diving. You will be able to briefly escape to a unique part of our
world with vivid colours, pristine beauty and fascinating aquatic creatures.
You can visit coral reefs bursting with marine life or go swimming with schools
of colourful fish. It's easier than you think! Blue Abyss Divers and Visaya
Divers offer the PADI Discover Scuba experience which is conducted in their
swimming pool.
Whale Watching
Whale Watching will appeal to both divers and non-divers alike.
During April, May and June, Neptune Diving can arrange one or two day safaris where
we go looking for whales around the Bohol Sea, Sulu Sea and the Tañon Strait
areas. If lucky, you may see Pilot whales, Brydes whales, sperm whales, Minke whales.
This is a relatively new activity here in the Philippines and Neptune Diving Unlimited
was the first to pioneer this type of safari for visitors to Moalboal. Forget what you
may have seen in the movies, aquarium's, zoos . . . the only way to really
appreciate the beauty of whales is to view them in their natural habitat: the Ocean.
Whale watching is much better than whale hunting!
