Negros Oriental has no shortage of waterfalls, and after 10 months of living there we’d reached a point where we were going to waterfalls most locals had never even heard of. Cabuag Falls in Bayawan is one such fall, which we were taken to by our friend Klydie, a Bayawan local.
Cabuag Falls is by far one of the tallest waterfalls we’ve been to in Negros Oriental, and its sheer height alone was reason enough to make the journey out there. It might not be particularly strong, but you could say it’s one of the tallest natural showers in Negros Oriental.
READ: 23 EPIC WATERFALLS IN NEGROS ORIENTAL
WHERE IS CABUAG FALLS
Cabuag Falls isn’t on any map, but it’s not that difficult to get to if you don’t mind asking for directions. It’s located in Barangay Kalumboyan just outside of Bayawan City, which is around 2.5 hours from Dumaguete City. It’s definitely possible to do as a day trip, but we do recommend you have your own transport to and from.
We’ve pinned the turn off from the main road, which is where we parked our car and started the hike. It’s possible to find Cabuag Falls by following this road and asking locals for directions as you go, but if you’re looking for a tried and tested Bayawan waterfall guide, Klydie is your guy. He’s visited just about every waterfall in Negros Oriental, but Bayawan falls are his speciality. You can reach him on 09056482640.
WHAT TO BRING TO CABUAG FALLS
Prepare for your trip to Cabuag Falls with our must have travel essentials.
Waterproof backpack & phone case: Earth Pak 35L or 55L Heavy Duty Backpack, IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case Included (click for price)
Quick dry microfiber travel towel: Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Travel Towel (click for price)
Action camera: GoPro HERO9 Black (click for price)
Insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle (click for price)
Hiking Sandals: Teva Women’s Hurricane Hiking Sandals (click for price), Teva Mens Hurricane Hiking Sandals (click for price)
HIKING TO CABUAG FALLS
After driving a couple hours we finally reached this fork in the road which would be the starting point of our hike. If you’ve got a dirt bike, you could probably go a little further, but there was no way our Tucson was gonna make it. The cement road soon gave way to dirt and in some places, mud.
We passed rice farms and humble homes, one of which we ended up stopping at on the way home. We were caught off guard by flash flooding in the river and were invited into a sweet old man’s home to drink local Bayawan coffee and wait for the rain and flooding to pass. Nothing beats genuine Filipino hospitality.
Along the way we caught our first glimpse of Cabuag Falls in the distance. We were more motivated than ever to reach our destination. We could not believe how tall it was, even from this far out.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT CABUAG FALLS
After an hour or so of hiking, we finally reached the river, but we weren’t quite to Cabuag Falls just yet. We still had to hike upriver to the falls, and we decided to take the adventurous route by literally hiking up the river. If you don’t want to pull yourself up rocks, there’s a very clear pathway to the right of this little waterfall shown below. It will take you through the jungle and directly to Cabuag Falls.
We had finally reached our endgame, and it was a sight to behold. Cabuag Falls is immensely tall, plummeting from the cliff above and cascading down layers of moss-covered rocks. We’re not sure how much stronger the water flow gets, since we did actually visit after heavy rain and it wasn’t crazy strong. Nonetheless, it was still beautiful and worth every second of the hike.
READ: 26 BEST TOURIST SPOTS IN DUMAGUETE
PIN IT FOR LATER
WHERE TO STAY NEAR DUMAGUETE
Most people who visit Negros Oriental are told to stay in Dumaguete, but what they really mean by that is stay around Dumaguete. True, Dumaguete City has plenty of tourist inns and budget hotels, but it’s the surrounding towns of Dauin and Zamboanguita that offer the best spots to stay. There’s not a whole lot to do in the city itself, so when you stay in the nearby municipalities there’s plenty of nature to explore whilst still being nice and close to Dumaguete City. Check out our top picks for accommodation near Dumaguete City.
LUXURY: Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Dauin
Atmosphere Resorts & Spa in Dauin is the resort to stay at if you’ve got a big budget and fancy the finer things in life. Atmosphere has hosted its fair share of local celebrities and deep pocketed divers looking for the best beachfront luxury in Dauin. Read our full review of Atmosphere Resorts & Spa here.
MIDSCALE: Mike’s Dauin Dive Resort, Dauin
If you want to stay by the ocean without breaking the bank, Mike’s Dauin Dive Resort in Dauin is a comfortable midscale accommodation option perfect for diving enthusiasts. If you’ve never dived before, you can get your certification at Mike’s, and divers of all skill sets can enjoy the abundance of macro diving opportunities in and around Dauin.
BUDGET: Bongo Bongo Divers, Dauin
Bongo Bongo Divers is one of the most popular hostels in Dauin for backpackers looking for cheap accommodation in a convenient location. The rooms are simple, without any glitz and glam, but the vibe is fun and welcoming. They have a variety of room styles to choose from, ranging from couples rooms to AC or fan only dorms.
AIRBNB: Villa Amani, Zamboanguita
Villa Amani in Zamboanguita is the perfect holiday home for small families or groups of friends looking for privacy that a traditional resort or hotel can’t offer. The main house sleeps 4 with additional space for 2 in the guest house, or you can book the guest house separately if it’s just the 2 of you and you’re on a budget. The property has a swimming pool, an unbeatable view of Apo Island and kayaks to use whenever you want. Read our full review of Villa Amani here.
MORE WATERFALLS IN DUMAGUETE & NEGROS ORIENTAL:
Niludhan Falls, Bayawan
Lourdes Falls, Bayawan
Bin Bin Falls, Bayawan
Pulangbato Falls, Valencia
Upper Pulangbato Falls, Valencia
Lake Balinsasayao & Danao Twin Lakes, Sibulan
Casaroro Falls, Valencia
Swimming with Apo Island Turtles, Dauin
Original Casaroro Falls, Valencia
Tottyn Falls, Valencia
