Kawasan Falls, Cebu

Kawasan Falls lies in the forested hills above Badian, on the south-west coast of Cebu. A series of cascades pours into pools of startling milky turquoise, a colour that comes from limestone dissolved in the water.

The main falls is a short walk up a jungle path from the road, with picnic huts and bamboo rafts that take you right under the curtain of water. For more adventure, canyoneering tours start higher up the river and follow it down by jumping, swimming and sliding through the gorge, finishing at Kawasan itself.

The falls are around three hours by road from Cebu City, so we usually pair them with a night in nearby Moalboal, known for snorkelling among huge shoals of sardines. Go early to beat the crowds, and wear water shoes with good grip.