Have you been to Tumalog Falls?

The town of Oslob is not only known for its old church, an abandoned fortified settlement, watchtowers and whale sharks. There’s also a newer attraction: Tumalog Falls. Most tourists and visitors who do the whale shark swimming in Tanawan, Oslob usually include this waterfall in their itinerary.

This cascade is quite accessible and just a kilometer away from the whale shark watching area. From the main highway, there’s a signage giving the direction and its a short uphill drive. Although it is quite near the highway, it does involve steep ascents and descents.

From the waterfall entrance and parking lot, a fee is collected and going down the steep cemented road, you will already see the upper part of Tumalog Falls. It makes you excited that you’ll just hasten your pace.

The waterfall is high, probably more than a hundred feet in an area that is surrounded with forest. The water has been dammed up thus, a shallow basin has formed. The water drop is not that strong, more like a shower that staying under the drop is one of the best way to experience this cascade. A little farther from the basin is a natural shallow pool that is also good for a dip.

Before I’d visited Tumalog Falls in Oslob, I’ve only been to two others in Cebu: Kawasan Falls in Badian and Mantayupan Falls in Barili. But there are still many more in Southern Cebu.

GETTING THERE: Tumalog Falls is quite accessible that one can hire a multicab jeep or habal-habal from the whale shark watchingarea. P200 is the usual rate and will already take you to the waterfall entrance. A fee is collected. From there, a cemented road that is quite steep at the start leads to the waterfall.

Oslob is around three hours from Cebu City and there are several buses, both non-air and aircon from the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Just tell the driver where you will go down.