We recently took a trip to Modessa Island in Roxas, Palawan. To make the most of our time we left Puerto Princessa early morning and made a stop along the way to the port, to this place, Olanguan Falls. Lovely multi-tiered waterfalls that you can swim in. Easy to get to, and really well kept, they are definitely worth checking out if you are in the area.

The drop off point is on the roadside and well signed. You can also find it on Google Maps. You need to take a guide, which cost us 400p, just register in the cabana next to the track.

The walk is 30-50 minutes depending on how often you stop for photographs and rest. Most of the walk is easy, with a few sections offering more of a challenge. One section has steep steps, 144 of them if I am correct. After that, you start to get onto rough terrain with some climbing over rocks, and more makeshift bamboo bridges. As you walk to the main falls you pass a few other smaller rapids and it is a lovely walk through the bush with the sounds of trickling water, birds and insects buzzing. Be sure to take lots of water to drink. There is none along the way. The falls themselves are lovely. A wide basin for swimming and tiers for climbing up and jumping off. Well constructed bamboo cabanas are available to shelter in and change rooms are well made and private.

It was a boiling hot day, somewhere around 40 degrees Celsius. The sun was ferocious and at times walking in direct sun was really hard work, but then you go beneath the canopy of forest and you relax a little. It is still ghastly hot, but somehow you manage. The children struggled walking there, so tired from a late night and so hot. FB was miserable claiming loudly ‘I love the beautiful stuff, but I’m not having any fun…’ I laughed silently so as not to upset her anymore, knowing that once she was in the cool mountain waters, her smile would return.

We made it to the main falls, the children got changed into their swimwear and went straight into the waters to cool off. BB searched for gold amongst the river pebbles and FB went ‘danger climbing’ up rocks to the next tier of falls with her dad.

Notes

Bring water, drinks and food with you, there is nothing around the place and you cannot buy water at the registration area or at the falls.

Make sure you take suncream and wear hats. There are areas of the walk in full sun.

You can carry your swimwear as there are change rooms available.