Dao Falls: Uniquely Samboan, Distinctly Cebu

Dao Falls

The town of Samboan in southern Cebu is dotted with numerous waterfalls that rival each other in terms of grandness or uniqueness. One that has really stood out is Dao Falls in Barangay Suba.

With a height of approximately 120 meters, Dao Falls is acknowledged as the tallest waterfall in Samboan. Its water comes from the outflows of Candayvic Falls upstream gently cascading into an almost vertical limestone wall down to a beautifully turquoise circular catch basin.

Dao Falls
Dao Falls is known as the tallest cascade in Samboan

There is no easy way of getting to Dao Falls. The trail is slippery specially after the rain. But the trek is rewarding and a worthy one! The beautiful trail seems like a gorge, it takes at least 30 minutes to reach the cascade from its trailhead in Barangay Suba.

Certainly, the uniqueness of Dao Falls makes it stand out. Visually, it looks like a ladle, a huge one! Thankfully, despite its exposure on social media, this one remains generally offbeat.

Dao Falls
The beautiful yet slippery trail to Dao Falls

How to Get to Dao Falls

From Cebu City, catch a bus to Bato/Liloan via Barili/Samboan and get off at Dao Eskina. Travel time is about four hour by bus from Cebu City, fare is not more than P200.

Then from the highway, take a tricycle or single motorcycle to the trailhead, fare is P20/person (P60/trike or P40/motorbike). The trek from the trailhead takes at least 30 minutes, passing a wooden bridge and along the river sandwiched with limestone walls, as if a gorge. Entrance fee is P20, guide is required and readily available on the site for a tip-based rate.

Alternatively, you can trek for around 40 minutes from Candayvic Falls to get here.

Dao Falls
The wooden bridge near the trailhead

Chase More Waterfalls in Samboan

While in Samboan, might as well visit the other waterfalls in town including the famed Aguinid Falls, Hidden Binalayan Falls, Candayvic Falls, Calasa Falls, Marla’s Hidden Falls, Balay’g Sawa Falls, San Miguel Falls, Kanciahan Falls, Tapon Falls, Calatagan (Kang Minggay) Falls and Jumangpas (Trabon) Falls.

Comments

  1. Amiel

    This travel blog on Dao Falls can be a useful guide and a starting point for planning a trip to Samboan Town, where the Dao Falls are located. It not only discusses the route to the gorgeous Dao Falls, but it also proposes visiting nearby falls while in Samboan Town. It is an absolutely fantastic blog since it promotes a must-see destination such as Dao Falls and encourages people to visit by describing how lovely the falls are in Samboan. From my viewpoint, it is a must-see destination, and I recommend that people come here to enjoy the natural environment and feel the cold and pure water of the falls. It’s a great place to connect with friends, family, or even yourself. You can definitely relax and be one with nature here, and I’m sure that after you visited it, you’ll want to come back to relax again since it’s so magnificent and beautiful.

  2. charlyn

    Dao Falls in Samboan is one of the most popular waterfalls in South Cebu, with a spectacular climb going up to it. Not only is Dao Falls regarded as the most beautiful in Samboan, but it is also the town’s tallest waterfall, standing at approximately 120 meters. As a result, Dao Falls’ one-of-a-kind beauty makes it an ideal weekend trip. Just after the snake, there is a perilous staircase leading up the canyon side and to Dao Falls. The main waterfall and the lower levels falling over the rocks may be seen for the first time from here. The 40-metre waterfall at the canyon’s ultimate end is Dao Falls’ dramatic finale. It’s a one-of-a-kind scenery, as if someone took a large scoop out of the rock wall. The bowl at the bottom is filled with clear, blue water and is deep enough for a cool dip. Not only will your visual senses be fulfilled, but you’ll also receive a much-needed cool swim in fresh water. It would be enjoyable and adventurous to visit Dao Falls with your family and get away from the city for a while to breathe fresh air and swim in the fresh water from the falls. It can relax your mind and relieve stress when visiting the falls because the cost is under P500 and the entrance charge is merely P20. It is quite cost-effective.

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