The Philippines isn’t just about pristine beaches and island-hopping. For thrill-seekers looking to spike their heart rates, this archipelago serves up adventure with a side of ‘what-would-my-mother-say?’
From leaping off waterfalls to swimming with sharks, here’s your guide to every adrenaline fix your eTravel Pass gives you access to in the Philippines.
A Kawasan Falls Canyoning Expedition
Tucked away in the jungles of Cebu, Kawasan Falls is the ultimate water park for nature lovers. But forget lazy rivers and wave pools – we’re talking about jumping off 12-metre cliffs, sliding down natural rock formations, and abseiling down waterfalls.
Canyoning (or canyoneering if you’re feeling fancy) here starts with a trek through the jungle. Your guide will kit you out with helmets, life jackets, and enough safety gear to make you look like a tropical SWAT team member. Then it’s time to take the plunge – literally.
The route takes you through a series of increasingly dramatic jumps and slides. Impossibly turquoise waters framed by lush rainforest make the setting truly spectacular too. And by the end, you’ll have conquered fears you didn’t even know you had!
Swimming with Thresher Sharks in Malapascua
Right, time to channel your inner marine biologist and dive with some seriously cool predators. Malapascua Island is one of the few places in the world where you can reliably spot thresher sharks. These elegant creatures, with their distinctive scythe-like tails, are known to dwell in the deep but here they come into the light, sort of.
The catch? You’ll need to be up before dawn for a 5 am dive. But watching these magnificent creatures emerge from the deep blue at Monad Shoal is worth every yawn. They come to cleaning stations where smaller fish remove parasites from their skin, making it a fun 2-for-1 sighting event.
Not certified to dive? No worries. Malapascua’s dive shops offer PADI courses. Learning to dive with thresher sharks as your graduation present? Now that’s a story for the grandkids.
ATV Rides On Mayon’s Perfect Cone
Mount Mayon in the Bicol region isn’t just any old volcano – it’s the world’s most perfect volcanic cone. And what better way to explore it than on a quad bike? The ATV trails take you through lava fields, across rivers, and up the volcano’s lower slopes.
The terrain varies from smooth and easy to ‘hold-onto-your-breakfast’ rough. As you power through volcanic landscapes, Mayon’s symmetrical peak looms above you like something out of a fantasy film. And you will get dirty. Very dirty. That black volcanic soil gets everywhere. But hey, it’s probably good for your skin or something, right?
Cliff Diving in Ariel’s Point
If jumping off perfectly good platforms into crystal-clear water is your idea of fun (and why wouldn’t it be?) head to Ariel’s Point near Boracay. With five different diving boards ranging from 3 to 15 metres high, a real-life choose-your-own-adventure book for adrenaline junkies.
Start with the lower platforms to warm up. Then, when you’re feeling brave, tackle the big boy. Just remember – once you’re up there, the only way down is through the air.
The boat trip to Ariel’s Point is an adventure in itself, with unlimited drinks and a barbecue lunch included. Nothing pairs better with surviving a 15-meter jump than a cold San Miguel and some freshly grilled seafood.
Spelunking in Sagada’s Caves
The cave connection tour between Sumaguing and Lumiang caves is the crown jewel of Sagada spelunking. Let’s start with Lumiang Cave, also known as the Burial Cave. The entrance alone is enough to give you goosebumps – hundreds of wooden coffins stacked along the limestone walls, some over 500 years old.
The cave connection tour takes you from Lumiang through to Sumaguing Cave, a three- to four-hour adventure that’ll test both your physical and mental limits. You’ll squeeze through tight spaces with names like ‘birth canal’, scramble over slippery rocks, and wade through underground rivers. Your guide will help you navigate using nothing but gas lamps, adding an extra layer of Indiana Jones-style adventure to the proceedings.
Inside Sumaguing, you’ll encounter formations that look like they’ve been sculpted by a mad artist. There’s the ‘King’s Curtain’, a massive flowstone that sparkles in your lamplight, and the ‘Pregnant Woman’, a formation that looks exactly like what you’d expect. The guides have names for every major formation, and their stories add a layer of local folklore to the adventure.
The temperature inside stays cool year-round, but you’ll work up a sweat climbing, crawling, and occasionally cursing as you make your way through. It’s a natural obstacle course designed by a deity with a wicked sense of humour.
Mountain Biking in Batanes
Fancy some two-wheeled adventure? Batanes, with its rolling hills, dramatic coastlines, and strong winds, offers mountain biking with a twist. The trails range from gentle coastal rides to challenging hill climbs. The best part? The stunning views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the South China Sea on the other. Just try not to get too distracted by the scenery – those hills can be treacherous.
Remember to check the weather forecast. The locals have a saying: ‘If you don’t like the weather in Batanes, wait five minutes.’ They’re not kidding.
Whitewater Rafting in Cagayan de Oro
CDO (as the locals call it) offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the Philippines. The Cagayan River serves up rapids ranging from ‘gentle splash’ to ‘hold-onto-your-paddle’, depending on the time of year.
The full-day adventure takes you through 21 rapids, each with its own charming name like ‘Kiss the Wall’ or ‘The Washing Machine’. Your guide will teach you the basics of paddling and safety, then it’s time to get wet.
Between rapids, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the riverbanks. Just don’t get too distracted – those rapids won’t navigate themselves.
—
Between adventures, you’ll find yourself in some of the most beautiful spots on Earth, with friendly locals always ready to share a story or a smile. Just remember to take lots of photos – nobody back home will believe you did all this otherwise.
So go on, push your boundaries, face your fears, and discover just how much adventure you can handle. The Philippines is waiting to test your mettle. Just don’t tell your mum about the shark diving until you’re safely home.
