Waterfalls, Lakes and Sandbar in Dumaguete and Apo Island

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Dumaguete sits between the sea and green volcanic hills, so nature is close. In half a day you can swim under a waterfall or paddle on a crater lake in the forest. In a full day you can go north to watch dolphins and walk on a long white sandbar in the sea. Weather matters a lot for these trips, so plan for clear, dry days.

Casaroro Falls

Casaroro Falls is in Valencia, a cool hill town about 10 kilometres west of Dumaguete. The waterfall drops in a single thin stream down a tall rock wall into a small, cold pool, surrounded by thick green forest. To reach it you walk down a long concrete stairway of a few hundred steps, then along the river over rocks. The walk back up is steep and tiring, so take your time and bring water. The path and rocks are slippery. The falls has closed for repairs at times in the past, so check locally that it is open before you go.

The Twin Lakes

The Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park protects two crater lakes, Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao, high in the mountains west of Dumaguete. The lakes are about 830 metres above sea level and surrounded by rainforest. The air is cool and quiet. You can rent a kayak or take a small boat on the lake, walk short forest trails and look for birds. The park is home to many rare birds and animals, and in 2025 it was named an ASEAN Heritage Park. The road up takes about one hour from the city, and the last part is steep and narrow.

Dolphins near Bais

Bais is a city about 45 kilometres north of Dumaguete, and its bay is known for dolphin watching. Boat tours leave early in the morning, when the dolphins are most active and the sea is calm. On a good day, groups of dolphins swim and jump near the boat. Sometimes other sea animals are seen, but sightings are never guaranteed. Choose an operator who keeps a distance from the animals and does not chase them. Most tours combine the dolphins with a stop at the Manjuyod sandbar.

Manjuyod sandbar

The Manjuyod sandbar is a long strip of white sand in the sea off the town of Manjuyod, north of Bais. At low tide, the sand rises above the water and you can walk on it and swim in the clear, shallow sea around it. At high tide, the sand goes under the water. Wooden cottages on stilts stand on the sandbar, and some tours offer overnight stays. Check the tide times before you book, because the sandbar is best near low tide. There is very little shade, so bring a hat, water and strong sun protection.

Waterfalls, Lakes and Sandbar at a glance

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