Bolinao Falls

Bolinao has two waterfalls about thirty minutes from Veue. They are called, simply, Bolinao Falls 1 and Bolinao Falls 2. Both have cool crystal waters at the base, and together they make a good half-day trip from the property.

Bolinao Falls 1

16.4 km from Veue · ~30 min drive — Map · Directions from Veue

The taller of the two, with a drop of about twenty feet. The flow can run thin or dry up entirely during the summer dry months, so this one is at its best after the rainy season when the catchment is full.

It cascades into a wide, deep basin, which makes it the more energetic of the pair and the one people go to for deep-water swimming and cliff jumping. If you want the livelier waterfall, this is it.

Bolinao Falls 2

17.1 km from Veue · ~30 min drive — Map · Directions from Veue

The wider of the two. Water runs year-round, so this one is the more reliable option if you want to visit between November and May.

It is a smaller drop but a larger pool, with extensive shallow sections around the edges. That makes it the better of the two for families, for wading, and for anyone who would rather sit in the water than jump into it.

Where the Water Comes From

These are not mountain waterfalls. The falls sit in relatively flat, rocky terrain surrounded by farmland, fed by natural springs and river streams rather than a highland catchment. That is why the water stays cool year-round and holds its colour, a vivid turquoise-green that looks almost artificial in photographs and is not.

Indigenous trees shade most of the site, so even at midday the pools stay cool. The water that leaves here feeds the Balingasay River downstream, which is worth knowing if you are considering both, since a river cruise and the falls are two ends of the same water system.

Falls 1 and 2 are the two developed cascades of a cluster of three. The site has been built up over the years with bamboo and cement stairs, but it has kept a rugged, unmanicured feel rather than becoming a resort.

The Name

Guides at the falls will sometimes tie the site to the local legend behind the town’s name, a story about a pair of lovers. It is folklore rather than documented history, and there are several versions of it in circulation. The town’s own recorded founding is 1575, and the competing origins for the name are covered in Cape Bolinao Lighthouse and Bolinao town.

Planning Your Visit

• Combine the two. They are close enough that you can visit both in one trip.
• Go in the morning for the quietest crowd and the best light.
• Drive yourself using Google Maps or Waze. Most attractions in the area are easy to drive to on your own and you pay the entrance fee on arrival.
• Pair with the caves if you have a full day.

What to Bring

• Swimwear and aqua shoes for the rocks near the falls
• A towel and a change of clothes
• A waterproof phone case or dry bag
• Food and drinks
• Sunscreen

A Safety Note

For jumping into the water at either falls, we recommend caution. Hidden rocks, shallow areas, and currents can be dangerous, especially at spots you do not know. Only jump where local guides have confirmed it is safe.