My brother and I was going through the different lodgings at the western side of Sabang in Brgy Cabayugan when a dog stopped us from reaching Alpuerto. We then asked for help on the nearby house and a little guy helped subside the anger of the dog. He then offered to guide us to Sabang Waterfalls.
Brother suggested that since we were on this side of Sabang we might as well visit the falls to conserve our time and energy. He also encouraged me to hire the boy offering to guide us so he could have an additional money for his schooling. So we asked the boy to accompany us to the falls, which did a good favor for us as he knew a lot about the place.
The boy’s name was Marvin, he was 12 years old and still going to school. Good!
As we reached Alpuerto Resort, Kuya Marvin asked us to register before continuing to the waterfalls. According to him this is to monitor how many people are going in and out of the falls. We are also required to log-out when we get back.
We continued and not far from the resort there’s a Buddhist temple.
After taking picture inside of the temple we proceeded to walk on the rocky shore. This reminded me of the rocky walk to the lighthouse of Capones Island in Zambales.
There’s also some teachings of Buddha on the way.
Since Kuya Marvin was used to walking on the rocky shore he usually waited for us when he went ahead. He even told us about the story of the big white rock that we passed by and why it was scattered in the area. Of all the tour guides that I have been with on all my travels I seriously think that Kuya Marvin was actually a trained guide, better than the most I’ve hired. He even was encouraging us properly when we looked tired.
And after 30 minutes of avoiding to trip on the rocks while hearing the crashing waves on our side, we finally arrived at Sabang Waterfalls.
The waterfalls was not as strong as the other falls in the country but have you ever been to a falls facing the sea?
Kuya Marvin asked if I wanted to climb to the top of the falls, I agreed after drinking from the falls as we forgot to bring water (again!).
The climb to the top of the falls was not a joke. It was seriously a climb and we climbed on a 3 meter 90 wall! According to Kuya Marvin, I was the 6th person he brought to the top of the falls as many would back out when they saw how hard it is to climb the wall.
Climbing or going down? If you ask me to choose between the two I would definitely choose the latter as it is safer to climb a steep wall than to go down it and the wall of Sabang Waterfalls reminded me why I loved climbing more than climbing down.
View from the top of the falls
After some rest, we decided to go back.
We gave Kuya Marvin 100 Pesos, as he said we could give him any amount we want and that is the amount we agreed.
Thanks Kuya Marvin for guiding us and telling us great stories about the waterfalls and the town of Sabang itself.
Kuya Marvin (Left) with my Kuya (Right) on our way to the waterfalls.
How to get to Sabang Waterfalls
- From Sabang Port walk on the side of the sea going to the west (left side when facing the sea). You’ll be passing by 3 lodgings (Dabdab, Blue Bamboo and Alpuerto).
- When you reach Alpuerto, you must register first before going to Sabang Falls. This is for them to monitor who went to the falls. They also ask for donations for maintenance of the cleanliness of the falls.
- Continue walking westward on the side of the sea and you will be passing by a Buddhist Temple.
- Just continue walking westward on the rocky shore and at the end you will reach Sabang Waterfalls.
How to go back from Sabang Waterfalls
Just go back the same way you went going to the falls.
- The trek to the falls takes about 30 to 45 minutes (one-way) from Sabang Port.
- You do not actually need a guide to get to Sabang Waterfalls as the way going there is fairly directionally easy. But if you are more comfortable of having a guide then you can get one on the way as some of the children you will be passing by will offer to guide you. Please only hire the kids on weekends, as weekdays they should be at school.
- Bring water when you are going to the falls. Don’t make the same mistake as we did. But if you forgot to bring water, the water from the falls is fresh and drinkable.
- The climb to the top of the falls is quite technical and requires strength. If you are not confident with your strength and skills in climbing, I suggest you do not climb. It’s for your safety as it’s hard to transport people on the rocky shore.
- Please do not leave any trash on the falls. Let’s help keep the area clean as this is where town of Sabang gets their fresh water.
This post is part of my 12 for 2012 Travel Project which aims to document places in the Philippines to help travellers.
Follow my Sabang, Puerto Princesa Series
- 9 Things to Do at Sabang in Puerto Princesa (Overview)
- Puerto Princesa Underground River Do-It-Yourself Travel Guide (Helpful)
- How to get an Entry Permit to the Underground River in Puerto Princesa (Helpful)
- How to get to Sabang, Puerto Princesa (Helpful)
- Lodgings in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Helpful)
- Sabang Waterfalls
- Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour
- Food Tripping in Sabang
- Ugong Rock Caving
Other Puerto Princesa posts that you may find helpful
- Cheaper Way to Tour Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Helpful)
- Puerto Princesa Do-It-Yourself 4D3N Budget and Itinerary (Helpful)
- Puerto Princesa, Palawan 3D2N Budget and Itinerary (Helpful)
- Loid Vegetarian and Raw Food Resto (Must Try!)
- Badjao Seafront Restaurant (Food)
- Kalui Restaurant (Food)
- Kinabuchs Grill and Bar (Food)
- Noki Nocs (Food)
A travel blog by Josiah Sicad that aims to make Filipinos Travel Responsibly and observe the unique culture of the Philippines. 
buti at meron registration para monitored yung mga pumapasok. ngayon ko lang nalaman na may maliit na falls pala diyan sa gilid. di na kasi kami lumayo sa main beach.
Sayang, maganda pa man din magtampisaw sa waterfalls na yun. pwede ka palipat-lipat from sea water to fresh water.
I was waiting for this post to be up! Wlang water basin/pool? Diretso ‘to sa stream?
And funny yung incident with the dog and the asking for help.. I know the feeling — na.imagine ko kayo ni Dane bigla!
And emphasis on the “Please only hire the kids on weekends, as weekdays they should be at school.” Sometimes people forget that..
Meron maliit na basin dun sa ilalim ng falls. Pwede magbabad dun basta nakahiga ka.
hahaha talagang inimagine mo pa kami ni kuya.
wow may falls pala jan! nice find ah.
i agree, mas madali umakyat kesa bumaba hehe
Pinuntahan ko to and it was well worth it! Maganda and pwedeng inumin yung tubig! Sana nga lang lagyan nila ng daanan para madaling mapuntahan ng karamihan.
Favorite ko itong falls sa Sabang. Pero para sa akin okay na yung daan para challenging and adventurous ang pagpunta dun. Worth it naman ang dadatnan.