Pamuayan Falls, Port Barton, Philippines

Pamuayan Falls, located just outside the township of Port Barton on Palawan island in the Philippines, is a waterfall which is around 20 meters high with a large basin of water underneath making it perfect for swimming. A secluded nature spot, this waterfall sits in the middle of a rainforest and you will feel an immense sense of solitude, calm and relaxation when you visit. There are higher and more mighty waterfalls on the island and throughout the Philippines but this was one which stood out for me as it felt truly wild and unspoilt.

The water here is ice cold but refreshing on a hot sticky day in Palawan. When we visited in 2016 the spot was well known but as Port Barton itself was lacking in tourists the waterfall was almost always quiet. There is a ledge about half way up the falls where people jumped in, but from research I’ve conducted prior to writing this blog it appears this may not be advised now due to accidents. (Sidenote - we jumped from the ledge several times and were fine, I’m not trying to encourage any reckless behaviour though!)

A fairly long but level hike, the walk is accessible to most people. Take care on the rocks and riverbeds you cross as they can be slippery and currents can be strong.

Me swimming at Pamuayan falls

Start/end point: Port Barton beach, northern end

Average duration: 2 hours return (make time for a swim!)

Distance: 10km out and back

When to go: We’ve visited in September, October and November. Check with locals to see if there has been rain recently; if there hasn’t, the falls may be dry. Take plenty of water, there are no places to get water on the walk.

Difficulty: Easy - wear trainers or walking boots as sections of path navigate loose rocks and crossing water

Maps/Info: The walk is signposted from the northern end of the beach, and every kilometre or so throughout the walk there are more signposts. Since we visited in 2016 it is my understanding that signposts and walking path conditions have improved.

All trails provides an in depth guide of an 11km walk (each way) here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/philippines/palawan/pamuayan-waterfalls
This is an extension of the walk I have described as it starts and ends further back than the beach.

The hike:

Walk to the northern end of Port Barton main beach and follow the trail that starts from there; it is obvious as it is the only trail. This leads you to a paved road where you need to go left and then you will see another track (unpaved) leading off to the left into the hills. Follow this for about 200m and you will meet another paved road. Follow this paved road going north for about 2km until it forks into two trails; take the right pathway. Trail conditions up to this point are good whilst slightly uphill (enough to get a sweat on!) but the path slowly deteriorates into a loose rocky trail which can be tricky to navigate if there has been recent rain as it may be slippery underfoot.

Continue on the rocky path for about 1.5km further, where you will see a signpost to the falls. For the final 1km of the hike the path turns into larger rocks to get across, and when we visited there were sections of pathway which were usually riverbeds but swelled with recent rainfall and had to be traversed. We thrashed through the streams with pure delight; revelling when water splashed us and cooled our skin.

A river to cross on the walk to the falls

This is the part of the path where the magic happens; the forest pathway you were travelling on has transformed into a jungle haven, where birds screech in calls you’ve never heard, plants you’ve never seen have sprouted up all around you so it feels as though they are enveloping you, and all civilisation has disappeared. The pulse of rainforest rhythm has come alive and is around you and within you. It was on this section of the path that I first came across a plant known to locals as the ‘sensitive plant’. Mimosa pudica is so-named because of its unique feature; when the plant is touched, the feathery leaves fold up and the stems droop. I think I spent a good hour touching these plants, poor things, but I found it truly wondrous and entertaining.

Pamuayan falls

Once you’ve moved yourself away from the incredible flora and fauna, you will see that you are very close to the falls now. You cross a wooden bridge and come to a sign that says ‘300m to the falls’, how exciting! On you go, a few more minutes walking and not yet seeing anything, craning your neck and looking around thinking you’re missing something and then all at once the hidden cove of the waterfall and swimming hole are revealed to you.

A long walk on mostly flat but undulating surface with a fantastic reward at the end. Why not make it so when you return to Port Barton too? And reward yourself with lunch at a beachfront bar. I can’t think of a better day.

Better yet, stay a few nights here at Pisces Tourist Inn which is located near the beach, provides incredible breakfasts and has the best owner in town! https://www.booking.com/hotel/ph/pisces-garden-tourist-inn.en-gb.html

View from a beachfront bar in Port Barton