Fishermen at Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

Mindanao just has the most majestic waterfalls in the country! From the tallest waterfall in the country located in Cateel, Davao Oriental, I took three habal-habal rides northwards to Bislig City, Surigao del Sur for one of the widest, Tinuy-an Falls, which is almost 100 meters in width! While comparisons to North America’s Niagara Falls may be stretching it, Tinuy-an must be appreciated for its unique majesty. It’s name means “requiring intention” in Cebuano because of its rather remote location away from town. Tinuy-an Falls is 30 minutes away from the downtown barangay of Mangagoy, past farmlands and vast swampland.

Tinuy-an Falls – one of the widest waterfalls in the Philippines!

As it was late afternoon on a weekday, I had the waterfalls all to myself. I took my time taking photographs. I particularly loved capturing the the reflection of the falls on the shallow pools along the riverbank, which were populated by tiny black frogs. Picnic tables flank the river, and a lonesome bamboo raft, which takes swimmers closer to the cataract, rests nearby. There are more cascades in the upper tiers of the falls, but I was satisfied just beholding its beauty from the main vantage points. I want to return to these falls next time in morning light.

It was nightfall when we headed back to Bislig. And the ride back to the city had one last surprise for us. On the way back, we chanced upon a dazzling colony of fireflies just by the roadside! I asked the driver to pull over so I can photograph them. I’ve always wanted to capture these bioluminescent creatures. I’ve been to firefly river tours like the one in Puerto Princesa but these usually prohibit photography. This was a most magical way to conclude my visit to Tinuy-an Falls!

A dazzling colony of fireflies on the road back to Bislig City!

HOW TO GET THERE: Butuan and Davao have bus connections to Mangagoy, the downtown barangay of Bislig City. Bus connections between Mangagoy and Cateel are infrequent. Alternatively, one can ride a habal-habal from Cateel to Lingig (1 hour, PHP 250), then another one to Mangagoy (30 minutes, PHP 50). From Mangagoy, habal-habal motorbikes can take you to Tinuy-an Falls in Brgy. Burboanan (30 minutes, PHP 250 for return trip).

WHERE TO STAY: Accommodation at Casa de Babaño (Tel. +63 86 8531297) in Brgy. Mangagoy, Bislig City starts at PHP 250 for a single fan room, with shared toilet. The guesthouse has eat-all-you-can dinner buffets for only PHP 99/person!

bislig city nature tinuy-an falls waterfalls