Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig, Surigao del Sur
I have to ask for everyone’s indulgence for not being able to post anything new for the past week. I hope with this post, I’d be able to make up for it.
I was away on a 6-day arduous trip that brought me and friends to the remote city of Bislig in Surigao del Sur. It involved taking the van from Tacloban to Ormoc, then a slow boat to Cebu, then taking the plane to Davao and finally a 5-hour bus trip (2 hours of which was a jack hammer ride thru very rough roads) deep into the forest heartland of PICOP or Paper Industries Corporation’s vast logging concession – at one time reputedly known as one of Asia’s biggest timber and paper mills.
Located at the southeastern coast of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean, Bislig is 158 kms south of Butuan, 152 kms south of Tandag City – the capital of Surigao del Sur, and 208 kilometers northeast of Davao City.
It was a long trip but worth the taking. If only for the fact that I was able to personally see and shoot one of the best, if not the best, but lesser known waterfalls of the country – the Tinuy-an Falls in Brgy. Burboanan, Bislig City.
It is but normal for one to be struck speechless and amazed when one sees for the first time the Tinuy-an Falls – definitely THE grandest and most majestic waterfalls I’ve ever seen. It’s not an overstatement, certainly not an attempt to throw in hype to its moniker, which is the “Little Niagara Falls of the Philippines.”
Simply stunning and magnificent.
Tinuy-an Falls is a spectacular multi-tiered falls, three levels of which can easily be seen while a fourth one is hidden from view. It rises majestically to a height of a four-story building and a breathtaking width of 95 meters – said to be the widest in the country. It is nestled in a tropical rainforest with towering, century-old trees and exotic flora and fauna surrounding it.
Even now as I look at these photos, I can still imagine and hear the thundering sound it makes and feel the mist hitting my face.
Whew! Truly grand!
I am a surigaonon on my mother’s side and I have never been to this place. So near yet so far. Yes, I’ve been to Niagara but this is much BETTER! I praise the view but I praise more the guy behind the camera. STUNNING!!!
Hehehe thank you, Butch!
I was really struck upon seeing this falls. It’s really spectacular but not that well known to most Filipinos! Some say we went at the right time. Rainless days don’t generate that much water flow; rainy days, on the other hand, produce heavy mist which covers the whole area frustrating guests from admiring the majestic falls.
You’re right, Gerry. It’s very Niagara-ish I can almost hear the thunderous water drop from the tiered falls! Why doesn’t the world know about this place?
Nongski, most likely due to its remoteness and the rough roads. But with the newly-finished Butuan-Davao highway, the only remaining bumpy ride is that from the junction of Trento, Agusan del Sur to Bislig (about 2 hours stretch). Many from Davao and the Caraga Region (Region XIII) I’m sure know about this, but elsewhere in the country, I doubt it.
Yes, you’re right! The first picture that I saw made me think it’s a “Little Niagara Falls.” Kudos for a great job.
NONGSKI!!!! You mean to tell me we are viewing the same works of art by Gerry! Kumusta kan Gines, great song, great lyrics.
Thank you for sharing this pictures.
thanks for sharing your photos… i’m planning to go to siargao this month and after seeing your pictures, i’d love to go there. would you know how to get there coming from butuan city? how long is the trip?
Hi aigh, thanks for the visit. I’m sorry but I cannot give you an authoritative answer to your query. Our travel route was from Davao City. My wild guess is, it would take around 4 to 5 hours. I suggest you inquire from the bus companies (Bachelor’s) – they would be able to give you a more reliable estimate.
I am a Bisliganon and I thank you for appreciating the spot! hope you’ll be back…
My wife is from Bislig, Carumcum and I have been there 8 times and never been to see the falls. After seeing your pictures, it will be on the top of my list next trip.
wow… really great.. i’ve been to this place… i have some pictures, too, but I love your photos… the water’s so great..
napakaganda ng Pilipinas! darating din ang araw pupunta ako diyan. -Tamayo, Rainier ng Porac,Pampanga
Wow! Beautiful! I’m so proud kasi it’s from my homeplace hehe… You’ll adore God for it. Superb din ang man behind these pictures. He gave justice to the beauty of Tinuy-an. Galing nyo po! God bless.
wow o wow o wow!!! is all i can say! it’s nothing like i’ve ever seen! someday when i go visit surigao, i wouldn’t miss this place cuz i really love nature. the pics are very good! thank you very much for sharing these pictures…
simply magnificent!!! sana balang araw ma-visit ko mga ganyang lugar!!
very nice place nakapunta narin ako dyan ang ganda tagala at sa hagonoy din
Thanks Gerry for this SUBLIME photos. You simply excite me to go home and As today is not only the most important place
in which you can live, but it is also the most
joyous place to be: the present.
great job sir!
capital WOW!
hi! i was in tinuy-an last september (bislig is my dad’s hometown…) and i agree, it is the most majestic waterfalls in the philippines! have you seen the 4th level of the falls? the one you have to climb all by yourself, against the current of the falls & w/o any stairs to climb… the 4th level was difficult to reach but it was worth it! the water there is calmer and you can see the 3 levels downwards so clearly!
oh, and to those who asked, a trip to bislig can take about 6-8 hours depending on the route you choose (one is the straight route, the other’s a detour passing thru agusan.) you always, ALWAYS, have to check the news before goin’ to bislig, cuz there are NPA’s in those said routes and there are times when it is not safe to travel…
tinuy-an falls? i once went there and it was so much beautiful… the best camera that could capture the best shot in all angles is our eyes! so better visit it and see its beauty to capture the hidden wonder of nature… i’m pretty sure you’ll be dumbfounded just like me… the best waterfalls!
shocks! i can’t believe it! it’s so wonderful i am amazed of what i have seen! i’m proud that there is such a wonderful spot that i could appreciate in our place! hope i can go there!!! i really like it!
…ang ganda naman nyan.dyan ako nag-elementary sa san isidro elem.nakakahiyang sabihin pero nd pa k nakakapunta dyan..eheh…
…gusto ko nang umuwi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
..maayong adlaw sa inyong tanan diha.
“Tinuy-an” is derived from a Bisaya word “tuyo” meaning “intent”. This means going there needs a desirable intent since it is hidden in a remote tropical rainforest, a long trip via rough roads. But it is worth going and seeing the Philippines’ best waterfalls.
Just wondering why it is not being promoted?
Thanks for the magnificent shots…… as it is a must see … a very promising tourists’ destination.
WOW!!! i’m awestruck.. i’ve been to a lot of watefalls but this one really looks different. my friends and i are planning to go there this weekend. i would like to ask if it is safe to have an overnight stay at the vicinity of the waterfalls?
any information on how to get there, information about the place is very much appreciated. thank you so much. KUDOS to the photographer. great job. i love the pictures and i fell in love with it.=)
Hi Che! I don’t think it is safe to spend the night there, judging on the presence alone of security personnel in military uniform armed with long firearms. And this was during daytime.
Re directions getting there, you would find clues in my main post above and also from the comments posted. For further detailed info, I would suggest you contact the local tourism office; they can provide you with the latest “state of affairs” and possibly an experienced guide. Enjoy your trip! Don’t forget to bring your cameras
thanks for the great pictures of the falls and the traveling info gerry. i will be traveling in the area and i was wondering if there is an airstrip in bislig and where is its location. i am a pilot and would like to tour the area by plane or helicopter. thanks much.
Hi, Patrick. I have no info on the airport location but I am aware there is one – if not used by regular commercial flights before, certainly PICOP had their private aircraft then.
hi patrick! yes we have an airport here but unfortunately there are no commercial flights. u can get here if you want to travel in an easy way – since you are a pilot, feel free to land at our airport. hehe, our company’s visitor used to come here via helicopter…
Thank you for the pictures. Wonderful. Hope to bring my children there.
I first saw these magnificent views in a book (can’t remember the title) way back in college in our school library which dubbed it as the Biggest Falls in Asia! After a few months I met my man who grew up in the place. First thing we did when we got home was to go to that place. Breathtaking it is! I know some information about the place, like if you’re gonna stay over night or how to get there. Been there twice and the last time we went there, we walked for almost two hours because our car had engine problem. But when we got there…PERFECT! Man, it’s all worth it! And that was the 24th of December… a perfect Christmas vacation… even for just a day… hehehehe you can contact me if you need further info. Here’s my email: presciousthessa21@yahoo.com.
–prescious laganson of davao city
i would like to know when is the best time to go there, and when is the dry season in the Philippines
@Patrick: the airstrip is near Bislig town, near the sea but it’s not in use for several years now. If you take a commercial flight, you can enter Bislig thru Butuan or Davao routes.
How far is the ride from Butuan and Davao? Public transportation? Thank you.
butuan to bislig will take you 5hrs to travel by bus but if you have your own car it will only take you 3hrs..
davao to bislig by bus will take 6hrs to travel but will take you 4hrs only if you travel with your own service..
It is truly an amazing site. Thank you Gerry for a job well done! I am from Bislig but sad to say that I’ve never been to Tinuy-an falls. After seeing the the photos of the falls, I’ll make sure the next time I go home to Bislig, Tinuy-an will be on top of my list. Thanks Gerry for sharing those wonderful photos. Keep up the good work. By the way, my parents are from Borongan, but I was born and raised in Bislig.
was here yesterday… it was really breathtaking… very, very beautiful…
nice shots here. had my own pics of these falls too…
Maganda pala ang Tinuy-an Falls. Ako’y taga San Jose, Bislig City pero di pa ako nakapunta dyan!
Awesome shots! you created a very artistic impression ………
I’m suppose to go up to Niagara in May, but Gerry, those falls in Surigao are absolutely stunning! I love this site especially since I still have family living in Tacloban. Looking forward to going there next year!
very nice and verdant
Hi. I’ve been to Tinuy-an several times na. I live in Butuan City. I can facilitate anyone who would like to take a look at the stunning falls.
This place is stunning. I’m from Mangagoy, Bislig but I never got there ever since (though I have all the chance). But I”ll take my chance when I visit home this December. Thanks heaps Gerry for promoting tourism in Bislig through your awesome photos.
been there.. and i’m planning to go back..
great shots!
wow…it is awesome..i will visit this place soon…thanx 4 d photos
oh my! i could have known this before! i could have gone there…i was in mangagoy last august…sayang…my birthplace has this pretty awesome tourist spot…reminds me of my childhood but it was a different one and is no longer cool to see…i visited.
I just happened to run into your blog and I really enjoyed looking at your photos. You are good! I’ll be visiting more often.
i’ve been there 3 times already, and this coming may 2009 i will visit the place again… proudly from mangagoy!
Good Day!!! Mervin here. I was born in Mangaggoy, Bislig but my family relocated to Tagum since then. I’ve visited Surigao a couple of times but it was not until last August of 2007 that I got the chance to visit TINUY-AN. I’ve visited this blog a couple of times also, only this time have I got the chance to comment. I thus affirm and confirm the beauty all of these people are boasting about. Cheers to the TINUY-AN and to the eyes that who experienced its magnificence. Praise be to the CREATOR who made all these!!!!
Are there any hotels near the that falls where we can stay for 2 to 3 days with my family?? is it safe??
Hello, Mitchel, there is no hotel near the falls. You can stay at Paper Country Inn located at Bislig City proper. It’s only 30 mins drive to the falls thru private car or tricycle and the fare around P150. It’s not safe to stay overnight at the falls because this virgin forest is a little bit far from the native community area.
Why don’t you visit also Hagonoy Island with its a white sand beach. It will take 20 min drive to the island using a boat ride, the fare will be P700 back and forth, good for 6 to 8 people. Hope my information will help you a lot.
Hello Gerry, sana ako rin makapunta dyan. Pero kahit pamasahe papuntang Ormoc wala ako. Hehehe. Ganda ng Pilipinas, at mas lalo pang gumanda dahil sayong camera. Your pictures are addicting, ha tinuod la, mas maupay pa an imo coverage ha Palarong Pambansa 2009 compared to the official website of the Palaro.
tinuy-an is indeed beautiful! nothing more i can say but that…
GOD’s creation given to us is stunningly amazing. People keep on destroying these wonderful creations…..
so sad…
woww. sobrang ganda and with that pics of yours… punta kami jan this saturday !!!!
Majestic! This is a must visit place when i go to Surigao. Are there places to stay near the falls? How far is it from Surigao del Norte? Thanks and God bless.
nice one!
love it!
how many hours does it take from davao?
What marvelous falls !!! Can be compared to other great falls of other countries. You are not a Surigaonon but you’ve been there! Me – I live here in Surigao del Sur but I have not even seen the place personally. I always dream of seeing Tinuy-an Falls someday…
Thank you, Gerry for sharing these photos because through them, I’m proud to say that I’m a Surigaonon and it is my pleasure to have such a spectacular beauty as Tinuy-an Falls in our area.
What a marvelous place! I grew up in Mangagoy, went to school in Mangagoy, and now I live in England. Last time I was in Mangagoy was 11 yrs ago. When I visit home I stay in Davao. Hopefully this coming Sept, I hope to go to Mangagoy this time. Am excited. Planning to see Kadayawan Festival as well. I hope I could go to Tinuy-an Falls… Nice photos! Take care & God bless…
Well done, Gerry. Nice photos of spectacular beauty. Bisliganons are very proud of it! Mabuhay!
Wow, beautiful pics and the place is impressive. Reminds me of an e-mail I got recently. A man in the states became interested in golden phones and he was told that it was a direct line to God but the call charge was $10,000 per call direct to God. The man traveled the world and everywhere he went the rate to call God was the same. In his worldwide travel he eventually arrived in the Philippines and when he saw the sign that the price of the call was only 35 cents, he went to find the parish priest for an explanation. The priest calmly told him that since God lives in the Philippines it is a local call. Little wonder that our country is really beautiful because God lives here. Keep up the good work and keep showing us the beautiful pictures that God gave us.
Hi, I’m from Manila. Someone mentioned this place to me and based on these pictures, the place looks wonderful! How do I get my flight or travel to reach the place. I don’t know anyone in Mindanao. Are there inns or hotels nearby? Is it safe to go there even with foreigners? Thanks a lot!!!
Hi Mr. Gerry. I’m looking for a waterfalls picture that my 10-yr. old daughter is asking me to search for her project in her school (Liceo del Verbo Divino). I was amazed to see this picture and even more amazed that it was beautifully taken by a man whose address is from Tacloban City. Thanks for sharing your beautiful shots. Looking forward to see more of them- from San Jose, Tacloban City.
Wow I remember my youth in Mgy back when payday was fiesta day at Post One. I used to join the picnic of PICOP employees at the beautiful majestic falls. I hope the area is still preserved today as it was in the 80’s. I am now working as Dean of the College of Agriculture after my interest in forestry faded away after PICOP cut all the century old depterocarp forest of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte & Davao Oriental areas. I wish I could come back one day soon to the falls which used to supply water to one of PICOP’s paper mills.
Mark Lindo 09205285485
it’s really beautiful! someday i’ll go there… from tandag city
It’s an amazing view! I will be in Mangagoy 2 weeks from now. Pupuntahan ko ang Tinuy-an Falls. Right now, I live in Phoenix AZ, mainit na lugar. From May through September, sobrang init. I was there back in March 2003 with my 3 children, they’d love to go back. We went to Hagonoy white sand beach… beautiful beach, kind of exclusive.
tinuy-an falls is the nicest falls i’ve been to. i really love this place. hope i can get back there soon…
my God, i was so mesmerized when i saw the pictures of a friend in facebook when they went here… stunningly spectacular scenery! this is one proof how blessed the Philippines is when it comes to natural resources.
I was there last Nov 1, 2009..and it is a wonderful experience…
I’ve been to different places such as Mexico, Caribbean, Hawaii. No one can beat the beautiful beaches, mountains, waterfalls in the Philippines … I love Tinuy-an Falls. Love it… Love it… The beach in Mati is like the beach at St. Thomas Virgin Island. Takes my breath away… Merlie @ AZ
Looking over these pics again, I may just visit these falls myself next July. Niagara is pretty, but the atmosphere surrounding it is much more touristy, like a mini-Las Vegas. Tinuy-an looks much more natural, peaceful, and unspoiled…definitely worth visiting!
amazing sight… and I have to praise the camera man. I am making my son’s project about magagandang tanawin sa pilipinas and I came upon this picture… So nice… Hope I can visit the place in the near future and I hope by that time the roads are nice already… one of the places in my itinerary when I come home…
awesome!!!!