Tinuy-an Falls, Surigao del Sur | Bislig’s Majestic White Wall

November 15, 2022November 17, 2022 Rex Lim Lim 2022, ADVENTURE, BLOG, BUDGET, GUIDE, HOW TO, ITINERARY, landmarks, TOURIST SPOTS, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL, TRAVEL GUIDE, WATERFALLS

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Bislig, Surigao Del Sur: Tucked in a remote area in Brgy. Borboanan lies the majestic Tinuy-an Falls. It is aptly called the “Little Niagara Falls of the Philippines”.

In this three-day backpacking adventure, let us take you into the widest waterfall in the country and why it is worth the long travel.

Ready, set, go!

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Table of Contents

Widest, if not, Grandest…

When the province of Surigao del Sur comes to mind, any traveler who has been there will always say to visit Tinuy-an Falls.

Tinuy-an Falls is the widest multi-tiered waterfall in the country at 95 meters. Moreover, it flows in three levels, with the second level towers at 55 meters.

Amidst the thick jungle foliage, Tinuy-an stands majestic as if it is made by man because of the sheer size of the precipice where the water flows down.

It is said to best visit the waterfall at any season since it never runs out of water, but the grandest show of force is during the monsoon season (July to December). Also, during the morning, the area shows a rainbow between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. One may also ride a bamboo raft to get close to its cascades and get a water “massage.”

The other upper tiers can be visited as well, one can reach the upper layer through the steep concrete stairways. The upper layer has smaller cascades and a shallower natural pool. Also, be careful when swimming at the top of the second layer.

Hala, Mahulog!

Tinuy-an came from the word “Tinuyo-an”, a colloquial word from the Cebuano dialect which means “intentional act or performance to attain an objective or goal”. Consequently, one will be left asking, what’s with the name?

Legends tell of natives residing in the Magdiwata Mountain who were turned into slaves by tribesmen from Agusan. They were not treated humanely and eventually it got to a point where they can’t take it anymore.

One day, while the slaves were rowing the Gakit on top of the enormous waterfall, they jumped into the water and forcefully pushed the bamboo raft down the cascade with the masters in it. This subsequently killed the abusive tribesmen and the people of Magdiwata finally attained their freedom.

From then on, the high falling waters are called Tinuy-an Falls to commemorate the bravery of the heroic natives.

Crown Jewel

Boasting its grand, picturesque, and scenic features, there is no denying that this waterfall is a gem.

In 2018, the falls were proclaimed as one of the three protected areas in the Caraga Region under the Republic Act No. 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 2018.

The area is home to 91 species of animals consisting of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, freshwater fish, and crustaceans; and 144 species of flora, 33 of which belong to species considered to be nearing extinction.

So on your next visit to Surigao del Sur, make sure to include this in your must-visit places. The travel time may be long, but it will all but be washed away once see Tinuy-an Falls!

How to Get There

Tinuy-an Falls is located in Brgy. Burboanan in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

From Mangagoy, the center of trade and commerce in Bislig City where the bus terminals are, you can charter a motorbike (habal-habal) or tuktuk to take you to the waterfall

Travel time is around 30-45 minutes and 16.7 kilometers from the city proper. Rates start at 400-600php round trip
Fees at Tinuy-an Falls is as follows (as of September 2022):
- Entrance Fee – 50php/head
- Life vest Rental – 30php/head (If you are going to swim)
- Bamboo Raft Rental – 300php/ 7 pax (optional)
Transit Pinas suggests availing of Kuya Edchie Robles services to maximize your trip in Surigao del Sur. His day tour rate starts at 1500php per day for 1-2 pax aboard his tuktuk service with the following destinations on a 2D1N trip:
- DAY 01
  - Tinuy-an Falls
  - Enchanted River
  - Sibadan Fish Cage
  - I Love Bislig Signage
  - Doll House Museum
  - Sian Falls
- DAY 02
  - Britania Group of Islands (Hagonoy, Naked, Boslon, and Hiyor-Hiyoran)
  - Libuacan Cold Spings
  - Bogac Cold Springs
  - Wakat Cave
  - Bao-Bao Falls
- Contact Details:
  - Mobile: 0926 552 9636 / 0938 199 5953
  - Facebook: Edchie D Robles
- If you want to visit the upper tier of the falls, guides are mandatory but fees are on a donation/tip basis
- The best time to visit is during the morning around 09:00-11:00 when the sun casts a rainbow on the cascades mists
- The area is not a fly zone area, drones are allowed
- Signal and data reception is available for all networks
- Stores selling meals and souvenirs are present in the area