From afar, Merloquet Falls looked like a white curtain pinned to a lush forest wall just flowing in the wind. Up close, the waterfalls was even more dramatic and grander than it looked. I kept the photo-taking short, as I wanted to join the locals who were relaxing under the cascades.
The path on the side of the falls was a bit slippery while most of the rock surface on the foot of the falls was carpeted with a layer of furry moss. As I peeked through the veil of water I saw that the droplets left rainbows dancing in the distance. It was pure bliss to sit with my back against the falls and get a natural massage.
Zamboanga City is most often associated with historic and cultural attractions in the city like Fort Pilar, the museum and colorful vintas. Before this trip, I had never even heard of Merloquet Falls. But the local government is now developing the area as an eco-tourism attraction.
This scenic waterfall is a rising destination located in the interiors of barangay Sibulao, some 78 kilometers east of the city. If you have a day to spare in Zamboanga City and are into nature hikes and outdoor activities, this should definitely be on your must-do list.
Merloquet Falls actually has two tiers. The lower level is the more dramatic one with a height of ten meters. Climbing up the side of this falls using tree roots and a thick rope will reward you with a view of the fall’s upper tier. You can even look down the first falls.
The upper tier is a series of interesting jagged rock formations which are sloped diagonally and roughly five meters high.
Merloquet Falls in Zamboanga City is one of the more scenic waterfalls I’ve visited in the country. Because of its isolation, the area remains pristine and there are a lot of strategic vantage points for photography. It’s good to note that people are not allowed to eat or drink at the waterfalls. If you do stop by, be sure to bring trash bags with you and leave the place as beautiful as you found it.
How to get to Merloquet Falls:
- According to tourism officials, the best way for large groups to get to Merloquet Falls is to hire a private van or rent a jeep for the day to take you all the way there.
- Visitors can also take either a bus or van to Vitali (fare is about P70-120+ depending on vehicle and if aircon/non-aircon) from the city proper (1.5 – 2hrs away).
- Get down at the Vitali checkpoint along the highway and hire a habal-habal from the junction to the falls.
- The road from Vitali has been cleared so hiking time is much shorter than it used to be. Follow the path until you reach a shed to pay entrance fees.
- The 500-meter downhill hike to the falls will take about 10-15 minutes
Useful information:
- Entrance Fees: P5.00 per person. Parking Fees: P10/per motorcycle and P20/for cars and other vehicles.
- If you leave early and don’t stay too long it’s possible to do this trip in half a day. However, it’s best to allot a whole day due to travel time and so you have ample time for photography.
- Bring extra clothes and wear proper footwear for hiking. I recommend hiking shoes for going down the steps. You can leave your shoes in the cottages before you take a dip.
- On rainy days, vehicles may have a hard time passing up the path leading to the falls.
- You may want to bring a tripod to take photos.
- There are no stores yet selling food at the falls, so day-trippers should bring their own packed lunch and drinks.
- There are sacks there hanging on trees for garbage, but visitors are requested to take their trash back with them. Leave nothing but footprints!
Vamos a Zamboanga! 🙂
UPDATE: For more things to do in Zamboanga City, please check out the Zamboanga City trip highlights on my Facebook page.
You’re right. I usually stumble into Fort Pilar and colorful vintas kapag sinabing Zamboanga post. Just by looking at the pictures the two girls are dwarfed by this towering falls. This is indeed an awesome discovery.
Thank you for this Kara! Planning to go to Zamboanga end of the year and I’ve been looking for places to check out! Thanks for the tips on how to get there too!
hi, this is very helpful cuz we are going to zambo next month and don’t know much about the place. any other places of interest to see and can you recommend a nice place but reasonably price pension house. thank you very much
Hi Sen. I’ll be writing more about the other activities to do in Zamboanga soon. For a cheap pension house, you might want to check out Casa Don Atilano in Atilano Compound, Mayor Jaldon St. They have basic fan and aircon rooms (less than P500/night).
Thanks Killerfillers. I feel really grateful to have seen this place! One of my favorite waterfalls in the country so far. 🙂
Hey Ed, no problem. Please stay tuned for the next installment. Great news for tourists and photo-hungry bloggers. Visitors can now sail in vintas every Fri-Sunday at Paseo del Mar for P50/each (adults) if the weather is good! 😀
Wew! I love waterfalls… I’ll promise to visit this pag punta ako ng Zamboanga. Thanks for sharing 🙂
wow! nice to know more bloggers are discovering the merloquet falls! kakastarstruck nga yung place… 🙂
sharing our Merloquet falls visit early this year:
http://www.promdingchamimay.com/2012/02/finally-merloquet-waterfalls.html
Hi Promding Chamimay. Had a great time at the falls. You’re from Zamboanga, right? Thanks for sharing the link! 🙂
hello Kara! yeah, im from zamboanga, and im staying here na. 🙂 aww didn’t know bloggers came here last week (tama ba?) always hoped to meet those who come visit… 🙂
Sayang, we didn’t get to meet! Was invited to cover the Hermosa festival for some publications I write for. Just took a side-trip to Merloquet Falls and had to blog about it agad kasi ang ganda niya 🙂
hi kara…is it safe going to the area where the falls is located?i mean safe from bandits?
Hi Mercy. I felt perfectly safe and encountered no bandits during my trip there. 🙂 Statistics show that there are far more incidents of crime in Manila than in Mindanao. If you’re concerned about security, here’s a helpful guide you should check out:
http://www.officiallyphilippines.com/traveling-solo-to-mindanao–2420
mntks for the info.
You’re welcome. Hope you get to visit! 🙂
Hi Kara!
Napaka-enticing ng Merloquet Falls pics mo! Tempting to visit! Question lang po: Gaano katagal ang travel time from Zambo City to the Falls if private car, or commute? I am planning a trip to Zambo and Isabela, Basilan (water / beach peeps kasi kaming bibiyahe) and I’m trying to figure out if kayang mag-Merloquet Falls + Vinta Sailing if you start your day at 8am. 🙂
Hi France. Merloquet Falls is 1.5 – 2 hrs away from the city proper. If you start at 8am, you can bring packed lunch to the falls, then head back to Zamboanga City after lunch to catch vinta sailing at Paseo del Mar (which is only offered 4pm-6pm every Friday-Sunday) Enjoy your trip 🙂
that’s really a nice blog!..im new here in zamboanga and I would like to discover good places..coming from veterans street via car which way will I take going to merloquet falls?..there’s an intersection going to pagadian and airport..please instruct me of the road going there..thanks! 🙂
Hello Kei, I’m actually from Manila, but here goes: If you’re taking a car from Veterans Street, drive towards the Maria Clara Lobregat Highway in the direction going to Pagadian until you reach Baragay Sibulao. Ask around for directions when you get there.
Hi ma’am Kara,
Safe naman to go here solo?
Hi J, I get asked this a lot especially for destinations in Mindanao, and while nothing bad happened to me, I can never guarantee 100% if a place is “safe” or not. Unlike Sta. Cruz Island, armed escorts are not required to accompany guests visiting Merloquet Falls. I hear the falls gets crowded during weekends, so there will be other tourists. There’s always safety in numbers.
Much Better if you have company para in case of emergency me makakatulong sayo.