Wild Water Rafting

Wild water rafting in Davao City along the mighty Davao River

Wild Water Rafting is one of the widely popular eco-tourism and outdoor adventures in Davao City. The site for this extreme water sport is the Davao River. The 3 1/2 hour wild water rafting starts from Barrio Tamugan in Calinan, and then ends at the lowlands. The water course features some 30 rapids of varying degrees of difficulty in the 15 kilometers of rough water portion of the Davao River. Snaking in and around the several mighty rapids of twists, bends, and turns along the river makes it more challenging and exciting to wild water rafting enthusiasts. Aside from the thrill of the rapids, one can also feast on the lush greenery of trees and undergrowth along the river banks. There are also occasional sightings of rare animals, such as the Philippine water dragon, predatory birds such as hawks, crows, and smaller ones such as the balinsasayaw - the swiftlet that makes a nest out of its saliva, a prized delicacy in many Asian countries.

There are also crocodiles in the area, and a few were taken from the Davao River. These big reptiles come in different sizes, the largest one aptly named Pangil, or "Fangs" in English, is about 18 feet long, and is the second largest crocodile in the country. Pangil is under the care of Davao Crocodile Park in Ma-a, Davao City.

Aerial view of Davao River

Wild or white (to some) water rafting is a recreational outdoor activity using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water of varying degrees of rough water. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid-1970s, and is considered an extreme water sport.

Wild Water Rafting

is one of the popular eco-tourism adventures in Davao City

3 1/2 hour of wild water rafting starts from Tamugan in Calinan

and ends at the lowlands

There are 30 rapids of varying degrees of difficulty

in the rough water portion of Davao River

The site for rafting is the 15 kilometer

of rough water portion of the Davao River

Lush greenery of trees and undergrowth

along the river banks

Hanging bridge in the calmer water portion

of the Davao River

The raft that is usually used in wild water rafting is an inflatable boat, consisting of very durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. The length varies between 11 feet and 20 feet, the width is between 6 feet and 8 feet. There is also the packraft, which is designed as a portable single-person raft and may be as small as 4.9 feet long and weighs as little as 4 pounds.

The raft

The paddles

Rafts come in a few different forms. The most common is the symmetrical raft steered with a paddle at the stern. Other types are the asymmetrical, rudder-controlled raft, and the symmetrical raft with central helm or oars. Rafts are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and typically hold 4 to 12 persons.

Davao Wild Water Adventures

Davao Wildwater Adventure, Inc. manages wild water rafting activities in Davao City. For a fee, they offer shuttle service from the Davao Crocodile Park in Ma-a to the rafting area in Barrio Tamugan in Calinan, and back; provide packed lunches and bottled drinking water; safety gears and other necessary equipments; a river guide; a souvenir shirt, and 2 photo CDs for a group of 6 persons.

Itinerary includes:

8:30 AM - Assembly at Davao Crocodile Park

9:30 AM - Departure

10:30 AM - Arrival at Tamugan. Calinan

11:00 AM - Start of Rafting

12:00 PM - Lunch

3:00 PM - Arrival at Take-Out area, Purok 8, Lacson

3:30 PM - Departure for Crocodile Park

4:30 PM - Arrival at Crocodile Park

White Water Rafting Checklist 

- Rash guard, or light weight and comfortable clothes

- Sun block lotion

- Sunglasses or prescription glasses with string or strap (optional)

- Old Sneakers, neoprene booties, or river shoes, or any footwear that is not easy to come off

- Waterproof camera (optional)

- Energy Bar for the river

- Drinking water or energy drink

- Towels

- Plastic Bags for wet items such as sneakers

- Extra clothes

- Snack and drink

Davao Wildwater Adventure, Inc. 

manages wild water rafting activities in Davao City

Inside

The counter

The rafts and packrafts

Safety vests and helmets

Shuttle service to the water rafting site

Print on the shuttle service

"Not a Souvenir" shirt, but a proof of having joined the fun!

Wild water rafting in Davao City was featured

in the May/June 2008 issue of Action Asia

Action Asia magazine

Contact Information

Davao Wildwater Adventure, Inc.

Crocodile Park Compound

Riverfront Corporate City, Diversion Highway

Ma-a, Davao City, Philippines 8000

Tel. Nos.: (+6382) 301-2020 and (+6382) 286-1055

Email: davaowildwater@yahoo.com

Website: www.waterrafting.psdgroupph.com