Upon our return to the barangay hall of Tuno, we again boarded our van and were brought to the banks of the Tibiao River where the river kayaks and the staff of Tribal Adventure Tours were waiting for us.  This was to be the last stage of our day-long Tibiao Eco-Adventure Tour – actual kayaking at the Tibiao River.

The Tibiao River

The swirling Tibiao River, rising on the slopes of Mt. Madja-as, plunges with over 1,000 m. on its short run to the ocean. With 23 kms. of rocky, narrow but navigable, grade 3-4 rapids, it is being promoted by the Department of Tourism as a whitewater kayaking destination.

All ready to go

The usual is a pleasant 8-km. (one-day) excursion as access to the upper section is difficult.  Put-in is at Igpitoy and ends at a spot called Tigbaboy.  The river has many chutes, playable holes, eddies and waves, a number of small drops with substantial and nearly continuous, grade 3 rapids and no really dangerous spots except in very high, grade 4 water.

Jandy’s kayaking run

There weren’t enough kayaks for all of us so it was just Jandy, Arjay, Arthele, Clelia, Jonathan, Laurie, Leah, Marcos and Regine on the kayaks, all wearing the required life vests and helmets.  After being instructed on the basic kayaking skills, it was off to the waters for them on their short, maneuverable kayaks.

Jandy back on dry land after kayaking run

We observed their kayaking run from the vantage point of the 80-m. long hanging bridge suspended above the Tibiao River. This usually serves as a finishing line in kayaking-slalom competitions.

How To Get There: Tibiao is located 73 kms. from San Jose de Buenavista, 12.6 kms. from Barbaza, 17 kms. from Culasi and 89 kms. from Brgy. Caticlan (Malay, Aklan).