The sky is blue, clouds are few, and the summer sun is relentlessly blazing! What a wonderful time for playing outdoors! Except that with the advent of global warming, our recent summers are uncomfortably hot. So hot, in fact, that many people stay indoors rather than enjoy traditional summer activities. A minute under the sun feels like being bombarded with nuclear radiation or roasted in an outside oven.
Well, fret not! You can beat the summer heat by doing these LITERALLY cool adventures!
1. Island hopping
With more than 7,000 islands to choose from, you will never run out of postcard-perfect beaches. Sandbars, inlets, coves—you name it, our country has it! And it’s impossible to resist jumping into the cool, aquamarine seas after being burned to a crisp under the blazing sun. Check out Sumilon Island, Canigao Island, and more!
2. Scuba Diving and Free Diving
If swimming in our awesome beaches is not enough for you, why not explore the extraordinary world under the waves? Not only will our tropical waters keep you cool, but you will also hover over colorful coral garden, swim with schools of fish, discover biological wonders, interact with marine animals, and more. There are lots of world-famous dive sites in the Philippines like Apo Island, Balicasag Island, Mactan, and more.
3. Canyoning
For those who are tired of beaches, then this adventure is for you! Rappel over waterfalls, jump over ledges, swim along the current, or scramble on slippery boulders. The best canyoning adventures we have ever experienced are in Biliran and Catbalogan; they are must-try activities for adrenaline junkies. Oh, and if you think you’ll be sweating, think again! The water in these pristine rivers are so cold that you actually need a wet suit!
4. Caving
Still feeling hot? Then let’s go places where the sun doesn’t shine—caves! Be in awe at rare crystal kingdoms and stunning rock formations that only few have ever set eyes on. Swim in underground rivers, and play around in mud chambers. Samar has some of the most magnificent caves we’ve seen, including the enchanting Sulpan Cave and the titanic Langun-Gobingob, which is the largest cave system in the country.
5. Whitewater rafting
Wet, wild, fast, and exciting to the max! That’s how we describe the popular whitewater rafting adventure in the raging Cagayan de Oro river. There’s nothing better than being tossed around in an inflatable raft trying to steer through Mother Nature’s temperament. Even if you’re all wet, the huge doses of adrenaline will definitely warm you up from inside out.
6. Watersports
Kayaking, windsurfing, boating, sailing in a yacht—all of these exciting activities involve cool, refreshing water. Feel the rush while enjoying the cooling touch of this life-giving liquid. The Bellevue Resort in Bohol and Danasan Eco Adventure Park in Danao, Cebu has a whole cadre of watersports right in one convenient location. If you feel you’re up to a solo ride, go whitewater kayaking in Tibiao River or river tubing in Bugang River.
7. Waterfall fun
Ah, Nature’s shower and masseuse! And all of them are awe-inspiring spectacles. As a tropical country, we have plenty of beautiful waterfalls where you can enjoy a refreshing swim or shower. Heck, by just looking at Pinipisakan Falls, Igpasungaw Falls, Tumalog Falls, and more, you’ll feel a whole lot cooler! Waterfalls are great alternatives for beaches.
8. Cordillera Adventures
Like Sweetie, water may not be your element. Well, don’t fret because there are other literally cool places where you can experience chilly breezes. Just head north to the Cordilleras where even the lowlands and valleys are a whole lot cooler than the plains thanks to the region’s distinctive subtropical highland climate. Experience low temperatures ranging from 14 to 0 degrees as you climb Mt. Pulag, the Bakun trilogy, Mt. Kupapey, and more.
9. Wall climbing
Rock climbing is one of our favorite activities. Unfortunately, it gets exceptionally uncomfortable and hot when you climb on a limestone cliff during a blazing day. So why not climb at a nice artificial climbing wall? You still get good amount of thrill under the shade of a roof in Power Up in Tandang Sora, Quezon City or Camp Sandugo in Market! Market!, Global Bonifacio City. Head off to Adventure Central to have hours of climbing fun! And yes, they have ice-cold refreshments as well.
10. Food trips
Even the hottest days would be extinguished with a generous serving of delicious dishes and refreshing beverages. Choose local food rather than fastfood; they give you a historical and cultural lesson with each bite. Try out Jagna’s sticky calamay, Sagada’s creamy yogurt, Cebu’s crispy lechon, and more! Or try having a traditional Filipino lunch while cruising the Loay River in Bohol!
Feeling burnt to a crisp? Then try out these literally cool adventures to ward off the summer heat. We invite you to freely explore Adrenaline Romance for even more adventures that will truly chill you this hot season!
Adrenaline Romance 
Great article, makes me want to come there,,,,,except for those nasty kidnappings and the rebels in the south?
Hi Son of a Sailor,
Well, this is what we always say when it comes to traveling: Don’t trust the media. Negative news is their fuel.
If the south is “officially” a war zone as what media wants to portray, then tourists won’t visit Mindanao. But we’re experiencing a massive surge of tourist arrivals, even in places that were supposedly deemed dangerous. And in many cases, foreigners actually decide to reside in these areas.
Each place has its own problems—just like in any other place in the word. Thus, when we travel, we just disregard stereotypical notions about the place and just enjoy the experience. 🙂
However, like our country, I’m sure there’s LOTS of places to go where it’s totally safe and really pretty,,,,and you should just avoid those other places.
Yup, that’s right. 🙂
Wow! Wonderful! And I don’t see a fringing reef.
Hi Cindy,
Thank you! Oh, we have a huge number of reefs; the Philippines is part of the Coral Triangle anyway. It’s just difficult to shoot underwater. 😦
Wish I could do even one of these…eating perhaps?
Hi Arlene,
You can definitely do these. 🙂 Food trips are cool, but you need to travel so you can check out genuine local delicacies.
I’m totally scuba diving person! And I go to scuba dive every time I have a chance. I would also like to try other ones too 🙂
Nice! We should dive together some time. 🙂
I would love to see these waterfalls! This is a great list for those of us not acclimated to warmer climates (or who just don’t enjoy sweating). 🙂
Hi Kristie,
That’s right! Even us who are living in a tropical country stay away as much as possible from the sun; it’s definitely intense! These activities will literally cool anyone down! 🙂
Scuba diving would definitely help beat the heat, but I think my favorite option of the above would be white water rafting (which I have never done)
Hi We Go With Kids,
Scuba diving is amazing; exploring the alien world under the sea is nothing short of mesmerizing!
Whitewater rafting is awesome as well. We love it when the raft shoots along the rapids, or when we have to fight it out to get out of the rapids. 😀
Caving and waterfall fun would be my top picks to beat the summer heat. I have been reading a lot about Canyoning on a number of sites but am not sure if it is something I can do! My OH might give it a go though.
Hi Deeptha,
Indeed, they are really fun and challenging. Canyoning is nice too, and the best canyoning adventure we ever had was in Biliran. 🙂
The photo with the sea turtle made me wish to start scuba diving right now! Would love to have similar photo of me in the photo 😉 And the most important, to have wonderful memories of Philippines. Hope to make my own memories in Philippines soon.
Hi Milijana,
Thank you! Hope you’ll have a chance to visit the Philippines. 🙂
Heh! I am an Indian. Talk about summer to me. We generally go to the Himalayas because it is too hot in the plains! Your blog post is inspiring with great pictures. I gotta learn swimming though 😀
Hi Orange Wayfarer,
One of our dreams is to hike the Lower Himalayas or the EBC. 🙂 Wish we were living there. Hahaha! 🙂
What a luxurious list! But it all sounds so fun, I’ll have to check out a few of the activities.
Hi Carrie,
It’s not exactly luxurious because many of these adventures are affordable. But yes, they are all coolly fun! 🙂
I am not sure if I would prefer the food trip and the island hopping, but if it’s hot, I would love to stay under the water or go raft or do caving – lovely options they be. Thanks for the share.
Hi Shreyasaha,
Thank you! Island hopping will definitely keep you cool thanks to the sea breeze and the cool water once you plunge in your island destination.
it seems you enjoyed your trip a lot, even your taken images shown everything. Me too going for goa this week for enjoy the hot summer. Wish me luck that i could too enjoy like yours.
Hi Prabhu,
Thank you very much! We’d like to visit India sometime too. 🙂
This is perfect. 🙂
Thank you! Nothing like a good cold splash to refresh yourself from a hot summer day. 🙂
Exactly. Anything to beat this summer 😀
#10 is heart heart. Hihi.
My entry would be #11. Lumaklak ng maraming ice cream. Hihi. Padaan po. 😀😀
Hi Travelhor,
Haha! Enjoying ice cream on a hot day is definitely heaven!
Good article
Thank you very much! 🙂