We visit the Philippines quite often as Manila is where Mary grew up and whenever we get there it’s always a non-stop party. However, being so busy and traveling so much, we haven’t had a chance to write that much about it. While we’ve written guides to El Nido and Manila, admittedly this is only a small handful of what the country has to offer.
That’s why we enlisted the help of our friends who have a small travel agency in Cebu. We asked them to give us a short list of the best attractions on their island. This saves us time and ensures you get good advice – after all, what’s better than getting advice from a local? Cebu is one of the most beautiful and diverse islands in the Philippines, so narrowing it down to just 10 things was no easy task.
Cebu is one of the largest, and certainly the most important, in the central Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital, Cebu City, is the country’s 2nd largest city right after Manila, and is nicknamed the “Queen of the South”. It is a major transportation hub and the only other city in the Philippines with an international airport, serving flights from most Asian countries. This is why Cebu City has become a huge tourist magnet and one of the most recommended vacation spots in the Philippines.
1. Take the Cebu City Tour
Like many old cities in the country, Cebu exhibits a distinct fusion between Chinese and Spanish influences. This is most evident through its architecture, but can also be seen through the local arts, food and history. That said, there is also great respect for the island’s indigenous Filipino tribes, who fought valiantly against the Spanish Conquistadors when they first arrived.
You can get a real sense of it all just by walking the streets of the old town and visiting the various monuments located there. The Basilica of the Holy Child and the Metropolitan Cathedral are the 2 most important Christian sights, while the Taoist Temple is a great place to witness the Chinese influences in the area. For a taste of local history, you should visit the nearby island of Lapu Lapu and go to the Mactan Temple.
2. Stay at one of Mactan’s all-inclusive resorts
Mactan is a small island, connected to Cebu City by a long bridge. It is also where the airport is located and where you will find most of the beach resorts. We love staying in Mactan because the resorts there are especially family friendly! If you are traveling with children, this is a great place to stay. All inclusive services mean you won’t have to lift a finger and the hotel will also provide daily activities and attractions to keep you occupied.
While resorts like Shangri-La or Mövenpick are always a safe bet, we actually prefer the smaller resorts in the center of the island. Not only are they cheaper, but they give a much more warm and personal feel. Of these, the best in our opinion is Bluewater Maribago – a true all-inclusive resort that places great emphasis on the enjoyment of all members of the family. They are the only ones that offer babysitting services, as well as guided activities for children of all ages, so you can have some time for yourself!
3. Swim with the Whale Sharks in Oslob
This is by far the most popular attraction for anyone visiting Cebu. Oslob is a small town in the south of the island and it takes about 3 hours to reach from the town. This means you can easily go there and back the same day, it just means you’ll have to wake up really early. You can find a lot of information and hype about this tour online, so let us surprise you with why you shouldn’t go there!
First and foremost, whale feeding is an ecological disaster, threatening the very existence of this endangered species. Not only do the whales stop migrating, but they forget how to naturally forage and lose their fear of boats and people – resulting in serious injuries from boat propellers and the like. If that’s not enough to convince you, then you should also consider the fact that this is an extremely busy tourist spot. Not everyone would enjoy sharing the small bay with hundreds of other people, all swimming in motor oil-tainted waters. If you insist on going there, make sure to get there before 7:00am so you can beat the hordes and enjoy a relatively quiet experience.
4. Take the Sardine Run to Moalboal
So we told you what not to do, but what about people who want to experience the amazing marine life in Cebu? Don’t worry, there are plenty of other amazing dive spots and we’ll list the best of them! At the top of the list is Moalboal, thanks to its extremely rich and diverse marine ecosystem, but mainly because of the unique shoal of sardines found on nearby Pescador Island.
Many of you have probably heard about the sardine run in South Africa, which is one of the most recommended and exciting adventures for divers and nature lovers in general. While the one in Moalboal is certainly less impressive, the upside is that it is available all year round and not just for a few short weeks. If you don’t like diving, snorkeling is already enough to witness this natural wonder. The large shoal attracts all kinds of marine mammals that feed on it, so you can expect to see lots of different animals while you’re there.
5. Shark diving in Malapascua
Malapascua is a small island on the north coast of Cebu, and it takes 4-5 hours to reach. So it might not be the perfect place for families, but more suitable for a romantic holiday. You should spend at least 1 night on the island itself, but that’s really good because it really is a magical place!
Malapascua is also considered one of the best diving spots in the Philippines. The waters are crystal blue and bursting with amazing corals and countless species of fish. If you wake up early enough, you’re sure to have an exciting encounter with thresher sharks.
6. Visit Kawasan Falls
This place is not far from Moalboal and is only a 2 hour drive from the city. It is definitely possible to combine this with a diving tour of Moalboal and do everything in the same day.
The falls are some of the most impressive we have ever seen and the water is cool and clear. These are cascading waterfalls, divided into 3 sections – so you can climb to the top and jump from there. This makes the falls the perfect place to relax with the family or go on an exciting adventure – whatever you like best!
7. Take a day trip to Bohol
The island of Bohol is right next to Cebu and you will only need about an hour by boat to reach it. This island is quite large, has many nice resorts and a ton of exciting adventures to offer. If you have time, it might actually be best to spend at least a night or 2 there, but it’s also possible to visit it in a day on your way out of Cebu City.
Bohol is most famous for offering a perfect balance between beautiful beaches, diving attractions and mainland tours. The most popular diving excursion is swimming with dolphins in the wild at Pamalikan Island. If you want to experience nature at its best, visit the Chocolate Hills and the Tarsier Sanctuary. The hills are a unique geological formation and the best way to see them is on an ATV tour. Tarsiers are the world’s smallest primates and an endangered species, so seeing them in their natural habitat is an amazing way to end your day.
8. Sea turtle sanctuary on the island of Apo
Another small island not far from Cebu is Apo. This is a tiny island and one of the first marine sanctuaries in the Philippines. Getting there isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but it’s definitely worth it. Once there, you will have a 100% chance of seeing a sea turtle up close, as this place has one of the largest documented turtle populations in the world.
You don’t even have to dive to see the turtles as they often come to swim in the shallow waters as well. However, Apo Island is a small island and can feel boring to people who are not into diving – since that is the only reason why tourists usually go there.
9. Relax in the Camotes Islands
Camotes is a group of 4 small islands near Cebu, offering some of the most picturesque scenery in the entire country. This hidden gem is just starting to get the recognition it deserves, drawing comparisons to the country’s best destinations like El Nido or Coron.
The islands are quiet and remote, so they offer the ultimate getaway experience. There are some resorts there and overnight stay is highly recommended. This is your chance to truly enjoy a private beach and a sense of escape to paradise.
10. Trekking to the top of Ösmena peak
We know that most of you came to the Philippines hoping to relax on the beach and do almost nothing. However, there are some adventures that are worth the hard work, and climbing to the top of Mount Ösmena is one of them. At about 1000 meters (3280 feet) this is the highest point on the island and offers spectacular views of the entire Visayas region.
It takes 1 to 2 hours to reach the foot of the mountain and then another 30 minutes of climbing is required to reach the top. From there, you can either go back the same way or cross the mountain from the other side to reach Kawasan Falls. To reach the falls you will need 4-5 hours of hard walking, but it is an extremely rewarding trip with amazing views and nature around you. Once you reach the falls, the sensation of the water is so refreshing that it cannot be compared to anything else.
