Oslob Cebu Philippines - Swimming With Whale Sharks, Sumilon Island Tour, And Cuartel Ruins

Cebu is home to many natural wonders and fun-filled activities.  This is why a large number of tourists, local and foreign visit this destination on a regular basis.  Oslob is a town in the souteast of Cebu, a province from Visayas Philippines.  It's a 3-4 hour vehicle ride from Cebu City.  One of the highlight attractions here is the Whaleshark Encounter in Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu.  Aside from the whale sharks it is also famous for Sumilon Island and some attractions near the municipality. 

WHALE SHARK ENCOUNTER

The activity starts early in the morning, usually around 6:00 AM and ends by to 12:00 PM and depends on how long the whale sharks stays on the shore.

Watch this YouTube video of my Whale Shark Encounter:

Here are the Fees for the Whale Shark Encounter:

Filipino Tourist - Whale Shark Watching+Snorkeling+Life Jacket and Goggles - PHP 500 / USD 10

Foreign Tourist - Whale Shark Watching+Snorkeling+Life Jacket and Goggles - PHP 1,000 / USD 20

Since you're here early in the morning, you can also enjoy the breathtaking sunrise!

 

The Whale Shark Encounter takes around 30 minutes.  Due to the large number of tourist doing this, the activity is done in batches and strictly follow the timelines.  Before starting, your group will be briefed and oriented on safety measures and the do's and dont's when swimming with the whale sharks.  Be aware that they do not allow people with sun block or sun screen lotion on them during the activity.  This is very harmful for the whale sharks. Once you started, you to dive in at once as your time is limited.

Swimming with these gentle giants is truly a once in a lifetime experience.  I was very amazed how an animal this big can simply be very harmless.  Once you dive in the water, just enjoy the moment and have your pictures and videos captured.

OSLOB WHALE SHARK WATCHING

Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Brgy. Tan-awan, Oslob, 6023 Cebu, Philippines

SUMILON ISLAND

After our whale shark encounter, we headed to another famous spot, Sumilon Island.  This island is well known for it's beautiful white sand beach and sandbar.  The island is 15-20 minute boat ride from the shores of Oslob.  Here are the rates for a boat ride to Sumilon Island from Oslob:

BOAT RIDE (2-WAY) 

Less than 10 people - PHP 1500 

10 - 15 people - PHP 2,000

15 people or more - PHP 2,500

ENVIRONMENTAL FEE (required for everyone) - PHP 50

It is best to go with a group to split the fees.

Watch this YouTube video of our Sumilon Island Side Trip:

SUMILON ISLAND

Bangcogon, Oslob, Cebu, Philippines

CUARTEL RUINS AND OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH

After the Sumilon Island side trip we headed to our last location, Cuartel Ruins and Our Lady Of Immaculate Conception Church (also known as Oslob Church).  These two sites are just located near the Oslob Municipal Hall.  Both these places are significant to Oslob's history. 

 

CUARTEL RUINS AND OUR LADY OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH

Oslob, Cebu, Philippines

This trip was part of a 3-Day Cebu Adventure tour.  I have booked a worry free adventure that was organized by CEBU TOUR KUYA KEVS.  To know more, just visit their facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/kevincebucitytour1/

Here are some tips when you do the Whale Shark Watching And Sumilon Island:

1.  If you wish to do the Whale Shark Encounter activity, make sure to be in the site as early as 5:00am and register immediately.  If you go too late, you might miss the slot allocation and might return on the next day.
2. It would be better to do the Whale Watching activity with a tour operator for a hassle-free and worry-free tour.  There are a lot of tour operators in Cebu and prices are very competitive.
3. As much as possible pack light.  Although there are lockers in nearby resorts that usually cost around PHP100-200 per person.  I also suggest to have a waterproof bag to place all your things as you will have to carry it along and it can get wet.
4. You can rent an action camera on site for PHP 500 and share the fee with your group.  You can also ask the boat operator to take pictures and videos of you.  Tell them you'll give them extra so they will be motivated to take really good pictures and videos.
5. This activity is best done when its not raining.  The rains can make the water more blurry and ruin your pictures and videos.
6. The waters in the whale shark activity has quite a fishy smell because the fishermen feed them.  If this is your last activity, bring extra clothes and use the shower rooms in the area.
7. For the Sumilon Island trip, best time to visit is from November to May when it's the dry season.  Ask your tour operator or the locals on the time of the low tide to experience the sandbar.  Sometimes, during high tide, the sandbar is not visible.
8. You will be requiring a boat to go to Sumilon Island which cost PHP 1,500 - PHP 2,500 depending on the number of persons.  So, it is advisable to go with a group to lessen the expenses.

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Moalboal Cebu Philippines - Sardine Run And Swimming With Turtles

I have always wanted to swim with turtles.  But as we all know, these beautiful creatures are not that easy to spot.  I have watched videos where in turtles are frequently sighted in Moalboal in Cebu Philippines.  So, when I got the chance to visit Cebu, my first activity was to go to Moalboal and hopefully, have my first encounter with sea turtles.

My trip to Moalboal is part of a join-in group tour that I have availed online.  Here's a link to their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/kevincebucitytour1/ .  Moalboal is 3-4 hour car ride from Cebu City.  The tour started early morning, wherein the tour operator picked me up in my hotel at 5:00AM.  We arrived in Moalboal around 8:30AM and started the tour immediately.  The tour is actually highlighting the Sardine Run, wherein you can snorkel and swim with hundreds of sardines.

First, we headed to Pescador Island for snorkeling.  Pescador Island is one of the top dive and snorkeling sites in Cebu.  It is an uninhabited island 15 minutes away from the western coast of Moalboal.  

Next, we head to the tour highlight, the Sardine Run.  It's a short 10-minute boat ride to the site.  The Sardine Run is located just off the shore of Moalboal on Cebu Island. The Sardine Run in Moalboal is a year round natural phenomenon but much better to visit from November to May.  The sardines usually gather around Panagsama Beach, just in front of Savedra Dive Centre, making it easily accessible to tourists.

This Moalboal trip is really a very good adventure.  Swimming with hundreds of sardines and the sea turtle is truly a once in a lifetime experience for me.  I was really glad that I took the time to take this trip.  In my opinion, the best way to experience this is to join a group tour.  There are several tour operators online and in facebook offering services like this.  The advantage of joining a group tour is that, it is more economical and you will be guided all the way by the friendly tour operators.  They will also give you suggestions on the best places to stay, eat, or if wish more local adventures.

Watch this YouTube video of my Moalboal Adventure:

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