When you hear the place “Oslob, Cebu”, the first thing that probably comes to mind is whale sharks! But did you know that there are a lot more places to visit and things to do in Oslob than whale shark watching?
Don’t miss the best things to do in Oslob. We’ve rounded up the top things to do and places to visit just for you! Use this Oslob, Cebu travel guide to help you plan the perfect itinerary for your trip.
How To Get There
To get to Oslob, Cebu, fly to the nearest airports. Then follow the next steps.
- Dumaguete – 3 hours away from Oslob
- Mactan – 4 hours away from Oslob
Travel Tip: Check schedules and availability of buses, ferries, taxis, or flights to Cebu to book online with 12Go Asia.
From Dumaguete
From Dumaguete airport, ride a tricycle going to Sibulan port where you will ride a ferry to Cebu. Once in Cebu port, ride a bus heading to Cebu city and ask the bus conductor to drop you off in Oslob.
Alternatively, you can also ride a tricycle to the Ceres bus station and ride a bus heading to Cebu city. Then, ask to be dropped off in Oslob. Fare for the ferry is not included in the bus fare.
You can also choose to join a day trip tour to Oslob and Tumalog Falls from Dumaguete.
From Mactan, Cebu
From Mactan airport in Cebu, ride a taxi or a Grab to the Cebu North bus terminal where you will ride a bus passing by Oslob.
For a hassle-free trip, you can also opt to ride a seat shared van from Mactan airport to Oslob.
From Siquijor
In case you’re coming from Siquijor, simply ride a ferry from Larena Port to Cebu’s Liloan Port. From here, ride a bus heading to Cebu city and ask to be dropped off in Oslob.
Important Information About Oslob Cebu
ATMs: There is an ATM near the whale shark watching area. You can also ask to help in withdrawing money from your ATM at the Rural Bank or Palawan Express at Oslob town.
Languages Spoken: Most locals speak Bisaya. But they’re also fluent in Tagalog and English.
Best time to visit:
Best months to visit would be December to May for the least rainfall and to avoid the typhoon season.
Getting Around: To get around, you can ride a bus or a tricycle. You can also rent a motorcycle.
Top Things To Do in Oslob
Skip Watching the Whale Sharks
Oslob became world-famous because of the whale sharks. Now, more and more tourists come from all parts of the world to get a glimpse of the whale sharks.
Despite the controversy surrounding the whale sharks, locals still continue the feeding the whale sharks to keep them near Oslob.
We’ve written a comprehensive post on reasons why you shouldn’t go whale shark watching in Oslob. We’ve also included a list of places where you can ethically and sustainably swim with wild whale sharks.
Cool Down Under Tumalog Falls
Locals have advised us that Tumalog falls isn’t as beautiful as it was before. Now, the waterfalls has lesser water volume so you might as well be disappointed when you go there.
You can check out our list of the best Cebu waterfalls to visit. Most of these are just a few hours away from Oslob!
Watch Monkeys
While on our way to the whale shark watching area, we noticed a big tree by the road with a signage that says there were monkeys around the area for those who want to see one.
If this is your thing, you can stop by and wait for the monkeys to show up.
Visit Sumilon Island
Sumilon island is another must-visit in Oslob, Cebu. However, be warned. Going to the island can be quite expensive.
You’ll pay P2,500 ($50) per person for a boat trip to Sumilon island. This includes lunch but you’ll only have access to the sandbar.
If you want to make the most out of your visit to Sumilon island, it’s best to book a room at the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort (the only resort on the island) to have access to the whole place.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll have the island all to yourself?
You can also book a Bluewater Sumilon Day Pass here.
Paraglide
In Daanglungsod, Cebu, you can make your paragliding dreams come true! The best time to go would be from October to April to make the most of the Amihan (southwest) moonsoon.
A tandem flight takes around 20 minutes and will cost you P3,500 per person ($70).
For more info, you can contact Mirhady Rendon at +63 (0) 925-544-6789 or Mary Dalumpines at +63 (0) 956-138-0263.
You can also visit their Facebook Page.
Dive
Love exploring the underwater beauty of the Philippines? Oslob offers the Philippines’ first marine sanctuary near Sumilon island.
You can expect to see barracuda, lionfish, stingray, hammerhead sharks and whale sharks!
Eat Sutukil
Sutukil stands for the three methods of cooking seafood in Cebu:
- su – sugba – to grill
- tu – tula – to stew
- kil – kilaw – to cook in vinegar
You can find several restaurants in Oslob offering sutukil. Give it a try and leave a comment below on how much you liked it!
Kayak
Sumilon island offers the perfect lagoon for kayaking. You can kayak surrounded by mangrove trees and navigate around as you explore more of what Sumilon island has to offer.
Tour Caves
Aside from the sandbar and lagoon, Sumilon also has natural caves you can tour. Put on your headlamps and gears as check out the caves.
Explore The Heritage Park
We were expecting to explore Oslob and its underwater sceneries but we didn’t expect to find ruins and a stunning church in this part of Cebu.
If you love history, you can check out the Heritage Park of Oslob. You can find here the following:
- Museo Oslob – You can find here several antiques.
- Check Out Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church – This church is among the oldest churches on the island.
- Baluarte Towers – These are remnants of watchtowers which date back to as early as the 1700s used to warn the people of bandits and raiders.
- Cuartel Ruins – The Cuartel was built to be used as a military barrack in the 1860s. However, it was never finished.
Snorkel
If diving isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt to snorkel around the clear waters of Sumilon island. The 39-hectare dive sites offer you stunning underwater scenery that will leave you coming back for more.
Where To Next?
Moalboal
If you love snorkeling, you’re going to love the turtles and sardine run in Moalboal. This place offers one of the best snorkeling sites in the Philippines. It’s only 2.5 hours away from Oslob.
Related: 7 Things To Do In Moalboal Cebu That You Can’t Miss
Apo Island
Can’t get enough of turtles? Apo island is another snorkeling paradise where you can see sea turtles up close and personal. The coral garden around the island is also a must-visit! Apo island is only around 4 hours away from Oslob.
Siquijor Island
Get enchanted by Siquijor’s laidback beach town vibe. The white sandy beaches, stunning marine sanctuaries, and friendly locals will make you fall in love. This island is only 2 to 3 hours away from Oslob.
Dumaguete
Home to the famous silvanas and sans rival desserts, Dumaguete is a must-visit after Oslob if you have a sweet tooth and love for history. It’s only 2.5 hours away from Oslob.
Mactan Island
A day or two before your flight, spend some time on Mactan island and go island hopping for white sand, fresh seafood, and awesome snorkeling sites!
Panglao Island
And of course you can also ride a ferry to Panglao island in Bohol for 1.5 hours!
Kawasan Falls
Want to go canyoneering, too? You can join an Oslob Whale Shark Snorkeling and Badian Canyoneering adventure here.
RESERVE YOUR TOUR TICKETS HERE
Where To Stay
The best place to stay in Oslob would be near the whale shark watching area. Whale shark watching starts early in the morning and you wouldn’t want to go later during the day when the crowd comes in.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Oslob, Cebu.
Where To Eat
There are a lot of restaurants near the whale watching area.
This article lists the best restaurants to eat in Oslob.
Responsible Travel Tips
When traveling to one place, make sure you practice responsible tourism. Here are some tips to do so.
1. Respect the environment
Don’t litter. Please hold onto your trash until you find a garbage can.
Related: 16 Eco-Friendly Travel Products for the Earth-Loving You
2. Avoid single-use plastic
Bring your eco bag and refuse single-use plastic.
3. Shop local
Keep the traditional crafts alive and support local artisans. Buy from them. And try not to haggle, P20 may seem small to you but it can mean a lot to them.
4. Always ask permission
Be sure to ask for permission first when taking photos or videos especially when it comes to children.
What to Pack for Oslob, Cebu
- Eco-friendly Reusable Water Bottle
- Light Rain Jacket (especially from June to November)
- T-shirts, a nice top, and a long-sleeved shirt
- Aqua Shoes
- Day Bag
- Dry Bag
- Power Adapter
- Universal Waterproof Phone Case
- Packing Cubes
- Ecobag
- Microfiber Towel
- Travel Insurance
- Money Belt
- sneakers, hiking shoes (if you’re planning to hike) and some flats
- reusable straw and reusable bag (no to single-use plastic!)
Related Article: The Only Travel Packing List You’ll Ever Need (Trust Me)
Our Camera Gear
- Mirrorless Camera: Fujifilm XT3
- Lenses: Fujifilm Fujinon kit lens (18-55mm) | Fujinon 35mm f2 | Fujinon 50mm f2
- Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
- GoPro: GoPro Hero Black 7
- Power Bank: Romoss Powerbank
- Camera Backpack: Case Logic Camera and Laptop Backpack
- Monopod: Ifootage Cobra 2 a180
- Mic: Rode VideoMicro
- Gimbal: Zhiyun Weebill-S
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