If you search ‘things to do in Oslob’ on Google, you will get dozens of articles talking about whale sharks, Sumilon Island, and Tumalog Falls. While those are high on this list, those articles are clearly just regurgitating each other, giving you outdated pre-pandemic information.
This article is different. We added some new activities in Oslob as well as a couple of off-the-beaten paths to suffice your wanderlust. Each list includes details on how to get there and the updated fees you need to pay.
What Is Oslob, Cebu Famous for?
Giant whale sharks are Oslob’s biggest attraction, drawing thousands of local and foreign tourists alike on a good day. Oslob whale sharks—known as ‘butanding’ in Tagalog and Bisaya—are also one of the main reasons why foreign tourists make sure to visit Cebu. Oslob has recorded 208 visiting whale sharks so far—9 of them have made a permanent residence off its coast.
Klook.comHow to Get to Oslob from Cebu City
Go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Bato via Oslob. This is important as there are buses bound for Bato via Barili, which is a different route. The fare is 200-250 PHP (~4-5 USD), depending on your drop-off point.
Travel time is 3 hours. To get around Oslob, take a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) or tricycle. The fare is around 30-100 PHP (~1-2 USD). For more details on how to get to Oslob from Cebu City, Cebu Airport, Moalboal, Dumaguete, and Bohol, check out our How to Get to Oslob Guide!
You can also charter a private vehicle to take you to Oslob from Cebu City or Mactan Airport. Book a Private Intercity Transfer here!
How Much Is a Taxi from Cebu to Oslob?
A chartered taxi from Cebu City to Oslob may cost around 3,500-4,000 PHP (~63-80 USD). Alternatively, you can book a private vehicle (sedan, SUV, or van) with a driver from any point in Cebu City or Mactan to Oslob for 4,900 PHP (~75 USD). This includes an English-speaking driver, fuel fees, luggage allowance, and insurance.
Klook.comIs It Worthy Staying in Oslob?
Yes, 2 days and 1 night would be enough to explore Oslob and see all the must-visit attractions, such as the whale sharks, Sumilon Island, and Tumalog Falls. You can also make Oslob your base if you are exploring towns like Boljoon, Alcoy, Santander, Samboan, and Ginatilan.
Where to Stay in Oslob
You have a few options on where to stay in Oslob. If you want to get close to Sumilon Island, Island Front Bancogon Resort and Restaurant is the jump-off point to the island. If you are looking for accommodation near whale sharks in Oslob, Aloha and C Star Travellers Inn are great options. If you are looking for affordable accommodation, Sharky Hostel gives you a bang for your buck.
Top 10 Activities in Oslob You Should Try
Whether it’s swimming with whale sharks or trying local delicacies or paragliding up in the sky, there are quite a few activities in Oslob that you would enjoy. Here are 10 Things to Do in Oslob:
1. Swim with Whale Sharks
One of the most popular things to do in South Cebu that make Oslob worth visiting are the whale sharks. A total of 208 whale sharks have been spotted off the coast of Oslob—9 of them have been Oslob’s permanent residents.
These gentle giants are friendly and pose no harm to humans—just maintain a distance to avoid getting swallowed. Before tourists are transported to the water, they are briefed about the dos and don’ts while swimming with whale sharks. You can take a picture with them, but you are not allowed to touch them!
Oslob whale shark watching is open from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon daily.
How to Get to Oslob Whale Shark
Take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Oslob. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at Oslob Whale Shark Bus Stop. The fare is 300 PHP (~6 USD). Travel time is 4 hours.
You can also charter a private vehicle from Cebu City or Mactan Airport to Oslob Whale Shark activity center and Tumalog Falls. Book your Oslob Whale Shark Watching Experience here!
Oslob Whale Shark Fees 2023
- 500 PHP (~10 USD) per person for local tourists
- 1,000 PHP (~20 USD) per person for foreign tourists
This includes the use of snorkeling gear and a life jacket.
Klook.com2. Explore Sumilon Island
Located about 1.4 kilometers from mainland Oslob, Sumilon Island is the first protected marine sanctuary in the Philippines. This 24-hectare coral island is known for its shifting sandbar as well as the lone commercial facility here—the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort, an eco-luxury resort popular as a wedding venue and honeymoon destination.
There are a couple of things to do in Sumilon Island. On top of its dive sites and shifting white sandbar, Sumilon Island also features white sand beaches, a lagoon, caves, hiking trails, a 19th-century watchtower, and a modern lighthouse.
Tourists can access the island through the resort’s day pass. Walk-in visitors are also allowed, subject to availability. Booked guests are the priority. If you want to ensure your visit to Sumilon Island, get the Bluewater Sumilon Day Pass!
Things to Do in Sumilon Island
- Scuba dive in 4 major dive sites
- Chill at the shifting white sandbar
- Enjoy water activities by the beach, like kayaking and paddleboarding
- Relax at the natural lagoon
- Trek to the caves
- Climb the lighthouse
- See the 19th-century watchtower
How to Get to Sumilon Island from Cebu City
Take a Ceres Liner bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Oslob. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at Island Front – Bancogon Resort and Restaurant. At the resort, take a boat to Sumilon Island. The boat fee is 1,500 PHP (~60 USD) for up to 6 people. Travel time is 10 minutes.
You can also charter a private vehicle from Cebu City or Mactan Airport to bring you to the jump-off point to Sumilon Island. Book your Private Intercity Transfer here!
Sumilon Island Fees 2023
- 50 PHP (~1 USD) entrance fee
- 1,500 PHP (~60 USD) boat fee for up to 6 people
At the resort, take a boat to Sumilon Island. Note that entry to Sumilon Island for walk-in visitors is never guaranteed. Day pass users are the priority. Get your day pass in advance here!
Klook.com3. Tumalog Falls
Tumalog Falls is a must in Oslob. The sheer size of the fall, the cascading water, and the enticing turquoise plunge pool make it a worthy attraction in Oslob. It is also known as Toslob Falls (Toslob in Bisaya means “to take a dip”) and Mag-ambak Falls (Mag-ambak in Bisaya means “to jump”). The trek to the fall is pretty easy and should take about 10 minutes. Tumalog Falls is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
How to Get to Tumalog Falls
Take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Oslob. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at the intersection going to Tumalog Falls. Then take a habal-habal to Tumalog Falls. The fare is 70 PHP (~1.5 USD) per person one way.
Tumalog Falls Entrance Fee 2023
- 50 PHP (~1 USD) per person
4. Get Close to Macaques at Oslob Macaque
The Philippine long-tailed macaques, which are called “unggoy” or “matsing” in local dialects, are endemic to Philippine forests and woodlands. In Oslob, you can find more than 20 of them at a monkey sanctuary in Sitio Bulak, Barangay Hagdan, Oslob.
All visitors have to attend a short briefing about the dos and don’ts on the premises and while interacting with the animals. Macaques, like any other primates, are intelligent. You can feed them and play with them. But they are distinctly mischievous too. So watch out!
Oslob Macaque is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.
How to Get to Oslob Macaque
Take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Oslob. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at Oslob Macaque near Hagdan Barangay Hall. Take a walk to Oslob Macaque.
Oslob Macaque Entrance Fee
- 100 PHP (~2 USD) per adult
5. Paraglide in Oslob Skies
Oslob Cebu Paragliding is a new attraction in Cebu. They offer tandem paragliding where you and your licensed paragliding pilot will navigate through the air for 8-15 minutes. They also offer solo paragliding to all licensed local and international paragliding pilots.
The minimum age to fly is 2 years old, while the maximum weight limit is 100 kg. They also have a camping ground and a viewing deck that visitors can access for a fee. Oslob Cebu Paragliding is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
How Much Is Paragliding in Oslob, Cebu?
Paragliding in Oslob costs 3,500 PHP (~62 USD) per person, inclusive of all flying gear, pilot fees, and site fees for both take-off and landing zones.
For camping, the entrance fee is 200 PHP (~4 USD) per person. Tent rental is 150 PHP (~3 USD) good for 2 persons and 200 PHP (~4 USD) for 4 persons. For the viewing deck, the entrance fee is 25 PHP (~0.5 USD) per person, which is open from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. A corkage fee of 500 PHP (~20 USD) also applies.
Klook.comHow to Get to Oslob Cebu Paragliding
Take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Oslob. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at Oslob Public Market. Then take a habal-habal or tricycle to Oslob Paragliding Café. The fare is 50-100 PHP (~1-2 USD). Travel time is 10 minutes.
For inquiries, contact them at 0925-544-6789 or 0945-237-5248 or at ocpdc2018@gmail.com.
6. Chill at Cancua-ay Beach Resort
Oslob is not the best option if you like white sand beaches. But if there’s one beach that we recommend around town, it’s Cancua-ay Beach Resort. The beach area is very small, surrounded by boulders. Nevertheless, you will definitely enjoy its clear water and fine white sand.
Cancua-ay Beach Resort is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
How to Get to Cancua-ay Beach Resort
Take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Oslob. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at Cancua-ay Beach Resort or Seafari Resort since this is more familiar to most bus drivers. They are located next to each other.
Cancua-ay Beach Resort Rates
- 150 PHP (~3 USD) per adult and 100 PHP (~2 USD) per child for day use (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- 300 PHP (~6 USD) per adult and 200 PHP (~4 USD) per child for night use (5:00 p.m. onwards)
- 120 PHP (~2.5 SD) per adult and 50 PHP (~1 USD) per child for a day tour on weekdays
- 150 PHP (~3 SD) per adult and 50 PHP (~1 USD) per child for a day tour on weekends
- 300 PHP (~6 USD) per person for an overnight stay
- 1,200 PHP (~24 USD) for tent rental (up to 4 persons)
- 3,500-6,500 PHP (~62-116 USD) per room per night (up to 4 persons)
7. Oslob Heritage Park
Oslob Heritage Park houses the historical landmarks of Oslob, including Cuartel Ruins, Museo Oslob, Balay sa Agta, and the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church. The park is also a popular shooting location for wedding photos. Nearby is Cuartel Beach if you want to take a dip. But you need to be extra careful of sea urchins. The park is open 24/7, except for the church. There is no entrance fee.
How to Get to Oslob Heritage Park
Take a Ceres Liner bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Oslob. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off at 7-Eleven or Oslob Public Market. Oslob Heritage Park is a walking distance from these landmarks.
8. Try Local Delicacies at Oslob Public Market
Like many public markets in the Philippines, Oslob Public Market is the main source of locals for their cooking. Look for raw local delicacies like dried fish (only for the strong-willed foodie), chorizo de Cebu (Cebu-style pork sausage), and lechon Cebu (Cebu-style roasted pig). Look for the banana cue (deep-fried banana coated in caramelized sugar).
You can also find fresh produce, seafood (crabs, squids, and shrimps), and meat at the market as well as local and imported fruits such as mangoes, bananas, watermelon, oranges, apples, grapes, and more. There are bakeries and karenderya as well to fill your stomach and some shops selling kitchen utensils and home tools.
At night, the market turns into a food park where you can find a bunch of street foods, like skewers of all kinds—from seafood to red and white meats to more exotic chicken gizzards and liver and Betamax (coagulated chicken blood).
How to Get to Oslob Public Market
Oslob Public Market is a walking distance from 7-Eleven, Oslob Heritage Park, and Gaisano Grand Mall Oslob. It is a 15-minute drive from Oslob Whale Shark Bus Stop. If you take a habal-habal or tricycle, the fare is 30 PHP (~0.5 PUSD).
9. Try Local Cuisine
Don’t miss the opportunity to try local dishes, especially seafood. Oslob is a fishing town, so you get fresh catch every day. One thing we recommend is sutukil, which mixes three famous cooking methods—sugba, tuwa, and kilaw, hence the name—to turn the freshest local seafood into delicious meals. Sugba means grilled; tuwa means soup; kilaw means ceviche.
Where to Eat in Oslob
There are many karenderya and restaurants in Oslob where you can find sutukil and other local dishes. The top restaurants you should visit are:
- AC Palayok Restaurant (must-try: chopsuey, Bicol express, grilled tuna panga or jaw)
- George Restaurant (must-try: batchoy (noodle soup))
- Nhinz Larangan (must-try: larang (fish soup), grilled seafood)
- Le Bistrot (must-try: anything pizza)
- The Big J’s Restaurant (must-try: eggplant salad, grilles stuffed squid, sisig)
- Sol’s Halo-halo and Desserts (must-try: halo-halo, mango tango)
10. Take a Side Trip to Samboan
With at least 10 waterfalls, Samboan is unofficially Cebu’s waterfall capital. Some of the most popular falls in Samboan are Dao Falls, Aguinid Falls, and Binalayan Falls. Aside from waterfalls, Samboan also has incredible coasts with white sand beaches.
How to Get to Samboan from Oslob
Located on the opposite side of Oslob, Samboan can be reached directly from Oslob via a scooter or chartered habal-habal or tricycle. Travel time is 30 minutes. If you charter a vehicle, expect to pay around 500-800 PHP (~10-16 USD). Alternatively, you can take a bus to Bato and then take a bus at Bato Terminal bound for Cebu City via Moalboal. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you off in Samboan. The fare would be around 100 PHP (~2 USD) per person.
Where to Stay in Samboan
Oslob Itinerary 2023
Still looking for inspiration for your trip to Oslob, skip the process and check out our Oslob Itinerary and Budget! This itinerary includes a step-by-step guide on what to see and what to do in Oslob as well as a breakdown of expenses for 2 days and 1 night.
If you want to explore South Cebu, check out our South Cebu Itinerary and Budget. This itinerary includes major attractions in South Cebu, such as swimming with sardines and green sea turtles in Moalboal, canyoneering in Badian, and of course, whale shark watching in Oslob, and Sumilon Island.
Drop your questions if you want to clarify some things. We will get back to you ASAP!
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