Heading to South Cebu soon? CEBU INSIDER has selected the Top 10 Tourist Destinations in South Cebu that we strongly agree are worthy to be in your itinerary.
South Cebu boasts stunning beaches, mountains, and falls, making up for many of the best things to do in Cebu. Most South Cebu tourist attractions we have on our list are accessible by bus within Cebu Island. This is a bit different from the most popular tourist destinations in north Cebu which are mostly reachable by boats or ferries.
Either way, you don’t need to fret. We have some supporting travel guides with the most up-to-date details to help you plan out your South Cebu itinerary.
10 Places to Visit in South Cebu
CEBU INSIDER has carefully curated this list with digital nomads in mind. From islands and beaches to mountains and falls, here are CEBU INSIDER’S Top 10 Tourist Spots in South Cebu:
1. Moalboal
Moalboal is one of the most popular places to go in South Cebu for its white sand beaches and rich marine ecosystem. White Beach or Basdaku Beach is the most famous tourist spot in Moalboal along with Panagsama Beach.
The latter is not the most impressive at first glance. But as you dive into the ocean, you will be in awe of the school of sardines and green sea turtles that appear out of nowhere.
Moalboal also has a vibrant rural nightlife. Don’t miss Blue Mango Bar—it’s the best bar in town! If you want a private experience around Moalboal and Badian, check out Moalboal Island Hopping and Canyoneering Tour!
2. Pescador Island
Still part of the town of Moalboal, Pescador Island is about a 20-minute boat ride from Panagsama Beach. This uninhabited island is home to a rich marine ecosystem. Pescador Island has a wide variety of reef species like sardines, turtles, nudibranchs, frogfish, pilot fish, scorpion fish, lionfish, snappers, groupers, and sweet lips.
Go scuba diving to find hammerhead sharks and white-tip sharks underneath. If you like a private tour that will pick you up from the city or airport, check out Pescador Island Hopping Private Tour!
3. Kawasan Falls
Kawasan Falls in Badian is one of the most visited tourist spots in South Cebu. It’s the endpoint of all canyoneering adventures (highly recommended!) that start from the Kanlaob River in Alegria. Even if you choose not to do canyoneering, the multi-tier Kawasan Falls is worth visiting.
Aside from the main falls at the bottom, walk your way to find different angles of the Gatoride-blue waters below. As you climb up further, you will find other falls and the iconic Kawasan dam. Farther than that is no longer accessible.
If you choose to do canyoneering, you can access the entirety of the river and the waterfalls from top to bottom. However, canyoneering is only possible with accredited tour guides for safety and logistics reasons. Check out Badian Canyoneering Guided Tour!
4. Oslob
The opportunity to swim with whale sharks—the largest shark and fish alive—does not come every day. And there are only a few places in the world that they frequent on a regular basis. If you get to Cebu, grab this rare chance!
Whale sharks are friendly. They won’t bite or eat you, although avoid touching them. There are about 208 whale sharks spotted near the shores of Oslob so far—9 of them have made residency here that’s why they can be seen here every day. If you are looking for a private guided tour, check out Oslob Whale Shark Watching Tour!
5. Sumilon Island
While you are in Oslob, take a trip to Sumilon Island, one of the best tourist spots in South Cebu for its crystal clear water and white sandbar. Sumilon Island is part of Oslob, but we think it deserves a special mention since it’s a worthy trip on its own merit. Bluewater Sumilon Beach Resort, a 4-star hotel, is the only accommodation in the island.
The best way to access Sumilon Island is through Bluewater Sumilon Beach Resort’s day pass. Day pass users may access all of the resort’s facilities, including the infinity pool, private beach area, freshwater lagoon, and restaurant. You may explore the island by hiking trails and snorkeling.
Alternatively, you can go directly to Bancogon Port in Oslob as a walk-in tourist subject to availability. Booked guests are the priority. If you want to ensure your visit to Sumilon Island, get the Bluewater Sumilon Day Pass!
6. Anjo World Theme Park
Showcasing 12 world-class rides and an ice-themed attraction, Anjo World Theme Park in Minglanilla is one of the few premier amusement parks in Cebu. Its 1.5-hectare area is divided into four zones: Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Some of the most popular rides at Anjo World are the Spinning Roller Coaster, Ferris Wheel, Bumper Boats, Space Shuttle, Boomerang, Drop Tower, and the Viking pirate ship ride. Ice-themed Snow World is a three-story attraction popular among locals to experience what winter feels like. Snow World features attractions like ice sculptures, ice slides, and snow.
Skip the long ticket line and get priority access to Anjo World and Snow World in advance!
7. Alegria
Alegria is a tourist town next to Badian and is home to many of the best waterfalls in Cebu, including Cambais Falls and Canlaob Falls. In Alegria, you can find many other underrated tourist spots in South Cebu that will make your visit worthwhile, such as Salay Cave and Mt. Lanaya.
To get to Alegria, take a bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Barili. Travel time is 5 hours.
8. Dalaguete
One of the best things to do in South Cebu is to climb Dalaguete’s mountains. There are three popular peaks in the Mantalangon mountain range: Osmeña Peak (the popular one), Casino Peak (Osmeña Peak’s sister), and Mt. Kadungaw (the hardest trek). You can do what they call the “tri-peak” climb hitting all three peaks.
Osmeña Peak stands 1,013 meters above sea level, making it the highest mountain in Cebu. All three mountains have craggy terrain but are beginner-friendly. Osmeña Peak and Casino Peak are unique having jagged hills with a great view of the ocean, plus the sunrise and sunset views here are amazing!
9. Samboan
Like Alegria, Samboan is home to a number of majestic waterfalls in Cebu. If you are chasing waterfalls, Samboan is the best tourist spot in South Cebu and should be on your itinerary.
Some of the well-known waterfalls in Samboan include Dao Falls and Aguinid Waterfalls. Ponong Lake (it’s actually a lagoon) is also worth visiting if you want to meditate or take a breather from your South Cebu adventures. If you are staying in Samboan, Fantasy Lodge is quite a well-known resort famous for its Kawa Bath.
10. Simala Shrine or Monastery of the Holy Eucharist
Simala Shrine in Sibonga is one of the most known tourist spots in South Cebu among Catholic devotees. Officially known as the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist, it’s a Roman Catholic pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Inside the complex are an array of souvenir shops selling Catholic goods, a grand church, walls covered in prayer requests, and a miraculous Virgin Mary statue.
To get to Simala Shrine, take a bus at Cebu South Bus Terminal bound for Bato via Oslob, and then take a tricycle to the shrine. Travel time is 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a van outside Cebu South Bus Terminal to take you directly to Simala Shrine. If you want a private Cebu City tour with a side trip to Simala Shrine, check out Cebu City and Simala Shrine Private Tour!
Check Out More Tourist Spots in North Cebu
Heading north too? Check out CEBU INSIDER’s Top 10 Tourist Spots in North Cebu!
That’s it for now. I hope you get something out of our list.
