OSLOB TRAVEL GUIDE: THINGS TO DO IN OSLOB, CEBU

Oslob, Cebu is a small coastal town with a population of 30,000 people. It is a hub of activity with several tourist attractions to offer to the hoards of visitors who stop by. It is most well known for being one of the best spots to swim with whale sharks. However, there are also several other attractions to check out in Oslob.

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CEBU TO OSLOB

I originally arrived in Cebu City and caught a 3-hour bus through Moalboal and all the way to Alegria where I stayed for a few nights. I visited Mainit Hot Springs, Kawasan Falls and Osmena Peak. A motorbike taxi then drove me to Oslob. The journey took about 1.5 hours and was a scenic coastal drive almost the whole way.

The most efficient (cheap) way to get to Oslob is to take a taxi to the bus station from the airport. Here you will get on a bus that goes all the way to Oslob. If you are looking to book a ride in advance you can book a seat shared van that picks you up from the airport in Cebu and drops you in Oslob for just $20. You can click here to book your seat.

WHERE TO STAY IN OSLOB

Ideally if you are coming to Oslob to swim with whale sharks you want a place by the ocean and near the whale shark tours. The tours begin at sunrise so it helps to be nice and close. There are some other cool things to do in Oslob so you may want to consider two nights in this coastal town.

Best Value Budget option: Casa Bonita Inn

Mid-Range option: Ocean View Lodging House

Luxury option: Germaroze

WHAT TO DO IN OSLOB CEBU

I was in Oslob for 24 hours and managed to fit in two of the most popular attractions in the region that I highly recommend. I swam with the whale sharks and visited Sumilon Island, Oslob. If you have more time there are lots of things to do in Oslob or very close by to Oslob. Tumalog Falls is another one of the things to do in Cebu that you should consider.

WHALE SHARKS

At sunrise, we lined up on the beach with many other tourists eager to share the water with the huge whale sharks. The whole experience cost about 1000 Pesos or $23 USD. Before we dove we were told that touching the sharks is a criminal offense and that it will result in a huge fine or jail time.

The Whale Sharks are fed, which is the center of controversy. I have experienced the Whale Shark center in Donsol and also swam with the Whale Sharks there. They don’t feed them in Donsol but they did chase them with motor boats. Neither operation is perfect but it has been a good transition from killing the whale sharks

Both tourism operations still have a long way to go to be considered eco-friendly but they do have environment teams working on it. As with all animal tourism, it is a balance of economics and the animals.

I did the experience in Oslob in 2016 and 2018. In 2016 you just went free-roam and swam wherever you like. It was hectic and I saw many people touch the sharks. On my last visit in 2018, the tourists all line up and stay near their boats. Their captain and instructor watch their 10 customers very carefully in one spot.

The Whale Shark is led up and down the line guided by the plankton it is being fed. It is never in a net it comes and goes at its own will and the experience was much calmer this time around. It isn’t perfect but they have made huge improvements to the process.

Book a tour: If you have just one night, you can still tick off three of the best things to do in Oslob. Sumilon Island, swim with Whale Sharks and visit Tumalog Falls. You can actually book a day-tour that includes all three attractions. You can click here to book your tour that includes Sumilon Island, swimming with Whale Sharks and visiting Tumalog Falls all in one day

SUMILON ISLAND, OSLOB

The island is only a 15-20 minute boat ride from Oslob and I managed to get on board for free after I made friends with the captain at lunch. When I arrived at Sumilon Island there was a 50 Pesos or $1 USD entrance fee. A group of holiday-makers played in the water and their kids were having the time of the life.

The sand was some of the whitest I had seen so far in the Philippines and contrasted beautifully against the clear water and surrounding reefs. This is a great spot to hang out for the afternoon with a bunch of friends. You feel like you are in the middle of the ocean, totally isolated and separated from all of the commotions back on Cebu.

Book a tour: If you have just one night, you can still tick off three of the best things to do in Oslob/. Sumilon Island, swim with Whale Sharks and visit Tumalog Falls. You can actually book a day-tour that includes all three attractions. You can click here to book your tour that includes Sumilon Island, swimming with Whale Sharks and visiting Tumalog Falls all in one day

TUMALOG FALLS

Tumalog Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls on Cebu. You can swim here and enjoy the morning after swimming with the whale sharks. It only costs $1 for entry and is just a 10-minute drive from the whale shark area.

OSLOB TO BOHOL

We were under the impression we might have to travel north to Dumaguete and then catch a ferry south to Bohol. However, our hostel owner managed to organize for us to arrive via a small boat directly from Oslob to Bohol in under two hours. It only cost 800 Pesos or $ 16USD.

OSLOB MAP

MORE CEBU TRAVEL GUIDES

Awesome Things to do on Cebu: 16 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON CEBU

Kawasan Falls Canyoneering: KAWASAN FALLS CEBU CANYONEERING ADVENTURE

Oslob: WHAT TO DO IN OSLOB CEBU

Osmena Peak: OSMEÑA PEAK IN CEBU – A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE HIKE

Digital Nomad Guide to Moalboal: THE DIGITAL NOMAD GUIDE TO MOALBOAL, CEBU

The Ultimate Philippines 3-4 week Itinerary: ULTIMATE PHILIPPINES TRAVEL ITINERARY FOR 3-4 WEEKS

The Backpacking Guide to the Philippines: PHILIPPINES BACKPACKING GUIDE: 1 MONTH FOR $800