While many of Cebu’s famous adventures may be located south of the Queen City, the north also includes a wealth of experiences for balikbayan nature lovers and faithful pilgrims—not the least of which include the gorgeous beaches and sea activities found on Bantayan Island, an assortment of mountain eco-adventure parks, and the graceful thresher sharks of Malapascua Island.
If you’re planning to explore more of Cebu beyond the seven-city metropolitan area on your next visit to the Philippines, keep reading for our list of must-see sights north of Metro Cebu, plus tips on navigating around the area and choosing places to stay.
1. Walk the white sands and swim in the vivid blue waters of Bantayan Island.
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Often described as Cebu’s answer to Boracay but less commercially dense, Bantayan Island is a must-visit spot for any beach lover. Known for its powdery white sand, this is a gorgeous place to relax and unwind. However, you can also use your stay on the island as a jump-off point for other adventures in northern Cebu.
2. Island-hop and go cliff-diving in Santa Fe.
If you’re an avid snorkeler or a diver, you’ll want to tour the islands off Bantayan. These frequently include Virgin Island with its pristine beaches and cliff-jumping station, the colorful corals off Hilantagaan Island, the cliff-jumping and crystal-clear waters off Wang Wang Island, and more. You can also walk around the heavily graffitied German ruins and jump off the nearby cliffs in Santa Fe.
3. Visit the old Spanish fort and tour the marine boardwalk at Kota Park and Museum in Madridejos.
Another popular Bantayan spot is Kota Heritage Park and Museum in the municipality of Madridejos on Bantayan Island. The park features the 18th-century Kota Fort, a scenic marine boardwalk, and vast green gardens. During the late 1700s and 1800s, the fort protected the town against pirates. So apart from the peaceful atmosphere brought about by the lush gardens and sea view, visitors will appreciate a sense of history and culture.
4. Dive with the thresher sharks at the Monad Shoal off Malapascua Island.
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If you’re a scuba diver, Malapascua is likely high on your must-visit spots in Cebu. The waters around the island, particularly the Monad Shoal, are said to be the only place in the world where you can regularly spot pelagic thresher sharks, even as an amateur or fun diver. These majestic sharks, with their distinctive long tails, normally dwell in deeper waters than can be accessed by divers, so the frequent sightings in the area have placed this north Cebu island on the world map.
5. Spelunk and beach-hop around the Camotes Islands.
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The Camotes Islands are located in the Camotes Sea between Cebu and Leyte and are part of northwestern Cebu. Dramatic cliffs and white sand beaches abound on these islands, as well as gorgeous cave structures. Go spelunking through Timubo Cave, Paraiso Cave, Amazing Island Cave, Heaven Cave, or Bukilat Cave for an almost spiritual experience. Chill out and enjoy the sea views at the many resorts, including those on the rock cliffs like Mangodlong Rock Resort and Buho Rock Resort.
6. Swim, snorkel, or dive off the Capitancillo Islet near Bogo.
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This small uninhabited island in the Camotes Sea offers great diving and snorkeling sites in the nearby Ormoc Shoal, Nuñez Shoal, and southwest seawall of the island. The coral island is known for its distinctive white lighthouse, and its surrounding areas make up a protected marine sanctuary.
7. Trek and thrill seek at various eco-adventure parks in the mountains of northern Cebu.
Several eco-adventure parks can be found in the mountains north of Metro Cebu. Some top picks include:
Balamban’s Mt. Manunggal Eco-Adventure—nicknamed “Baguio de Cebu” for its tall trees, cool air, and dramatic mountain vistas—is a must-visit for avid trekkers. Apart from the challenge of the hike and overnight camping, tourists can try the zip bike and zipline, horseback riding, and more.
Meanwhile, the colorful rope bridge, play areas, and gardens at the JVR Island in the Sky Resort (also known as Sky Mountain or Island Skyview Resort), also in Balamban, make for a very Instagram-friendly spot. Take a ride in their family cable car for additional thrills and a sky-high view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
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Head over to Danasan Eco-Adventure Park in Danao to get your blood pumping. Those looking for tamer activities will enjoy trekking, waterfall-jumping, caving, riding ATVs, kayaking, fish-feeding, and horseback-riding at the park. But if you’re an adrenaline junkie, head on over to the go-kart speedway, zipline and sky bike, the death-defying sky drop, wakeboarding, tyrolean and rappelling, wall-climbing, and other activity areas.
Balikbayans who love animals and/or are traveling with kids will enjoy visiting Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen, which showcases local and imported flora and fauna. This includes petting and feeding some of the park’s animals, a bird show, and an African-style safari where you’ll encounter giraffes, zebras, tigers, lions, and more. Cebu Safari is the biggest zoological park in the Philippines, so it’s something to check out if you love nature. Thrill-seekers can try the zipline, sky bike, giant swing, ATV rides, and spelunking tour.
8. Tour the Capilla Santa Ana Museum and Labyrinth in Toledo City.
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This quiet tourist spot along the Diosdado Macapagal Highway in Toledo City’s Poblacion area combines faith with history. View the museum’s collection of relics and religious artifacts that date back hundreds of years. Then stroll and meditate through the maze garden, or Labyrinth, which showcases picture-perfect green hedges. It’s said that the time between entering and exiting the maze is exactly the time it takes to pray the entire rosary.
As the hedges are quite low and the area unshaded, the Labyrinth is best toured earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, and we would recommend wearing a hat and bringing cold water with you.
9. Go bamboo-rafting and see the Marmol Cliff in Tuburan.
Believed to be the dwelling place of fairies and nature spirits, Marmol Cliff will enchant its visitors. Named after the local word for “marble,” the solid rock structure is smooth, which results in the sun reflecting on its pale walls in the late afternoon. You’ll need to go on a rough trek or ride a motorbike (habal-habal) over dry and wet riverbeds and a nature trail. Then, take a bamboo raft out to the rock formation, which is reminiscent of a gate to a hidden magical kingdom.
10. Go spring-hopping around northern Cebu’s towns.
Various towns north of Cebu boast hot and cold springs that are popular with locals and tourists alike. Some, such as the sulfuric Esoy Hot Spring in Catmon, are said to have healing properties for those who bathe in them. Meanwhile, cold springs like Molobolo Spring and the bright-colored Blue Hole Spring in Tuburan or Guiwanon Cold Spring in Tabogon are perfect dipping spots for hot summer months, with the chilly waters said to rejuvenate swimmers.
Getting Around and Choosing Accommodations
• Car service or self-drive vehicle
This option will afford you the most flexibility in schedule and comfort. There are various car services in Cebu, most of which can be booked at the airport or are just a Google search away. Just a note for travelers unfamiliar with the province, though: You’ll want to install both Google Maps and Waze to help you navigate. While having a driver will mean less navigation on your part, you’ll likely still want to consult the map apps for specific destinations.
Some eco-adventure parks also offer city pickups for a minimum number of passengers, so when booking your thrills, you may also want to ask about transport.
• Commute
Head to SM City Cebu, where you’ll find the North Bus Terminal. Here, you can take a bus to any town north of Cebu, including Maya Port in Daanbantayan (from which you can then take a ferry to Bantayan or Malapascua) and other municipalities northwest and northeast of the metro.
If you’re heading for the Camotes Islands, you can take a bus to Danao, get off at the port, and take a boat to Consuelo Port. Or you can take the bus directly to the Camotes Islands (which comes with a slightly higher fare), though you’ll need to get off the bus at the port to pay the fare for the ferry and the terminal fee. Previously, there had also been an option to take a fast craft directly from the Cebu City port to the islands, but this is not available as of February 2024.
• Motorbike/scooter rental
While not comfortable for long trips, you might want to rent a scooter on a daily basis once you get to your resort or hostel. The prices usually range from around PHP350 to PHP600 per day for a motorbike. As with the car option, you’ll want to install map applications on your mobile if using this. While locals may be notoriously lax with helmet-wearing and piling on the passengers, we recommend following safety protocols by wearing a helmet and riding with no more than two persons to a motorbike.
• Guided tours via an agency
Also just a web search away are several agencies who can plot out an agenda, book accommodations and transport, and provide tour guides for you during your trip up north. While convenient, this option is a bit pricier than just getting a car or commuting. You may want to search for agencies and plot out an itinerary using the Department of Tourism’s Travel Philippines app.
• Accommodations
You won’t need to book a place to stay in every town you visit, but you’ll want to set jump-off points for certain parts of your adventure. We suggest planning to stay in the northwest or northeast of mainland Cebu when visiting towns there, but booking individual stays for anything that requires you to take a boat, like the Bantayan, Camotes, and Malapascua islands.
If you’re planning on trying many of the activities at the eco-adventure parks, we recommend booking rooms at or near the parks themselves, so you won’t find yourself too exhausted, only to have to head back to the city afterward.
• Pasalubong-shopping
If you want to bring home a souvenir to remind you of your favorite destination in Northern Cebu or to give to family and friends back where you live abroad—be it a tote bag, shirt, ref magnet, keychain, or more—you’re sure to find it at the nearest Islands Souvenirs store in the area, including Sta. Fe Seaport (special display) and in Sta. Fe, Bantayan; at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport; or their branches around Metro Cebu, including Ayala Center Cebu, SM City Cebu, SM Seaside City Cebu, CPA Pier 1 Passenger Terminal, Islands Sinulog Square, and more. Also check out our guide to Cebu souvenirs you can bring on an international flight.
For more Cebu adventures, check our guide to touring Metro Cebu as well as top tourist trips south of the city.