Visit the Philippines, and you’ll find that whatever province you travel to will have a wealth of adventures and new experiences for you to try. This is so true of the province of Cebu, that we’ve prepared guides on must-see sights within the city limits, as well as north of the city and down south, to help balikbayans plan their itineraries.
Whether it’s an ocean adventure or trekking up mountains, southern Cebu is an excellent place for ecotourists. It will take more than one visit before you run out of gorgeous natural destinations to explore while south of the metro, but below are 12 thrilling picks to start with.
1. Do go chasing waterfalls.
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Just about every town in the south will boast either beaches or waterfalls, often both. Each waterfall will offer a different view, so make sure to check out the curtain-style falls of Tumalog in Oslob, the dramatic drops of Dao Falls in Samboan and Mantayupan Falls in Barili, challenge yourself with the treks up and down Aguinid Falls in Samboan, Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan, and Kawasan Falls in Badian. You may want to talk to the locals in each town you visit if you have the time, as you’ll likely find more hidden gems they can guide you to.
2. Swim with whale sharks in Oslob.
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Whale sharks, known locally as butanding, are the world’s largest fish species. Don’t let the “shark” in their names scare you off because these gentle giants only eat zooplankton and phytoplankton like krill, algae, and small fish. The whale shark experience in Oslob is one of Cebu’s most popular tourist activities, allowing you to swim close to these majestic animals. For more information on this experience (plus tips for tourists!) check out our article, “Be Wowed by Whale Sharks in Oslob, Cebu.”
3. Go paragliding in Oslob.
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Another Oslob activity for those who aren’t afraid of heights (or who want to conquer their fears) is paragliding. Fly over the coast with this breathtaking adventure and enjoy the view of the bold blue waters around the area. But note that this is strictly a fair-weather experience, and you’ll want to check out the Oslob Cebu Paragliding Development Facebook page for announcements of any closures due to unfavorable weather.
4. Swim through the world-famous sardine run in Moalboal.
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Another breathtaking experience with undersea creatures has you swimming among tiny fish. The sardine run is a giant school of small fish (often called a bait ball) that swim together to avoid being preyed upon by larger predators. In Moalboal, the bait ball is so large that it has been described as looking like an underwater hurricane. What’s impressive is that as you swim through or around the bait ball, the fish will swim away from you, and while the effect is fun for snorkelers, you’ll get the full experience if you get the chance to scuba or free dive in the area.
The sardine run is overseen by the Moalboal Tourism Office, which offers boat tours that also include a visit to Pescador Island for snorkeling in its reef and a trip to the local sea turtle sanctuary.
5. Go canyoneering in Alegria or Badian.
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This is the ultimate “chasing waterfalls” experience. This canyoneering adventure isn’t for the faint of heart or creaky of knees. You’ll trek down the streams of the canyon leading to Kawasan Falls, though apart from walking and climbing on paths, you’ll find yourself jumping (or diving headfirst) into and swimming in creeks and streams. It’s a great way to appreciate the natural beauty of the area as well as get your thrills in. Guided tours usually start at around PHP1,500 (under USD30); this may include lunch and pick-up and drop-off from nearby resorts.
6. Fly through the air on a zipline in Badian or Pinamungajan.
Another way to conquer your fear of heights is by soaring through the air on a zipline. If you’re already in the area for canyoneering or the Moalboal sardine run, you can check out the Badian Zipline Adventure near the canyoneering briefing station. For something a little closer to Cebu City, you can head to Hidden Valley Mountain and Wavepool Resort for their zipline and zip bike adventures and their huge wave pool.
7. Trek to Osmeña Peak and Casino Peak in Dalaguete.
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It’s a bit of a hike, but the view from the top makes it more than worth it! Osmeña Peak rises 1,013 meters above sea level and is the highest point on the entire island of Cebu. It’s accessible via both Badian and Dalaguete, and while the trek from the Dalaguete side is said to be easier, it’s also convenient from Badian when paired with other activities like canyoneering or viewing Kawasan Falls.
8. Chill out on one of the many beaches.
Beautiful beaches abound in the Philippines, and the southern part of Cebu is no exception. So if you’re a beach bum headed south of the Queen City, you can happily beach hop to your heart’s content. Top recommendations include Mahayahay Beach in Argao, Tingko Beach in Alcoy, Hermit’s Cove in Aloguinsan, Basdako or White Beach in Moalboal, Lambug Beach in Badian, the Badian Island beach, Pebble Beach in Santander, the sandbar and beaches on Sumilon Island in Oslob as well as the various unnamed beaches of Oslob, and more.
9. Say a prayer to Saint Michael at Argao Church.
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The Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel in the municipality of Argao is one of southern Cebu’s most famous old churches. Built in the 1700s, this Augustinian church is made of coral stone. It has a rich history of serving and protecting the people of Argao, having been used as a sanctuary for parishioners against Moro raiders from its construction through the 1800s. Tourists should check out the painted ceiling depicting scenes from the Bible and the Via Crucis, or Way of the Cross, in the church plaza.
10. Visit the miraculous image of Our Lady of Lindogon at the Simala Shrine castle church.
Also known as the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist or Our Lady of Lindogon Shrine, the parish church at Simala is a must-see for devotees of the Virgin Mary or even fans of unique architecture. Built in the late 1990s, it hosts the image of Our Lady of Lindogon, believed to be miraculous after it has reportedly shed tears on multiple occasions. The castle-like structure was built with Spanish and Byzantine architecture in mind, and its dramatic and towering façade and vibrant colors make it one of the most picture-perfect churches on the island.
(For more beautiful, historic churches to visit around the Philippines, including in Cebu City, check out this KUBO Guide.)
11. Go on a nature tour and bird watch at Nug-as Forest in Alcoy.
At 1.6 hectares, the protected area accessed via Barangay Nug-as in Alcoy is Cebu province’s largest forest reserve. It’s one of the last remaining forests on the island. Nature lovers will enjoy the chance to trek the trails and see migratory and native bird species, including the black shama (siloy), emerald doves, Cebu flowerpeckers, and hawk owls.
The reserve is managed by the Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Yutang Lasangnon sa Bulalacao (KMLYB), a local community of farmers and forest wardens who greet and guide tourists through the area. A tip for tourists: Wear dark and earthy colors like blue, black, green, or brown for better chances of spotting the birds, who are quick to fly away if they spot brightly colored outfits. You’ll also want to head out before sunrise to catch sight of the flowerpeckers and especially the siloys, known for greeting the dawn with their songs.
12. Take the Bojo River Tour in Aloguinsan.
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With the Aloguinsan River Eco-Cultural Tour, you can learn how communities can work together to preserve natural resources. Managed by a cooperative of local fisherfolk, the tour includes an introductory briefing on the critical history and flora and fauna of the river ecosystem, as well as a ride down the river with local fishermen guiding you and pointing out any significant animals and plants as you pass. This includes the mangrove forest on either side of the Bojo River. Women and youths from the community also serve local food and offer demos on local handicrafts.
Getting Around and Choosing Accommodations
Car service
A car and driver might be a bit of a pricier option—and you’ll need to set your itinerary in advance to get a quotation from the car agency—but it also means you don’t have to worry about navigation or parking, and you can just sit back and relax or even nap between tourist spots.
Self-drive
Having your own car or motorcycle to drive around will give you the biggest flexibility when it comes to your itinerary. This means you can decide if you want to call it a day or push for one or more experiences after you make your main stop, as many of the sights and activities can take just an hour or two or at most half a day. You’ll also be able to ask the locals for their own recommendations for off-the-beaten-path side trips or the best places to chow down for cheap without having to worry about renegotiating rates with a driver.
If renting your ride, most agencies that allow self-driven car rentals will be based out of the metro, but if you’re looking to hire scooters for a day, most of the bigger towns will have places you can rent a motorcycle from, with rates ranging from PHP500 to PHP1,000 per day, depending on the service. If staying at a local resort, you can ask the reception desk if they have any local contacts for motorcycle rental.
Commute
Although this is the most budget-friendly option when traveling, it also can be a bit of a hassle (not to mention hot if you end up taking a non-air-conditioned bus headed south). You can take a provincial bus or van (V-hire) from the Cebu South Bus Terminal, which you can take a cab or commute to from anywhere in the metro. Once in the towns you’ll be visiting, you’ll be able to take either a tricycle (tuk-tuk) or a habal-habal, which means riding on the back of a motorcycle or scooter.
Guided tours via an agency
There are several travel agencies that can organize packaged tours for you, which include transport to and from your hotel/resort, as well as a tour guide to talk and walk you through the various sites. These are easy enough to find via a Google search, or you may try using the Department of Tourism’s Travel Philippines app.
Accommodations
As far as accommodations go, while the different adventures listed here are spread out around the different towns south of Metro Cebu, you don’t need to find a new place to stay for each attraction. We recommend booking in maybe just one or two places to stay while touring the area. For example, you can pick a place in Oslob or Argao on the southeast side and Samboan, Badian, or Moalboal on the southwest side. You would then use those resorts, hotels, or hostels as jump-off points for various adventures in and around the area.
Pasalubong-shopping
If you want to bring home a souvenir from your favorite destination in Southern Cebu—be it a shirt, tote bag, ref magnet, keychain, or local delicacies—you’re sure to find it at the nearest Islands Souvenirs store in the area, 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.
Don’t have time to leave the city when you visit Cebu? If you’re in the Queen City of the South for just a few days, you can still pack in some touristy must-sees! Check out our list of sights to see in Metro Cebu. Also save our story on “10 Things To Do North Of Cebu” for your next PH trip.