When traveling to Cebu, Oslob is a must-visit place. You, however, must be well-informed of the things you need to do and not to do when in the city.
One of the traveler’s frequently asked questions is how to go to Oslob from Cebu City. You don’t have to bring a map to know how; you just have to know the important details and follow the instructions.
This article will bring you to the beautiful town of Oslob in Cebu City and if you are looking to visit us at our Sinulog Festival every first year of January then that would be really amazing!. Start planning your trip and bring this along with you.
You’ll find Oslob at the Southern tip of the island of Cebu in the Cebu Strait. Tourists enjoy going to this province because of the crystal clear waters and white sand beaches. The “close and personal” experience with the largest fishes in the world is also a must-do experience.
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Visit the Baluarte in Oslob
One of the greatest features of Oslob is the Baluarte. The Spaniards have left behind loads of legacies in the country, and the Baluarte is just one of them. The term Baluarte, which translates to watchtower in English, was built in 1788. There were six Baluartes during the Spanish era, and the Baluarte in Oslob is the only one that remained.
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Refresh Your Mind in Sumilon Island
You may also go to Sumilon Island for a visit. Taking a boat from the port, it will only take a few minutes before you get to the island. This island is known to be the home to some of the best sea creatures and reefs that you’ll ever see in the Philippines. Sumilon Island features four diving destinations and multiple other options if you want to go snorkeling. If you want to stay for longer days, you can book a night or two at Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort.
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Interact With the Underwater Creatures
A 15-minute drive from Oslob lays the town of Tan-Awan, wherein most of the whale shark watching activities usually take place. You can either go whale-watching or snorkeling with sea creatures.
Lots of people are afraid of getting into the water, probably due to the term “shark” that’s tied to its name. However, once the tourist gets pass the fear phase, they realize how docile whale sharks are, and they end up loving the whole experience.
TO TRAVEL
#1 Go there via Public transport: “FROM CEBU CITY TO OSLOB”
- From Cebu city, head to the South Bus Terminal and ride a Ceres Bus bound to “Bato via Liloan”
Tell the bus attendant to drop you off at Barangay Tan-awan Oslob for the whale shark which is just along the highway. It is estimated a 3-hour drive from South Bus Terminal. Bus fare more or less PHP 160.00 per passenger
#2 FROM DUMAGUETE TO OSLOB, CEBU
- At Dumaguete City Public Market, look for a jeepney or multi-cabs going to Sibulan Port.
At the Port pay the fee for the ferry or fast craft going to Liloan Santander Cebu.
- At Liloan Port, take or board a Ceres bus going to cebu City and tell the bus attendant or conductor to drop you off
at Oslob Whale Shark Bay. Most of the time the bus will drop you off at one of the resorts with “Whale Watching” signboard. Please take note, if you enter here, the resort will charge you with a PHP 100.00 fee for the use of locker toilets, cottage, and transportation going to the briefing station.
- Otherwise, you can walk directly to the Whale Shark Watching Briefing Station to register, pay the fees and attend the short briefing about the “Dos and Dont’s for the Whale shark encounter.
#3 OSLOB WHALE SHARK FEES
- Local tourist Fee for whale shark watching is PHP 300.00 This comes with the Life vest only. If you want to swim or snorkel with the Whale, you need to add PHP 200.00
- Foreign tourist Fee: Whale Shark watching or stay in the boat PHP 500.00
Add PHP500.00 if you like to swim or snorkel
- OSLOB WHALE SHARK WATCHING SNORKELING AND BADIAN CANYONEERING
#4 Highlights:
- Tick off a bucket-list experience: swim and snorkel with whale sharks in the Philippines
- Enjoy a combination of Badian’s most famous attractions in a private guided tour
- Scramble, climb, jump, rappel and swim through the rugged but scenic cliffs of Badian
- Make a splash as you brave through jumping off towering cliffs as high as 30 feet!
- Visit Kawasan Falls, a three-stage cascading waterfall and one of the most beautiful falls in the Philippines
- Round trip hotel transfer is included in the package
#5 Best Places:
- Tan-awan Oslob – Whale Shark Watching
- Tumalog Waterfalls – Best to go here when it rains or rainy season
- Sumilon Island Sandbar – Go there early morning (low tide) to see the white powdery sandbar enclosing the whole island
#6 Tips
- Avoid sunscreen protection as it might caused harm to the marine mamals. Pat attention to the Do’s and Dont’s during the briefing for your safety of your end and the whale sharks itself.
#7 Be sure to have food when traveling!
- Leave early (4:30AM) to avoid not just the traffic but also long queues at the Briefing area in Tan-swan, Oslob.
- Get a drive-through breakfast at McDonald’s in Talisay or in Carcar(opens at 6AM)
- Get your lunch on the way back at Barrio Kusina in Dalaguete ( excellent Filipino cuisine)
- If you are going to stay overnight it’s best to stay in Tan-Awan itself so you are close to the Whalesharks. Oslob town is 15 minutes drive from the Whalesharks.
#8 Places to Visit:
- First and foremost you must either snorkel with the Whalesharks or dive with them if you have a divers licence. At Sidive we can arrange your diving.
- Tumalog Falls is just 10 minutes drive from Tan-Awan.
- If you have more time it’s well worth visiting Aguinid Falls which is in Samboan a 25 minutes drive further south from Tan-Awan. Aguinid falls consists of 5 levels of Waterfalls and will take one hour to complete from start to finish. *In Oslob town there is a Museum and remains of the Spanish garrison on the seafront which is worth a visit.
#9 Loving the Whaleshark Diving:
- You really should have a dive license before diving with the Whalesharks. You can get your dive license at Sidive in Mactan Island, Cebu in 3 days before you go to the Whalesharks. *Dont go to close
- Avoid swimming with the current to follow the Whalesharks
- Stay with your buddy and guide * Dive with an official PADI diveshop.
#10 Always leave at 4AM
- It is always best to leave the city as early as 4AM to arrive at Oslob before it gets too crowded. It is advisable to hire a legit tour operator to make sure that advance arrangement and coordination has been made– this way it makes your trip hassle-free and easy.
#11 Visit Cuartel Ruins
- When in Oslob, make sure to visit Cuartel Ruins, Tumalog Falls and Sumilon Island. If you have the extra time and budget, a day tour at Sumilon Island packed with island-water activities and buffet lunch included will maximize your 3-4 hours drive from the city.
#12 Be sure to understand that never use sunblock
- If you plan to dive with the whale sharks make sure not to apply sunblock — arriving early at the area will also lessen your chances of getting sunburn. Attend and listen attentively to the orientation to make yourselves aware of what you can and cannot do. These sharks are harmless, always follow respect and follow instructions.
POSTED BY:
- KHENT JAMES SALADAS
Team Bangan 