Karlo Pacana
Whale Shark Watching in Oslob Experience + Itinerary
Would you believe we could do Whale Shark Watching in Oslob and visit Sumilon Island, Tumalog Falls, and Baluarte Ruins in just one whole day? To give you an idea of how to do it, let me share our detailed itinerary below:
My cousins just arrived from Manila and gave me a challenge since they have a dinner engagement the next day. If it, by all means, possible to fully experience Oslob on that same day and be back by 8pm?
1. Whaleshark Watching
2. Sumilon Island
3. Tumalog Falls
4. Baluarte Ruins
Haha, we’ll see.
Whale Shark (Butanding) in Oslob Experience
1. Left Cebu South Bus Terminal near Emall at 4AM through a yellow Ceres bus with a sign that says “Bato-Oslob”.
Tip: There’s a 7-Eleven store across the terminal if you’re hungry or thirsty. Don’t forget to power nap for two hours; full, packed day ahead.
2. Arrived at 7AM at Tan-Awan Whaleshark-watching Orientation Center near BCD’s Place. There’s a sign on the left side of the road.
Tip: Tell the Ceres ticket attendant to drop you at BCD’s Place in Tan-Awan.
3. Register. Then a thorough discussion about the do’s and don’ts, and pay the fee (1000+ with underwater camera rental). Present your receipt, wear a lifejacket and snorkel, and wait for your turn to go to the boat and swim with the sharks.
Tip: Look for Ryan Seville, a boatman friend of mine, and tell him to cover everything in the video, that way, you could screenshot the best parts.
4. Process your underwater coverage through a CD or memory card where you rented it. Their shop’s just behind Sunrise Grill Haus, where breakfast is at 100 pesos. Look for Flip and Flex so that you will be serenaded while eating. Done by 9:00 AM.
Sumilon Island
1. After eating at Sunrise Grill Haus, ask the waiter for Vangie; she owns eight red boats and will hook you up. Tell her to merge you with another group if you’re traveling alone. Pay 200 at most for a roundtrip. Don’t forget to haggle.
2. Arrive on the island 20 minutes later, and pay the entrance fee of 50 pesos. You could also check out Sumilon Bluewater Resort.
3. Go back to Sunrise Grill Haus anytime as long as it’s one of Vangie’s eight red boats.
4. Have lunch, all done by 1:00PM.
Tumalog Falls & Baluarte
1. Again, look for Vangie. Pay 150 pesos at most for a motorbike. For big groups, you can ask for a multi-cab. Tell her you want to go to Tumalog Falls and then Baluarte.
Tip: Don’t pay your guy yet; he’ll wait for you. Also, you can buy a coconut at the entrance of Tumalog for 25 pesos.
2. Head over to Baluarte and read about its history. Ask locals where the bus stop for Cebu City is. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Baluarte. All done by 4:00 PM.
3. On your way to Cebu South Bus Terminal, don’t forget to try out local delicacies like chicharon, ampao, banana chips, torta, etc. They are usually sold by vendors who board the bus in Carcar. All done by 7:00 PM, still enough time to prepare for the dinner appointment.
Well, it seems like Oslob has it all, 1/4 “dinosaur” interaction, 1/4 island-hopping, 1/4 majestic showers, and 1/4 historical appreciation. Hitting four birds with one stone is more fun in the Philippines! Happy Summer!
Also Read:
- Getting High On Boracay Island: Climbing Mt. Luho
- Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort: Your Own Private Island
- Out of Town and on Sumilon Island (Part 1)
- Side Trip: Sumilon Island to Aguinid and Tumalog Falls
- 14 Absolutely Beautiful Places in Cebu
