Melo Villareal
The Ultimate Oslob Travel Guide
Cebu, Philippines — For many decades, the island of Cebu has remained one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, offering a wide variety of attractions and experiences suited for different types of visitors, from history buffs to beach bums. Cebu is truly blessed not only with breathtaking attractions but also stunning beaches.
Within a two to three-hour bus trip from Cebu city, is a quiet place that has created a lot of noise in recent years. Oslob is a coastal town in the southern part of Cebu, and it’s one of the best places to visit in this province. It used to be a place where life is laid back and is celebrated, perhaps with a visit to the church or by attending to one’s basic household chores and agricultural work.
Nonetheless, Oslob suddenly became a tourist attraction, when nature turned its course, bringing significant gifts of the sea and turning it into a beautiful destination, on the island province of Cebu.
In this Travel Guide to Oslob, Cebu Blog, we listed some tips on how you can do your own DIY trip to Oslob. We also included Oslob Itinerary, Things to do and see, how to get there, and more.
We’ve listed some of the best places to visit and where to stay if you happen to visit Oslob. Read along.
Best time to Visit Oslob
You can visit Oslob any time of the year but if you want to enjoy water activities and experience whale shark interaction, avoid the wet season. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Oslob, the hottest months are May, April, and then June.
How to Get to Oslob, Cebu
Cebu City to Oslob
From South Bus Terminal in Cebu City, hop on an Oslob-bound bus (P150, 3 hours bus ride)
If you plan to go whale shark watching straight away, ask to be dropped off along the highway at Barangay Tan-Awan.
You can also rent a habal-habal to take you to the tourist spots, such as Tumalog Falls and the heritage areas.
Dumaguete City to Oslob
From Dumaguete airport, hire a tricycle to take you to Sibulan Port. Special trips will most likely cost around P100, with travel time around 10-15 minutes.
If you’re coming from Liloan Port, you won’t have to wait too long because there are trips to Liloan Port every hour. Fast craft fare (Around P70) Liloan Port in Cebu is located south of the province. From there, ride the bus that will take you North, to Oslob. Ceres buses are just outside the port waiting for passengers.
Things to do in Oslob
Visitors who take a little longer to visit Oslob may also find themselves overwhelmed with the long list of things to do. Which to choose? Where to stay? No need to fret as this guide is a concise list of not-to-be-missed activities for first-time visitors of Oslob.
Visit the historical treasures in the south of Cebu at the Cuartel de Espana
This building, according to history, served as the first line of defense for naval infantry, due to the town’s strategic location. The structure is said to be made from the remnants of a collapsed, five-story bell tower, near the town church. The Cuartel de Espana is a recycled structure, belonging to the past. It’s quite an excellent place to take a photo while enjoying the view.
Get a peek and swim with nature’s gentle giants of the sea.
Tick off a bucket list experience and get a chance to swim and snorkel with whale sharks in the Philippines! It’s such a dream to float peacefully with the biggest creatures in the ocean, and here, in Oslob, there is a 99 percent chance that you not only will get the opportunity to swim with these magnificent creatures but to feed them as well.
Oslob Whale Shark Watching Tour
Tick off a bucket list experience: swim and snorkel with whale sharks in the Philippines. Enjoy a scenic 3-hour drive along the Southern Cebu coastline accompanied by an experienced local driver. Participate in shark feeding and explore surrounding coral reefs. After your whale shark experience, you may opt to climb up the amazing Tumalog Falls!
- Book Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island
- Oslob Whale Shark Snorkeling and Badian Canyoneering Adventure
- Oslob Whale Shark Watching Join In Day Tour from Cebu
Visit nature’s magnificent and diaphanous drapery, Tumalog Falls.
Nothing compares to the cold mist that you get from a waterfall, during a hot summer day. The vastness of the horseshoe-shaped landscape is a vision to behold. Make this a grand finale to your Oslob trip.
Where to Stay in Oslob
Also, as part of Cebu, Oslob is one of the places famous for tasty Cebu Lechon. Here are some accommodations in the fine town of Oslob for you to consider.
Melronz Inn
Located on the beachfront in Oslob and featuring a garden, Melronz inn has big family rooms and also provides guests with a barbecue area. There is free private parking, and the property offers paid airport shuttle service.
Villa On A Cliff
If you fancy a beautiful cliffside villa, this can comfortably fit a group of twelve friends in its four bedrooms, all with a queen bed each, and two with provisions for two-floor mattresses. There are also three complete bathrooms, and guests will be provided access to the dining rooms and living areas.
Ocean View Lodging House
Set in Oslob in the Visayas region, Ocean View Lodging House offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at the accommodation, while hiking and snorkeling can be enjoyed nearby.
Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort
Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort is the only resort on the island. This 24-hectare property is a 4-star accommodation with direct access to coral reef beaches. It features free WiFi in public areas and an outdoor pool. Spacious cottages at Bluewater Island Resort Sumilon feature a private veranda with lounge chairs. They are air-conditioned and have a TV, work desk and safe. A hot/cold shower is available in the private bathroom.
Best Places to Eat in Oslob
Brice BBQ & Grill
Address: Barangay Looc, Oslob 6000 Philippines
Telephone: +63 917 325 4321
Basically a new restaurant in the area, Brice BBQ & Grill is where you can indulge on great seafood and barbecue grill. It’s located across Aradive Resort and is mostly visited by huge groups because of their affordable and worthy set menus.
Le Bistrot
Address: Natalio Bacalso Avenue, Oslob 6025 Philippines
Telephone: +63 32 481 9090
La Terrasse
Address: National High Way Opposite Whaleshark Briefing Center, Oslob 6025 Philippines
Telephone +63 923 548 4797
This is a quaint restaurant in Oslob that serves vegetarian dishes, European, and local cuisines, which is why most tourists drop by for some downtime and to grab some great meal. Dishes are affordable, but locals recommend to visit during breakfast are they are known to offer hefty and generous servings.
The Philippine islands await you with a chance to explore their vast natural wonders, which are untouched but accessible. So, don’t waste your time waiting for the perfect time to enjoy life and make a plan to visit Oslob today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is it to swim with whale sharks in Oslob?
For international tourists, the fee is Php1,000 ($20 USD) per person and this covers boat ride, use of snorkeling gears, and 30 minutes of interaction with the whale sharks.
| TOURISTS | INCLUSIONS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Filipino Tourists | Whale watching (no swimming) + Life Jacket and boat ride | PHP300 or ~ USD 6 |
| Filipino Tourists | Snorkeling with the Whale + Life Jacket, boat ride and use of snorkeling gears | PHP500 or ~ USD 10 |
| Foreign Tourists | Snorkeling with the Whale + Life Jacket, boat ride and use of snorkeling gears | PHP1,000 or ~ USD 20 |
Can you touch the whale shark?
Touching the whale sharks in Oslob is strictly prohibited. In line with the Code of Conduct, for the safety of customers and the whale sharks, swimmers must stay a minimum of 5 meters away from the head and 6 meters away from the tail.
Do I need to book a whale shark watching tour package in advance?
No. Tourists can do walk-in and join the tour however, the first come first serve rule is being followed.
Oslob Travel Tips
- The best time to visit Oslob for whale watching is during weekdays and early morning around 9:00 am as there are fewer tourists and you got to enjoy swimming with the gentle giants more.
- Whale Shark Watching Tour in Oslob is available daily from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM only.
Searching for the best Oslob hotels and Cebu affordable flights? Check out our complete list of Oslob Cebu affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more updates about new tourist attractions in Cebu? Please follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, and Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
Also read:
- Farm, Food, Fun In The Queen City Of The South
- Whale Watching In Oslob Cebu – Tuki Encounter Is More Fun In Oslob
- Beautiful Sandbars To Explore In The Philippines
