7 Days of Adventure in Cebu

Astonishing islands with pristine beaches, local cuisines with tasty delicacies, and amazing people with warm smiles on their faces – these make Cebu one of the best holiday destinations in the Philippines. Whether you want a luxurious vacation, an exciting backpacking adventure, or a family getaway, the Queen City of the South has something great for you.

Of course, I absolutely had to see for myself how true all the rave reviews are. And, boy, I wasn’t disappointed at all. I had such an awesome experience having an adventure from island to island. If you’re looking for a destination for your seven-day vacation, check this place out.

Here’s what you can do to make the most out of your 7 days of adventure in Cebu:

Tour Cebu City
Whale Sharks in Oslob
Marine Life in Moalboal
Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls
Dive with Thresher Sharks in Malapascua
Visit the gorgeous Kalanggaman Island
ATV and more Adventures in Bohol

Tour of the City

A city tour is one of the best ways to get a feel of any place and its culture. You get to acclimate to the environment and meet locals. You also get tons of tips and tricks on how to spend the rest of your vacation. Most locals can lead you to places and experiences that you don’t usually read about on travel sites.

A tour of Cebu City gives you a glimpse of its history and culture. Being one of the oldest cities in the country, it naturally has among the oldest structures. Start your day tour by visiting ancestral and historical sites:

• Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House. This quick stop gives you a glimpse of how people lived centuries ago.
• Museo Sugbu. This provincial museum used to be the provincial jail. It’s been converted to house artifacts and collections from various eras. After going through all the rooms, you’d have an idea of the story of the country and its people.
• Fort San Pedro. Built during the Spanish occupation, this small fort was a formidable bastion through several wars.
• Basilica Minore del Santo Nino. Built centuries ago by the Spaniards, the basilica enshrines the image of the Santo Nino that was given as a gift to Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana when they were baptized as Catholics.
• Magellan’s Cross. Just a few meters away from the basilica is the cross that was planted by Magellan as a symbol of the city’s acceptance of Christianity.

After these stops, grab a hefty lunch to fuel up for more walking tours in the afternoon. To get your fill of local cuisine while experiencing the typical Filipino culture, head to Larsian. If you enjoy Singapore’s street food vibe, you’d enjoy eating at Larsian. If you prefer a place that’s cozy and more comfortable, there are plenty of local restaurants around the city. Wherever you decide to dine, make sure you try Cebu lechon, chorizo, and larang (saltwater fish and vegetables). Care for something a bit exotic? Have a taste of tuslob buwa (pig brains) and lansiao (bull genitals). 

For your afternoon tour, take a jeepney ride to Lahug to see the “Little Amsterdam” of the city – Sirao Garden. Your adventure here starts with a 30-minute habal-habal (motorcycle) ride to see the brightly colored flowers that adorn 8,000 square meters of sloping terrain. I definitely got hordes of Instagram-worthy shots in this place. After feasting your eyes on the beauty of nature, head to the Temple of Leah to fill your heart with romantic stories that surround the place. If you have more energy, head back to the city to the Taoist Temple. Cap your day with a trip to Tops Lookout. This observation deck has a sweeping view of the city and gives you a magical panorama as the sun sets. A perfect way to end the day.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dʀ Tᴀɴʏᴀ Sᴄʜʀᴏʙɪʟɢᴇɴ DMSᴄ PA-C (@epitome_of_living) on Jan 10, 2020 at 12:09pm PST

Swim with the Whale Sharks at Oslob

A trip to Cebu won’t be complete without an adventure with whale sharks in Oslob. Make sure to allot an entire day for this trip. Expect an early morning departure from Cebu City. The trip to Tanawan takes about three hours by bus. So if you want a morning swim, start your day before dawn.

At Oslob, you can opt to just stay on a boat and watch whale sharks swimming around or choose to dive into the water and swim alongside them. Whichever you choose, it would still be an amazing experience. A word of caution though: there may be instances when no whale sharks are around due to weather conditions. Don’t expect to have your fees refunded in this case.

To make the most of your trip to Oslob, visit the nearby Tumalog Falls before heading back to Cebu City. This uniquely shaped horseshoe waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. 

Up Close and Personal with Marine Life at Moalboal

Just like the trip to Oslob, it takes three hours by bus to go to Moalboal so this calls for another whole day of adventure. Aside from its pristine white beaches, Moalboal offers up close and personal interactions with marine life. 

Take a short boat ride to Pescador Island for a one-of-a-kind experience – the sardine run. It’s truly amazing to see millions of sardines swirling around together and moving in perfect sync. If you want to swim with turtles, Talisay Point is one of the best places to do so. Actually, there are quite a handful of sites in Moalboal where you can swim, snorkel, and dive. The area is a world-class dive site that’s home to beautiful corals and hundreds of marine species. If luck is on your side, you may even spot some dolphins around.

Don’t go back to Cebu City just yet. Take a short trip southwards to Kawasan Falls to rinse off with icy cool fresh water before heading back.

Relaxing at Kawasan Falls

Just a few kilometers southwards, Kawasan Falls is less than an hour’s drive from Moalboal. You can relax after an entire day at Moalboal by taking a dip at ice-cool waters and getting a hydromassage under the falls.

Or if you want loads of adventure, spend the morning at Moalboal and your entire afternoon at Kawasan Falls. Extreme adventure awaits the brave-hearted here. You can try jumping off the waterfalls, rappelling down sharp cliffs, rock climbing, canyoneering, or trekking. I had an epic canyoneering experience here that etched Kawasan Falls forever in my heart. So if there’s a single place I’d recommend you go to in Cebu, it would be this amazing falls.

Diving and Relaxing at Malapascua Island

A day trip to Malapascua Island just wouldn’t be enough. Once you step on the soft powdery white sand of Malapascua, you wouldn’t want to leave the island anymore. You definitely need to spend at least two days and one night in this paradise. That would enable you to enjoy both the sunrise and the sunset over the horizon. 

Those who love adventure would be excited to dive with thresher sharks and other species of big fish. You literally get to swim with the big fish here. You may also want to try the motorcycle tour around the island, cliff jumping, island hopping, and snorkeling. Even something as plain as beach bumming is an adventure here. 

Water Sports at Kalanggaman Island

From Malapascua, take a two-hour boat ride to the nearby Kalanggaman Island. The long sandbar that peeks through crystal-clear waters is so picturesque. There are also several water sports activities that you can do for a steal. Banana boat rides, kayak rentals, and others can be had for just around $5. 

If you have an extra day to spare, spend the night camping on its white powdery sand. You can buy cooked food from small stalls scattered on the island or buy fresh catch and cook them yourself. There are grilling stations and wooden tables that can be used for free. Don’t do anything against the island rules though; there are tourist police around to preserve the beauty of the island.

Road Adventure in Bohol

From Cebu, you can take a quick trip to Bohol to see the country’s famed Chocolate Hills. These are a cluster of tiny hills that look brown and barren during summers. They reminded me of Hershey’s kisses arranged neatly on a table.

Instead of just viewing them from afar, you can make your way around the hills on an ATV. You need to sign up for the Eco-Adventure Tour to do so. Expect to get muddy if it has rained or very dusty if the weather’s sunny. So remember to bring an extra set of clothes.

For lunch, get on board the Loboc River Cruise. You’ll get to enjoy buffet lunch while cruising along the serene Loboc River. You’ll also be serenaded by the beautiful singing voices Cebuanos are known for.

The Best Time for a Cebu Adventure

The Philippines is in the tropics so it has fair weather all-year-round. Some months may be rainy, but you’d still be able to enjoy your vacation any time of the year. For Cebu though, you may want to go near the end of January to witness the famous Sinulog Festival held on the third Sunday of the month. I actually regret missing the long colorful parades and the amazing street parties. Still, whatever month you choose to go, there are plenty of adventures to be had in the beautiful Queen City of the South.