Hey guys! So we are now on the second part of my Cebu adventure! After strolling around and enjoying the beauty of the Queen City of the South, I went farther southeast outside Cebu City. I decided to visit Oslob, Cebu for the main reason that I wanted to watch and snorkle with the giant whale sharks locally known as "tuki" or "butanding".
ALSO READ: CEBU: QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH
To my surprise, Oslob doesn't only have giant whale sharks as its attractions but it also has a whole bunch of other amazing wonders as well. Let me take you to the places that I have visited in the gorgeous and peaceful municipality of Oslob, Cebu! I really hope that you'll somehow learn something from this post and find it useful in the event that you become interested in visiting the place. Let's go!
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| Yours truly with the gentle butanding. |
The daily whale shark watching activity is only up until about lunch time so you guys have to be very early if you are planning to do so. I was so pumped to wake up as early as 3:00 AM for my trip to Oslob. I met with my great local friends, Eugene and Philbert (special thanks to the both of them for the warm company), grabbed a quick breakfast and headed to the Cebu South Bus Terminal.
From Cebu South Bus Terminal, you can take a bus bound directly for Oslob. Our bus left at 5:00 AM as planned. The first daily bus schedule is at 3:00 AM and the last trip would be at 9:00 PM. The schedule runs with intervals of thirty (30) minutes.
You can advise the driver's assistant to have you dropped off to Tan-awan, Oslob or even if you just mention that you'd like to see the giant whale sharks, they'll definitely know where to drop you off. The bus fare going to Tan-awan costs PHP 150.00 and the estimated travel time would usually take about 3-4 hours.
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| MB's Sunrise View Resort - Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu |
It was around 8:00 AM when we arrived in Tan-awan and the bus dropped us off right in front of one of the resorts offering the whale shark watching experience, MB's Sunrise View Resort. Spontaneously, since this resort is the one nearest us and seemingly the busiest resort in the area, my friends and I decided to go and try it out.
The people at the resort are very accommodating and they'll have almost everything set up for you so you won't need to worry about a thing! For the whole whale snorkeling and watching activity, it cost me PHP 500.00 which included the boat rental (the boat can carry about 4-6 people, boatmen excluded), PHP 100.00 for the resort entrance and PHP 550.00 for the underwater camera rental.
Yes, you read it right, an underwater camera rental. It's perfect for me since I don't own one just yet! You can definitely share the camera with your friends so you can go dutch with the rental fee as well. But of course, it would save you a lot of money if you have and bring your own.
After everything has been paid for, you'll be riding a cab courtesy of the resort and one of their staff members will escort you to the orientation area. The orientation took about 10 minutes and it covered some facts about the giant whale sharks and most importantly, the do's and don'ts during the entire activity.
It's quite annoying and sad that some people, mostly foreigners are just stubborn and hard headed. As what the locals have properly oriented and advised, you should not use any sunscreens or lotions as these contain chemicals that might harm the gentle giants. You should also keep a distance of about 4 meters away from the butanding while diving or snorkeling. There was even this one time when my friend politely told a Korean national to stop putting on sunscreen but he still did and acted like he didn't hear anything. Oh come on! Are you waiting for us to speak Hangeul just so you can understand it? It would be great if you will follow the rules and regulations set by the locals. We are mere visitors of this serene place, have some respect! (I hope that there's a Danisha Niqua's face emoticon available here.)
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| This is the most decent underwater groupie that I have with my friends. LOL |
Anyway, enough of the ranting. LOL. The entire snorkeling activity lasted for only 30 minutes but we absolutely enjoyed it! We finally saw a bunch of giant whale sharks in their enormous glory!
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| Tumalog Falls |
After getting back to the resort and having some good lunch, we planned to visit the Tumalog Falls which is just about 10-15 minutes away from the resort. The resort offers habal-habal (motorcycle) driving services for PHP 140.00 round trip including the entrance fee to the falls.
I've got two words for this place, refreshing and relaxing! You can already feel the cold mist on your skin just by walking towards the falls. A minute felt like an hour seeing those veil-like shapes as the water rushes down the amazing rock formations.
I really took my time in enjoying and observing this natural haven. The water was so cold and fresh that it invigorated my energy. All the energy that was drained from my day-to-day tasks seemed to be fully restored. I was one with nature for a moment.
After staying in Tumalog Falls about an hour or so, the habal-habal driver then drove us back to the resort. We took a shower and fixed ourselves as we prepare for our quick heritage tour!
From the resort, we took a jeepney bound for Poblacion, Oslob. This is where the heritage park is located which comprises of a number of historical sites. It is about 15-20 minutes away from Tan-awan and the jeepney fare costs PHP 10.00.
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| Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church |
Walking around the park definitely takes you back in time when moments are slower and stress is less. I immediately saw the majestic beauty of one of the oldest churches in Cebu, the church of the Immaculate Conception that was started to be built in 1830 and took about 18 years to finish.
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| Cuartel |
Adjacent to the church is the Cuartel which is supposed to be an old Spanish garrison or headquarters. This construction of this beautiful structure was unfortunately unfinished due to the Americans' arrival.
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| Museo Oslob |
Next to the Spanish Cuartel is Museo Oslob which houses antiques and other historical items from the people of Oslob. The admission inside the museum is free of charge however, taking pictures are prohibited.
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| Front: The statue of Fr. Julian Bermejo; Back: Baluarte |
Walking a bit farther at the right side of the heritage park is the statue of Fr. Julian Bermejo, who spearheaded the establishment of the once strong coastal defense system in Oslob called Baluartes (or "Lantawan" as what the locals would call it). The baluarte behind the statue of Fr. Bermejo was built in 1788 for the purpose of defending the area against the moro raiders. Made in coral stones and lime mortars, there are also six (6) other watchtowers situated along the coastline of Oslob.
Walking along the Heritage Park gives you not only these awesome historical structures but an absolute picturesque view of the ocean waters as well.
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| Municipality of Oslob - Cultural Heritage Map |
Looking at Oslob's cultural heritage map, I realized that I've just visited 8 out of 11 spots! Hooray! Not bad for a day of exploring the place eh? I'll surely revisit Oslob and check out the rest of its must-visit spots like Sumilon Island, Mainit Sulfuric Hot Spring and Estaca!
After a quick tour around the town's Heritage Park, we then took an air-conditioned bus going all the way back to Cebu City which costs PHP 143.00.
Below are the other shots that I took during my adventure in Oslob, Cebu.
Scroll down as well for the "Stingy Budget" that I had during this entire day trip!
THE STINGY BUDGET:
Bus fare - PHP 150.00 (Air-conditioned; Cebu City to Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu)
Bus fare - PHP 143.00 (Air-conditioned; Poblacion, Oslob, Cebu to Cebu City)
MB's Sunrise View Resort entrance - PHP 100.00
Snorkeling fee - PHP 500.00 (+ shuttle service and boat ride to the snorkeling area)
Underwater camera rental - PHP 183.33 (PHP 550.00 divided by 3 pax for me and my two friends)
Food expenses - PHP 200.00
Habal-habal driving services and entrance fee to Tumalog Falls - PHP 140.00 (Round trip)
Jeepney fare - PHP 10.00 (Tan-awan to Poblacion, Oslob, Cebu)
TOTAL = PHP 1,426.33 or 1,426.00
(NOTE: I am not in any way affiliated with MB's Sunrise View Resort, I am putting them here in this blog post as I have enjoyed their services during my Oslob, Cebu adventure and would like to recommend them to the readers of this blog.)
If you'd like to reach out to MB's Sunrise View Resort for inquiries, you may contact them at the following mobile phone numbers and kindly look for either Dailene, Marilyn or Tirso:
- Globe Telecom: 09065869895
- Sun Cellular: 09232971176
There you have it guys! I hope that this somehow helped you in your next Oslob getaway! If you liked this post, please do share it and spread the good vibrations! In case that you've already visited Oslob and you have something new to share, I would love to hear it too! Throw it in the comments section down below.
Thank you everyone and happy travelling!
16 comments
wow, love your blog..^^
ReplyDeleteHi Eugene! Thank you so much! I really had a super fun time with you guys~ See you again soon!
DeleteAnd please don't forget to spread the good vibrations! ^^
Wow! Oslob! This is one in my bucket list and im saving up for this! I hope we can visit this next year.. Your blog is very informative, i'll bookmark this :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCebu looks like such a fun and wonderful place to visit! I've always admired the cultures and images from places like this.
ReplyDeleteCEBU!!!! I love this blog post!!! The whale shark watching and swimming has been a dream of mine since I first heard about it a couple of years ago! It's sad though that some people can't respect the rules :( other than that I hope I'll get to visit this year.
ReplyDeleteOSLOB! I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of the place (oops), but this is now on my bucket list for local destinations! Ang gaganda! I want to snorkel too and take photos of marine life - even though I'm a little terrified of the deep blue. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteI'll add this on my list and maybe soon when I will go to Cebu I'll add this!!! Your photos are amazing and Instagram worthy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! Keep posting! xx
l http://dorothytorretijo.blogspot.com
I never been to Cebu but maybe someday I'll visit this soon!! Your photos are amazing and Instagram worthy!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! Keep posting! xx
l http://dorothytorretijo.blogspot.com
Your write up is great along with your perfect photos! You've detailed everything about Oslob in this piece. The falls by the way is majestic! and those gentle giants are jaw dropping!
ReplyDeleteCess Piano
www.cesspiano.blogspot.com
Been wanting to go to Oslob for a while now! It's definitely on my bucket list. Love the photos, I can really see that you've enjoyed your adventure :)
ReplyDeleteAriane Peralta
dearchubby.wix.com/marp
That's amazing, being able to get so close with a whale, my!
ReplyDeleteYou had a very nice experience! I would love to swim with those whale sharks, i just dont know if i wont be scared of them.
ReplyDeleteaikaloraine.com
Amazing pics! Makes me want to pack my bags and go there now hehe. Continue taking beautiful photos :)
ReplyDeletewow the church looks really big and so spacious inside.. I've always wanted to visit Cebu and it has been on my bucket list but I never get a chance and the budget as well haha
ReplyDeleteAs much as i want to have a closer contact to Butanding, i don't think I have the courage to do so
First, hindi ako marunong lumangoy haha and second, I usually freak out kapag maynakikita akong gumagalaw sa tubig sigh
Thanks for sharing, South cebu is on my bucket list this year, will visit this soon
ReplyDeleteWow this is amazing. The last time I went for whale watching was last 2011 in Donsol, Sorsogon. I do think Oslob as a more organized way of accommodating guests in this type of attraction unlike in Donsol. I would love to try this in the future :)
ReplyDeleteNurse Alpha