The small coastal town of Oslob, Cebu, rose to popularity, even on the international scene, primarily because of the presence of the ‘gentle giants’ or the famed whale shark watching activity in the municipality. Through the years, the local fishing village turned into a popular tourist destination, offering not only underwater escapades but also exciting things to do in the southern part of Cebu.
If you are planning to head south this weekend and explore the wonderful town of Oslob, here are some of the things that you have to know about the place.
Oslob, Cebu: Ultimate Guide
Bordered by the towns of Boljoon, Ginatilan, Samboan, and Santander, the municipality of Oslob flaunts its hilly and rolling topography lying near coastal roads, which is dominated by open grasslands and valleys, with very rich soil suitable for agriculture.
Aside from whale shark watching, here are some of the exciting attractions and things that you can do in Oslob, Cebu:
Sumilon Island is usually part of the itinerary of those who are visiting Oslob, after swimming with the whale sharks. Known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful sandbar, Sumilon Island has become one of Cebu’s best island hopping destinations in the southern part of the province—an approximately 20-minute boat ride away from the mainland.
Boat fees usually range from P2,000 to P3,500 depending on the number of people and the size of the boat. If you are traveling alone, you may opt to be a joiner. Aside from swimming, Sumilon Island also offers accommodation on the island that allows visitors to swim in its infinity pool, kayak at the lagoon, do island nature trekking, explore the island’s cave, and even climb the lighthouse, where you get a perfect view of the island.
Another wonderful destination around Oslob is the beautiful cascades of Tumalog Falls. Compared to other waterfalls destinations, this beauty would not require you to be exemplary in swimming, as the pool where the water cascades only reaches up to knee level. It is best to visit these waterfalls during the rainy season, as they could really go dry during the peak of summer.
With its stunning lush, tropical backdrop, Tumalog Falls is indeed a great place to unwind after swimming with whale sharks.
What better way to learn about the place than to get a review of its history, right? For a deeper understanding of the humble town of Oslob, Cebu, you may get a crash course in history at the Cuartel Ruins, which were initially constructed as military barracks in 1860. Unfortunately, because the Spanish occupation ended, the construction was put to a halt—and was never finished up until now.
If the Cuartel is not enough, you can fully explore Oslob Heritage Park to get the full dose of the municipality’s history. Take a few steps and you will see the famed Baluarte—a fort and watchtower that was built in the early 19th century. This served as a vantage point to look out for Moro raiders and gave initial warnings to locals whenever they were bound to be attacked by the perpetrators.
There’s also the Oslob Museum, which hosts some of the artifacts and antiques owned and contributed by the locals of the town. Admission is free, so it’s great to visit this place.
One of the famous superstitious beliefs of Filipinos is that: if it’s your first time visiting the church, anything you ask for will be granted. To complete your tour around Oslob, don’t miss to visit (or attend mass) one of the oldest churches in the province of Cebu. Like many surviving structures in the country, it has withstood a great number of storms and earthquakes and has taken the faith of many devotees and parishioners to a whole new level.
How to Get to Oslob, Cebu?
Going around Oslob, Cebu is easy. As it is located on the coast of Cebu, all you have to do is drive down south if you are bringing your vehicle. If not, you can simply go to the Cebu South Bus Terminal and embark on a bus going to Oslob.
Van rentals and local tour agencies also offer a whole-day package tour or 3D2N package tour that includes a visit to the neighboring towns, including canyoneering in Badian, sardines run in Moalboal, and a quick visit to the highest point in Cebu, Osmeña Peak.
Make the most of your weekend and visit Oslob, Cebu! Start realizing all those plans you had with your friends and tick off your destination bucket list now!
