During our five-day Central Visayas trip, we spent four days in Cebu. And guess what, it quickly became one of my MOST memorable trips within the country. That is true, even though it was not perfect; we had mishaps along the way.
I would say it ranks right up there with my Sagada trip and my first time seeing the sea of clouds on Mount Pulag, which are the trips that changed my life forever.
Even though I have a feeling that this four-day Cebu itinerary can also be life-changing for you like it was for me, I am not making a guarantee that it will.
One thing I am SURE of, though. I promise you can follow this travel plan exactly because it is based on how we actually spent our time in Cebu. No AI travel planners can develop anything quite as precise as this.
Summary of Our South Cebu 4-Day Trip
- Day 0: Departure from Bohol
- Day 1: Canyoneering in Kawasan Falls → Relaxing on the beaches of Moalboal
- Day 2: Snorkeling to see the beautiful ma rine life around Pescador Island → Snorkeling to see Moalboal’s Sardine Run & Sea Turtles → Explore Moalboal’s Night life
- Day 3: Quick Hike to Osmena Peak → Whale Shark Watching in Oslob → Visit the Sandbar in Sumilon Island → Chasing waterfalls in Dao Falls
- Day 4: Cebu City Highlands → House of Lechon → Pasalubong Centers → Back Home
Hi reader! It’s Eljon, and before we continue, I want to welcome you to my blog, Explore to Thrive. Here, I share my experiences with traveling, reflections on spirituality, personal growth and insights on building an online business, all to make a difference. But my mission goes beyond that. You can learn more about what I do by visiting my homepage.
South Cebu 4-Day Itinerary
For context, we were a group of seven when we visited South Cebu. We spent most of our time in south Cebu because we wanted ADVENTURES.
We had a few more different reasons for picking that side of the island which you can check out in my blog post comparing North and South Cebu.
Remember, if you want to build a custom itinerary for your Cebu trip, I made a map covering South Cebu, Cebu City, and Central Visayas. These show the various attractions and points of interest across the region so you can plan a smoother and more efficient route. Open the links in a new tab so you can look through them later.
Day 0 → Arrival and Preparation
Usually, travelers kick off their South Cebu trip in Cebu City because it serves as the primary entry point for the island.
From different parts of the Philippines, you can find flights and ferry trips to Cebu City with ease. It’s convenient to start your journey here, especially because it’s in the middle of Cebu island and getting to the towns and most tourist attractions on the island can be accomplished by taking a bus from the city.
During our trip that is exactly what we did. We reached South Cebu through Cebu City, after a 2-hour ferry from Bohol.
Here’s the timeline:
- 5:00 PM → Ferry departure from Bohol.
- 7:00 PM → Ferry arrival in Cebu followed by a quick dinner near the port.
- 7:30 PM → Departure from the port. Transport to the guesthouse in Moalboal.
- 10:30 PM → Arrival to Moalboal, our home base for the entire South Cebu trip.
Click the images below to enlarge
I must mention that, during our trip, our group decided to rent a private van for the entire duration of the stay.
While the choice seems obvious, convenience was only one of the many reasons why the decision proved so valuable. Personally, I loved how we bonded together in the van during the long stretches of travel between each attraction.
Our trip would have not turned out so fun and worthwhile if we did not have a private van and instead rented individual motorbikes to get around the island.
Another important detail about this itinerary is that we did the whole trip as a personalized tour. The owner of our homestay acted as our guide and used his local connections to handle all the logistics for us. That made booking tours and grabbing reservations so much faster and easier than doing it ourselves.
Here’s an important reminder:
Booking your tickets and reservations ahead of time is the best way to ensure your trip goes smoothly. Book as early as possible because popular attractions like Kawasan Falls and Oslob Whale Shark Watching often reach full capacity. Local officials limit the daily number of visitors to prevent overcrowding and preserve the natural beauty of these locations.
Now, you might wonder why we skipped the city before heading to South Cebu. It is because most people buy “pasalubong” on the last day of the trip to avoid carrying extra bags around. Cebu City is the best place for these gifts and we decided it would be easiest to shop and see the sights at the same time before we headed home.
Pasalubong is a Filipino tradition that happens whenever we travel. I am not sure of its exact origins but I see it as a simple way to share our trip with family members who stayed home.
As you already know, we picked Moalboal as our home base. For what reason? Moalboal is a strategic location to quickly reach the adventures like the Sardine Run and Canyoneering that we were so excited about.
But, of course, before that, we also checked other locations where it can be advantageous to find a homestay or a hotel. All in all we found five and I invite you to check them out.
Day 1 → Kawasan Falls & Road Trip
Day 1 was ABSOLUTELY exciting.
We tried the ultimate Cebu adventure, canyoneering through the breathtaking Kawasan Falls. It is a wild jungle experience where you will feel adrenaline surging through your bloodstream multiple times.
That heart-pounding jump into the turquoise water from a 50-foot cliff? That thrilling slide down the rushing stream between massive boulders? That soaring swing into the pool under the emerald canopy of trees? Be ready to conquer your fears!
For me, our canyoneering adventure really rounded out the trip from day one.
Here is the timeline:
- 7:00 AM → Wake up! Have heavy breakfast.
- 8:30 AM → Kicked-off the day to Kawasan Falls!
- 9:30 AM → Arrived at the canyoneering gear depot. Grab a life jacket and helmet then ride a tricycle to the jump off site.
- 10:00 AM → Jump off point reached. After a quick orientation, we began the trek toward the mouth of the canyon that goes to Kawasan Falls. Note: you can bypass the walk if you choose the zip line.
- 10:30 AM → The start of the actual canyoneering experience.
- 2:30 PM → Arrival at Kawasan Falls and lunch at the local food stalls by the falls.
- 3:30 PM → Reached the end of the trail and then headed back to the homestay to wash and rest.
- 4:30 PM → Roadtrip! Explored the roads in Badian and Moalboal
- 6:30 PM → Back to the homestay for sunset and dinner in Moalboal, followed by social time on the beach until bedtime.
Kawasan Falls Canyoneering Guides:
Click the images below to enlarge
While our canyoneering in Kawasan Falls turned out epic, one of our mates got a small leg injury after jumping into the water from a boulder. Luckily, it was not a big concern and was definitely not serious enough to need hospitalization.
But yeah, that incident prompted us to skip visiting another waterfall because our friend needed more rest. If my memory serves me right, I think it was Dao, Cambais or Kabutongan Falls that we could have visited if that had not happened.
Anyway, we still had fun that afternoon because our homestay owner let us borrow his pickup truck. He even drove it himself to show us around his town of Moalboal and the nearby town of Badian.
I’m sharing all this now because I’m giving you a friendly reminder to have a plan B if things don’t go your way.
Also, please keep in mind that you should book your Kawasan Falls canyoneering trip in advance, as soon as possible, to guarantee your entry. Local authorities cap daily visitor numbers to prevent the area from becoming too crowded.
Day 2 → Sardine Run, Pescador Island, and Moalboal Beach
Exhilarating is what I felt during day one.
For day 2, I felt awe. I marveled. I was filled with wonder. The hidden world beneath the surface of the sea near Moalboal and Pescador Island was one of the most spectacular sights I have witnessed in my life.
The corals bloomed in every imaginable shape and vibrant color. And the sea turtles? They glided through the depths as if they were flying in the water. I could not take my eyes away from the scene, especially the massive sardine run that moved like a living silver cloud.
I have never seen such natural beauty elsewhere. Truly, it was a once in a lifetime experience.
- 8:00 AM → Wake up, eat heavy breakfast, prepare for the day.
- 9:30 AM → Arrival at the Moalboal docks to get ready for snorkeling at Pescador Island.
- 10:30 AM → Snorkeling around Pescador Island.
- 12:00 PM → Sailed to Moalboal and saw the incredible sea turtles and sardine run at the diving areas.
- 1:00 PM → Lunch and food trip to track down the tastiest seafood dishes.
- 3:00 PM → Beach hopping from White Beach to Panagsama Beach through sunset. Bonding!
- 7:00 PM → Dinner.
- 8:00 PM → Check out some night life in Moalboal.
- 9:30 PM → Early lights out to get enough rest for tomorrow’s adventure.
Click the images below to enlarge
For our second day in South Cebu, we found ourselves with plenty of extra time in the afternoon.
We could have visited more waterfalls like the ones we missed on our first day, but we chose to stay by the beach because the weather was so nice. It was not that hot and the water was calm and lovely. The clouds made the shore look like it was begging to be photographed.
We made the most of our time at the water bonding. We played games. We shared stories about our lives, our dreams, and our favorite jokes.
The cute part of the afternoon involved the dogs that joined us on the sand. They stayed right there, looking at us, as if they could understand every word we were saying.
If you have plans to hang out at the beach but your accommodation isn’t right on the water, remember to pack a straw mat or a beach blanket so you can lounge on the sand without getting it all over your hair.
For dinner or a late afternoon snack with a view of the sunset where you can also grab some drinks, try the bars and restaurants along the coast of Barangay Basdiot in Moalboal. Ester’s Bar and Tilas Lounge Beachbar in Panagsama Beach are both worth checking out.
I highly recommend snorkeling or freediving in both Moalboal and Pescador Island like we did. It is a fantastic combination.
Book a boat tour online so you only have to meet the guide, hop on the boat, and enjoy the experience. This way, you avoid the hassle of bargaining with random tour operators on the beach.
Day 3 → Osmena Peak, Oslob, Sumilon Island, Dao Falls
Day 3 turned out to be a little less fun compared to the first two days.
The cloudy weather during the sunrise at Osmena Peak and the surprisingly large crowds in Oslob, even though we traveled during the rainy season in November, certainly lowered the quality of the experience.
Still, we enjoyed the day. Getting so close to whale sharks is terrifyingly fun. It is also amazing to visit the sandbar on Sumilon Island, which looked like paradise!
- 3:30 AM → Off the bed and prepare for a whole day of adventure!
- 4:30 AM → Departure from the homestay; hit the road to Osmeña Peak.
- 5:30 AM → Arrival at the registration desk and the trailhead to Osmeña Peak.
- 6:00 AM → Catching the sunrise at the summit of Osmeña Peak.
- 7:15 AM → Back to the registration desk and van to head toward Oslob next. Eat breakfast on the go.
- 9:30 AM → Arrival at Oslob Whale Shark Watching. Proceed to registration and the briefing.
- 10:00 AM → The 30-minute whale shark watching experience
- 10:45 AM → Rinse off quickly at the nearby shower room and then make your way to the boat ride for Sumilon Island.
- 11:15 AM → Arrival at the Sumilon Island sandbar. Snap some pictures and enjoy a quick swim in the shallows.
- 12:15 PM → Departure from Sumilon Island
- 12:30 PM → Back in Oslob to grab a quick lunch at the eateries near whale shark watching site
- 1:00 PM → Departure from Oslob
- 1:45 PM → Made it to the Dao Falls trailhead and kicked off the waterfall trek.
- 3:15 PM → Finished the hike at Dao Falls.
- 4:30 PM → Back to the homestay in lMoalboal to freshen up and take a break.
- 6:00 PM → To the beach to see the sunset in Moalboal once more before grabbing dinner.
- 8:00 PM → Relaxing with others before heading to bed early.
Click the images below to enlarge
Comparing to the first two days, Day 3 was packed with many more activities. We visited four different attractions in a single day!
This proves that you can fit several experiences into one day if you have enough energy. However, I would not suggest doing this because the pace is incredibly tiring. It took me less than five minutes to fall asleep as soon as I hit the mattress that night.
Actually, whale shark watching and visiting the Sumilon island sandbar were not the parts that felt physically tiring.
It was our trek to Dao Falls that truly drained our energy. You literally climb boulders at that location by pulling yourself up with a rope, and some sections even require the help of a guide to reach the higher stages of the falls.
My friends and I even admitted that trekking Dao Falls was more demanding than our experience canyoneering in Kawasan Falls!
By that night, we were thankful we saved the trek to Dao Falls for the final part of our South Cebu itinerary. If we had tackled it right after Kawasan Falls, we could not imagine how sore our muscles would have been on Day 2.
Important: Oslob authorities limit the number of visitors allowed to see the whale sharks. This helps prevent overcrowding and ensures the whale sharks are not overwhelmed. To guarantee you get in on the day of your visit, I recommend booking your tour as early as possible.
Day 4 → Cebu City Highlands & Sky Adventure
On our last day in Cebu, we headed back to the city to finally buy pasalubong and explore the area at the same time.
However, instead of visiting the city center where the historical sites are, we decided to visit the highlands. This is the area west of the city where some of the iconic landmarks are located.
We came to that decision because the city was heavily congested that day. We did not want to be stuck in traffic again like the daily commute we face in Manila where most of us work. Beyond avoiding the heavy traffic, we really wanted to get out into nature for some great views and fresh air.
The best part of the route was that House of Lechon, the famous restaurant in Cebu, sits right along the way to the highlands. It was the perfect choice for our last lunch in Cebu before we returned home. My mates enjoyed the food a lot.
- 3:30 AM → Wake up, quick shower, and prepare to leave Moalboal
- 4:00 AM → Byebye Moalboal homestay! Breakfast on the road.
- 7:00 AM → Arrival at Sirao Flower Farms in Cebu City highlands
- 8:00 AM → Chillin’ at Cebu Tops
- 8:30 AM → Explorin’ Temple of Leah
- 9:30 AM → Vistin’ Cebu Taoist
- 10:00 AM → Lunch at House of Lechon
- 12:00 PM → Arrival at Crown Regency for the Sky Experience
- 2:00 PM → Pasalubong and souvenirs
- 4:00 PM → Mactan International Airport
- 6:00 PM → Flight home
- 7:00 PM → Touch down at Manila
There’s plenty of things I want to share with you about the day we were in Cebu City. I’ve published those stories in another blog post so I can share every detail without making this specific post too long.
Conclusion
On our flight home, so many things were running through my head.
I could not wait to see the looks on the faces of my parents when they hear about the wild adventures I survived. They belong to that classic generation of Filipinos who think any activity involving a life vest or a helmet is a near-death experience, so I was eager to tell them stories they would find hard to believe.
… jumping off a 50-foot cliff into the canyon waters.
… swimming in deep parts of the sea where my feet could not touch the ground.
… snorkeling beside a massive sea creature that looked like it could swallow me whole.
Ooooh man!
I was also excited to share these memories with my workmates because I knew they would be so jealous.
But on top of everything, I felt heavy with separation anxiety because I left a paradise to return to a reality filled with draining emails and meetings.
I also felt jealous of the Cebuanos because they are incredibly lucky to have so many ways to relax only a few hours away from the city. They have everything from panoramic mountain hikes and beautiful beaches to amazing underwater sights right at their doorstep!
This made me realize that South Cebu is a place everyone should visit because you will never regret spending your time there. The region is full of marvelous views to see and exciting adventures to try.
But, of course, before you go, you should double check your plans and reservations before you head out to ensure everything goes smoothly.
To help you prepare for the trip, you can check my other post for a guide on all the essentials you need to pack in your bag when you visit Cebu.
Planning to Visit Cebu?
I am here to help you plan your journey and ensure you have an incredible time. You should check out my travel maps, planning tools, and tips, which are all derived from my own adventures in Cebu.
Click the maps below to view or download them:
Cebu City
South Cebu
Central Visayas
My travel planning resources page contains everything you need. Find the best hotels, cheap car rentals, affordable flights, and travel insurance.
From this page, you can also book the top 3 unmissable activities in Cebu. You can find alternative experiences in Oslob, Badian, Sibonga, Moalboal, Bantayan, and Malapascua as well.
Of course, if you’re visiting Cebu City, I also have tips for you. And if you want to go beyond Cebu, you can discover nearby destinations like Bohol, Siquijor, and Dumaguete.
Thank you for reading
I hope my trip and experiences spark ideas for your travels and help you plan your next trip. But before you go, if you haven’t checked it out yet, drop by my homepage so I can give myself a proper introduction. Catch you there!
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