How to get to Tan-awan Oslob Cebu and see the Whale Sharks

Here we go!

Planning of seeing and swimming with the biggest fish on earth? Well we got it covered here. 

Tan-awon Oslob, Cebu is fast getting into the adventure seekers, travelers radars. That's when a group of whale sharks started feeding on the baby shrimps feed to them by the local fishermen. Since then, they stayed in the area and have since become a tourist attraction, not only for the locals but to the international people as well.

The attraction amplified when a blogger featured the the unique bond created between the whale sharks and the fishermen in the area followed by media coverage broadcasted over national media. The rest is history...

Ready na?      Larga na ta! 

Getting there

1. Get to  the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT)

Getting to Cebu South Bus Terminal is pretty easy. If you are familiar with the Cebu City area you can either take a jeepney or a taxi. Several jeepneys pass the terminal area, but if you are not sure which one to take, you can always check on the jeepneys signboards, if not, locals would always be there willing to help.

Fare:    Jeepney  = Php 8.00

          

            Taxi = Php 80.00 ( + - )   

* Within City Area

2. Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT))

Upon arriving at the terminal, look for CERES and SUNRAYS Buses going to Oslob or Santander. Ceres bus personnel are always happy to guide you through.

Fare:   Ceres Bus =  Php 145.00 (+ -)

3. Tan-awan, Oslob Arrival

For first timers, you might get a little unsure, uncomfortable, uneasy, lost in direction while on the road. Feel not, because the bus conductor and it's driver would gladly help and give you directions on where to stop and to go. Just ask them with a smile.

Enjoy the great seaside views for  the 2-3 hours bus ride.

 4. Arriving at Tan-awan Oslob, Cebu

You would know that you have arrived to the watching  place, because the road is right next to the beach and the gates of some local resorts have whale shark paintings and drawings on them. Also, you can see people in groups gather together waiting to get a glimpse of these magnificent fishes.

Where to go next?

5. Go register

The local government of Oslob has put up a registration both for you to register before you can go and see the whale sharks. Go and register. Again, don't forget to keep your cool because you might have to fall in line under the heat of the sun.

Registration fee =  Php 200.00 (+ - )

6. After registration

After registering,you will have 30 mins. information talk with a personnel from the local government unit about the DOs and DONTs when doing the whale shark watching.

After the information talk, you are now ready to go.  You will be required to wear a life jacket so if you have one, don't forget to bring it, if you don't, no need to worry. There are  cheap life jackets for rent and snorkels in the area.

Rentals :   Life Jacket = Php 30.00 - 50.00

                 Snorkel Set = Php 50.00 (+ - )

7. Get to the assigned boats

Gear up and get to your assigned area where your assigned paddle boat will be waiting for you.

*You might have to wait for your turn depending on the volume of people around.   

8. Go Go Go 'n ENJOY!!!

 

   

Have questions?  Ask it here through comments or e-mail me : dieter.rabadon@gmail.com

Thanks!

How to get to Bantayan Island Cebu, Philippines

Here we go again!

BANTAYAN

 

Yup! It's one of the places you shouldn't miss to visit whenever you are in Cebu. People would compare it to Panglao Island in Bohol or even to the well known Boracay, but it's not. It has it's own beauty and it's being under-developed makes it a perfect place  to get away...

What's in the Island

Season affects everything in the island. When it's summer, the island gets a crowd most especially in the Lenten - Easter days because of some activities set around the island. In the regular days, things get to move back to a slow. You wouldn't miss to see some Koreans enjoying the beach and some westerners cranking those scooters for rent of course.

The Island is best known for the hospitality of it's people and it's white powdery beaches. Other than these, if your expecting for something else, there is non. All activities are on the beaches, so have your selves ready to get wet, wild and tanned.

Getting there

1. Starting Point

 From any part of Cebu, get a Jeepney or a Taxi to the North Bus Terminal (NBT).

 

Note: if you are familiar with the area of the bus terminal you may opt to go for a Jeepney, but if you are not, I would suggest that you take the taxi for convenience of travel.

2. Arrival at North Bus Terminal (NBT)

Arrival to the bus terminal can be a crazy chaotic thing if you are not familiar with the hows and whats in  the terminal. There will be so many people going after you(asking you where you'll be going), so make sure to keep your cool, STOP,THINK, and LOOK for the buses with HAGNAYA signboards in front.

There are two main bus companies plying for the route to Hagnaya where you'll have to board the ferry boat going to the island, the Ceres Bus Liners and the Cebu Auto Bus. You may choose for any of the two, but I prefer taking the Ceres Bus. 

*Bus Fare : Php 100.00 +  (Less than Php 150)

Travel Time : 3-4 hours (depending on traffic)

3. Arrival at Hagnaya Port

HAGNAYA Port is not that big, so you surely wont have problems through there. Get a ticket to the ticket both and you are on your way to the getaway island.

*Ferry Ticket : Php 100.00 (+-)

 

*Ferry Boats travel almost every 2 hours depending on the volume of passengers.

* Travel Time : 1+ hours

4.  Arrival at Sta. Fe, Bantayan Port 

Upon arrival, you will be met with locals who would offer to take you to different resorts. If you have no idea where to go, you don't have to worry. There are so many resorts just right next to the port. Again, STOP and THINK before you decide. 

If you decide to check out the different resorts aligned just right next to the port, you may take there primary slow mode of transportation, the Trisikad waiting just outside of the port terminal. 

Trisikad fare : Php 10.00 + 

5. Beach Resorts

Beach resorts in the area vary from the expensive ones to the cheap ones. 

*I suggest you check  these resorts first before going anywhere. 

• Beach Placid Resort Bantayan Island 
• Ogtong Cave Resort Bantayan Island

*The not so cheap but worth checking

• Hoyohoy Villas Bantayan Island 

iTravelskiks recommends: that you do an advance reservation to your desired resort as most of these great cheap resorts get fully booked most of the times. 

Average Room Rates: Php 1,500 - 2,500

6. Things you can do 

• Enjoy the beach yeah!

• Go snorkeling, island hopping to the white island 

• Rent a motorbike/scooter and ride along with your friends to historical some historical sites.

Rentals: Motorbike/Scooter  = Php 300.00 - 350.00 24hrs (Bring anywhere,anytime)

• Eat eat eat eat eat...

 

Have questions?  Ask it here through comments or e-mail me : dieter.rabadon@gmail.com

Thanks!

How to get to Bohol and Panglao Island Philippines

Hello there! 

Ready to visit Bohol? Larga na ta!

Here is my very simple guide on how to visit Bohol Island with a blast!

You guys might probably be wondering, how much will it cost to get to this incredibly beautiful island? The answer is, you don't have to spend much to enjoy an Island as beautiful as this. Trust me. It's very affordable, so you can surely bring your family or friends.

- First Up! When traveling I always encourage people to always bring "LIGHT" what I mean with this is bring only the ones you need. If everything can just fit with a single bag, then a single bag that is. I would also recommend not to bring so much extra cash as it would stop you from experiencing the real travelers life which is the best thing when you travel to an island such as this.

- Here We Go! 

1.  Best starting point will be from CEBU.

 - From here, you can easily get tickets going to Tagbilaran, Bohol (Bohol Island's main city). I recommend that you take the OCEANJET fast craft at Pier 1. You may also try the other shipping lines but I doubt if they can give you better, safer, cheap discounts, in there services.

OceanJet : Contacts and Schedule

Note: Get your tickets in there office at PIER 1

2GO Travel (SUPERCAT) : Contacts and Schedule

After getting you tickets, off you go and enjoy your 2.5 hours ride.

*Best time to travels is early morning

 

2.  Arrival at Tagbilaran Bohol Port.

- There will be so many Taxis and V-hires waiting for you outside. Please don't get carried away by there calls. STOP and THINK is always the best thing.

 

 3. Fare

Tricycle      :Tagbilaran Port - Island City Mall (ICM) = Php 10-15.00 (+ -) per person

                   

                   :Tagbilaran Port - Panglao Island (Specifically Alona Beach) = Php 250 (+ -) 

                   :Island City Mall (ICM) - Panglao Island(Specifically Alona Beach) =Php250(+-) 

Taxi or Van    : Tagbilaran Port - Panglao Island (Specifically Alona Beach) = Php 500 (+ -)

                     *take tricycle going to Mall for grocery /take taxi going alona beach, panglao./tricyle for adventurers only :)

4. Where to stay.

Recommends: Alona Beach Panglao Area - Great white Beach with Good cheap resorts in the area

- If you don't have any idea where to stay yet, PANGLAO Island is always the place. The island has the best beaches with great and affordable resorts to stay.

Rooms Cottages Rates : From Php 800, Php 1,500, Php 2,500 to 4k-7k

Cheap but worth checking: Lost Horizon Resort  , Alona Tropical Beach Resort

Not so cheap but worth checking: Oasis Resort

iTravelskiks TIP : I recommend that you do a grocery at the Island City Mall (ICM) first before going to the desired resort to stay as the island is quite far from the mainland so the items in the island would be pretty expensive already.

- Want Cheaper ones? ask locals when you arrive to Alona Beach area and they will guide you to the cheap and clean cottages starting from php 500-1.5k . Just give a tip.

Note: Rates vary in seasons

5. What to do

           - Enjoy the beautiful white, clean powdery beaches

               

                            : (Best beach front restaurants w/ Live Bands @night)

          - Do the Island hopping

       *Inclusive: Dolphin watching, Balicasag Island (Snorkeling is a Must), Virgin Island

                            Rates: Php 2,000-2,500 (Whole Day)

         - Do the BOHOL Tour Package

 *Inclusive: Baclayon Church, Sandugo, Big Snake (Prony), Tarsier, Chocolate Hills, Man made forest, Butterfly Sanctuary, Bamboo Bridge, Loboc River Cruise, Hinagdanan Cave.

 

 

                 

                               Rates:  Php 1,500 (2-4 Persons) Car

                               Php 2,500 ( 5 Persons or More) Van

           - More Adventure

                          : Danao Bohol Adventure Park (Quite Far)

                           Ziplines, etc...

Enjoy the heat this summer!

Have questions?  Ask it here through comments or e-mail me : dieter.rabadon@gmail.com

Thanks!

How to get to...

It's summer and I'm sure heaps of people are planning and thinking on where to spend their vacation with a blast. Most prefer to get to the ultimate summer getaway - BORACAY, but some still would prefer to get to places that has the same beauty but not as crowded.

To some people who have just started or are planning to go to some of the interesting places of the country, the feeling maybe unsure.  It's normal, when it's your first most specially if you have no idea of the place you are thinking of going and on how to get there.

Let me help you ease the feeling of being unsure and hopefully will get you up and running to get to where you want to go this summer. 

To get started, browse the archive links on the side bar of my blog to help you get to the place you want to go.


- Cheers!