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| Butanding or Whale shark |
Finally, after years of waiting.. I've finally did whale watching but not in Donsol, Sorsogon but rather here in Oslob, Cebu!
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| South Bus Terminal in Cebu |
HOW TO GET THERE
There are three ways on how to go to to Oslob, Cebu.
From Cebu City
Option 1 (best option) - 3 hours
Board a flight to Cebu. Then, go to South Bus Terminal. Board a bus (preferably, Ceres) to Oslob. Fare is P155. Travel time is 3 - 3.5 hours or 124 kilometers. Alight at MB Sunrise View Resort.
Option 2 - 4 hours
Board a flight to Cebu. Then, go to South Bus Terminal. Board a bus (preferably, Ceres) with the signboard Bato via Barili. Fare is P191 (aircon) or P177 (non-aircon). Travel time is 4 - 4.5 hours or 147 kilometers. Alight at Bato Terminal and board another bus going to Oslob. Fare in the bus is P30 (aircon) or P20 (non-aircon). Travel time is 15 minutes or 16 kilometers. Alight at MB Sunrise View Resort.
From Dumaguete City
From Dumaguete City
The other one is from Dumaguete City. From the city, ride a multicab bound to Sibulan port (fee is P11.00 only). Then, ride a fastcraft to Santander. The boat trip to Santander is 20 minutes only. Fare is P60.00. Reaching Santander port, ride a bus going to Cebu (the bus is just waiting at the port). The trip to Oslob is 20-25 minutes only. Fare is 60.00 aircon. Then alight at Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob, Cebu.
PLACE TO STAY
There are so many resorts/accommodations in Tan-awan. But I stayed at MB's Sunrise View Resort (one that has the yellow gate). Lodging fee is P800 for non-aircon (negotiable up to P500) and P1,500 for aircon (good for 3 pax). The other resorts are charging P1,500 - P2,000 for aircon.
Contact Nos. - 0906-586-9895 / 0923-297-1176
Whale watching is done only from 6 am up to 12 noon. And so I spent the night in Oslob. The following morning I knew why the resort is called MB Sunrise View.
The sunrise at the resort was simply fascinating and breathtaking!
After watching the sunrise, the trip to the whale sharks started. The fee for the whale shark adventure is as follows:
Local (Filipinos) -
Viewing only at the boat - P300.00
Swimming with the whale shark and snorkerling - P500.00 (life vest and gears included)
Foreigners -
Viewing only at the boat - P500
Swimming with the whale shark and snorkeling - P1,000.00
Before the actual whale watching, one will undergo a 10 minute briefing about things to do and prohibited while doing whale watching. among the the things prohibited are touching the whales, feeding the whales, putting sunblock and producing bubbles while swimming with the whales.
Well, there is no harm listening and following the rules. We have to protect the whale shark.
The trip to the whale shark site is only 5 - 10 minutes. And you can now swim with the whale sharks! There is only a limited time of interaction with the whale sharks which is 30 minutes only.
Touching the whale shark is prohibited. But inadvertently, the I touched it while it passed beside me. It is cold and slippery. Penalty for touching the whale is P2,500.
Two-thumbs up for whale watching! Even the boatman agrees! Anyway, you are given only 30 minutes to see and swim with the whale sharks.
ACTIVITIES IN OSLOB
Island Hopping - depends on the number of persons (minimum P1,500 - 1-5 pax)
During the island hopping, you can do fish feeding, snorkeling and swimming.
Diving
Foreigners - P3,500
Local - P2,600
Tumalog Falls
Visit the historical places - P100 (Baluarte Old church, Museum etc.)
After the watching, I decided to see the Tumalog Falls.
Habal-habal ride is P140/pax and the travel to the site is 15-20 minutes or 6 kilometers. You have do a 10 minute trekking to reach the site.
It's Really More Fun in Oslob!
Side trip - Bantayan Island
From Cebu City, you have to go to the North Bus Terminal.
Once there, you have to board a bus going to Hagnaya.
You can choose from either Ceres or Rough Rider.
From Cebu City, travel time is 3 hours. Fare is P200.00 for aircon buses. Reaching Hagnaya, upu have to board a boat. There are only 2 shipping companies operating at Hagnaya Port.
Schedule of trips
Super Shuttle Ferry
Hagnaya to Santa Fe
4:00 am, 7:00 am; 8:00 am; 10:30 am; 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm; 4:30 pm
Santa Fe to Hagnaya
6:00 am; 8:30 am; 10:30 am; 12:30 pm; 2:30 pm; 4:30 pm; 6:00 pm
Contact Nos.
Santa Fe- 0909-258-2875; 0916 / Hagnaya - 0916-905-2348
For Island Shipping Corporation
(the interval of 30 minutes as against Super Shuttle Ferry)
Fare is P170 for ordinary and P185.00 for aircon room. The ro-ro trip is 1 hour only.
Hey, going this weekend. Do you have a contact number for MB Sunrise View? Thanks!
ReplyDelete0915 597 2178; 0920 854 0582; 514 5613
ReplyDeleteHi, Will be in Oslob on Aug 12. Is it advisable to stay on the night of Aug 11? Do we need to get a pemit to be with the Butandings? Do they have a limit as to the number of people on the shore with the whales?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Yes, it is advisable and a must because the whale watching starts early in the morning. But I'm not sure about the whales' presence. Usually, peak season is from November to May.
ReplyDeleteYour accommodation there will arrange for the boat. You just have to tell them that you intend to do whale watching. You will not be on the shore. You will be onboard a boat watching and/or swimming with the whales. Usually, 4-6 persons onboard the boat.
Enjoy! I do hope there are whales because it's August. I was there last summer.
wowwwwwwwwwww huhuhuhhuh!!! this will be my next destination:)
ReplyDeletehi! i will be going to Oslob on October 16 do you think it will b a good month to visit and to see the whale sharks? i badly need your advice :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. But it is better if you call or text MB Sunrise (the resort) and ask them. I went there summer.
DeleteHi! If from Oslob what island is closer, is it Bantayan, Camotes or Malapascua? Thanks a lot! First timer here :)
Deletethe nearest is Camotes and the farthest is Bantayan
Deletehttp://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/camotes-island-white-sand-beach-and.html
Deletehttp://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/bantayan-island-in-cebu.html
Deletehttp://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/islands-of-cebu.html
Deletehttp://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/malapascua-island-best-island-in-cebu.html
ReplyDeleteIm planning to got to oslob, but I do not have underwater camera. are there available underwater photographers there. thanks! if there's any, how much??
ReplyDeleteYes, they have underwater cameras. The boatman will be the one to take your pic but you need to give them an extra tip for that because it's dangerous and not part of the job. If I ma not mistaken, the price for the rent of the underwater cam ranges from P300-500. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGood day! This is from MB's Sunrise View Resort. Please be informed everyone that the contact numbers appeares in this site were no longer available. Please take note of our new and active contact numbers: SMART : 0939 388 7108; GLOBE: 0915 427 6245; SUN: 0923 297 1176 or email us at clamonte dailyn@yahoo.com. If you want to see the pictures of the resort, try to visit our facebook page MB's Sunrise View Resort but please take note of our profile picture, the passage of our resort not the butanding cos there are two facebook page of MB's. For inquiries, please contact us directly of the above contact numbers. Thank you and I hope this could help you in your trip to OSLOB.... See you...
ReplyDeleteWow sir! Buti nalang nakita ko tong blog mo! Sabi na nga meron kang blog about oslob hehe. Btw im your student last sem hahaha. Thank you for the info sir!
ReplyDeleteThanks and Enjoy! =)
Deletedid you book your stay at MB sunrise view beforehand or did you book it the day you went there nalang?
ReplyDeletedid you book your stay at MB sunrise view beforehand or did you book it the day you went there nalang?
ReplyDeleteOn the spot po ako lage nagbobook
DeleteWow! This is amazing. Nice blog on whale watching. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteAj’s Place Resort offers Oslob packagein a very affordable price.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy a fun-filled day of snorkeling and relaxing by availing the Oslob whale shark tour packages of Aj’s Resort Place
ReplyDeleteOslob package? You have probably heard about it, but in case you haven’t – you can watch, snorkel, or dive with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu!
ReplyDeletePeople who love challenge and adventure will surely be interested with this activity. Or if you are the type of person who is looking for something new in life, you may include Oslob hotels near whale watching in your bucketlist.
ReplyDeleteAll in all OOslob cebu package is perfect to combine with Canyoneering and Kawasan falls and other tours.
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ReplyDeleteFor the best Oslob, Cebu whale shark scuba diving experience, avoid the crowds. Contact our Oslob whale shark resort for parties with 13 or more people
ReplyDeleteOslob is a hidden gem that offers a mesmerizing experience with its whale shark watching and the enchanting Tumalog Falls. As a proud Cebuano, visiting these enchanting spots should definitely be on your bucket list. The chance to witness the gentle giants of the sea up close in Oslob's crystal-clear waters is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that truly leaves you in awe. Tumalog Falls, with its cascading waters and lush surroundings, offers a serene retreat for nature enthusiasts. So, if you're seeking a memorable adventure that showcases the beauty of Cebu's marine life and natural wonders, Oslob is a must-visit destination that guarantees an unforgettable experience.
ReplyDelete